What are Pokémon ex cards

Special Pokémon cards originally introduced in the EX era (2003-2007), and reintroduced in the Scarlet & Violet era (2023).
Distinctive ex suffix in lowercase, with a unique symbol next to the name.
Provide 2 Prize Cards when knocked out, balancing their increased power.
Available as both Basic and Evolution Pokémon, featuring higher HP and stronger attacks than regular cards.

First introduced in the EX Ruby & Sapphire set in 2003, Pokémon ex cards marked the beginning of the EX Series era in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The return of these cards was an exciting surprise in 2023 with the Scarlet & Violet era, bringing back a nostalgic mechanic refreshed for modern gameplay. The ex cards can be recognized by their gold names, lowercase ex suffix, and a star symbol beside the name of the Pokémon—clear throwbacks to their original design.

Ex Pokémon may be Basic or Evolution cards in gameplay, allowing flexibility in deck construction and strategy. These cards boast more HP and stronger attacks than their non-ex counterparts; however, this is balanced by the drawback that they give up two Prize Cards when Knocked Out. One of the defining aspects of the ex card's risk-return strategy, reintroduced in Scarlet & Violet, follows the standard approach for special card types in the Pokémon TCG.

Modern ex cards feature stunning artwork that often extends across the card, with some special full-art or alternate-art versions highly prized by collectors. Both longtime players and newcomers have welcomed the return of ex cards in Scarlet & Violet sets like Paldea Evolved and Obsidian Flames.

Unlike their predecessors, modern ex cards coexist with other special card types in expanded format play, adding new layers to strategy in deck-building. Ex cards are about as rare as other special rarities in current sets, making them thrilling pulls from booster packs. Their return demonstrates how the Pokémon TCG maintains a balance between nostalgia and modern game design, refreshing gameplay while honoring its roots.

The resurgence of ex cards aligns with a broader trend in the Scarlet & Violet era to streamline mechanics while introducing fresh strategic elements. We can expect ex cards to significantly influence both the competitive landscape and collector's market throughout the Scarlet & Violet era of the Pokémon TCG. Let's take a look at some of the cards:

What are Pokémon ex cards

Chansey, Electabuzz, Hitmonchan, Lapras, Magmar, Mewtwo, Scyther and Sneasel from the set Ruby & Sapphire:

Kyogre, Groudon, Moltres, Articuno, Zapdos, Kyogre, Groudon and Rayquaza from the Nintendo Black Star Promos:

Aerodactyl, Aggron, Gardevoir, Kabutops, Raichu, Typhlosion and Wailord from the set Sandstorm:

Ampharos, Dragonite, Golem, Kingdra, Latias, Latios, Magcargo, Muk and Rayquaza from the set Dragon:

Blaziken, Cradily, Entei, Raikou, Sceptile, Suicune and Swampert from the set Team Magma vs Team Aqua:

Groudon, Kyogre, Metagross, Ninetales, Regice, Regirock, Registeel, Vileplume and Wigglytuff from the set Hidden Legends:

Blastoise, Charizard, Clefable, Electrode, Gengar, Gyarados, Mr. Mime, Mr. Mime and Venusaur from the set FireRed & LeafGreen:

Armaldo and Tyranitar from the set POP Series 1:

Rocket’s Articuno, Rocket’s Entei, Rocket’s Hitmonchan, Rocket’s Mewtwo, Rocket’s Moltres, Rocket’s Scizor, Rocket’s Scyther, Rocket’s Sneasel and Rocket’s Snorlax from the set Team Rocket Returns:

Crobat, Deoxys, Deoxys, Deoxys, Hariyama, Manectric, Rayquaza, Salamence and Sharpedo from the set Deoxys:

Altaria, Cacturne, Camerupt, Deoxys, Dusclops, Medicham, Milotic, Raichu and Regice from the set Emerald:

Blissey, Espeon, Feraligatr, Ho Oh, Lugia, Meganium, Politoed, Scizor and Steelix from the set Unseen Forces:

Flareon, Jolteon and Vaporeon from the set Delta Species:

Arcanine, Armaldo, Banette, Dustox, Flygon, Mew and Walrein from the set Legend Maker:

Crawdaunt, Mew and Mightyena from the set Holon Phantoms:

Aggron, Blaziken, Delcatty, Exploud, Groudon, Jirachi, Kyogre, Sceptile and Shiftry from the set Crystal Guardians:

Altaria, Dragonite, Flygon, Gardevoir, Kingdra, Latias, Latios, Rayquaza and Salamence from the set Dragon Frontiers:

Absol, Claydol, Flygon, Metagross, Salamence, Shiftry, Skarmory and Walrein from the set Power Keepers:

Mew and Gardevoir from the set Celebrations:

Mimikyu, Ampharos, Lucario, Cyclizar, Miraidon, Koraidon, Chien Pao, Tinkaton and Annihilape from the Scarlet & Violet Promos:

Spidops, Arcanine, Gyarados, Magnezone, Miraidon, Gardevoir, Banette, Great Tusk and Koraidon from the set Scarlet & Violet:

Forretress, Meowscarada, Wo Chien, Skeledirge, Chi Yu, Quaquaval, Chien Pao, Pikachu and Bellibolt from the set Paldea Evolved:

Decidueye, Toedscruel, Victini, Eiscue, Tyranitar, Pawmot, Miraidon, Clefable and Vespiquen from the set Obsidian Flames:

Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Arbok, Ninetales, Wigglytuff, Alakazam, Golem and Kangaskhan from the set Pokémon 151:

Froslass, Armarouge, Garchomp, Tsareena, Golisopod, Mewtwo, Tapu Koko, Iron Hands and Cofagrigus from the set Paradox Rift:

Forretress, Toedscruel, Espathra, Gardevoir, Great Tusk, Charizard, Paldean Clodsire, Iron Treads and Noivern from the set Paldean Fates:

Torterra, Scovillain, Iron Leaves, Incineroar, Gouging Fire, Walking Wake, Wugtrio, Iron Crown and Iron Boulder from the set Temporal Forces:

Sinistcha, Teal Mask Ogerpon, Magcargo, Hearthflame Mask Ogerpon, Palafin, Wellspring Mask Ogerpon, Luxray, Iron Thorns and Scream Tail from the set Twilight Masquerade: