POKEMON TCG TIMELINE
Scarlet and Violet
Glory of Team Rocket
The Glory of Team Rocket will release on April 18th. As expected, the set will feature Rocket’s Mewtwo ex. There will be no Dark Pokemon in the set. They will all be Rocket’s Pokemon.
Scarlet and Violet
Journey Together
Journey Together is the ninth expansion of cards for the Scarlet & Violet Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It sees the return of Trainer's Pokémon to the game, marking the first time since EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua that the mechanic has been featured in a main expansion. It focuses on Pokémon owned by four Trainers: N, Iono, Lillie, and Hop.
Journey Together includes cards from the Japanese Battle Partners expansion, as well as several cards from the Generations Start Decks. It contains four Trainer's Pokémon ex, 16 regular Pokémon ex, 11 illustration rare Pokémon, six special illustration rare Pokémon, and three hyper rare gold etched cards.
Journey Together is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and—for the first time—Latin American Spanish.
Scarlet and Violet
Hot Wave Arena (JP)
On March 14, 2024, the latest expansion, Heat Wave Arena, will officially launch in Japan. This set promises not only exciting gameplay additions but also something truly special for collectors and fans alike.
Every purchase of a Heat Wave Arena booster box will include a special promo pack featuring three exclusive cards: Pikachu, Feraligatr, and Toxtricity ex. These cards aren’t just any promos—they’re based on the winning entries of the 2024 Illustration Contest.
Scarlet and Violet
BATTLE PARTNERS (JP)
The Pokémon TCG is preparing for an exciting addition with the announcement of a new set, Battle Partners, revealed through distributor listings. This set is slated to release in Japan on January 24, 2025, bringing fresh excitement to fans and collectors.
To complement the release, themed accessories will also be available. A vibrant card sleeve and deck box featuring the fan-favorite character Iono are set to launch, perfect for adding flair to gameplay. Additionally, two exclusive collection files—“Collection File N” and “Collection File Lillie”—will be introduced, providing collectors with elegant storage solutions for their prized cards.
Scarlet and Violet
Collect 151 Journey (CH)
On January 17, 2025, Pokémon fans in China can celebrate the release of Collect 151 Journey, a localized version of the iconic 151 set. This release will also feature secret rares from Paldean Fates, including shiny Pidgey and Ditto.
Two types of booster packs will be available: a smaller pack with five cards and one holo, and a larger pack with 20 cards and seven holos. This marks the first of four planned Collect 151 booster pack releases in China throughout 2025, each adding new cards and updated pull rates.
A special booster pack will also launch on January 17, available for free at real-world events in China. These packs feature exclusive alternate art cards that haven’t been released anywhere else, making them a unique addition for collectors worldwide.
Prepare to embark on the Collect 151 Journey and capture the excitement of Pokémon TCG like never before!
Scarlet and Violet
Eternal Birth (CH)
Releases for Simplified Chinese cards started a few years ago, so China has been releasing compilation sets to catch up quickly with the rest of the world. They are entering the Scarlet & Violet Era on January 17th with their Eternal Birthset.
Scarlet and Violet
PRISMATIC EVOLUTIONS
Prismatic Evolutions introduces Eevee and the Eeveelutions as Stellar Tera Pokémon ex. This set also introduces two parallel Holofoil variants that may appear on cards, featuring a Poké Ball or a Master Ball etched in the background.
Prismatic Evolutions contains cards from the Japanese Terastal Fest ex subset. Prismatic Evolutions contains six ACE SPEC Trainer cards, 10 Pokémon ex and 15 Tera Pokémon ex, 12 ultra rare Supporter cards, 32 special illustration rare Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, and five hyper rare gold etched Pokémon ex cards. Prismatic Evolutions is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Scarlet and Violet
TERESTAL FESTIVAL (JP)
The Terastal Fest ex subset largely contains reprints of various notable Pokémon and Trainer cards released in 2023 and 2024, including reprints of Pokémon ex and ACE SPEC cards. This set also debuts Eevee and the Eeveelutions as Tera Pokémon ex, and introduces a new Mirror Holofoil Poké Ball pattern that can appear on certain cards.
Terastal Fest ex will be released in Japan on December 6, 2024, and in Taiwan and Hong Kong on December 20, 2024. Each booster pack of Terastal Fest ex contains 10 cards, one of which is guaranteed to be a Pokémon ex. Each booster box contains 10 booster packs. Cards other than Pokémon ex and ACE SPEC cards do not have rarity symbols. Cards within this set are included in the English Prismatic Evolutions special expansion.
A sneak peek of the Terastal Fest ex subset was shown in the "OPEN UP" promotional video released on October 20, 2024 (the 28th anniversary of the Pokémon Trading Card Game), showcasing the booster pack artwork and the Eeveeex card from the set.
Scarlet and Violet
SURGING SPARKS
Surging Sparks makes up the eighth expansion of cards for the Scarlet & Violet Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. This expansion continues to introduce Stellar Tera Pokémon ex into the game, a concept first introduced in the previous Stellar Crown expansion. A running theme in the set is the Terarium, the primary setting of The Indigo Disk, the second part of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet video games.
Surging Sparks includes cards from the Japanese Super Electric Breaker and Paradise Dragona expansions, as well as the Stellar Tera Type Starter Sets and certain SV-P Promotional cards. Surging Sparks contains eight ACE SPEC cards, nine Stellar Tera Pokémon ex and nine Pokémon ex, 23 illustration rare Pokémon, 11 special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, and six hyper rare gold etched cards.
Surging Sparks is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Scarlet and Violet
SUPER ELECTRIC BREAKER (JP)
Super Electric Breaker continues to introduce Stellar-type Tera Pokémon ex into the meta, with Terastal Pikachu ex as its central Pokémon. A general theme based on the Blueberry Academy is present within the set as well.
Super Electric Breaker will be released in Japan on October 18, 2024, followed by localized released in Traditional Chinese on October 25, 2024. Each booster box of Super Electric Breaker contains 30 booster packs. Cards within this set are included in the English Surging Sparks expansion.
Scarlet and Violet
STELLAR CROWN
Stellar Crown and its Japanese equivalent set Stellar Miracle makes up the seventh expansion of cards for the Japanese Scarlet & Violet Era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. This expansion mainly focuses on Tera or Terastallized Pokémon (with Terapagos as the main featured Pokémon), as well as various other Pokémon, characters, and settings associated with The Indigo Disk, the second part of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet video games.
As the set's name implies, Stellar Crown debuts Terastallized Pokémon ex with the Stellar type for the first time in the TCG, known as Stellar Tera Pokémon ex. Cards of Stellar Tera Pokémon ex have several unique distinctions: they all have TCG types that follow the Pokémon's usual typing, as well as a uniquely powerful attack that is named after gemstones and requires three different types of Energy to use. To this end, this set also introduces Trainer cards which ease these Energy requirements, such as letting the player attach an extra Energy card in a turn, or reducing the Energy requirements for attacks used by Tera Pokémon.
Stellar Crown includes cards from the Japanese Stellar Miracle expansion and the Pokémon Card Game Battle Academy Deck Kit. Stellar Crown contains three ACE SPEC Trainer cards, 10 Pokémon ex, four Stellar Tera Pokémon ex, 13 illustration rare Pokémon, 11 ultra rare full-art etched Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, six special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, and three hyper rare gold etched cards.
Stellar Crown is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Stellar Miracle is released in Japanese on July 19, 2024, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on August 2, 2024. The Thai and Indonesian set equivalent, Stellar Guidance, is released on August 30, 2024 and September 20, 2024 in the respective regions.
