Tag Archives: pokemon

New Spoilers for the upcoming Pokémon TCG set Paradox Rift for September 13

As promised, here are more spoilers for the upcoming set Paradox Rift coming out on November 3rd just in time for the holidays. There are few cool cards to be excited for so don’t forget to place your preorders! Preorders for the booster box, 6-pack, and single packs are available at the the Pokémon Center. If you enjoy these updates, make sure you like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends!


Grass

Wo-Chien

[G] Leaf Bringer: Attach up to 2 [G] Energy cards from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon.

[G][G][G][C] Avarice Bind: 140 damage. During your opponent’s next turn, attacks that the Defending Pokémon uses cost [C][C] more.


Fire

Chi-Yu

[R] Flare Bringer: Attach up to 2 [R] Energy cards from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon.

[R][R] Envious Inferno: If any of your Pokémon were Knocked Out by damage from an attack from your opponent’s Pokémon during their last turn, this attack does 90 more damage.


Water

Palkia

[C][C] Teleportation Burst: 30 damage. You may switch this Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.

[W][C][C] Prize Count: 80+ damage. If you have more Prize cards remaining than your opponent, this attack does 80 more damage.

Chien-Pao

[W] Snow Bringer: Attach up to 2 [W] Energy cards from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon.

[W][W][C] Wrath Blade: 130 damage. Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon.


Electric

Zekrom

[C] Shorting Crash: 20 damage. Before doing damage, discard all Pokémon Tools from your opponent’s Active Pokémon.

[L][L][C] Raging Thunder: 130 damage. This attack does 40 damage to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)

Iron Hands ex

[L][L][C] Arm Press: 160 damage.

[L][C][C][C] Extreme Amplifier: 120 damage. If your opponent’s Pokémon is Knocked Out by damage from this attack, take 1 more Prize card.


Fighting

Groudon

[C] Overflowing Power: Attach a Basic [F] Energy from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon.

[F][F][C] Magma Purge: 60x damage. You may discard up to 4 Energy from your Pokémon. This attack does 60 damage for each card discarded in this way.

Minior

Ability: Flying Meteor
Once during your turn, if this Pokémon is on your Bench, when you attach an Energy card from your hand to this Pokémon, you may switch this Pokémon with your Active Pokémon.

[C] Gravity Tackle: 20x damage. This attack does 20 more damage for each [C] in your opponent’s Active Pokémon’s Retreat Cost.

Slither Wing

[F] Stomp Off: Discard the top card of your opponent’s deck.

[F][F] Raging Burn: 120 damage. This Pokémon also does 90 damage to itself. Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned.

Sandy Shocks ex

Ability: Magnetic Absorbtion
Once during your turn, if your opponent has 4 or fewer Prize cards remaining, you may use this Ability. Attach a Basic [F] Energy card from your discard pile to this Pokémon.

[F][F][C] Ground Spike: 200 damage. During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack

Ting-Lu

[F] Sand Bringer: Attach up to 2 [F] Energy cards from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon.

[F][F][F] Prideful Impact: 220 damage. If this Pokémon has 4 or more damage counters on it, this attack does nothing.


Steel

Jirachi

Ability: Stellar Veil
Attacks from your opponent’s Basic Pokémon can’t put damage counters on your Benched Pokémon.

[C] Charge Energy: Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Energy cards, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.

Honedge

[M] Cut Up: 20 damage.

Doublade

[C] Slash: 20 damage.

[M][C] Slashing Strike: 80 damage. During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t use Slashing Strike.

Aegislash

Ability: Sacred Shield
Prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks from your opponent’s Pokémon ex and Pokémon V.

[M][C] Hard Bash: 120 damage. This attack’s damage isn’t affected by any effects on your opponent’s Active Pokémon.

Zacian

[M] Iron Howl: 30 damage. Attach a Basic [M] Energy from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Pokémon.

[M][M][C] Brave Blade: 130 damage. During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack.


Normal

Iron Jugulis

[C}[C][C] Homing Heads: This attack does 50 damage to 3 of your opponent’s Pokémon that have any damage counters on them. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)

[C][C][C][C][C] Baryon Beam: 150 damage. If this Pokémon has Future Booster Energy Capsule attached, this attack can be used for [C][C][C].


Trainer Cards

Earthen Vessel

You can play this card only if you discard another card from your hand.

Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Energy cards, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.

Future Booster Energy Capsule

The Future Pokémon this card is attached to has no Retreat Cost, and the attacks it uses do 20 more damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon (before applying Weakness and Resistance).

