Pokémon TCG Pocket is adding a major new layer to deck building with Dual Fusion, the next expansion set to launch on October 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. PDT. The release introduces dual-type Pokémon to the game, opening up new combinations for players who want more flexibility in battle and more ways to build around type synergy.
The headline additions are Mega Mewtwo X ex, a Psychic and Fighting-type card, and Mega Greninja ex, a Water and Darkness-type card. Their arrival gives players an early look at how dual-type strategies could reshape both casual play and competitive experimentation in the mobile game.
Dual Fusion is also coming with more than just new cards. The expansion rollout includes temporary rental decks, a new elite deck, themed customization items, and a lengthy schedule of anniversary campaigns, promo events, and battle-focused rewards running from late October into early 2027.
Dual Fusion brings dual-type Pokémon to Pokémon TCG Pocket
The biggest gameplay development in Dual Fusion is the debut of dual-type Pokémon. That mechanic immediately stands out because it creates more overlap between archetypes that previously lived in separate lanes. Instead of building around a single type identity, players will be able to test cards that interact across two type categories at once.
For more collector background, read Pokémon TCG Pocket Details October 2026 Update With New Series, Dual-Type Pokémon, and Easier Deck Building.
Mega Mewtwo X ex arrives as a Psychic and Fighting-type option, while Mega Greninja ex combines Water and Darkness. Those pairings suggest a more dynamic approach to energy planning, support card choices, and matchup coverage. Even without a full public card list attached to the announcement, the two featured ex cards clearly position Dual Fusion as a set built around hybrid play styles rather than simple upgrades to existing decks.
That design shift matters in a digital card game environment where new expansions can quickly alter which decks feel viable. The introduction of dual-type cards gives players another axis to explore, and it should make early testing after launch one of the most active metagame windows the app has seen in some time.
Launch timing and cosmetic extras
Dual Fusion goes live on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. PDT. Players planning to jump in right away will want to keep the release time in mind, especially with so much of the early content tied to the expansion window.
Shortly after launch, additional cosmetic items themed around Mega Greninja will also become available. Covers and backdrops featuring the popular Pokémon are scheduled to start on Saturday, October 31. For players who like matching their profile presentation to their latest pulls or favorite decks, those cosmetics add another visible part of the release beyond gameplay itself.
Six Dual Fusion rental decks will be available for a limited time
To help players get started with the new expansion, six Dual Fusion rental decks will be available from the set's release through December 15, 2026, at 5:59 p.m. PST. These decks are intended to let players sample the new card pool and experiment with fresh strategies before fully committing their own resources.
The rental deck lineup includes builds centered on the new dual-type concepts, with Mega Mewtwo X ex and Mega Greninja ex specifically highlighted as key attractions. That makes the rental program especially useful for anyone who wants immediate hands-on time with the expansion's signature mechanic.
Because these rental decks are temporary and will be replaced when the next booster pack arrives, there is a clear incentive to use them during the launch period. For newer players, they offer a no-risk entry point into the set. For experienced players, they provide a quick way to test card interactions and matchup potential while deciding which pulls or crafts should be prioritized.
A new elite deck featuring Mega Rayquaza ex is also on the way
Alongside the Dual Fusion launch, players will receive a new elite deck through Gifts. This deck leans into Dragon-type play and is built around Mega Rayquaza ex and Dragonair from Ruler of the Skies, plus Gouging Fire from Paradox Drive.
Mega Rayquaza ex is the central draw here thanks to its Mega Burst attack, which is being framed as a high-impact offensive option. The elite deck gives players a ready-made battle choice that does not rely exclusively on Dual Fusion pulls, which is a useful complement to the expansion release. While rental decks will showcase the new set directly, the elite deck broadens the launch window by giving players another prebuilt option with strong attack potential.
That combination of rental decks and an elite deck should make the post-launch period more accessible. Players who want to explore new mechanics can use the temporary expansion decks, while those looking for a more stable prebuilt list can immediately turn to the Dragon-type elite deck.
Full Dual Fusion event schedule
The weeks following the expansion release are stacked with events aimed at both collection growth and battle participation. Some are tied to the game's second anniversary, while others focus on promos, missions, or ranked competition.