The Japanese release of Stellar Miracle accompanied by the release of the Stellar Miracle Deck Build Box. The Traditional Chinese release is accompanied with the releases of the Pokémon Horizons: The Series Special Card Set (Traditional Chinese: 特別卡組 寶可夢地平線：系列 Special Card Set Pokémon Horizons: The Series), which includes 10 booster packs of Stellar Miracle and 3 promo cards featuring characters from Pokémon Horizons: The Series; and the Stellar Miracle Collector's Set (Traditional Chinese: 星晶奇跡 收藏家組合 Star Crystal Miracle Collector's Set), a product similar to the Collector's Set of the previous Transformation Mask expansion, which features 10 booster packs, a card list booklet, and a Full Art promo card of Zeraora.
Scarlet and Violet
PARADISE DRAGONA (JP)
As indicated by its name, Enhanced Expansion Pack: Paradise Dragona is a subset heavily focused on Pokémon that are originally Dragon-type in the core series games, such as Latias, Latios, and Gouging Fire; and Trainer cards depicting characters associated with Dragon-type Pokémon, such as Drayton and Lisia. It also continues to introduce Stellar-type Tera Pokémon ex into the meta, with Stellar-type Alolan Exeggutorex as its central Pokémon. A tropical/summer theme is also generally present within cards in the set.
Paradise Dragona is designed for use in Sealed format tournaments, in which participants are provided with sealed TCG products and have to build and battle their decks using only cards pulled from those products, along with any other cards provided by the tournament staff.
Paradise Dragona will be released in Japan on September 13, 2024, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on September 27, 2024. Each booster pack of Paradise Dragona contains five cards. Each booster box of Paradise Dragona contains 30 booster packs.
The year on which Paradise Dragona was released, 2024, is also the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese calendar.
Scarlet and Violet
SHROUDED FABLE
Shrouded Fable and its Japanese equivalent set Enhanced Expansion Pack: Night Wanderer introduce the Mythical Pokémon Pecharunt, who first appeared in the Mochi Mayhem epilogue of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, as a Pokémon ex card. The Loyal Three, a group of Legendary Pokémon associated with Pecharunt, also appear in this expansion as Pokémon ex cards, after their debut in the Twilight Masquerade expansion. Related to Pecharunt and Loyal Three, a general theme within the set is present, namely Pokémon and characters with associations to villainous teams, evil doing, or otherwise shady behaviors and activities.
Additionally, Shrouded Fable introduces a new unique Holofoil pattern to Pokémon Trading Card Game cards known as "parallel foil". Like other types of Reverse Holofoil cards, parallel foil cards can be distinguished by its white expansion code box with black text, in contrast to regular cards, whose expansion code boxes are black with white text.
Shrouded Fable contains three ACE SPEC Trainer cards (including the first ever ACE SPEC Stadium card); five Pokémon ex and one Tera Pokémon ex; 15 illustration rare Pokémon; 10 ultra rare Pokémon ex, Tera Pokémon ex and Supporter cards; five special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards; and five hyper rare gold etched cards.
Shrouded Fable is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Night Wanderer is released in Japanese on June 7, 2024, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on June 21, 2024. Each booster pack of Night Wanderer contains 5 cards. Cards released in Night Wanderer are included in the Indonesian- and Thai-exclusive set Stellar Guidance.
Scarlet and Violet
STELLAR MIRACLE (JP)
Stellar Crown and its Japanese equivalent set Stellar Miracle make up the seventh expansion of cards for the Japanese Scarlet & Violet Era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. This expansion mainly focuses on Tera or Terastallized Pokémon (with Terapagos as the main featured Pokémon), as well as various other Pokémon, characters and settings associated with The Indigo Disk, the second part of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet video games.
As the set's name implies, Stellar Crown debuts Terastallized Pokémon ex with the Stellar type for the first time in the TCG, known as Stellar Tera Pokémon ex. Cards of Stellar Tera Pokémon ex have several unique distinctions: they all have TCG types that follow the Pokémon's usual typing, as well as a uniquely powerful attack that is named after gemstones and requires three different types of Energy to use. To this end, this set also introduces Trainer cards which ease these Energy requirements, such as letting the player attach an extra Energy card in a turn, or reducing the Energy requirements for attacks used by Tera Pokémon.
Stellar Crown includes cards from the Japanese Stellar Miracle expansion and the Pokémon Card Game Battle Academy Deck Kit. Stellar Crown contains three ACE SPEC Trainer cards, 10 Pokémon ex, four Stellar Tera Pokémon ex, 13 illustration rare Pokémon, 11 ultra rare full-art etched Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, six special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards and three hyper rare gold etched cards.
Stellar Crown is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. Stellar Miracle was released in Japanese on July 19, 2024, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on August 2, 2024. The Thai and Indonesian set equivalent, Stellar Guidance, was released on August 30, 2024 and September 20, 2024 in the respective regions.
The Japanese release of Stellar Miracle accompanied by the release of the Stellar Miracle Deck Build Box. The Traditional Chinese release was accompanied with the releases of the Pokémon Horizons: The Series Special Card Set (Traditional Chinese: 特別卡組 寶可夢地平線：系列 Special Card Set Pokémon Horizons: The Series), which includes 10 booster packs of Stellar Miracle and 3 promo cards featuring characters from Pokémon Horizons: The Series; and the Stellar Miracle Collector's Set (Traditional Chinese: 星晶奇跡 收藏家組合 Star Crystal Miracle Collector's Set), a product similar to the Collector's Set of the previous Transformation Mask expansion, which features 10 booster packs, a card list booklet and a Full Art promo card of Zeraora.
Scarlet and Violet
TWILIGHT MASQUERADE
Like the previously released Japanese set, Crimson Haze, Twilight Masquerade and the Japanese equivalent set Transformation Mask focuses on various Pokémon, characters, and settings from the land of Kitakami, which debuted in The Teal Mask, the first part of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet video games. The primary focus of these sets is Ogerpon, which appears in all of its special Terastallized forms. These sets also continue to introduce ACE SPEC cards into the format, including one ACE SPEC Special Energy card.
Twilight Masquerade includes cards from the Japanese Transformation Mask and Crimson Haze expansions. Twilight Masquerade contains six ACE SPEC Trainer and Special Energy cards, seven Pokémon ex, seven Tera Pokémon ex, 21 illustration rare Pokémon, 12 ultra rare full-art etched Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, 11 special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, and six hyper rare gold etched cards.
Twilight Masquerade is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Transformation Mask is released in Japanese on April 26, 2024, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on May 10, 2024, in Thai on May 31, 2024, and in Korean on June 21, 2024. The Indonesian set equivalent, Transfiguration Mask, is released on the same day as the Thai release. The Traditional Chinese release is accompanied with the release of the Transformation Mask Collector's Set (Traditional Chinese: 變幻假面 收藏家組合 Transformation Mask Collector's Set), a product which contains 10 booster packs, a card list booklet, and a stamped Full Art promo card of Chansey.
Cardlist
Scarlet and Violet
NIGHT WANDERER (JP)
Shrouded Fable and its Japanese equivalent set Enhanced Expansion Pack: Night Wanderer introduce the Mythical Pokémon Pecharunt, who first appeared in the Mochi Mayhem epilogue of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, as a Pokémon ex card. The Loyal Three, a group of Legendary Pokémon associated with Pecharunt, also appear in this expansion as Pokémon ex cards, after their debut in the Twilight Masquerade expansion. Related to Pecharunt and Loyal Three, a general theme within the set is present, namely Pokémon and characters with associations to villainous teams, evil doing, or otherwise shady behaviors and activities.
Additionally, Shrouded Fable introduces a new unique Holofoil pattern to Pokémon Trading Card Game cards known as "parallel foil". Like other types of Reverse Holofoil cards, parallel foil cards can be distinguished by its white expansion code box with black text, in contrast to regular cards, whose expansion code boxes are black with white text.
Shrouded Fable contains three ACE SPEC Trainer cards (including the first ever ACE SPEC Stadium card); five Pokémon ex and one Tera Pokémon ex; 15 illustration rare Pokémon; 10 ultra rare Pokémon ex, Tera Pokémon ex and Supporter cards; five special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards; and five hyper rare gold etched cards.