Mela

You can play this card only if any of your Pokémon were Knocked Out during your opponent’s last turn.

Attach a Basic [R] Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon. If you do, draw cards until you have 6 cards in your hand.

Professor Sada’s Mettle

Choose up to 2 of your Ancient Pokémon. For each of those Pokémon, attach a Basic Energy card from your discard pile to that Pokémon. If you do, draw 3 cards.

Professor Turo’s Scenario

Put 1 of your Pokémon into your hand. (Discard all attached cards.)

Technical Machine: Blindside

The Pokémon this card is attached to can use the attack on this card. (You still need the necessary Energy to use this attack.) If this card is attached to 1 of your Pokémon, discard it at the end of the turn.

[C][C][C] Blindside: This attack does 100 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon that has any damage counters on it. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)

Technical Machine: Devolution

The Pokémon this card is attached to can use the attack on this card. (You still need the necessary Energy to use this attack.) If this card is attached to 1 of your Pokémon, discard it at the end of the turn.

[C] Devolution: Devolve each of your opponent’s evolved Pokémon by putting the highest Stage Evolution card on it into your opponent’s hand.

Technical Machine: Evolution

The Pokémon this card is attached to can use the attack on this card. (You still need the necessary Energy to use this attack.) If this card is attached to 1 of your Pokémon, discard it at the end of the turn.

[C] Evolution: Choose up to 2 of your Benched Pokémon. For each of those Pokémon, search your deck for a Pokémon that evolves from that Pokémon and put it on that Pokémon to evolve it. Then, shuffle your deck.

Technical Machine: Turbo Energize

The Pokémon this card is attached to can use the attack on this card. (You still need the necessary Energy to use this attack.) If this card is attached to 1 of your Pokémon, discard it at the end of the turn.

[C] Turbo Energize: Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Energy cards and attach them to your Benched Pokémon in any way you like. Then, shuffle your deck.

Techno Radar

You can play this card only if you discard another card from your hand.

Search your deck for up to 2 Future Pokémon, reveal them, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.

Tulip

Put up to 4 in any combination of [P] Pokémon and Basic [P] Energy cards from your discard pile into your hand.


Special Energy

Medical Energy

As long as this card is attached to a Pokémon, it provides [C] Energy.

When you attach this card from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon, heal 30 damage from that Pokémon.

New Paradox Rift Full Art Cards Revealed

We got some new spoilers for the upcoming Paradox Rift set coming on November 3rd, and I for one am excited. There are some super cute full art cards I need in my binder. You can preorder Paradox Rift products like the Booster Box, 6-pack, or single packs from the Pokémon Center while supplies last.

If you enjoy these updates, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends!


I’m starting with the cutest of the reveals because it’s what has me the most excited for the set.


That’s it for now, I wanted to give the full art cards their own space to shine. I’ll be back with the full list of new reveals and translations as soon as I can so make sure you stay tuned for that!

Pokémon TCG My First Battle coming September 29th

When the Pokémon TCG My First Battle was first announced, I didn’t pay too much attention to it. It was a neat idea, but I didn’t have any use for it at the time. I’ve since been playing a lot more into the game, but I would love some people to play with irl. I could spend the money to build a competitive deck and make time to go to a local league, but it would also be nice to teach people to play in a more casual setting. I have a few cousins and nephews who collect the cards that might be interested, so I did more research about the product and put in a preorder over at GameNerdz.

My First Battle offers a streamlined way of teaching younger players simplified fundamentals of the card game. The hardest part about any TCG is the overwhelming mechanics and rules that go with them. Pokémon is too hard to pick up, but I can see it being overwhelming for newcomers. 

My First Battle is designed for younger players. It has simplified rules and mechanics to give players the necessary foundation to get started with the Pokémon TCG. This product is meant to be a solid jumping, but its effectiveness is yet to be seen. Decks have been streamlined to guide players through the different phases, terms, and mechanics. 

The kits come with:

  1. 2 17-card mini decks
  2. 2 playmats
  3. A rulebook, a metallic coin
  4. A sheet of damage counters
  5. 6 prize tokens. 

I went out and preordered a set of these kits to play with my nephew. I will be comparing its effectiveness as an introductory and see how it compares to the Pokemon TCG Battle Academy kit. Stay tuned for that review. 

The kits hit stores on September 29 and will retail at $9.99 MSRP each. GameNerdz has a set of two on sale for $14.97. Free shipping is available after $75, which shouldn’t be a problem to hit. They have a lot of great deals on products you are going to want to fill your shelves with. 

If you enjoy these updates, don’t forget to like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends!

