Pokémon Masters EX

Pokémon Masters EX is a free-to-play mobile game for Android and iOS, created and published by DeNA. It draws on the Pokémon franchise and takes place on the artificial island of Pasio, where players can battle and recruit well-known Pokémon Trainers from the main video games and the anime. The game originally launched as Pokémon Masters in August 2019, then was rebranded as Pokémon Masters EX in August 2020 to mark its first anniversary.

The core gameplay revolves around a 3-on-3 battle tournament called the Pokémon Masters League, held on Pasio Island. The player’s main objective is to become its Champion. To enter, they must collect at least five Badges by defeating the PML Leaders scattered across Pasio. Recruiting most sync pairs unlocks a sync pair story. Limited-time events are regularly added and updated, including single-player story events and cooperative multiplayer events where players team up to defeat powerful enemies for rewards.

A sync pair consists of one Pokémon Trainer from the core games (including the Legends titles) or the anime, paired with a Pokémon typically associated with that character—for example, Ash Ketchum with his Pikachu. Each sync pair has one of six roles. The original three are strike (focused on physical or special attacking), support (defending, healing, and boosting team stats), and tech (using tactics like status effects). Two roles were added in August 2023: sprint (quick attacking) and field (triggering field effects). In August 2024, the “multi” role was introduced, exclusive to “Arc Suit” character variants. Sync pairs can be obtained through the main story, scouting, or completing certain timed events. Occasionally, a character gets a variant—usually with an alternate costume and a different Pokémon tied to the event. “Variety” sync pairs give minor characters from the core series, like Team Rocket Executives, a different Pokémon but no new costume.

The Pokémon Company first announced Pokémon Masters on May 28, 2019, alongside other Pokémon games. It marked the first collaboration between the company and mobile developer DeNA. The concept came from series artist and designer Ken Sugimori, who proposed bringing together all past main-series characters in one game.