Shrouded Fable is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Night Wanderer is released in Japanese on June 7, 2024, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on June 21, 2024. Each booster pack of Night Wanderer contains 5 cards. Cards released in Night Wanderer are included in the Indonesian- and Thai-exclusive set Stellar Guidance.
Scarlet and Violet
TEMPORAL FORCES
The Temporal Forces set and the Japanese Wild Force and Cyber Judge sets continue to introduce Ancient and Future Pokémon and Trainer cards into the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The central Pokémon in these sets are the trios of Paradox Pokémon resembling the Legendary beasts and the Swords of Justice: Walking Wake, Gouging Fire, Raging Bolt, Iron Leaves, Iron Boulder, and Iron Crown.
These sets also reintroduced ACE SPEC cards. First introduced in the Black & White Series of the TCG, ACE SPEC cards are powerful cards with the restriction that only one ACE SPEC card of any sort can be included in a deck. ACE SPEC cards as of this set have a unique magenta design, and can come in Trainer and Special Energy cards.
Temporal Forces includes cards from the Japanese Wild Force and Cyber Judge expansions, as well as the Japanese Starter Deck & Build Sets. Temporal Forces contains seven ACE SPEC Trainer and Special Energy cards, 13 Pokémon ex, two Tera Pokémon ex, 22 illustration rare Pokémon, 10 special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, and six hyper rare gold etched cards.
Temporal Forces is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Wild Force and Cyber Judge are released in Japanese on January 26, 2024, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on February 2, 2024, in Thai on February 23, 2024, and in Korean on March 6, 2024. The Indonesian set equivalent, Ace Paradox, released on March 29, 2024.
Scarlet and Violet
CRIMSON HAZE
Enhanced Expansion Pack: Crimson Haze introduced Pokémon from The Teal Mask, the first of two downloadable content additions to the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet video games. Many of the cards in this subset feature Pokémon and characters that can be found in the land of Kitakami. This set also continues to introduce ACE SPEC cards to the format. Each booster pack of Crimson Haze contains five cards.
Crimson Haze is designed for use in Sealed format tournaments, in which participants are provided with sealed TCG products and have to build and battle their decks using only cards pulled from those products, along with any other cards provided by the tournament staff. To this end, certain cards such as Switch and Pokémon Catcher see reprints in this subset.
Crimson Haze was released in Japanese on March 22, 2024, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on April 3, 2024, in Thai on April 26, 2024, and in Korean on May 24, 2024.
Scarlet and Violet
PALDEAN FATES
Paldean Fates was released on January 26, 2024, and introduces Shiny Pokémon cards to the Scarlet & Violet Series of the TCG. Like other special expansions such as Crown Zenith, individual Paldean Fates booster packs cannot be purchased separately and are instead available exclusively in various set-related products. The Paldean Fates expansion comprises cards from the Japanese Shiny Treasure ex subset, as well as any remaining cards from Raging Surf, Terastal Starter Sets, Ancient Roar, and Future Flash that were not localized in Paradox Rift.
Paldean Fates features 11 Shiny Pokémon ex, seven Pokémon ex and three Tera Pokémon ex, three illustration rare cards featuring Shiny Pokémon, eight special illustration rare cards featuring Shiny Pokémon ex or Supporter cards, and six hyper rare Pokémon ex with a new gold raised foil effect. It is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Japanese Shiny Treasure ex logo
The High Class Pack: Shiny Treasure ex was first revealed at the end of the streamed "Pokéca All Star Battle 2023 — GET THE GOLD" event, a special TCG tournament held between various public figures to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Shiny Treasure ex was released in Japanese on December 1, 2023, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on December 22, 2023, and in Indonesian, Thai, and Korean on January 26, 2024. Like previous High Class Packs, it mainly features reprints of previously released cards, with a focus on Pokémon ex cards. Various Pokémon cards in this set feature artworks that were previously exclusive to English-release SVP Black Star Promotional cards. Shiny Treasure ex also introduces Shiny Pokémon cards to the Scarlet & Violet Era, included in this set as Secret cards.
All regular Pokémon ex cards in the Shiny Treasure ex set have the "RR" rarity as usual. All regular Shiny Pokémon cards feature different artwork and have the "S" rarity, while all Shiny Pokémon ex utilize their prior Full Art print artwork and have the "SSR" rarity. Cards in this set other than Pokémon ex and Secret cards do not have rarity symbols. Each booster pack of Shiny Treasure ex contains 10 cards, 1 of which is guaranteed to be a Pokémon ex. With 360 cards, Shiny Treasure ex is currently the largest Japanese TCG set, breaking the record previously held by the Shiny Star V subset with 330 cards.
Scarlet and Violet
WILF LIFE and CYBER JUDGE (JP)
The Temporal Forces set and the Japanese Wild Force and Cyber Judge sets continue to introduce Ancient and Future Pokémon and Trainer cards into the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The central Pokémon in these sets are the trios of Paradox Pokémon resembling the Legendary beasts and the Swords of Justice: Walking Wake, Gouging Fire, Raging Bolt, Iron Leaves, Iron Boulder, and Iron Crown.
These sets also reintroduced ACE SPEC cards. First introduced in the Black & White Series of the TCG, ACE SPEC cards are powerful cards with the restriction that only one ACE SPEC card of any sort can be included in a deck. ACE SPEC cards as of this set have a unique magenta design, and can come in Trainer and Special Energy cards.
Temporal Forces includes cards from the Japanese Wild Force and Cyber Judge expansions, as well as the Japanese Starter Deck & Build Sets. Temporal Forces contains seven ACE SPEC Trainer and Special Energy cards, 13 Pokémon ex, two Tera Pokémon ex, 22 illustration rare Pokémon, 10 special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, and six hyper rare gold etched cards.
Temporal Forces is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Wild Force and Cyber Judge are released in Japanese on January 26, 2024, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on February 2, 2024, in Thai on February 23, 2024, and in Korean on March 6, 2024. The Indonesian set equivalent, Ace Paradox, released on March 29, 2024.
Scarlet and Violet
SHINY TREASURE EX (JP)
Paldean Fates was released on January 26, 2024, and introduces Shiny Pokémon cards to the Scarlet & Violet Series of the TCG. Like other special expansions such as Crown Zenith, individual Paldean Fates booster packs cannot be purchased separately and are instead available exclusively in various set-related products. The Paldean Fates expansion comprises cards from the Japanese Shiny Treasure ex subset, as well as any remaining cards from Raging Surf, Terastal Starter Sets, Ancient Roar, and Future Flash that were not localized in Paradox Rift.
Paldean Fates features 11 Shiny Pokémon ex, seven Pokémon ex and three Tera Pokémon ex, three illustration rare cards featuring Shiny Pokémon, eight special illustration rare cards featuring Shiny Pokémon ex or Supporter cards, and six hyper rare Pokémon ex with a new gold raised foil effect. It is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Japanese Shiny Treasure ex logo
The High Class Pack: Shiny Treasure ex was first revealed at the end of the streamed "Pokéca All Star Battle 2023 — GET THE GOLD" event, a special TCG tournament held between various public figures to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Shiny Treasure ex was released in Japanese on December 1, 2023, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on December 22, 2023, and in Indonesian, Thai, and Korean on January 26, 2024. Like previous High Class Packs, it mainly features reprints of previously released cards, with a focus on Pokémon ex cards. Various Pokémon cards in this set feature artworks that were previously exclusive to English-release SVP Black Star Promotional cards. Shiny Treasure ex also introduces Shiny Pokémon cards to the Scarlet & Violet Era, included in this set as Secret cards.
