Mar8

Sword & Shield - Astral Radiance TCG expansion announced; new Radiant Pokémon mechanic introduced

Pokemon_TCG_Sword_Shield—Astral_Radiance_Logo.png
The next expansion in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Sword & ShieldAstral Radiance, has been officially announced by The Pokémon Company International. The expansion will be released worldwide from May 27th.

The Astral Radiance expansion is inspired by the Pokémon Legends: Arceus video game, which introduced the new Hisuian regional forms, such as Decidueye, Typhlosion, and Samurott. The two Pokémon known as the "Almighty Sinnoh", Dialga and Palkia, will appear in their Origin Formes. The Mythical Pokémon Darkrai will also appear in the expansion as seen in the box art of the Elite Trainer Box. The Trainer Gallery subset introduced in Brilliant Stars continues to be included alongside the main set. The expansion will include some cards from the recently revealed Time Gazer and Space Juggler dual Japanese expansions.

Radiant Pokémon, a new gameplay mechanic is introduced. These cards feature Shiny Pokémon illustrated in etched artwork; they tend to have a powerful Ability or attack with the potential to impact the Pokémon TCG metagame. Players will only be able to include one Radiant Pokémon in their deck.

As usual, Astral Radiance will be available across a variety of formats, including the typical booster packs and Special Collections, as well as the Elite Trainer Box featuring Darkrai. Special versions of these Elite Trainer Boxes will also be available through Pokémon Center in the US, Canada, and the UK.

The expansion will include over 180 cards, including 3 Radiant Pokémon, 30 cards with special art in the Trainer Gallery subset, and more than 20 Trainer cards.

While the official press release stated that there will be 8 Pokémon VSTAR, 21 Pokémon V and 2 Pokémon VMAX, the official Pokémon website stated that the expansion will feature 7 Pokémon VSTAR, 19 Pokémon V and 2 Pokémon VMAX instead.

Gallery

Booster packs
Decidueye pack.jpg
Typhlosion pack.jpg
Samurott pack.jpg
Dialga pack.jpg
Palkia pack.jpg

Elite Trainer Box
Standard version​
Pokémon Center exclusive​
Box contents​
Elite Trainer Box Standard Version.jpg
Elite Trainer Box Pokémon Center version.jpg
Elite Trainer Box contents.jpg
AllenWarrior Written by AllenWarrior