ThePokemon TCGserves as a fun mirror to the mainline Pokemon games insofar as they recreate the mechanics present in the games in card format. Terastallization is one such mechanic from the games that makes for a fun and interesting inclusion in the TCG.
Introduced in 2023’s Scarlet & Violet expansion, Tera Pokemon (which are all stylized as Pokemon ex) cannot be damaged while on the bench and often feature different typings than normal – such as Charizard ex being a darkness type, Mewtwo ex being a lightning type and Garchomp ex being a water type. Tera Pokemon have become a major competitive force in the TCG, but what are the best Tera cards? Let’s explore.
10Arcanine ex
Kicked Off Tera Pokemon In The TCG With A Bang
Debuting as the first-ever Tera Pokemon in the Scarlet & Violet expansion, this powerhouse Arcanine is a strong attacker with 280 HP and two impressive options that will send the opponent’s active Pokemon packing.
Notably, Arcanine ex’s Raging Claws attack, which only requires two Fire-type energy, scales with the number of damage counters on Arcanine ex, meaning the maximum damage it can do is 300 – a whopping amount for only two energies.
9Tsareena ex
Combos Nicely With Panic Mask
Hailing from the Paradox Rift expansion, this Water-type Tsareena ex is part of an enjoyable, metagame-countering deck that employs Tsareena’s one Grass-type energy Icicle Sole attack to put damage counters on the opposing Pokemon that leaves them with only 30 HP.
Then, you plop a Panic Mask (from 2022’s Lost Origin set) on Tsareena, which means that the opposing Pokemon will be unable to damage Tsareena at all. Of course, they could just switch out, but this is still a powerful and under-utilized synergy that deserves special mention.
8Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex
A Brick Wall Against Any ‘Mon With Abilities
The mascot of the Teal Mask DLC for Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s Nintendo Switch games, Ogerpon, also plays a major role in the TCG’s Twilight Masquerade expansion, receiving four separate versions based on the different masks that it wears.
The first of two appearances of an Ogerpon ex here showcases the adorable legendary Pokemon in its Cornerstone Mask, which makes it a fighting type in the TCG (rock type in the mainline games). This card is notable for its supremely powerful ability, which negates all damage to it by Pokemon that have an ability – which is most strong ‘mons at this point.
7Cinderace ex
Two Impactful Attacks For This Fan Favorite
The 2024 Stellar Crown expansion introduced the Stellar-type to the TCG, and its cards were represented by striking, rainbow-filled artwork as well as attacks that featured three energy types – reminiscent of the crystal type from themost valuable cards in the Skyridge expansion.
Cinderace ex from Stellar Crown features a Stellar-type Cinderace (though still a fire type in TCG terms) with two supremely strong attacks. The first, Flare Strike, deals a whopping 280 damage with the drawback of not being able to use it next turn. The second is Garnet Volley, which allows you to snipe 180 damage on any of your foe’s Pokemon for one Fire-type energy, one Darkness-type energy, and one Fighting-type energy.
6Galvantula ex
Awesome Art On This Stellar-Type Card
Another Stellar Crown inhabitant, this Galvantula ex features a tremendously powerful two-energy attack called Charged Web that deals a staggering 220 damage to any opposing Pokemon ex or Pokemon V.
This Tera Galvantula also happens to boast one of the coolest alternate art cards in the whole set with its mirrored 168/142 Special Illustration Rare, which will set you back close to $30 on the secondary market.
5Greninja ex
Featuring A Busted One-Energy Attack
This fighting-type Greninja ex boasts impressive HP as well as one of the most bonkers attacks in Pokemon TCG history. If you returned to the game now after never having played since the game’s inception, you’d be staggered by an attack like Shinobi Blade.
For one Water-type energy, the attack deals 170 damage (already an insane rate) and then you get to search your deck for any card and put it into your hand. Incredible!
4Dragapult ex
A Fearsome Threat In The Standard Metagame
When Dragapult was unveiled in the Twilight Masquerade expansion, it immediately stood out as an immensely powerful card that could make some major competitive noise – mostly due to its second attack, Phantom Dive, which deals 200 damage to the opponent’s active ‘mon and then 60 damage, divided as you choose, among your foe’s benched Pokemon.
While it has certainly performed well, it hasn’t taken the metagame by storm, but in conjunction with Shrouded Fable’s Dusclops and Dusknoir and aided by ACE-SPEC card Sparkling Crystal, Dragapult is still a fearsome deck that’s not to be trifled with.
3Charizard ex
One Of The Most Famous ‘Mon Ever Also Gets A Sweet Tera Card
Charizard cards are always hot tickets, such as the original Base Set version (which remains themost valuable card from that set), and they’re often metagame-defining powerhouses that dominate the competitive landscape for as long as they’re legal. That remains the case in today’s Pokemon TCG environment, as the Obisidian Flames Tera Charizard remains a potent threat, despite multiple sets being released since its inception.
Not only does this Darkness-type Pokemon boast a whopping 330 HP, but it can also power itself up with two Fire-type energies upon evolution and its Blazing Darkness attack gets stronger as the game goes on. It’s no wonder that this card has been dominating the competitive scene for a while.
2Teal Mask Ogerpon ex
Despite Charizard ex being a notable force on the competitive landscape, the entrance of Teal Mask Ogerpon ex marked a new entrant into the “best Tera Pokemon” conversation. With a strong attack in Myriad Leaf Shower, as well as type advantage versus its notable foe Charizard ex, Teal Mask Ogerpon ex from Twilight Masquerade is clearly among the best Tera cards.
As with many notable Pokemon in today’s metagame, this Ogerpon sets itself apart thanks to its eminently useful ability Teal Dance, which allows you to attach one grass-type energy to it during your turn, which, if you do, also allows you to draw a card. This combination servesRaging Bolt ex decksbeautifully, making that deck – and this card – major competitive players.
1Terapagos ex
The Box Art ‘Mon For Stellar Crown Delivers The Goods
The headlining card and the box art mascot from the TCG’s Stellar Crown expansion was Terapagos. While sometimes that marketing effort doesn’t always indicate a competitive powerhouse, that is far from the case with this Stellar-type Pokemon.
Featuring a powerhouse attack that will likely be dealing 240 damage for two energies (thanks to Stadium card Area Zero Underdepths) and plenty of support from fellow Stellar Crown cards Fan Rotom and Noctowl, as well as the omnipresent Shrouded Fable Dusknoir, Terapagos ex takes the cake as the finest Tera Pokemon card.