All regular Pokémon ex cards in the Shiny Treasure ex set have the "RR" rarity as usual. All regular Shiny Pokémon cards feature different artwork and have the "S" rarity, while all Shiny Pokémon ex utilize their prior Full Art print artwork and have the "SSR" rarity. Cards in this set other than Pokémon ex and Secret cards do not have rarity symbols. Each booster pack of Shiny Treasure ex contains 10 cards, 1 of which is guaranteed to be a Pokémon ex. With 360 cards, Shiny Treasure ex is currently the largest Japanese TCG set, breaking the record previously held by the Shiny Star V subset with 330 cards.
Scarlet and Violet
PARADOX RIFT
Paradox Rift and the Japanese Ancient Roar and Future Flash feature Paradox Pokémon, which have previously only appeared in the Scarlet & Violet and Obsidian Flames expansions. The set was first previewed on August 11, 2023, when the Canadian Pokémon Center website briefly showed off one of the Elite Trainer Boxes for the set featuring Iron Valiant. More information about the set was revealed during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Pokémon World Championships on August 13, 2023.
Two new variants of cards are introduced in this expansion: Ancient and Future, which are both available as Pokémon and Trainer cards. Both card variants feature unique text icons on the top right corner of the artwork, and unique backgrounds adorning the right half of the cards: Ancient cards have a layered strata background, while Future cards have a pixelated background. Ancient Pokémon cards tend to have direct attacks that deal a large amount of damage, while being difficult to Knock Out. Future Pokémon cards tend to have Abilities and attacks with extra effects, allowing for craftier strategies. Ancient and Future Trainer cards have effects that tend to assist their respective Pokémon counterparts.
Paradox Rift also includes Technical Machine cards, first reintroduced in the Japanese Raging Surf subset after being last seen in the Rising Rivals expansion. Technical Machine cards as of this set are categorized as Pokémon Tool cards.
Paradox Rift includes cards from the Japanese Ancient Roar and Future Flash expansions, the Raging Surf subset, and the Terastal Starter Sets. Paradox Rift contains 13 Pokémon ex, seven Tera Pokémon ex, 34 illustration rare Pokémon, 15 special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, 28 ultra rare full-art etched Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, and seven hyper rare gold etched cards.
There are no Lightning-type or Metal-type Pokémon in Ancient Roar. Likewise, there are no Darkness-type Pokémon in Future Flash.
Paradox Rift is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Ancient Roar and Future Flash were released in Japanese on October 27, 2023, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on November 10, 2023, and in Thai on December 15, 2023. The Indonesian set equivalent, Paradox Encounters, also released on December 15, 2023.
Scarlet and Violet
ANCIENT ROAR and FUTURE FLASH
Paradox Rift and the Japanese Ancient Roar and Future Flash feature Paradox Pokémon, which have previously only appeared in the Scarlet & Violet and Obsidian Flames expansions. The set was first previewed on August 11, 2023, when the Canadian Pokémon Center website briefly showed off one of the Elite Trainer Boxes for the set featuring Iron Valiant. More information about the set was revealed during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Pokémon World Championships on August 13, 2023.
Two new variants of cards are introduced in this expansion: Ancient and Future, which are both available as Pokémon and Trainer cards. Both card variants feature unique text icons on the top right corner of the artwork, and unique backgrounds adorning the right half of the cards: Ancient cards have a layered strata background, while Future cards have a pixelated background. Ancient Pokémon cards tend to have direct attacks that deal a large amount of damage, while being difficult to Knock Out. Future Pokémon cards tend to have Abilities and attacks with extra effects, allowing for craftier strategies. Ancient and Future Trainer cards have effects that tend to assist their respective Pokémon counterparts.
Paradox Rift also includes Technical Machine cards, first reintroduced in the Japanese Raging Surf subset after being last seen in the Rising Rivals expansion. Technical Machine cards as of this set are categorized as Pokémon Tool cards.
Paradox Rift includes cards from the Japanese Ancient Roar and Future Flash expansions, the Raging Surf subset, and the Terastal Starter Sets. Paradox Rift contains 13 Pokémon ex, seven Tera Pokémon ex, 34 illustration rare Pokémon, 15 special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, 28 ultra rare full-art etched Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, and seven hyper rare gold etched cards.
There are no Lightning-type or Metal-type Pokémon in Ancient Roar. Likewise, there are no Darkness-type Pokémon in Future Flash.
Paradox Rift is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Ancient Roar and Future Flash were released in Japanese on October 27, 2023, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on November 10, 2023, and in Thai on December 15, 2023. The Indonesian set equivalent, Paradox Encounters, also released on December 15, 2023.
Scarlet and Violet
151
Scarlet & Violet—151 is a special expansion containing 210 cards that was released on September 22, 2023. In Japan, it is known as Pokémon Card 151, and was released on June 16, 2023, followed by localized releases in Taiwan and Hong Kong on June 30, 2023, and in Indonesia, Thailand and South Korea on July 28, 2023.
151 features only Generation I Pokémon; unlike in most expansions, Pokémon cards in this expansion are ordered according to the Pokémon's National Pokédex numbers, instead of being grouped by their type.[1] This expansion contains 12 Pokémon ex cards, 16 illustration rare and seven special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, 16 ultra rare full-art etched Pokémon and Supporter cards, and three hyper rare gold etched cards. Cosmos Holofoil Basic Energy cards can also be found in 151 booster packs. There's also a low probability to find an entire evolutionary line of Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle as secret cards in the same booster pack, in place of the two Reverse Holo cards and the Rare card. Fans refer to such packs as "demigod packs".
In the Japanese, Korean and Traditional Chinese subsets, each booster pack contains seven cards with two guaranteed Holofoil cards, and common, uncommon, and rare cards have Mirror Holofoil variants featuring a Poké Ball pattern; or, rarely, a Master Ball pattern. There is also a rare chance for those packs to contain two of the Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle's entire evolutionary lines as secret cards. Thai and Indonesian booster packs contain five cards with no guarantees of Holofoil cards, and has no Mirror Holofoil prints.
This subset is notable for introducing the first Kadabra card since the release of Kadabra from Skyridge in 2003, nearly twenty years prior.
Scarlet and Violet
RAGING SURF (JP)
Enhanced Expansion Pack: Raging Surf continued to introduce type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex after their introduction in the previous Ruler of the Black Flame set. It also reintroduced Technical Machine cards, which were last seen in the Rising Rivals expansion — Technical Machine cards as of this set are categorized as Pokémon Tool cards. Each booster pack of Raging Surf contains five cards.
Raging Surf is designed for use in Sealed format tournaments, in which participants are provided with sealed TCG products and have to build and battle their decks using only cards pulled from those products, along with any other cards provided by the tournament staff. To this end, certain cards such as Switch and Rare Candy see reprints in this subset.
Raging Surf was released in Japanese on September 22, 2023, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on September 29, 2023, in Korean on October 13, 2023, and in Thai on October 27, 2023.
The majority of cards that debuted in Raging Surf were introduced in Paradox Rift, the rest were introduced in Paldean Fates.
Scarlet and Violet
OBSIDIAN FLAMES
Obsidian Flames and the Japanese Ruler of the Black Flame are the first sets to feature Tera Pokémon ex with types that differ from their usual types. Type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex use the same Energy types as their usual type for their attacks, but have differing Weakness and Resistance in accordance with their shifted type.
Obsidian Flames includes cards from the Japanese Ruler of the Black Flame expansion, the ex Special Set and ex Start Decks, as well as two Japanese promo cards, remaining cards from the Triplet Beat, Snow Hazard, and Clay Burst sets that were not localized in Paldea Evolved, and two reprinted cards from the Scarlet & Violet expansion. Obsidian Flames contains 15 Pokémon ex, six Tera Pokémon ex, 12 illustration rare Pokémon, six special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, 12 ultra rare full-art etched Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, and three hyper rare gold etched cards.
Obsidian Flames is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Ruler of the Black Flame was available in Japanese on July 28, 2023, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on August 11, 2023, in Korean on August 25, 2023, and in Thai on September 29, 2023. The Indonesian set equivalent, Black Shine, released much later on October 27, 2023.
