This is the one. This is the set to begin 2025 in the Pokémon TCG hobby. This is the set taking the community by storm.
Fans are getting excited, and rightly so. Prismatic Evolutions, due to release in the UK on the 17th of January, is giving us an eeveelutions-focused set, combining competitive viability with artworks that have fans clamouring over these stellar Tera variants.
Containing six ACE SPEC Trainer cards, 10 Pokémon ex and 15 Tera Pokémon ex, 12 ultra rare Supporter cards, 32 special illustration rare Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, many trainers believe Prismatic Evolutions’ chase cards to be some of the best since Evolving Skies.
However, if you peer beyond the fanfare and look critically, you’ll find cards that are ready to leave their mark on the meta, spawning new archetypes or slotting neatly into existing builds.
So, in this set containing the fluffy and fiery to the freezing and fanciful Eevee and others that hold a special place in trainers’ hearts, what competitive cards should we watch out for?
Table of Contents
1. Espeon ex
Tera | ||
| As long as this Pokémon is on your Bench, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks (both yours and your opponent's). | ||
  | Psych Out | 160 |
Discard a random card from your opponent's hand. | ||
   | Amethyst | |
| Devolve each of your opponent's evolved Pokémon by shuffling the highest Stage Evolution card on it into your opponent's deck. | ||
| Pokémon ex Rule | ||
| When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards. | ||
With so much attention on Eevee and its eevolutions, we MUST begin with no other than Espeon ex – the fan favourite Psychic-type and counterpart to the must-have Umbreon.
Espeon ex has 270HP, giving it enough bulk to cut it in the upper echelons of the meta. Though this is nothing truly unique, it gives the card a basis for its deviant, devilish attacks.
Espeon ex’s first attack, Psych Out, costs one Psychic Energy and two Colourless Energy. For this, Psych Out does a solid 160 damage while also inflicting the disruptive secondary effect where you may discard a random card from your opponent’s hand. Pairing this with the Supporter card Iono, you could leave your opponent with little-to-no cards to play with if the circumstances are favourable.
Espeon ex’s second attack, Amethyst, is potentially even more disruptive than its first. Like all the Tera Eeveelutions in this set, Espeon ex’s second attack has some unique Energy requirements, costing one Grass, one Psychic, and one Dark. However, there are workarounds that we will get on to. And anyway, it’s worth it as Amethyst lets you devolve each of your opponent’s Pokémon by one stage, shuffling that evolution back into their deck.
By combining the two attacks, firstly giving your opponent little wiggle room with the options in their hand and then devolving their infield Pokémon, you could devastate evolution decks, such as Charizard ex or Dragapult ex.
2. Flareon ex
Tera | ||
| As long as this Pokémon is on your Bench, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks (both yours and your opponent's). | ||
  | Burning Charge | 130 |
| Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Energy cards and attach them to 1 of your Pokémon. Then, shuffle your deck. | ||
  | Carnelian | 280 |
| During your next turn, this Pokémon can't attack. | ||
| Pokémon ex Rule | ||
| When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards. | ||
Flareon ex, the fire eeveelution, quickly follows after Espeon ex and is likely to be just as useful in competitive play.
Shrouded in sparkling crystals, the 270HP Flareon ex boasts two useful attacks. The first, Burning Charge, costs one Fire Energy and one Colourless Energy. For this, Burning Charge does 130 damage and allows you to search your deck for up to two basic Energy cards and attach them to one of your Pokémon. This means Flareon ex is going to synergise well with other Tera-type Pokémon that face those awkward Energy requirements…and perhaps especially well with its fellow eeveelutions. Prepare to see them deployed together.
Flareon ex’s second attack, Carnelian, is a more offensive option. The move hits for a heavy 280 damage, though it prevents Flareon ex from attacking the next turn. Carnelian is also slightly awkward, costing one Water, one Lightning, and one Fire Energy. That said, you could pair Flareon ex with the Crispin Supporter card to ease the Energy acceleration needs. Yet overall, this attack feels more geared for a late-game sweep, but in conjunction with Burning Charge, it gives Flareon ex a nice mix of playability.
It’s been a while since we had a strong Flareon card, so this new print is a welcome addition to the meta.
