With the launch of Stellar Crown and the introduction of Terapogos to the Pokemon TCG later this month, we are going to quickly have the complete roster of Scarlet & Violet period Pokemon. Over the past two years the cardboard sport has labored its approach by means of Paldea with themes mirroring the video video games, and with this Indigo Disk-themed set, we’re coming to the top of that journey. As anticipated, Stellar Crown brings an evolution to this period’s ex mechanic, not in contrast to the Tag Staff GX playing cards from Solar & Moon or the V-Union playing cards from Sword & Defend – each launched late into their respective generations.
Fortunately, Stellar Crown’s new mechanic – referred to as Stellar Tera Pokemon ex – usually are not merely three-prize card Pokemon with greater stats. Moderately, they’re a particular form of Tera-type that require three totally different vitality playing cards to unleash their strongest assaults, whereas remaining at two-prize playing cards like all different ex Pokemon.
It’s a trade-off of complexity for energy, which is able to hopefully create the chance for extra fascinating and numerous deck constructing. Wordy identify withstanding, Stellar Tera Pokemon ex are a stable sufficient addition to the TCG to earn Stellar Crown a seal of approval from me, however there’s much more to like about this enlargement when you begin digging into it.
Releasing simply 5 weeks after Shrouded Fable, the mercifully small set (at the least by Pokemon requirements) options 175 new playing cards, together with eight ex, three Ace Spec, 13 Illustration Rares, 11 Full Artwork, six Particular Illustration Rares, 3 Hyper Uncommon Golds, and 4 of the model new Stellar Tera Pokemon ex playing cards. Amongst these are a number of standouts, together with essential IR Zeraora by Kazumasa Yasukuni, new Squirtle and Bulbasaur Illustration Rares by Orco and Saboteri, respectively, and Particular Illustration Uncommon Daschbun ex by Yuu Nishida that could be the cutest Pokemon card I’ve ever seen.
You most likely observed there that I discussed Bulbasaur and Squirtle, however not Charmander. Whereas I give Stellar Crown lots of credit score for avoiding falling into acquainted patterns, there are nonetheless some recognizable decisions right here that make the set really feel considerably drained. There’s a flashy new mechanic in Stellar Pokemon, which is a brand new kind of card to gather and play, however the Pokemon they select to characterize that new mechanic are Terapagos, Cinderace, Lapras, and Galvantula. We’ve seen this sort of sluggish roll earlier than, and we already know that November’s set, Surging Sparks, will introduce a Pikachu Stellar Tera kind.
We all know how it will possible play out. The next set will function the Paldean starters as Stellar Tera Pokemon ex, adopted by a set constructed round a set of Stellar Charizard playing cards. With many years of expansions, Pokemon’s greatest problem is overcoming predictability. I do know buying and selling on the fairness of widespread characters like Pikachu and Charizard is how Pokemon grew to become Pokemon, however when you may see each transfer coming, it is laborious to be shocked.
When it comes to design, I’m an enormous fan of Stellar Tera Pokemon ex. The rainbow border round these ex playing cards provides a welcome nod to the previous Rainbow uncommon playing cards, which continues to be Scarlet & Violet’s greatest sacrifice and the factor I miss probably the most about older generations of the sport. Stellar Pokemon are visually and mechanically distinctive with out requiring a brand new rule field like Radiant Pokemon. Something that provides selection and elevated collectibility with out including extra complexity is a win for me.
Trying forward, we’ve bought a sequel set in Surging Sparks this November, possible adopted by a Shiny-themed particular assortment set early subsequent yr. After that, the remainder of the Scarlet & Violet period will largely be outlined by no matter Pokemon Legends: Z-A brings to the franchise, so whereas we possible have one other yr of the Scarlet & Violet branding, Stellar Crown is absolutely the start of the top for this era. I’m excited to see what gamers do with these new Stellar Pokemon (and much more excited so as to add some new rainbow playing cards to my assortment) however I’m much more excited to see what’s subsequent.
Pokemon TCG
Collected by youngsters and adults alike for greater than twenty years, the Pokemon TCG incorporates 1000’s of playing cards of your favourite Pokemon, trainers, and extra.