Scarlet and Violet
RULER OF THE BLACK FLAME
Obsidian Flames and the Japanese Ruler of the Black Flame are the first sets to feature Tera Pokémon ex with types that differ from their usual types. Type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex use the same Energy types as their usual type for their attacks, but have differing Weakness and Resistance in accordance with their shifted type.
Obsidian Flames includes cards from the Japanese Ruler of the Black Flame expansion, the ex Special Set and ex Start Decks, as well as two Japanese promo cards, remaining cards from the Triplet Beat, Snow Hazard, and Clay Burst sets that were not localized in Paldea Evolved, and two reprinted cards from the Scarlet & Violet expansion. Obsidian Flames contains 15 Pokémon ex, six Tera Pokémon ex, 12 illustration rare Pokémon, six special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, 12 ultra rare full-art etched Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, and three hyper rare gold etched cards.
Obsidian Flames is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Ruler of the Black Flame was available in Japanese on July 28, 2023, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on August 11, 2023, in Korean on August 25, 2023, and in Thai on September 29, 2023. The Indonesian set equivalent, Black Shine, released much later on October 27, 2023.
Scarlet and Violet
PALDEA EVOLVED
Paldea Evolved features the three final evolutions of the Paldean first partner Pokémon, Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval, as well as the treasures of ruin. The set brings together the three Japanese expansions Triplet Beat, Snow Hazard, and Clay Burst, and also features cards from the ex Starter Set Pikachu ex & Pawmot Standard Deck, and the Premium Trainer Box ex. The set contains 14 Pokémon ex, three Tera Pokémon ex, 36 illustration rare Pokémon, 18 ultra rare Pokémon ex, 8 ultra rare Supporter cards, 15 special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards and 9 hyper rare gold etched cards.
Snow Hazard and Clay Burst feature Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, and the other treasures of ruin from the Paldea region as powerful Pokémon ex cards. The dual set continues to debut Pokémon and characters from the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Pokémon games. Illustration rare cards return after their introduction in the previous expansion. Snow Hazard and Clay Burst were released in Japan on April 14, 2023, followed by localized releases in Taiwan and Hong Kong on April 28, 2023, in Indonesia on June 2, 2023, in South Korea on June 14, 2023, and in Thailand on June 30, 2023.
Snow Hazard features the Water-type Pokémon Chien-Pao while Clay Burst features the Fighting-type Pokémon Ting-Lu. No Fire-type or Lightning-type Pokémon are included in Snow Hazard; likewise, no Water-type or Metal-type Pokémon are included in Clay Burst.
Scarlet and Violet
SCARLET AND VIOLET
Scarlet & Violet is the first main expansion in the Scarlet & Violet Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and was released on March 31, 2023. The Japanese equivalent, Scarlet ex • Violet ex, is the first main expansion in Japan.
Scarlet & Violet, and the Japanese Scarlet ex and Violet ex, focus on Koraidon and Miraidon, both of which are included as Pokémon ex. The set is the first to feature Pokémon, items, characters and places from the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games. Certain Pokémon ex also include a new Tera (Japanese: テラスタル Terastal) mechanic, based on the Terastal phenomenon from the Scarlet and Violet games, that works similarly to Ancient Traits.
Releasing on the same day in Japan are the three ex Starter Sets, each starring one Pokémon ex and one of the Paldean first partner Pokémon. These Starter Sets and the Scarlet ex • Violet ex expansion were combined to create the English release. Scarlet ex and Violet ex were released in Japan on January 20, 2023, followed by localized releases in Taiwan and Hong Kong on February 3, 2023, in Thailand on February 24, 2023, in Indonesia on March 3, 2023, and in South Korea on March 15, 2023.
This new expansion introduces various design changes for the Pokémon Trading Card Game that will be implemented starting with the Scarlet & Violet expansion. For international audiences, yellow borders on Pokémon TCG cards will become gray to match the cards released in Japan, providing a more seamless Pokémon TCG experience around the world while allowing the card artwork to shine even further. Additionally, expansion symbols will be replaced by expansion codes and language codes across all cards. All cards with a Rare rarity will be holofoil in booster packs, and booster packs will now contain a guaranteed three Holofoil cards instead of only two. For worldwide audiences, subcategories for Trainer cards — such as Supporter, Item and Stadium — will appear in the top left corner to be more visible in players’ hands. Energy cards will display another Energy symbol on the bottom right corner to make it easier to track during gameplay.[1] Pokémon Tool cards will also now be considered a category of Trainer cards alongside Item cards, Supporter cards, and Stadium cards. They were previously a sub-category of Item cards.
Sword and Shield
CROWN ZENITH
Crown Zenith was released on January 20, 2023 and is the final special expansion of the Sword & Shield Series. In Japan, it released as VSTAR Universe high-class expansion pack on December 2nd, 2022 and similarly served as the final sub-expansion of the Sword & Shield Era. VSTAR Universe also has a parallel foil set, featuring a Reverse Glitter Holofoil variant for all non-holofoil cards in the main set. Similar to other special expansions, such as Pokémon GO and Celebrations, Crown Zenith booster packs could not be purchased separately and instead, were available exclusively in various set-related products.
Crown Zenith consists of cards from the Japanese VSTAR Universe expansion, cards from VSTAR Special Set and cards from the Paradigm Trigger expansion and Incandescent Arcana subset that were not localized in Silver Tempest. Energy cards featured the Brilliant Stars design with copyright year 2022 and included a reverse holo variant of each without set numbers, in addition to the textured holo variants with copyright year 2023 that are included within the set's numbering.
In VSTAR Universe, all non-secret cards that aren't Pokémon V or Radiant Pokémon have no rarity symbols.
Sword and Shield
SILVER TEMPEST
Silver Tempest was released on November 11, 2022, and is the final main expansion of the Sword & Shield Series. In Japan, it was released as Paradigm Trigger on October 21, 2022, and similarly serves as the twelfth and final expansion of the Sword & Shield Era. Silver Tempest consists of cards sourced from the Japanese Paradigm Trigger expansion, the Incandescent Arcana subset, cards from the Lost Abyss expansion, and Dark Phantasma subset that were not localized in Lost Origin, and some remaining cards from the VMAX Climax subset.
The Legendary Diving Pokémon Lugia is one of the focal Pokémon of the expansion, as is Alolan Vulpix and legendary giants Regieleki and Regidrago. Lugia, Alolan Vulpix, and Regidrago all support the Pokémon VSTAR mechanic, while Regieleki appears as the sole Pokémon VMAX. Other Pokémon VSTAR in Silver Tempest include Unown, Mawile, and Serperior; three Pokémon also represent the Radiant Pokémon mechanic: Alakazam, Jirachi, and Tsareena. The expansion continues the trend of the last few Sword & Shield Series sets by featuring another 30-card Trainer Gallery subset comprising Full Art reprints.
VSTAR Powers are featured on Trainer cards for the first time since their introduction. These cards depict ancient artifacts, similar to those included in the Skyridge expansion, and tie into the narrative that permeates the source Paradigm Trigger expansion. Paradigm Trigger features an unexplored faraway island where Pokémon live quietly[1] and highlights numerous Fossil Pokémon and Pokémon with mysterious origins.
Silver Tempest was available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Paradigm Trigger was available in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Indonesian. Each Silver Tempest booster pack contains ten cards from the expansion, a Pokémon TCG Live code card, and either a basic Energy card or a VSTAR marker card. Each Paradigm Trigger pack contains five cards from the expansion.
Sword and Shield
LOST ORIGIN
Lost Origin is the eleventh main Sword & Shield Series expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and was released on September 9, 2022. In Japan, it was released as Lost Abyss on July 15, 2022 and is the eleventh expansion of the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. Lost Origin consists of cards sourced from the Japanese Lost Abyss expansion, the Dark Phantasma subset, the VSTAR & VMAX High-Class Decks, cards from the Time Gazer, Space Juggler and Battle Region expansions that were not localized in Astral Radiance, and some remaining cards from the VMAX Climax subset.