3. Budew
 | Itchy Pollen | 10 |
During your opponent's next turn, they can't play any Item cards from their hand. | ||
Budew may be a surprise inclusion on the list, especially as it provides company to a list of Tera ex Pokémon that all look to shape the meta. But it joins with good reason. And it’s not just because this is the first Budew card we have had since Diamond and Pearl Stormfront in 2008 (over 16 years ago!).
The new Budew is hugely unassuming as a basic Grass-type with just 30HP. However, its attack is arguably going to warp some of the coming months in the meta. Itchy Pollen, costing zero Energy, does 10 damage and prevents your opponent from playing any item cards from their hand during their next turn.
This secondary effect may herald a bit of a shift in deck composition. Some of the outstanding archetypes, such as Dragapult ex and Charizard ex, are built on the promise of quickly evolving from a basic Pokémon into a stage two using the heavily played Rare Candy card. Without this, these decks lose much of their pace and become far more difficult to play.
What this could mean is that we may see Budew being integrated into decks playing a basic or stage one line, such as some of the builds like Terapagos ex, and possibly even an Eeveelution toolbox deck…This is particularly likely with rotation on the horizon.
4. Vaporeon ex
Tera | ||
| As long as this Pokémon is on your Bench, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks (both yours and your opponent's). | ||
| Heavy Squall | |
| This attack does 60 damage to each of your opponent's Pokémon ex. This attack's damage isn't affected by Weakness or Resistance. | ||
| Aquamarine | 280 |
| During your next turn, this Pokémon can't attack. | ||
| Pokémon ex Rule | ||
| When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards. | ||
The third eeveelution on this list stacked with the different variants is Vaporeon ex. The Water-type branch of the Eeveelution tree brings us a card that seems ready-made for spread deck damage.
With 280HP, Vaporeon ex has that bulk to match its bite. And that bite could certainly be troublesome. Its first attack, Heavy Squall, costs just one Water and one Colourless Energy. You can easily meet these requirements with the help of Sparkling Crystal, which means that the attack would cost just one Energy. For this, Vaporeon ex does 60 damage to each of your opponent’s Pokémon ex (this doesn’t include Tera types). If you end up playing against a VStar deck pre-rotation, or indeed one of the few others that aren’t Tera, such as Gardevoir ex, then Heavy Squall can spread serious damage and take out basic Pokémon.
Vaporeon ex’s second attack, Aquamarine, makes sure that it is equipped to hit other Tera types, though. Aquamarine does 280 damage, no holds barred, for one Fire, one Lightning and one Water Energy. Offsetting these high numbers is the caveat that Vaporeon ex cannot attack during the next turn.
It’s now a watch this space moment to see whether Vaporeon ex will simply slot into the potential Eeveelution toolbox archetype or whether it will be used more widely in spread decks.
5. Black Belt’s Practice
| During this turn, attacks used by your Pokémon do 40 more damage to your opponent's Active Pokémon ex (before applying Weakness and Resistance). |
You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn. |
With so much hype around the Pokémon being released in Prismatic Evolutions, it is easy to overlook some of the useful Trainer cards that could see play. And among them is Black Belt’s Practice.
The Supporter card is being released with artworks reflective of each region in the Pokémon universe – from Kanto all the way up to Paldea. But it’s not this quirk that earns it this place on the list.
Black Belt’s Practice says that:
‘During this turn, attacks used by your Pokémon do 40 more damage to your opponent’s active Pokémon ex (before applying weakness and resistance).’
These are substantial gains and can help you reach those big numbers needed to take big knockouts.
Charizard ex is likely to be the card that will get the greatest benefit from this new Supporter, having previously been used alongside Kieran to do an extra 30 damage to ex Pokémon. Only this time, you can do even more damage.
6. Jolteon ex
Tera | ||
| As long as this Pokémon is on your Bench, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks (both yours and your opponent's). | ||
| Flash Spear | 60+ |
| You may discard up to 2 Basic Energy from your Benched Pokémon. This attack does 90 more damage for each card you discarded in this way. | ||
| Dravite | 280 |
| During your next turn, this Pokémon can't attack. | ||
| Pokémon ex Rule | ||
| When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards. | ||
Jolteon ex, another adept option from the Eevee line, is up next. Hitting hard and fast, remaining true to the Pokémon’s standing in the franchise, Jolteon ex looks like a definite for competitive use.
