Most Pokemon fans are eyeing the latest games that have been released, but there is a lot going on in the Pokemon TCG scene as well. Pokemon TCG is waving Galar goodbye and looking toward Paldea, and the first batch of Scarlet and Violet products has been revealed. This will be a noteworthy set, as it is the first one where the new silver borders on Western cards will be implemented.
Images of Japanese versions of Terastal Pokemon cards such as a Fire-type Terastal Arcanine have found their way onto the internet, and they look brilliant. Although VSTAR Pokemon cards won't be making a return, EX cards will be. Pokemon TCG fans will be spending more in 2023 to fund their hobby, but there have been some changes made to products to increase their value.
Pokemon TCG Enters its Scarlet and Violet Era
After the successful Sword and Shield era of Pokemon TCG, the franchise is ready to move to the next generation. Fans have already gotten a taste of what's to come with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Paldea Collection, released on January 6, which features Promo cards and badges of the three starters from the latest games. The collection also featured oversized cards of Miraidon and Koraidon, which are the two box Legendaries from this generation. The Pokemon Company has since revealed a few more products that will be released throughout the year, starting on March 31.
There will be two beautiful Elite Trainer Boxes available - one for each Scarlet and Violet box legendary. Elite Trainer Boxes typically contain eight Booster Packs, but with Scarlet and Violet, they will now include nine to justify the slight price hike. The Elite Trainer Boxes will still feature the regular goodies fans are used to from this package, including:
- 65 card sleeves
- 45 Energy cards
- A player’s guide to the Scarlet and Violet expansion
- 6 damage-counter dice
- 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
- 2 plastic condition markers
- A code card for Pokemon TCG Live
Booster Boxes (which contain 36 Booster Packs) and Booster Bundles (which have 6 Booster Packs) will also be making a return. They will also be slightly more expensive, so fans can expect them to feature three guaranteed holofoils. Build & Battle kits will also be available. Build & Battle kits are typically distributed at pre-release events, though they are also sold to regular collectors after the launch of a new line of products. They are good products for fans hoping to learn the ropes of how to build a competitive deck. Each Build & Battle kit contains a 40-card battle-ready deck and four Booster Packs. The Build & Battle Stadium contains two Build & Battle kits, as well as the following:
- 3 additional booster packs
- 121 Energy cards
- 6 damage-counter dice
- 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
- 2 plastic condition markers
Pokemon TCG Gets a New Look With Scarlet and Violet
Cards in the Scarlet and Violet set will look different from past sets. To establish uniformity between all markets, Western Pokemon TCG cards will now have silver borders like their Japanese counterparts. There have also been minor changes added to make the cards easier to read. For example, the header stating what subcategory a Supporter card is will now appear on the top left side of the card, and Energy cards will now have a subheading stating what type of Energy card it is, i.e. Basic Energy.
For Pokemon TCG collectors who still want to enjoy the Galar region a little longer, there is the Crown Zenith expansion that launches on January 20. This is a special expansion that serves as Sword and Shield's final bow. It will bring over 160 new cards, including 70 cards with special artwork.