The Renegade Pokémon Giratina is one of the focal Pokémon of the expansion, appearing in its Origin Forme. Giratina V and Giratina VSTAR are among several cards to have attacks or Abilities that interact with the Lost Zone, a mechanic that last appeared in the Cosmic Eclipse expansion of the Sun & Moon Series. These cards can be identified by a "shadowy aura"—purple, pink, and turquoise-colored wisps that surround the Pokémon in the regular prints of Pokémon V and Pokémon VSTAR and the illustration window on regular prints of other cards. Lost Origin features more Hisuian Pokémon, including Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR and Hisuian Goodra VSTAR, as well as more Radiant Pokémon such as Radiant Gardevoir. It also features another Trainer Gallery subset that contains primarily Full Art reprints that depict a Pokémon alongside a Trainer.
Lost Origin is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Lost Abyss will be available in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Indonesian. Each Lost Origin booster pack contains ten cards from the expansion, a code card for use with the Pokémon Trading Card Game Live, and either a basic Energy card or a VSTAR marker card. Each Lost Abyss pack contains five cards from the expansion.
Sword and Shield
POKEMON GO
The Pokémon GO expansion is a special collaboration between the iOS and Android game Pokémon GO and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The expansion features various Pokémon that could be encountered in Pokémon GO with a mixture of hand-drawn and photorealistic artwork referencing different aspects of the game, some of which support the Pokémon V, Pokémon VMAX, Pokémon VSTAR, and Radiant Pokémon mechanics. Items, locations, and characters originating from Pokémon GO are also portrayed on Trainer cards.
In Western markets, Pokémon GO booster packs could only be found in specifically-branded merchandise, the first of which began to be released on July 1, 2022. Each booster pack contained 10 cards. In Asian markets, booster packs could be purchased from booster boxes as per regular expansions and subsets. It was released simultaneously in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Thailand June 17, 2022, followed by an Indonesian release on August 24, 2022. Asian packs included 6 cards. Cards that form part of the set in each regional release feature the Pokémon GO logo on their artwork, except for the Regular and Full Art prints of Pokémon with a Rule Box. Conversely, all promotional versions of these cards released in Pokémon GO TCG merchandise in their respective regions feature the Pokémon GO logo. Alongside the Japanese release of the Pokémon GO set, a special promotional pack was also available to those who purchased a significant amount of product. These packs contain 7 different promotional artwork cards to collect. Cards that include the logo also have a Niantic copyright alongside the standard Pokémon/Nintendo/Creatures/GAME FREAK copyrights.
Sword and Shield
ASTRAL RADIANCE
Astral Radiance is the tenth main Sword & Shield Series expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and was released on May 27, 2022. In Japan, it was released as the dual Time Gazer and Space Juggler on April 8, 2022, which together form the tenth expansion of the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. Astral Radiance consists of cards sourced from the Japanese Time Gazer and Space Juggler expansions, the Battle Region subset, the VSTAR Starter Sets, plus a couple of S-P Promotional cards and some remaining cards from the VMAX Climax subset.
The expansion focuses on the Origin Formes of Legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia, which debuted in the core series title Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The two are included as Pokémon V and Pokémon VSTAR cards. The expansion also includes previously unknown Pokémon from the Hisui region, including a number of Hisuian forms. The final evolutions of the Hisui first partner Pokémon, Decidueye, Typhlosion, and Samurott, are all depicted on Pokémon V and Pokémon VSTAR cards in their Hisuian forms.
Astral Radiance introduces Radiant Pokémon, which function similarly to Shining Pokémon from the Neo Series and Pokémon ☆ from the EX Series. Radiant Pokémon are all Basic Pokémon that portray the Shiny form of a species and have a Rule Box stipulating only one Radiant Pokémon can be included in a deck. The expansion also features another Trainer Gallery subset, which comprises more Full Art reprints that depict a Pokémon alongside a Trainer. Each Astral Radiance booster pack contains ten cards from the expansion, a code card for use with the Pokémon Trading Card Game Live, and either a basic Energy card or a VSTAR marker card. Each Time Gazer and Space Juggler pack contains five cards from their respective expansion.
Sword and Shield
BRILLIANT STARS
Brilliant Stars is the ninth main Sword & Shield Series expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and was released on February 25, 2022. In Japan, it was released as Star Birth on January 14, 2022 and is the ninth expansion of the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. Brilliant Stars consists of cards sourced from the Japanese Star Birth expansion, the Start Deck 100, and the VMAX Climax subset.
The expansion centers on the Alpha Pokémon Arceus, which supports the Pokémon V and new Pokémon VSTAR mechanic. Like their predecessors Pokémon VMAX, Pokémon VSTAR evolve from a requisite Pokémon V. Each Pokémon VSTAR has an attack or Ability called a VSTAR Power that, much like GX attacks in the Sun & Moon Series, can only be used once in a game. Other Pokémon supporting the VSTAR mechanic in the expansion include Charizard, Shaymin, and Whimsicott.
Brilliant Stars includes a subset of cards named the Trainer Gallery, which comprises Full Art reprints depicting Pokémon alongside a Trainer, a concept last seen in the Cosmic Eclipse expansion. Each Brilliant Stars booster pack contains ten cards from the expansion, a code card for use with the Pokémon Trading Card Game Live, and either a basic Energy card (featuring a new design) or a VSTAR marker card. VSTAR markers can be used as a visual aid for players to show if they have used a Pokémon VSTAR's VSTAR Power or not, much like GX markers in the Sun & Moon Series. Trading Card-sized markers have a white obverse with the VSTAR symbol and a black reverse with a Poké Ball design. Acrylic VSTAR markers were available in other products. Each Star Birth pack contains five cards.
Sword and Shield
FUSION STRIKE
Fusion Strike is the eighth main Sword & Shield Series expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and was released on November 12, 2021. In Japan, it was released as Fusion Arts on September 24, 2021 and was the eighth expansion of the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. Fusion Strike consists of cards sourced from the Japanese Fusion Arts expansion, the High-Class Decks, the Sword & Shield Family Pokémon Card Game set, cards from Eevee Heroes, Skyscraping Perfection, and Blue Sky Stream that were not localized in Evolving Skies, and several S-P Promotional cards. Each Fusion Strike booster pack contains ten cards from the expansion and a basic Energy card. Fusion Strike booster packs were also the first to include a code card for use with the Pokémon Trading Card Game Live. Each Fusion Arts pack contains five cards.
The expansion centers on the New Species Pokémon Mew, which is featured on Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX cards, and is one of numerous Pokémon to support the Fusion Strike style. Fusion Strike Pokémon are designed to interact with one another, as well as supporting Trainer and Energy cards, to bolster a player's attacking potential while also impeding their opponent.
At 284 cards, Fusion Strike is currently the largest expansion in the following languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Sword and Shield
EVOLVING SKIES
Evolving Skies is the seventh main Sword & Shield Series expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and was released on August 27, 2021. In Japan, it was released as the dual Skyscraping Perfection and Blue Sky Stream on July 9, 2021, which together form the seventh expansion of the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. Evolving Skies consists of cards sourced from the Japanese Skyscraping Perfection and Blue Sky Stream expansions, plus some cards from the Eevee Heroes subset, and remaining cards from Peerless Fighters, Silver Lance, and Jet-Black Spirit that were not localized in Chilling Reign.
The expansion focuses on the Alloy Pokémon Duraludon and the Sky High Pokémon Rayquaza, both of which are included as Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX, the former featuring its Gigantamax form. The two are among numerous Pokémon represented by the Dragon type, which had not been featured in the TCG since the Cosmic Eclipse expansion of the Sun & Moon Series. Dragon-type Pokémon continue to feature attacks that can require two different types of Energy, although with the removal of the Fairy type, now have no Weakness. Dragon-type Pokémon also have additional aesthetics on cards, including claw marks in the top right corner, a gold-tinged graphic to the left of the Weakness box, and the Dragon-type symbol behind body text on non-variant cards.
