Understanding Indirect Damage

Indirect damage refers to damage caused by statuses like Poison or specific Pokémon abilities rather than direct attacks. Several cards in the Mythical Island set are influenced by these mechanics, but it’s important to know their limitations.

• Druddigon’s Rough Skin: This ability doesn’t activate when damage comes from another Druddigon’s Rough Skin or Weezing’s Gas Leak.
• Marshadow’s Revenge: This attack doesn’t gain bonus damage if one of your Pokémon was Knocked Out by indirect sources like Greninja’s Water Shuriken.
• Cramorant’s Dive: While flipping heads with this attack protects Cramorant from direct damage, it doesn’t shield against abilities or effects targeting other Pokémon (e.g., Mythical Island Raichu’s Gigashock) or players (e.g., Psyduck’s Headache). If Cramorant moves to the Bench, the effect is nullified.

Mew ex and the Power of Genome Hacking

The Mew ex card from Mythical Island brings versatility to the table with its Genome Hacking attack. This innovative mechanic allows Mew ex to copy attacks from other Pokémon, leading to intriguing interactions:

• Attacks with Energy Discard Requirements: You can use Genome Hacking to copy attacks like Charizard ex’s Crimson Storm or Mewtwo ex’s Psydrive without needing the corresponding Energy type for the discard.
• Conditional Attacks: Moves like Pikachu ex’s Circle Circuit still require Benched Pokémon of the correct type to deal damage.
• Unconditional Attacks: Attacks like Celebi ex’s Powerful Bloom function as intended, allowing you to boost coin flips by attaching additional Energy.
• Genome Hacking Limitations: This ability cannot be copied by Ditto’s Genetic Apex, preventing Ditto from mimicking attacks like Psydrive through Mew ex.

These interactions highlight Mew ex’s strategic depth, making it a standout card in the Mythical Island set.

Gyarados ex’s Rampaging Whirlpool

The Rampaging Whirlpool attack from Gyarados ex offers a unique effect by randomly discarding Energy cards from all Pokémon in play. Here’s how it operates:

• It pools Energy cards from both players, including Gyarados ex itself, and discards one at random.
• This effect can target the Defending Pokémon, even if it’s Knocked Out by the attack.

Serperior’s Jungle Totem Ability

Serperior’s Jungle Totem ability doubles the value of all Grass Energy, creating impactful interactions across various scenarios:

• Celebi ex: Thanks to Jungle Totem, Celebi ex can use its Powerful Bloom attack with just one Grass Energy, enabling early-game aggression. The damage scales with attached Grass Energy, doubled by Serperior.
• Enemy Strategies: Jungle Totem can backfire, as opposing attacks like Jynx’s Psychic increase in power based on the doubled Energy.
• Retreat Costs: The ability also influences retreat costs. For example, Exeggutor ex, with a retreat cost of three, can retreat using just one Grass Energy if Serperior is in play.

Fossils and Aerodactyl ex

The Mythical Island set reintroduces Fossil mechanics with Old Amber and Aerodactyl ex:

• Old Amber: This card is now listed under the Mythical Island set instead of Genetic Apex in collections.
• Aerodactyl ex’s Primeval Law: This ability affects only the opponent’s Active Pokémon and does not extend to their Benched Pokémon.

Exeggcute and Energy Management

Exeggcute’s Growth Spurt: This attack allows you to attach Energy from your Energy Zone, even if the required Energy type isn’t present. However, attacks that attach Energy to other Pokémon, like Lilligant’s Leaf Supply or Moltres ex’s Inferno Dance, usually have type restrictions.

Pokémon Flute Usage

The Pokémon Flute card cannot be played if your opponent’s Bench is already full, making it crucial to time its usage strategically.

This breakdown of Mythical Island mechanics and rulings highlights the depth and complexity of the expansion. Understanding these interactions can give players an edge in competitive play, allowing them to maximize card synergies and adapt to new strategies.