Pokemon TCG has had a pretty good year. Plenty of sets were released to keep collectors busy, and new card types were introduced to ensure that the competitive scene is never predictable. Pokemon TCG even adventured away from the mainline games and embraced Pokemon GO. If the Scarlet and Violet cards are as good as the Sword and Shield ones, the next generation of Pokemon TCG will be amazing.
It wasn't too hard to keep up with all of this year's releases. Three mainline sets were released, namely Brilliant Stars, Astral Radiance, and Lost Origins. There were also spin-off sets in the form of the Pokemon GO set and the Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle. Though the year is almost over, fans can still look forward to one more Sword and Shield set in November.
Pokemon Sword and Shield Sets
The Pokemon Sword and Shield video games were released in 2019, taking gamers to the Galar region. Here, major battles take place in stadiums, and some Pokemon have the Gigantamax Factor which allows them to grow incredibly massive. Generation Eight was also acknowledged by Pokemon TCG, and there have been several sets released to shine the spotlight on all the critters of Galar.
In 2022, three Sword and Shield sets were released. The first was Brilliant Stars, which hit stores in February. Featuring 172 cards and 14 secret cards, it is the smallest of all the Sword and Shield sets released this year. The set is noteworthy because it introduces the VSTAR mechanic. Pokemon VSTAR cards evolve from Pokemon V cards, and they have high hit points and stronger attacks. They also have VSTAR moves which are extremely powerful and can only be used once per game. Monsters that have received VSTAR cards include Charizard, Glaceon, and Dragonite.
Following Brilliant Stars, Astral Radiance was released in May. The set has 246 cards, including 30 Trainer cards and 27 secret rare cards. The set introduces Radiant cards which feature beautiful artwork of shiny Pokemon. Heatran, Hawlucha, and Greninja are just some of the critters that have received Radiant cards. The Lost Origin set was released in September, and it has 247 cards. The set features both VSTAR and Radiant cards. The year will round off with the Silver Tempest set which is scheduled to release on November 11. The set has over 190 cards, and it will introduce three new Radiant Pokemon. With the release of the Scarlet and Violet video games on the horizon, Silver Tempest is likely one of the last Sword and Shield sets.
Other Pokemon TCG Sets and Expansions
In July, Pokemon TCG collaborated with Niantic and released Pokemon GO cards. The cards take inspiration from the augmented reality game and they feature artwork with Pokemon in various real-world locations. It is a small set featuring less than 100 cards, and collectors can expect to find VMAX, VSTAR, and Radiant Pokemon. There are a few valuable cards in the Pokemon GO set, including an Alternate Art Mewtwo card that is highly sought after by collectors.
August saw the release of the Pokemon TCG McDonald's Collection which contains 15 cards. It features classic Pokemon like Pikachu, as well as newer critters such as Rowlet. To celebrate the spooky month of October, The Pokemon Company released the Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle. It is a very small set themed around Ghost and Dark Pokemon, and it's pretty easy to find all 30 cards.
In January of 2023, collectors can expect the Paldea Collection which will feature the new critters of Scarlet and Violet. It will see the return of EX cards, beginning with Miraidon EX and Koraidon EX. This year was an eventful one for Pokemon TCG fans, and looks like next year will also be an exciting one too.