There are no Grass-type, Fire-type, or Lightning-type Pokémon in Skyscraping Perfection. Likewise, there are no Psychic-type, Darkness-type, or Metal-type Pokémon in Blue Sky Stream.
The expansion also focuses on the Eeveelutions, all of which are included as Pokémon V and several of which are also featured on Special Full Art and Pokémon VMAX cards. Some Eeveelutions were not brought over from their source sets and were put into separate items of merchandise, appearing as SWSH Black Star Promos. Each Evolving Skies booster pack contains ten cards from the expansion, a basic Energy card, and a code card for use in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Each Skyscraping Perfection and Blue Sky Stream pack contains five cards from their respective expansion.
Sword and Shield
CHILLING REIGN
Chilling Reign is the sixth main Sword & Shield Series expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and was released on June 18, 2021. In Japan, it was released as the dual Silver Lance and Jet-Black Spirit on April 23, 2021, collectively the sixth expansion of the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. Chilling Reign is expected to consist of cards sourced from the Japanese Silver Lance and Jet-Black Spirit expansions, as well as the Peerless Fighters subset.
There are no Lightning-type Pokémon in Silver Lance. Likewise, there are no Fire-type Pokémon in Jet-Black Spirit.
Sword and Shield
Battle Styles
Battle Styles is the name given to the fifth main expansion of the Sword & Shield Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as the Single Strike Master · Rapid Strike Master dual sets that make up the fifth expansion block in the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. It is based on Pokémon Sword and Shield and The Isle of Armor Expansion Pass, featuring Generation VIII Pokémon and the Wushu Pokémon Urshifu in both of its forms. The Japanese expansion was released on January 22, 2021, and the English expansion was released on March 19, 2021.
The Battle Styles expansion is the first expansion to feature two new variants of cards: Single Strike and Rapid Strike. Single Strike cards deliver powerful, hard-hitting attacks that can Knock Out an opponent in a single blow. Rapid Strike cards use sneaky, and technical attacks.
There are no Water-type Pokémon in Single Strike Master. Likewise, there are no Darkness-type Pokémon in Rapid Strike Master.
Single Strike Master (Chinese: 一撃大師 Single Strike Master, Thai: มาสเตอร์จู่โจมครั้งเดียว Single Strike Master, Korean: 일격마스터 Single Strike Master) and Rapid Strike Master (Chinese: 連擊大師 Continuous Strike Master, Thai: มาสเตอร์จู่โจมต่อเนื่อง Continuous Strike Master, Korean: 연격마스터 Continuous Strike Master) were released on January 29, 2021, in Taiwan and Hong Kong, February 24, 2021, in South Korea, March 26, 2021, in Thailand and May 21, 2021, in Indonesia. The Traditional Chinese and Thai sets contain the same cards and feature the same numbering as the Japanese release, while the Korean set contains the same cards but has some of the cards numbered
Sword and Shield
Shining Fates
Shining Fates was released on February 19, 2021. It is similar to previous special expansions such as Champion's Path, in that booster packs are only available within specially marked products (however, specific cards were available earlier in the V Battle Deck—Venusaur vs. Blastoise). The Shining Fates expansion is comprised from the Japanese Shiny Star V subset as well as the Venusaur & Blastoise VMAX Starter Sets and the VMAX Special Set. The Shiny Pokémon cards are separated into a 122 card Shiny Vault subset. One card from it can possibly be in a booster, replacing the Reverse Holofoil card when it is.
The High Class Pack Shiny Star V was released in Japan on November 20, 2020 and continues the trend established with preceding High Class Packs, featuring a large amount of reprinted cards, with particular focus on Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX. Several of the Pokémon included in the subset feature artwork previously exclusive to English expansions and various items of merchandise. The subset also includes a large number of Shiny Pokémon, all of which are reprints of cards released during the Sword & Shield Era, have a special embossed Holofoil treatment, and are Secret cards. All regular Shiny Pokémon cards feature different artwork and come in the "S" rarity, while all Shiny Pokémon V utilize their prior Full Art print artwork and come in the "SSR" rarity. Other than Amazing Pokémon, Pokémon V, and Pokémon VMAX cards, all non-secret cards do not have a rarity symbol.
Shiny Star V contains 330 cards, with 140 of them being secret cards. This makes it the largest Japanese set at the time of its debut (until the release of Shiny Treasure ex during the Scarlet & Violet Era), surpassing the 250 cards included in the GX Ultra Shiny subset. Shiny Star V also has a parallel foil set, featuring a Reverse Halo Holofoil variant for all non-holofoil cards in the main set. Each booster pack contains 10 cards instead of the usual five, with one guaranteed Pokémon V or Pokémon VMAX card.
Sword and Shield
VIVID VOLTAGE
Vivid Voltage is the name given to the fourth main expansion of the Sword & Shield Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Amazing Volt Tackle, the fourth expansion in the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. It is based on Pokémon Sword and Shield, featuring Generation VIII Pokémon and focuses on the Mouse Pokémon Pikachu and its Gigantamax form. The set introduces a new type of card, Amazing Pokémon, which features Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. The English expansion was released on November 13, 2020, while the Japanese expansion was released on September 18, 2020. Vivid Voltage combines its Japanese equivalent set with the Legendary Heartbeat subset.
The Chinese 驚天伏特攻擊 Amazing Volt Tackle expansion was released on October 9, 2020 in Taiwan and Hong Kong, thus marking when the Chinese TCG started matching the Japanese TCG sets in composition.
Sword and Shield
Darkness Ablaze
Darkness Ablaze is the name given to the third main expansion of the Sword & Shield Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Infinity Zone, the third expansion in the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. It is based on Pokémon Sword and Shield, featuring Generation VIII Pokémon and the Gigantic Pokémon Eternatus. The English expansion was released on August 14, 2020, while the Japanese expansion was released on June 5, 2020. Darkness Ablaze is composed of its Japanese equivalent as well as the Explosive Walker subset and the Charizard & Grimmsnarl VMAX Starter Sets.
Sword and Shield
Infinite Zone (JP)
Darkness Ablaze is the name given to the third main expansion of the Sword & Shield Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Infinity Zone, the third expansion in the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. It is based on Pokémon Sword and Shield, featuring Generation VIII Pokémon and the Gigantic Pokémon Eternatus. The English expansion was released on August 14, 2020, while the Japanese expansion was released on June 5, 2020. Darkness Ablaze is composed of its Japanese equivalent as well as the Explosive Walker subset and the Charizard & Grimmsnarl VMAX Starter Sets.
Sword and Shield
CHAMPIONS PATH
Champion's Path is a special expansion of the Sword & Shield Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and was first available from September 25, 2020. Similar to other special expansions, such as Generations and Shining Legends, Champion's Path booster packs could not be purchased separately and instead, were available exclusively in various set-related products. Champion's Path is composed of cards from the Japanese Infinity Zone expansion, as well as the Explosive Walker and Legendary Heartbeat subsets, Charizard & Grimmsnarl VMAX Starter Sets, and the V Starter Decks. The expansion also includes cards that were previously Japanese-exclusive promos, among which is a Secret Rainbow Rare print of Charizard VMAX originally released as a Limited format tournament prize. Another Secret card featuring Shiny Charizard V was a surprise inclusion ahead of its debut in the Japanese Shiny Star V subset. The presence of these two cards saw a large demand for Champion's Path products, prompting Play! Pokémon to issue a statement regarding additional stock.[1]
Sword and Shield
REBEL CLASH
Rebel Clash is the name given to the second main expansion of the Sword & Shield Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Rebellion Crash, the second expansion in the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. It is based on Pokémon Sword and Shield, featuring Generation VIII Pokémon and the Stage 2 Evolution of the Galar region first partner Pokémon Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon. The English expansion was released on May 1, 2020, while the Japanese expansion was released on March 6, 2020. Rebel Clash combines its Japanese equivalent set with the VMAX Rising subset.
