30th Anniversary Battle Decks: Espeon ex and Umbreon ex

For the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, two new Battle Decks are coming: Espeon ex and Umbreon ex. Both release in German on October 30, 2026, are ready to play right away and each include an exclusive illustration promo. According to PokeZentrum they are based on decks that have proven themselves at official tournaments.

What is inside each Battle Deck?

• 1 ready-to-play deck with 60 holographic cards
• 1 exclusive illustration promo (Victini or Zeraora)
• 1 deck box and 1 playmat
• 1 coin in an Espeon or Umbreon design
• 1 strategy guide, damage counters and 1 code card for online play

The packaging says Play Level 2. So the decks are aimed at players who already know the rules and want a finished, strong deck.

The Espeon ex deck

Espeon ex 070/128 has 260 HP. Its attack (German name: Solarniederprügler) deals 30 damage for each of your Pokémon in play. With a full Bench, so six Pokémon, that is 180 damage.

Support comes from Delphox 013/086 from the set known in German as Wachsendes Chaos. With its Ability (German name: Feuerzauber) you discard a Basic Fire Energy from your hand once per turn and draw until you have 7 cards in hand. Other attackers according to the source: Kangaskhan, Zacian and Moltres. For Trainers the deck relies on Lillie's Determination, Ultra Ball, Poké Pad, Rare Candy and Air Balloon.

The exclusive promo is Victini MEP 102 as a full-art illustration: 80 HP, its first attack puts up to 2 Basic Pokémon from your deck onto your Bench, its second deals 50 damage. A good fit for the deck, because every Pokémon on the Bench makes Espeon ex's attack stronger.

The Umbreon ex deck

Umbreon ex 092/128 has 270 HP. Its attack (German name: Irre Kralle) deals 100 damage. If your opponent's Active Pokémon already has at least one damage counter on it, it deals 140 more, so 240.

The engine is Toxtricity 068/094 from Phantasmal Flames. Its Ability (German name: Unheilvolle Spannung) searches your deck once per turn for a Basic Darkness Energy and attaches it to a Darkness Pokémon on your Bench. In return, 2 damage counters go on that Pokémon. Other attackers according to the source: Zeraora, Sableye and Yveltal. For Trainers the focus is on Boss's Orders, Switch and two cards known in German as Lilias Kampfgeist and Dicke-Freunde-Knursp.

The exclusive promo is Zeraora MEP 103: 110 HP, its first attack deals 20 damage and draws 1 card, its second deals 50 damage plus 20 to one of your opponent's Benched Pokémon. Exactly that Bench damage places the first damage counter Umbreon ex's attack needs.

Which deck is worth it?

Espeon ex plays on numbers: lots of Pokémon on the field, lots of damage. Umbreon ex plays on setup: place a damage counter first, then hit for 240. For collectors, the two illustration promos and the anniversary look matter most. More about the set is in 30th Celebration: Everything you need to know, a deck built around the regular Espeon in 30th Anniversary: The Espeon deck at a glance.

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Source: PokeZentrum, October 20, 2026. Card texts taken from the German card scans; attack, Ability and some Trainer names are given in German where the English name is not confirmed yet. One difference from the source: Delphox's Ability does not accelerate Energy, it lets you draw up to 7 cards in hand. This article follows the card. No price has been announced yet.