Although most Pokemon fans are looking forward to Scarlet and Violet, the latest video game series entry, plenty is going on in the Pokemon Trading Card Game world as well. October is the month of the Pokemon TCG Trick or Trade BOOster packs that feature Halloween-themed cards. Fans can also look forward to the Silver Tempest expansion. It lets card collectors visit the Galar region one more time before the franchise moves on to the next generation alongside its virtual counterpart.
The Silver Tempest expansion features many familiar Pokemon, not just from Generation Eight. It also brings new Radiant Pokemon, which should be good news for all Pokemon TCG collectors. The Pokemon Company has also released a trailer for the first Pokemon Scarlet and Violet set, and the few cards showcased look brilliant. Gamers who have grown attached to Sword and Shield's card offerings shouldn't worry, as the next generation of cards will be just as beautiful.
What Should Fans Expect From Silver Tempest?
The Sword and Shield series of the Pokemon Trading Card Game has received a few expansions. The latest, and likely last, is the Silver Tempest expansion, which it releases on November 11. The set features over 190 cards including 3 new Radiant Pokemon, 6 Pokemon VSTARs, 15 Pokemon Vs, and one Pokemon VMAX. For collectors who are fans of Trainer cards, there are also more than 15 new Trainer cards to find.
The Pokemon Company has also hinted at a few of the Pokemon that will make an appearance. Alolan Vulpix VSTAR has been mentioned, whose icy white fur is likely behind the expansion's name. Lugia VSTAR has also been named, which should catch the eyes of collectors. Other Pokemon mentioned include Serperior VSTAR, Unown VSTAR, Mawile VSTAR, Regidrago VSTAR, and Regieleki VMAX. In addition to being quite dazzling, the cards are also quite powerful in play.
The expansion consists of Pokemon TCG cards that were previously included in prior Japanese-language releases, including Paradigm Trigger. This has allowed fans to make educated guesses regarding which Pokemon will show up. Collectors can expect Radiant Alakazam, Radiant Jirachi, and Radiant Tsareena. Other cards from Paradigm Trigger that may show up in Silver Tempest include Alternate Art Lugia V and holographic cards of Keldeo, Virizion, Terrakion, and Cobalion.
Sword and Shield and Pokemon TCG
While Silver Tempest will be the last main Sword and Shield expansion, fans of Galar can still look forward to a mini-set that is scheduled to release on January 20. According to Pokebeach, the mini-set will feature a mix of unreleased and promo cards from the last two years. It is also expected to feature cards that were part of the Japanese VSTAR Universe set which is scheduled to release in December. Fans will then be able to move on to the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet cards which are releasing in 2023. Miraidon and Koraidon cards have been shown, as well as cards depicting Pokemon from past generations. This includes Mimikyu, Lucario, and Magnezone.
Pokemon TCG may seem a bit complicated at first to outsiders, as it comes with its own lingo and rules for playing the tabletop game. However, it's surprisingly easy to learn the ropes, especially because several Pokemon YouTubers make informative videos teaching newcomers the basic rules and how to excel competitively. For those who aren't interested in the competitive side of things, collecting the prettiest cards is also a treat, and with its many VSTAR and Radiant Pokemon, the Silver Tempest expansion is a good pack for beginners to start their Pokemon TCG journey.