Sword and Shield
Rebellion Crash
Rebel Clash is the name given to the second main expansion of the Sword & Shield Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Rebellion Crash, the second expansion in the Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Era. It is based on Pokémon Sword and Shield, featuring Generation VIII Pokémon and the Stage 2 Evolution of the Galar region first partner Pokémon Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon. The English expansion was released on May 1, 2020, while the Japanese expansion was released on March 6, 2020. Rebel Clash combines its Japanese equivalent set with the VMAX Rising subset.
Red and Blue
Legendary Collection
Legendary Collection is the name given to the only main expansion of the Legendary Collection Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It was released on May 24, 2002. Legendary Collection is composed of reprints of the Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, and Team Rocket expansions.
Legendary Collection introduced Reverse Holofoil prints, cards that feature Holofoil throughout the card except the artwork window. The Reverse Holofoil in this expansion have a fireworks-like pattern. It also introduced Box toppers, Jumbo-sized versions of cards from the expansion.
Red and Blue
Gym Challenge
Gym Challenge is the name given to the seventh main expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Challenge from the Darkness, the sixth expansion in the Pokémon Card Game. It is based on Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green, featuring Generation I Pokémon and the Kanto region's Gym Leaders. The English expansion was released on October 16, 2000, while the Japanese expansion was released on June 25, 1999. Gym Challenge combines its Japanese equivalent with the Leaders' Stadium expansion.
Two cards feature different illustration in the English release and the Japanese release as they were deemed "inappropriate". Koga's Ninja Trick originally has a swastika that resembled the swastika used by the Nazis, and it was changed to a different symbol. Misty's Tears originally has Misty drawn nude, and it was changed to a Squirtle trying to stop Misty's tears from falling down.
Red and Blue
Gym Heroes
Gym Heroes is the name given to the sixth main expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Leaders' Stadium, the fifth expansion in the Pokémon Card Game. It is based on Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green, featuring Generation I Pokémon and the Kanto region's Gym Leaders. The English expansion was released on August 14, 2000, while the Japanese expansion was released on October 24, 1998. Gym Heroes combines its Japanese equivalent with the Challenge from the Darkness expansion.
Gym Heroes introduced Owner's Pokémon, a Pokémon that has a Trainer's name. A headshot of its Trainer was located on the bottom right corner of the card with their Gym Badge in the background. The Retreat Cost was moved below the Weakness and Resistance and it lacked the Pokédex entry. It also introduced the Stadium card subclass of Trainer cards.
Leaders' Stadium was the first Japanese expansion to feature pre-constructed Theme Decks. This was the first expansion to feature different set symbols for its English and Japanese releases.
Sabrina's Gaze features different illustration in the English release and the Japanese release. It originally has Sabrina drawn holding a Master Ball, however her middle finger seems to be protruding upwards, and it was changed to Sabrina throwing a Poké Ball.
Red and Blue
Team Rocket
Team Rocket is the name given to the fifth main expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Rocket Gang, the fourth expansion in the Pokémon Card Game. It is based on Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green, featuring Generation I Pokémon and Team Rocket. The English expansion was released on April 24, 2000, while the Japanese expansion was released on November 21, 1997. Subsequently all other language releases for Team Rocket were July of 2000.
Team Rocket introduced Dark Pokémon, a type of Pokémon. Dark Pokémon cards have a brown and black artwork window, Evolution box and Pokédex box. Dark Pokémon have higher attack damage and lower HPs compared to those of normal Pokémon, likely due to the highly offensive nature of the Trainer. Some Evolution Pokémon feature Ken Sugimori's Red and Blue artwork of their previous Stage, instead of the usual Red and Green artwork. It also introduced Secret cards, a card whose collection number is greater than the listed number of cards in the expansion. In the Japanese release, Secret cards have the "Super Rare" rarity. Lastly, it also introduced Holofoil Trainer and Energy cards.
Team Rocket was also the first set not to be packaged in cardboard backed blister packs. Note however, that this was not the case for the Italian release.
Red and Blue
Base Set 2
Base Set 2 is the name given to the fourth main expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It does not have a main expansion as a Japanese equivalent. It is based on Pokémon Red and Blue, featuring Generation I Pokémon. It was released on February 24, 2000. Base Set 2 is composed of reprints of the Base Set and Jungle expansions.
Base Set 2 was the first English expansion to use the Cosmos Holofoil.
Red and Blue
Fossil
Fossil is the name given to the third main expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Mystery of the Fossils, the third expansion in the Pokémon Card Game. It is based on Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green, featuring Generation I Pokémon and Fossil Pokémon. The English expansion was released on October 10, 1999, while the Japanese expansion was released on June 21, 1997. Subsequently all other language releases for Fossil were April of 2000.
Fossil was the final expansion to use the Starlight Holofoil. Although the holographic pattern was changed to cosmos in the Base 2 release, cosmos holographic cards have been sighted. In the Australian release, the Unlimited print used red lettering for the word "Pokémon" instead of yellow on booster boxes, booster packs, theme decks & theme deck cases. This was to help prevent counterfeiting. The non-holographic cards obtained from these red logo packs have a 1999-2000 copyright at the bottom of the card as well as a different card stock. Note that the holographic cards obtained from these red logo packs have the standard 1999 copyright at the bottom.
Red and Blue
Wizards Black Star Promos
Wizards produced a total of 53 numbered Promotional cards before they lost their license. Had they kept their rights to produce the cards longer, it is likely more Promotional cards would have been produced, as the Vending Machine cards were a collection Wizards certainly planned to bring into English. Most of these cards were speculated to have been released in Jamboree with the remainder as promotional cards. All cards were previously released as promotional cards or in special promotional sets in Japan, with the exception of Mew (#8 and #9), which appeared in the Japanese Fossil expansion.
Red and Blue
Jungle
Jungle is the name given to the second main expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Pokémon Jungle, the second expansion in the Pokémon Card Game. It is based on Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green, featuring Generation I Pokémon, and is said to take place in the Kanto Safari Zone. The English expansion was released on June 16, 1999, while the Japanese expansion was released on March 5, 1997. Subsequently all other language releases for Jungle were February of 2000.
The Japanese release contained 48 cards; however, the English release was expanded to 64 cards since Wizards of the Coast decided to include Non Holofoil prints of the Rare Holo cards. This is to make the expansion larger, as well as preventing packs from guaranteeing a Holofoil card. The 1st Edition print run also accidentally included the extremely rare 1st Edition Promo Pikachu. In the Australian release, the Unlimited print used red lettering for the word "Pokémon" instead of yellow on relevant packaging. This was to help prevent counterfeiting.
Red and Blue
Base Set
Base Set is the name given to the first main expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as Expansion Pack, the first expansion in the Pokémon Card Game. It is based on Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green, featuring Generation I Pokémon. The English expansion was released on January 9, 1999, while the Japanese expansion was released on October 20, 1996. Although not part of the TCG, Bandai Pokémon Cards Part 1 Green & Part 2 Red (September 1996) is regarded as pre-dating the Japanese Base set, and therefore is the oldest known Pokémon Card release.
The Shadowless print mirrored the 1st Edition print except for the 1st Edition logo. All cards in the 1st Edition and Shadowless runs were printed with thinner HP and attack text. These cards were without drop shadows for the artwork window. The fourth print run mirrored the Unlimited print, with the only difference being the copyright date, which reads "1999-2000".
The English release are ordered by card type (Pokémon, Trainer, and Energy cards), then by rarity (Rare Holo, Rare, Uncommon, Common), lastly, alphabetically by card name. The Japanese release are ordered by the types first, then ascending rarity (Rare and Rare Holo are considered the same), then National Pokédex number, followed by Trainer and Energy cards.