The Lightning type has slightly less bulk than some of its counterparts with 260HP, though this again is a nice true reflection of Jolteon ex. And don’t let it deter you. Its true strength lies in its attacking threat.
Up first is its move, Flash Spear. For one Colourless Energy and one Lightning Energy, Flash Spear does a base 60 damage, though it also gives you the option to discard up to two basic Energy from your benched Pokémon. For each Energy you discard, Flash Spear does an additional 90 damage. This means Jolteon ex's opening attack can cap out at 240 damage for just two Energy. Phwoar.
Then there’s the question of how to make the most of this, as it arguably makes Jolteon ex the hardest-hitting card in this set. One way is to play it with Sparkling Crystal so that you can charge up Flash Spear for just one Energy card. Another is by playing it with Eevee ex on the bench and using Glass Trumpet so that you quickly have Energy available to discard. You could even pair it with Teal Mask Ogerpon ex, as the Grass type’s ability, Teal Dance, lets you quickly accelerate Grass Energy into play. These could then be discarded for this huge attack.
While Flash Spear will likely be Jolteon ex’s calling card, it also has a secondary attack – similar in nature to Vaporeon ex and Flareon ex – that does 280 damage but prevents the user from attacking the next turn. That attack is Dravite, and it costs one Fire, one Water and one Lightning Energy to use. It’s a nice option to have for straight-up shocking power.
7. Eevee ex
Tera | ||
| As long as this Pokémon is on your Bench, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks (both yours and your opponent's). | ||
Ability | Rainbow DNA | |
| This Pokémon can evolve into any Pokémon ex that evolves from Eevee if you play it from your hand onto this Pokémon. (This Pokémon can't evolve during your first turn or the turn you play it.) | ||
| Coruscating Quartz | 200 |
| Pokémon ex Rule | ||
| When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards. | ||
The face of this set, Eevee ex, is a two-Prize variation on a card that has typically just been a single Prize attacker. You might be asking, ‘Why would I play an ex Eevee if I want to evolve it?’ Well, with this version, you can.
Eevee ex has the ability Rainbow DNA, which lets Eevee ex evolve the card into one of its eeveelutions if you have it in your hand (this can’t be used on your first turn or during the turn Eevee was put into play). This is obviously significant.
‘But why is it significant,’ you ask. Well, first of all, if you can survive an attack with Eevee ex’s 200HP, then you are working with bigger bulk than, say, 50HP basic Eevee.
Secondly, and perhaps more significantly, is Eevee ex’s comparability with the Item card, Glass Trumpet. Glass Trumpet lets you choose two of your benched Colourless Pokémon and attach a basic Energy card from your discard pile to each of them – but only if you have Tera Pokémon in play. Luckily, that’s exactly what Eevee ex is.
In making this play, you’ll be better set up to use the slightly awkward secondary attacks of the Eeveelutions, such as Espeon ex’s Amethyst or Flareon ex’s Carnelian.
As these Energy cards are being retrieved from the discard pile too, a Glass Trumpet-Eevee ex combination can naturally synergise well with eeveelution’s that discard Energy as part of their attack, such as Jolteon ex.
8. Regigigas
| | Jewel Break | 100+ |
| If your opponent's Active Pokémon is a Tera Pokémon, this attack does 230 more damage. | ||
Regigigas is arguably the best attacking threat – that is not a Tera ex – from the Prismatic Evolutions set. It is so good that it can OHKO any of the ex Eeveelutions on this list.
This Normal-type, single-Prize legendary has 160HP and an unwieldy attack that threatens most decks in the current format. That is its attack, Jewel Break. For four Colourless Energy, Jewel Break does 100 damage, plus an additional 230 damage if your opponent’s active Pokémon is a Tera type. Wrap your hand around that. Regigigas can take out everything from a Charizard ex to an Espeon ex in one fell swoop.
There are ways to quickly power up and chain this huge attack, too. Unsurprisingly, you can use Crispin to quickly accelerate two Energy cards of different types and meet half of its requirements. You can also use Glass Trumpet if you opt to build Regigigas into a deck such as Terapagos ex (which it would absolutely thrive in). Or you could chain the fun by playing the Tool card, Heavy Baton. If Regigigas is knocked out when this is attached, you can move three of its attached Energy cards to one of your benched Pokémon. Maybe another Regigigas?
