Pokémon Officially Unveils Lucario Redesign For Series' 30th Anniversary
Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond.
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Pokémon's 30th anniversary has been stacked with exciting updates and announcements, making 2026 one of the franchise's busiest years in decades. The biggest reveal by far was Pokémon Winds & Waves, the next mainline Gen 10 release, which will take the series exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2 when they launch worldwide in 2027.
Pokémon is leaning into the nostalgia heavily this year as well, with Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen finally getting a Switch port, alongside the announcement that Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is joining Nintendo Classics. Fans have also received new details on Pokémon Champions and Pokopia, with another new DLC on the way soon, while the TCG is commemorating its own 30th anniversary with a special 30th Celebration expansion.
However, one of the newest 30th anniversary announcements comes with an unexpected Pokémon redesign of a beloved Mon, with Lucario getting a fresh Mega overhaul in an upcoming TCG release (via Wargamer).
Lucario is getting one of its most dramatic makeovers yet in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, with the newly revealed Mega Lucario Z ex bringing the fan-favorite Pokémon's latest Mega Evolution to the TCG. The Metal-type Stage 1 card has 330 HP and an Aura Seeker Ability that lets players search their deck for a Supporter while Mega Lucario Z ex occupies the Active Spot. Its Dancing Fist attack deals 120 damage, increasing to 240 against an opposing Pokémon ex.
The card also showcases Lucario's newest design, giving the Mon a stunning and fresh overhaul. The standard Lucario hasn't changed much since debuting during Gen 4, but Mega Evolution has allowed Pokémon to reinvent its appearance without actually revamping its original beloved look. Mega Lucario, first introduced alongside Mega Evolution during the Pokémon X & Y era, gave the Pokémon longer auras, additional spikes, and distinctive red-and-black markings. You can take a look at the new card and Mega Lucario Z ex design below:
Mega Lucario Z went considerably further when it debuted in Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension. The new form features longer fur around its head and waist, a large fan-shaped tail, and Steel energy-hardened limbs. Unlike the original Mega Lucario, which concentrates its Aura into destructive power, Mega Lucario Z surrounds itself with Aura to improve movement and defenses.
Lucario is a beloved Mon, and in Pokémon's official 2020 worldwide Pokémon of the Year vote, Lucario finished second overall with 102,259 votes, trailing only Greninja and even beating icons like Charizard and Pikachu. The new TCG addition will be a major hit among longtime fans, competitive players, and collectors alike, and is yet another incredible announcement to celebrate Pokémon's 30th.
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