Hi there. In this Pokemon TCG post I cover Cynthia's Feebas, Cynthia's Milotic, Yanmega ex, Dondozo ex and Electivire ex cards from Japan's Heat Wave Arena set. (Hot Wind Arena set according to Bulbapedia.)
Cynthia's Feebas
Like the regular Feebas Pokemon cards, Cynthia's Feebas is a weak 30 HP Basic Water Pokemon. It has one retreat cost and a weak 10 damage attack. If you get lucky and flip heads you prevent all damage and effects from the opponents attacks done to Cynthia's Feebas.
Cynthia's Miltoic
Cynthia's Milotic is the Stage 1 evolution of Cynthia's Feebas. This Water Pokemon has 130 HP, two retreat cost and Lightning weakness. The only attack of Aqua Split requires one Water Energy and one Colourless Energy. This attack does 60 damage plus 30 damage to 2 of your opponent's Benched Pokemon. In total this attack does 120 damage from two Energy. It is an okay attack.
This Cynthia's Milotic Pokemon seems underwhelming. I don't see this seeing much play. I also think there are more Cynthia themed cards coming from Heat Wave Arena in March 2025 (Destined Rivals set in May 2025).
Dondozo ex
Dondozo ex is a a big basic Pokemon ex attacker. A large handful of Basic Pokemon ex have HP of 210, 220 HP or sometimes 230 and 240 HP. This Dondozo ex has a whopping 260 HP which is comparable to some Stage 1 Pokemon ex like Gholdengo ex.
The obvious drawbacks of Dondozo ex is its heavy four retreat cost, and Lightning weakness. The retreat cost is not too big of a con as long as you have Latias ex.
The first attack of Tsunami Reversal is a revenge type of attack. For one Water Energy and one Colourless Energy it does 30 base damage. It does 10 more damage for each damage counter on Dondozo ex.
Dondozo ex's second attack is Dynamic Dive at 2 Water Energy and 2 Colourless Energy. It does 120 base damage with an option of doing 120 more damage for a total of 240 damage. If the attacker chooses to do 240 damage then Dondozo ex does 50 damage to itself. This Dynamic Dive attack is pretty good but it is an expensive attack. Baxcalibur and its Super Cold ability does help but it is hard to get Baxcalibur Pokemon in play in 2025 without Irida.
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When looking at this Dondozo ex I want to like it. The high energy costs in its attacks is too high. I don't see this being used much as there are more efficient attackers out there (in terms of low energy cost and damage output).
Electivire ex
Electabuzz is a 90 HP Basic Lightning Pokemon. The retreat cost is at two and the attack is not great. You do need Electabuzz before evolving into Electivire ex.
Electivire ex is a tanky 280 HP Stage 1 Lightning Pokemon. As it has fair bit of HP it has a high retreat cost at 4. The first attack of Dual Bolt requires one Lightning Energy and one Colourless Energy. This attack does 50 damage to 2 of your opponent's Pokemon.
The second attack of High Voltage Press does 180 damage for two Lightning Energy and one Colourless Energy. If Electivire ex has at least 2 more energy attached on top of this attack cost then High Voltage does 280 damage instead. The attack cost to do 280 damage is quite high at five energy in total.
You could use Magneton to fuel Electvire ex's attack. But is it worth the five Energy? I dunno. I don't think this is good.
Yanmega ex
Yanma is needed in order to evolve into Yanmega ex. Yanma has 70 HP with one retreat cost and not so good attacks.
Yanmega ex is the Stage 1 evolution of Yanma. This bug Pokemon has a fair bit of HP at 280 HP along with a one retreat cost. The Jet Cyclone attack is costly at 3 Grass Energy and one Colourless Energy to deal 210 damage. The effect of this attack is mandatory as you move 3 Energy from Yanmega ex to 1 of your Benched Pokemon. Usually attacks like this is a drawback as you cannot attack again without refueling its Energy but with Yanmega it is not too bad.
What makes Yanmega ex stand out is its Buzz Boost ability. Once during your turn, when Yanmega ex moves from the Bench into the Active Spot you may search your deck for up to 3 Grass Energy and attach them to Yanmega ex. (Then shuffle your deck) This ability provides a very powerful energy acceleration effect and thins out cards from your deck too. One card I see going really well with Yanmega ex is Jet Energy.
In theory you can use Yanmega's Buzz Boost to get the energy you need for its attack. After the Jey Cyclone attack you transfer 3 Energy to potentially another Yanmega ex as another attacker.
The grass typing on Yanmega ex is very good. I think Charizard ex will decrease in popularity even more in April to June 2025 due to its Grass weakness. Grass attackers are rising as of late while Water types are not as strong.
I do see Yanmega ex seeing play. Will it be in a top 5 deck in the metagame? Maybe. As Japan gets the cards first before the international crowd I am sure they will come up with creative combos and decks (while the rest watch and copies them).
Thank you for reading.