Players eager for the arrival of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet but want a new take on the Pokemon franchise might want to dabble into the TCG, as its recent packs give the game quite a bit of a new flair this 2022. In the current Pokemon TCG meta, some new releases are becoming powerhouses not simply due to their offensive power but astonishing abilities as well.
For instance, certain Pokemon now give players access to more cards within their deck, as well as the ability to capitalize on the ability to completely disable the effects of cards by discarding them from play entirely. However, just what else are in store within the best Pokemon cards released in 2022 so far?
10 Aerodactyl V (Alternate Full Art, Lost Origin Elite Trainer Box, $90)
Gamers who want a more complete take on the “Lost Origin” expansion may want to consider getting the Elite Training Box, which has around 170 cards to give players a headstart in hardcore Pokemon TCG combat. Aside from the fact that a lot of the pack’s VSTAR cards interact with the reintroduced Lost Zone, the card players may want to take note of here is Aerodactyl V.
Boasting 210 HP, Aerodactyl V is quite a decent Pokemon to put in the front lines, and Pokemon players may regret neglecting this straightforward creature. It boasts an ordinary Bite (40), which is enough of a deterrent in most combat situations. Most curious is its Rock Crush (120), which not only deals 120 Damage but also discards an Energy from the opponent’s Active Pokemon.
9 Pikachu V (Lost Origin, $40)
Sometimes, the best kind of Pokemon in a Pokemon TCG deck are straightforward ones, and Pikachu V is as straightforward as it gets. The V variant of the Pokemon Mascot has Charge, wherein players can look up to two (2) Lightning Energy and attach them to Pikachu V before shuffling their deck. Afterward, Thunderbolt (200) can dish out as much as 200 Damage at the cost of all the Energy attached to the Pokemon, befitting the image of charging a Lightning-Type in the games.
Theoretically, this allows players to spam a Charge-Thunderbolt combo to Pikachu V for as long as their defenses are properly set up. Considering the available HP most Pokemon have, just two rounds of Thunderbolt can finish them off. Likewise, even one round of Thunderbolt before replacing Pikachu with another Pokemon should be enough of a deterrent to any enemy threat.
8 Charizard VSTAR (Brilliant Stars, $30)
Being one of the newer sets of the tear, “Brilliant Stars” gives players a lot of access to standard legal cards that will allow them to pick up the pace with the Pokemon TCG game rather quickly. However, fans of Generation One Pokemon may take interest in this pack for Charizard cards, particularly Charizard VSTAR, which evolves from Charizard V.
Packing 280 HP, Charizard VSTAR Is already a sight to behold. Its Explosive Fire (130) not only packs a decent punch but can deal 100 more damage if this card has damage counters on it. More importantly, its VSTAR Power Star Blaze is an extremely devastating attack capable of dealing whopping 320 damage at the cost of removing two (2) Energy, a worthy price considering this amount of damage is enough to put almost all other Pokemon in critical condition.
7 Eternatus VMAX (Lost Origin, $20)
It’s not uncommon for card game players to focus on a particular card type when crafting their decks, and this is a principle that Pokemon TCG applies and one that Eternatus VMAX can definitely take advantage of. Evolving from Eternatus V, this Eternamax Variant has the Eternal Zone Ability. With this, players who exclusively have Darkness Energy Pokemon in play are only allowed to put the same Type in play but may be able to have up to eight (8) Benched Pokemon.
However, this is actually a setup for Eternatus VMAX’s Dread End (30x) attack. With this simple Pokemon strategy, players can dish out 30 more damage for each Darkness Energy Pokemon they have in play - as in, even those in the Bench. Whereas a traditional filled-up Bench can have up to five (5) Pokemon, the eight-based Bench can have Dread End dish out up to 240 Damage to a target Pokemon.
6 Mewtwo VSTAR (Pokemon GO, $30)
Since the arrival of both Pokemon V and Pokemon VSTARs in the Pokemon TCG, they have become somewhat the equivalent of Ace Cards in a deck. They’re not as easy to eliminate, and they often have devastating abilities with the right setup, similar to playable Pokemon in Pokemon Unite. As such, it may be a smart idea for players to form a counter-setup through Mewtwo VSTAR, which evolves from Mewtwo V.
First and foremost, its Psy Purge (90x) gives players the opportunity to discard up to three (3) Psychic Energy from a Pokemon to deal 90 damage for each card thrown away. This in itself dishes out decent damage. However, where Mewtwo VSTAR truly shines is its VSTAR Power, Star Raid. When activated, this attack deals 120 damage to all of the opponent’s Pokemon V regardless of Resistances and Weaknesses. Not only can this debilitate an enemy’s VSTAR setup, but this can practically scare off opponents who plan on using their Pokemon V as aces in the hole.