And this card is here to stay. After the next rotation, which is suggested to be coming in March 2025, we will see the mass exodus of V and VStar Pokémon, meaning that ex Pokémon will be the only two Prize card Pokémon left. Of these, you can suspect most to be Tera types, so Regigigas will have plenty of jewels to feast upon.
9. Umbreon ex
Tera | ||
| As long as this Pokémon is on your Bench, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks (both yours and your opponent's). | ||
| Moon Mirage | 160 |
Your opponent's Active Pokémon is now Confused. | ||
| Onyx | |
Discard all Energy from this Pokémon, and take a Prize card. | ||
| Pokémon ex Rule | ||
| When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards. | ||
The last Eeveelution on this list is none other than the follow-up to one of the most famous chase cards of modern Pokémon, Evolving Skies Umbreon VMAX – known throughout the community as Moonbreon.
Though, unlike Moonbreon, this Umbreon ex is an interesting competitive prospect – especially with an eeveelution toolbox deck likely to be formulated by players of the TCG. With 280HP, Umbreon ex is well-equipped to deal with the rigours of competitive play. And its attacks could prove useful, too.
The first, Moon Mirage, does 160 damage and confuses your opponent’s active Pokémon for one Dark and two Colourless Energy. While confusion isn’t a huge part of gameplay at present, it is certainly still viable.
It’ll likely be Umbreon ex’s second attack that will prompt intrigue from players. This is because its move Onyx lets you outright take a Prize card. The flip side is the move costs one Lightning, one Dark and one Psychic Energy. And, of course, it doesn’t actually knock any Pokémon out.
This move could be pivotal in late-game match-ups where you’re struggling to bypass the opponent's set-up, navigate past a Bravery Charm, or where the defending Pokémon simply has too much bulk. Onyx could also work against blocks such as Mimikyu that don’t take any damage from ex Pokémon.
10. Max Rod
| ACE SPEC | You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck. |
| Put up to 5 in any combination of Pokémon and Basic Energy cards from your discard pile into your hand. | |
You may play any number of Item cards during your turn. | |
Of course, there had to be an ACE SPEC card on the list somewhere. And this time, we are looking at Max Rod, which lets you put up to five Pokémon or Energy cards from your discard pile into your hand. This essentially makes it an OP version of Night Stretcher or Super Rod.
There’s obviously a lot of decks in the meta that could thrive with this play. Gholdengo ex, for example, can really make use of Max Rod to recycle Energy cards so that it can use its attack Make It Rain to great effect.
Another profile that could stand to benefit is Chien-Pao ex, which, similar to Gholdengo ex, can deal out hefty damage if you are willing to discard Energy cards from your hand. In fact, its attack, Hail Blade, does 60 damage for each Water Energy discarded from your hand. Combine this with Max Rod, and you could cut through your opponent’s active Pokémon for up to 300 damage.
What else is out there?
Amidst all the extraordinary eevelutions, it is easy to overlook what else is included in the set – and we’re not just talking about the incredible artworks.
For example, Blaziken ex, with a tanky 320HP, could find itself in competitive play. Its ability, Overflowing Spirit, actually makes this Hoenn great a neat supporting option. The ability lets Blaziken ex attach a basic Energy card from your discard pile to one of your Pokémon once per turn. And this can be stacked, too, if you have multiple Blaziken ex in play. Energy Acceleration should never be overlooked. The Fire type phenom’s attack, Burning Assault, also gives it some threat, doing 200 damage for one Colourless and one Fire Energy. The trade-off here is that you cannot attack the next turn.
One of the other ones to watch from the set is Seaking – primarily because of its ability, Festival Lead. The Festival Lead archetype, of course, existed before Prismatic Evolutions, so Seaking is just another option that could be integrated. Its ability, Festival Lead, lets Seaking attack twice if the Stadium card Festival Grounds is in play. If Seaking knocks out a Pokémon with the first attack, then it still gets to attack the new active Pokémon. It does this using Rapid Draw, which does 60 damage and lets you draw two cards. It’s a niche play, but one to keep an eye on.
All that’s left to be said after that lowdown is to get hyped for this insane set – the chases are off the charts.
Shop the Prismatic Evolutions release here. Browse our full collection of Pokémon TCG including booster boxes, elite trainer boxes and battle decks here at Gathering Games.
