Pokémon TCG

Surprised that we seemingly don’t have any thread for this. Anyway, The Scarlet and Violet Series has been formally revealed. This time around, we’re going back to the days of the original Pokémon EX, where unlike the version that was featured in the XY series which treated Pokémon EX as single stage Pokémon, if a Pokémon EX card features an evolved Pokémon like Magnezone, it must be played as an evolution card from a non-EX Pokémon (so Magnezone EX evolves from Magneton). Additionally, the Terastal mechanic is adapted into the TCG in a form that negates damage from attacks to a Terastal Pokémon on the bench. Unlike the video games where any Pokémon can Terastalize, a card is either always Terastalized or not. So far, the only Terastal Pokémon card shown is Fire Tera Arcanine EX, though booster art also depicts a water Tera Gyarados.

Additionally, English cards are getting an overhaul. The changes to layout mainly bring the cards a bit more in-line with the Japanese cards, including replacing the yellow borders with the long-standing standard in Japan silver borders, and replacing expansion icons in the corner with expansion numbers. Booster packs are also going to contain 3 holo cards each now to compensate for the ¢50 MSRP increase, and all rare cards are now holo, so presumably unless there are special subset or other cards in a given expansion like trainer galleries, all booster packs will contain 2 reverse holos and one holo rare or better.

One thing that went unaddressed in the OP, is that the lowercase ex isn't the only throwback to Gen 3 here.

As a small history lesson, the Gen 3 sets included a collection of cards centered on the "Holon" region, a region that so far only existed in the TCG and is home to pokemon that, get this, are a different type than normal. Terastalization allows a pokemon in SV to temporarly transform into anothe rtype and gain stab on that type in addition to its native types. So the flavor here would be the same as the Holon pokemon cards.

Also from what I gather, the Terestal cards would work like Ancient Traits, which is also a mechanic introduced in a Gen 3 context (this time for the sets based on ORAS)

Curious question for anybody who plays or played the game: what do you find the most fun about it?

It can be pretty excitingly fast paced. Though I’m more interested in the collecting side.

Another thing I saw for the upcoming series: Pokémon Tools will no longer be considered a subset of items. Once the Scarlet & Violet expansion launches, the change will also be retroactive.

Edited by ShinyCottonCandy on Dec 10th 2022 at 10:52:42 AM

I don't really play it, though I did dabble with the official sim for a bit, but I do collect the cards for the art from time to time.

We now have all the cards revealed from the upcoming Japanese sets that will kick off the Scarlet and Violet series

Most of this will be adapted into the international "Scarlet and Violet" set, though some discrepancies are to be expected.

Pokemon TCG Classic announced

Classic cards reprinted, and premium play board.

Alright, I'm just gonna not care if I'm the only one who cares about this thread.

The upcoming ex Battle Decks

I find it weird that they're making such a strong card as Chien-Pao ex available in an entry level product so soon after its set debut. The card could be central to a top-tier deck, and with this it'll be so widely available that anyone could make that deck. Buying 4 copies of the deck would be about the cost of 9 booster packs, it will also cut the price drastically on the direct market.

Pokemon Trading Card Game Online shuts down June 5. Pokemon Trading Card Game Live leaves beta June 8.

I've been playing on TCG Live for a couple weeks now, having not really played the card game in about 20 years (not counting a playthrough of the GBC game at some point). Actually having an idea of how to play card games now, it's nice that the game doesn't actually feel super far removed from how it was way back when, bigger nubers aside. Definitely got eased in much better than when I returned to Yugioh a while back, only Klefki has really confused me with effect wording so far.

As much as I wanted to stick with a Charizard deck, or use one centred on Lucario, I've ended up sticking with a Solrock/Lunatone starter deck that Live gives you. I've since shuffled around a few cards (replaced Mewto with the Ralts line, since I felt like I never wanted to use Mewtwo over Lunatone, and Gardevoir at least lets me supercharge Luna, alongside the Sols), and I've been having a lot of fun with it. Still can't tell if Battle VIP is a good card or not though.

Battle VIP Pass is good for some decks, though not all. The three main decks I see use it are Mew, Gardevoir, and Lost Box, and all three have tools that you have to trash cards to use so they can be gotten rid of if they show up past the first turn. Cram-o-matic for Mew, Refinement from Kirlia for Gardevoir, and Flower Selecting and Colress's experiment for Lost Box. In the latter's case, though, they have to be scooped by those effects before being added to your hand, but they can easily feed the Lost Zone without denying access to anything you may actually want to use.

Live Wo-Chien Reaction

Obsidian Flames releases August 11, features Lightning Tyranitar, Darkness Charizard

Notably, this is neither the first Lightning Tyranitar nor Darkness Charizard.

Type-shifted Tera Pokemon ex will use the same energy type as they would if they were one of their natural types, but will have a different weakness and deal damage of their Tera Type.

Edited by ShinyCottonCandy on May 25th 2023 at 10:22:04 AM

Service has officially ended for Pokemon Trading Card Game Online.

It amuses me that two of the top Pokémon in the meta right for the past year are Mew and Arceus.

I finally won a League Challenge for the first time! This is the deck I used:

Happy Obsidian Flames Prerelease weekend! Anyone pull anything they wanna show off?

Big reveals at the world championships!

Paradox Pokémon make their proper debut as a mechanic. Although Great Tusk and Iron Treads, not to mention the mascot legendaries, are Paradox Pokémon that already have ex cards, these Pokémon have the proper Ancient or Future labels and will be exclusively able to interact with specific cards. Seemingly one such card is the unrevealed Ancient Booster Energy Capsule mentioned in Brute Bonnet's ability.

Additionally, Ace Spec cards, last seen in the BW era are making their return in 2024. Ace Spec cards are powerful items and tools that only one copy of one Ace Spec can be included in a deck. An example from the original Ace Spec selection is Master Ball, which allows any one Pokémon to be grabbed from the deck with neither cost nor luck required.

Edited by ShinyCottonCandy on Aug 13th 2023 at 8:00:04 AM

Just wanna share this amazing upcoming Groudon art card.

Oh, I was wondering where the thread for this was! Love playing tcg live, and love collecting the cards IRL too. My favorite cards are the radiant series. I have radiant Tsareena, radiant Greninja, radiant Alakazam, and radiant Eevee.

Surprised to see some activity in this thread

So far, with the new rotation I’ve been vibing with Lugia, Chien-Pao, and Charizard. Might try out Ancient Box and Iron Crown/Iron Hands soon too.

I like expanded because you can see more off meta decks which I like. I have a zeraora v deck that's been fun to play. I use shinx, helioptile, and thunderus as support. Thought about switching thunderus with iron hands ex but I like that with the exception of my 2 v's it's a single prize deck. My guys have quick 1 or 2 cost attacks mostly and we aim to kill you early before you get your Charizard ex monsters out there.

I usually make a new deck on Monday so I can try something new. Maybe I will try a metal deck (not gholdengo I want something less common).

Live Expanded is probably varied and not too over the top powerful without cards from XY and earlier, true. Battle Compressor and VS Seeker are crazy in full expanded.

Well, somehow despite rotation and everything, I'll be bringing Gardevoir ex to another regionals.