5 Hisuian Decidueye VSTAR (Astral Radiance, $10)
It’s one thing for a Pokemon to be able to dish out a powerful attack, and another thing entirely for the Pokemon TCG to give players everything they need to secure indomitable offense. Such is the case of Hisuian Decidueye VSTAR, which evolves from Hisuian Decidueye V. At its core, its Somersault Feathers (160+) seems too much of a gamble, as this ability only gives this VSTAR Pokemon extra 30 damage should it be able to discard up to three (3) Energy cards from the hand. After all, this can immediately deplete the player’s arsenal - a common mistake video game players make against tougher foes like Pokemon Elite Four.
However, the immediate counter here is its VSTAR Power, Star of Fortune. With this ability, players can draw until they possess up to eight (8) cards. This of course implies that a winning strategy with Hisuian Decidueye VSTAR lets players discard up to three (3) of the cards they draw for a devastating attack. However, a safe alternative here is for this VSTAR Pokemon to serve as a hand refresher, which can help players do more useful setups just the same.
4 Zamazenta V (Brilliant Stars, $15)
Similar to other card games, being able to use the deck whenever one pleases can become a lifesaver in Pokemon TCG as this adds another controllable element into the mix. In turn, cards such as Zamazenta V become an asset for players looking for a nifty way to return the advantage to them, similar to how players of Pokemon GO maximize their Pokemon’s limited arsenal in combat. With Revenge Blast (120+), Zamazenta V can deal 30 more damage for every Prize card the opponent has taken, allowing players to take advantage of a slightly losing streak. This plays into another mechanic, which is this card’s V Ability.
Zamazenta V possesses something called Regal Stance, which allows it to discard the player’s current hand in favor of drawing five (5) cards from the deck. This immediately ends the player’s turn, however. Thing is, this move does give players a lot of maneuverability with the right setup, especially since this incentivizes players doing riskier players by using more cards with the option of being able to replenish their hands at the cost of a turn.
3 Giratina VSTAR (Lost Origin, $45)
Fans who got used to modern Pokemon TCG might recall not having a “beyond the discard pile” mechanic, compared to Magic: The Gathering’s Exile and Yu-Gi-Oh!’s Banishment systems. However, Pokemon actually had a variant in the form of the Lost Zone, which makes a return in the “Lost Origins” expansion pack. Whereas the game’s Discard Pile only has room for knocked-out Pokemon, the Lost Zone has room for all card categories, giving players room to completely cripple enemy decks with cards like Giratina VSTAR.
Similar to other cards in the expansion, Giratina VSTAR interacts with the Lost Zone in the match, giving players more flexibility with their strategies. Aside from Lost Impact (280) which has a steep price of two (2) Energy for a powerful attack, its most devastating ability is Star Requiem. Serving as Giratina’s VSTAR Power, this once-per-match ability needs at least ten cards in the player’s Lost Zone, which then allows Giratina to knock out the Active Pokemon in the enemy’s field.
2 Arceus VSTAR (Brilliant Stars, $30)
Although mythical Pokemon Arceus doesn’t always make “any” Pokemon team indestructible its presence in any team sure makes them formidable. Much is the same with the Pokemon TCG, with Arceus VSTAR potentially turning the tide of combat should players need a dash of luck. Evolving from Arceus V, this card is capable of pulling off a “Heart of the Cards” moment for Pokemon TCG players, provided they plan their strategies properly.
With Trinity Nova (200), players are able to up to three (3) basic Energy cards to any Pokemon V before shuffling the deck. Not only that, but its Starbirth VSTAR Power allows players to draw any two (2) cards and put them in their hand prior to a deck shuffle. Not only does Trinity Nova allow players to enhance the capabilities of other Pokemon in their deck, but Starbirth essentially allows players to create setups in otherwise impossible situations.
1 Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR (Astral Radiance, $15)
The Legendary Pokemon Dialga makes a return in the Pokemon TCG as a rather lethal VSTAR force, capable of turning the tide of combat with its abilities. This Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR evolves from Origin Forme Dialga V, and players who make it this far may secure the advantage with the right setup. Its Metal Blast (40+) seems ordinary enough, as it does 40 more damage for every Metal Energy they possess.
However, where Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR truly shines is in its VSTAR Power. Called Star Chronos (220), Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR gives players another turn after finishing this current one. This extra turn may skip Pokemon Checkup, though, and players can only use this VSTAR Power once in a game. However, with the proper setup, players can use this extra turn for a decisive combo or even secure the offensive.