The only Stage 2 ex being relevant in JAPAN is Gardevoir, since the deck has Kirlia, which is a decent draw engine. Gardevoir has a decent ability, although no strong basic to use it for
To be fair, only three stage 2
ex’s have been released so far, and all three have seen
use. What kind of use is another matter. Magnezone
ex has seen
play in events, but it hasn’t had much in the way of results. Ampharos
ex has fared better, getting one or two tech slots in many Miraidon/Flaaffy builds, because why not? It becomes the bulkiest attacker in the deck, and the stage 1 is already in there. Now, does Gardevoir
ex have the best support in the format? Definitely. Do stage 2
ex’s have a lot going against them? Definitely. Will future
ex’s hit the right numbers or have the right abilities to succeed? Possibly. Will the format slow down a turn or two when E block cards (most notably Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX and Tyranitar V, the latter of which uses the Lugia Archeops engine as its new “Houndoom at home”) rotate out? Hopefully.
(P.S. I’m hoping the Kanto themed set will feature ex’s even loosely reminiscent of notable Classical era Pokémon and their third generation
ex namesakes. Even Kadabra fans might balk at a two prize Alakazam Base Set reprint, though. That would have… unpleasant synergy with the bulky, accelerating, self-pinging Gardevoir
ex.)
