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Pokémon Parents Oceania
Cards/Rare Candy
Rare Candy card from the Mega Evolution set
Card image via the Pokémon TCG API.
Skip-the-middle evolution

Rare Candy

Evolves a small Basic straight to its big Stage 2 form, skipping the middle step.

ItemBeginner to play

What this card does

Pokémon usually evolve one step at a time, Basic to Stage 1 to Stage 2. An Item can be played freely, and Rare Candy lets you skip the middle, taking a Basic Pokémon straight up to its Stage 2 in one move.

You play it to get a powerful Stage 2 attacker into action a turn or two faster. You cannot use it on your very first turn, and you cannot use it on a Basic you only just put into play that same turn, so the Basic must have been waiting since an earlier turn.

What it does

Rare Candy

Choose 1 of your Basic Pokémon in play. If you have a Stage 2 card in your hand that evolves from that Pokémon, put that card onto the Basic Pokémon to evolve it, skipping the Stage 1. You can't use this card during your first turn or on a Basic Pokémon that was put into play this turn.

Rare Candy evolves one of your Basic Pokémon directly into its Stage 2 form, skipping the Stage 1 in between. It matters because the strongest attackers are often Stage 2, and reaching them faster gives you a real head start. You just cannot use it on your first turn or on a Basic placed that same turn.

Which deck it belongs in

Essential for any deck built around a Stage 2 attacker, such as Charizard ex or Dragapult ex. It is how those decks get their big Pokémon out on time.

Strengths
  • Reaches a powerful Stage 2 attacker a turn or two sooner
  • Saves you from needing to find and play the Stage 1 card
  • Frees up deck space, as fewer Stage 1 cards are needed
Watch out for
  • Cannot be used on your first turn, or on a Basic put into play that same turn
  • Needs the right Basic already on your Bench, so set-up still matters

Pairs well with

Charizard ex
Charizard ex

Charizard ex is a Stage 2, and Rare Candy jumps its Basic, Charmander, straight up to it without the middle step.

Dragapult ex
Dragapult ex

Dragapult ex is also a Stage 2, so Rare Candy gets it attacking a turn or two earlier than normal evolving.

Pro tip

Get the Basic onto your Bench a turn early with a card like Buddy-Buddy Poffin, so Rare Candy is ready to fire the next turn.

Good to know

It is a Trainer card with no HP or attacks. It changes how fast your Pokémon grow, not what they do in battle.

Note for the parent

A common Item. Stage 2 decks usually run three to four copies so they can draw one when needed.

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