Second Anniversary Celebration Campaign
Dates: October 29, 2026 to December 14, 2026
Players will receive a ticket that can be exchanged for a booster pack guaranteed to include a ★★ card. That makes this campaign one of the clearest value opportunities in the release window, especially for players trying to add higher-rarity cards as Dual Fusion enters circulation.
PROMO Reissue Event 2026
Dates: October 29, 2026 to November 12, 2026
This event includes both the PROMO Reissue Drop Event 2026 and the PROMO Reissue Wonder Pick Event 2026. During the event period, players can obtain B series promo cards, giving collectors another shot at previously issued promotional content.
Handy Card Collection Missions
Dates: October 29, 2026 to January 26, 2027
These missions reward Trainer cards useful in battle, including Sabrina and Red. Since Trainer cards often shape consistency and tactical flexibility, this event could be one of the more meaningful long-term grinds for players trying to improve deck function rather than simply chase flashy pulls.
Dual Fusion Emblem Event and Battle Rally Missions
Dates: November 5, 2026 to November 15, 2026
Players can earn emblems based on the number of battles won against other players. Battle rally missions running alongside the event will also award items such as pack hourglasses and shinedust, adding more incentive for active play during the mid-November stretch.
Bonus Week
Dates: November 13, 2026 to November 20, 2026
Daily login missions during this one-week event will award a booster pack each day. For consistent players, that makes Bonus Week a straightforward source of extra product without requiring complex objectives.
Promo Pack C Series Vol. 1
Dates: November 17, 2026 to December 1, 2026
Promo packs can be earned by completing daily missions and participating in battle events. They will also be available through random battles and Dual Fusion limited battles, a format with specific deck-building rules that should encourage different approaches from the regular ladder environment.
Themed Promo Card Events
Dates: November 25, 2026 to December 25, 2026
Across three weeks, three different promo card themes will be featured. New missions will be added each week, giving players a steady stream of objectives tied to these themed rewards.
Ranked Match Season C1
Dates: November 30, 2026 to December 14, 2026
Season C1 will let players compete globally for rank points and an emblem based on final placement. With Dual Fusion arriving just a month earlier, this ranked season could be one of the first major tests of how strong the expansion's dual-type strategies really are.
Community Week
Dates: December 5, 2026 to December 12, 2026
Community Week focuses on trading and card sharing, with rewards that include trade hourglasses, pack hourglasses, and other items. That makes it especially relevant for players who want to convert duplicate cards or work toward targeted collection goals during the broader Dual Fusion season.
What Dual Fusion could mean for the in-game meta
Even before a full card-by-card reveal, Dual Fusion looks like a meaningful systems update rather than a routine content drop. Dual-type Pokémon have the potential to influence matchups, support card usage, and deck identity all at once. That usually leads to a more experimental early meta, where players are rewarded for testing unconventional combinations before the format settles.
Mega Mewtwo X ex and Mega Greninja ex are likely to draw most of the opening attention, but the rental deck structure suggests the broader set may contain several archetypes worth exploring. When a release is accompanied by official trial decks, it usually signals an effort to get players actively piloting the new strategies as quickly as possible.
The timing of Ranked Match Season C1 also raises the stakes. With ranked play starting at the end of November, there will be a relatively short runway for players to identify the strongest builds. That should make the weeks between launch and ranked season especially busy for testing, trading, and fine-tuning lists.
Key dates players should watch
- October 28, 2026, 6:00 p.m. PDT: Dual Fusion expansion launches
- October 31, 2026: Mega Greninja-themed covers and backdrops become available
- December 15, 2026, 5:59 p.m. PST: Dual Fusion rental decks expire
- January 26, 2027: Handy Card Collection Missions end
For players mapping out their time and resources, those dates matter almost as much as the card additions themselves. The launch day opens the door to dual-type gameplay, the rental deck window offers a limited-time testing period, and the event calendar provides multiple paths to extra rewards, promos, and competitive progression over the following two months.
With Dual Fusion, Pokémon TCG Pocket is positioning late 2026 around experimentation, accessible entry points, and a steady cadence of events that should keep both collectors and battlers active well beyond release week.
Photo Gallery