Pokémon Trick or Trade Booster Bundle and Halloween Advent Calendar now available!

Since we are a few days into September, it is the perfect time to start preparing for Halloween season. Pokémon has released a couple of products that you are going to look at. If you’ve been enjoying these updates, don’t forget to like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends!


Pokémon Trick or Trade Booster Bundle

This booster bundle is the perfect alternative to candy. Bundles include 50 3-card packs for you to pass out. There isn’t going to be much value in this product, so only purchase it if you are going to give it away. It could also serve as a cheap and inexpensive way to open packs with a younger kid. The BOOster bundles retail at $19.99.


Halloween Advent Calendar

The advent calendar makes the perfect holiday gift for the little trainer in your life. It includes a cute cast of collectable figures, and advent calendars always make for a fun time. The cheapest I found was Amazon for $39.99, but you can also try Walmart for a few bucks more.


Mimikyu at Build-a-Bear

This news is a little old, but I thought I would share it anyways. Mimikyu is at Build-a-Bear and its super cute! If you are a fan of Mimikyu and are looking for a high quality plushy collectable, you might want to check it out. You can only buy the Mimikyu bundle online. The bundle includes the plushy, hat and bow tie set, and the voice box for $52.50. You can pick up Mimikyu in-store for $34.


Mimikyu at Gamestop

In other Mimikyu related news, get your Electric-Tera Mimikyu from participating Gamestops this October. Trainers in the US and Canada can pick up codes for Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet games. No date has been announced for the start date, but I’ll make sure to make an announcement as soon as its available.

New Pokémon Paradox Rift Spoilers are here!

We got a few more spoilers for the upcoming set, Paradox Rift, and it’s never too early to get excited about cardboard. The set will include:

  • 13 Pokémon ex and seven Tera Pokémon ex
  • 34 illustration rare Pokémon
  • 15 special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards
  • 28 ultra rare full-art etched Pokémon ex and Supporter cards
  • 7 hyper rare gold etched cards

Paradox Rift comes out November 3rd, 2023, and preorders are now up at the Pokemon Center:

Booster Box ($161.64)

6-Pack ($26.94)

Single Pack ($4.49 ea)

Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends if you’ve been enjoying these updates.


Fire

Heat Rotom

[R][R] Heat Tackle: 100 damage. This Pokémon also does 40 damage to itself.

Volcanion

[R] Dual Turbo: 20 damage. Choose up to 2 of your Benched Pokémon. For each of those Pokémon, attach a Basic [R] Energy card from your discard pile to that Pokémon.

[R][C][C][C] Heavy Impact: 120 damage.

Fuecoco

[R] Live Coal: 10 damage.

[R][R] Ram: 30 damage.

Crocalor

[R][R] Fireball Roll: 90 damage. Put an Energy attached to this Pokémon into your hand.


Water

Lapras

[C] Into the Deep: Put up to 3 Basic Energy cards from your discard pile into your hand.

[W][C] Freeze-Dry: 50 damage. Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed

Remoraid

[C] Sprinkle Water: 20 damage.

Octillery

Ability: Suction Draw
When you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokémon during your turn, you may draw 3 cards.

[W][C] Smoke Bomb: 60 damage. During your opponent’s next turn, if the Defending Pokémon tries to attack, your opponent flips a coin. If tails, that attack doesn’t happen.

Mantyke

[.] Fluffy Healing: Heal 120 damage from 1 of your Benched Pokémon.

Mewtwo ex

[P] Trans Charge: Attach up to 2 Basic [P] Energy from your discard pile to your Pokémon in any way you like.

[P][P] Photon Kinesis: 10+ damage. This attack does 30 more damage for each [P] Energy attached to all of your Pokémon.

Plusle

[C][C] Damage Plus: 10+ damage. This attack does 10 more damage for each damage counter on your opponent’s Active Pokémon.

Minun

Ability: Buddy Pulse
If you have Plusle in play, whenever your opponent attaches an Energy card from their hand to 1 of their Pokémon, put 2 damage counters on that Pokémon. You can’t apply more than 1 Buddy Pulse Ability at a time.

[L] Speed Ball: 20 damage.


Psychic

Exeggcute

[P] Hypnosis: Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep.

[P][C] Rolling Tackle: 30 damage.

Exeggcute

[P][C] Hypnoblast: 30 damage. Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep.

[P][P][C] Psychic Loop: 160 damage. Put 2 Energy attached to this Pokémon into your hand.

Natu

[P] Triple Jab: 10x damage. Flip 3 coins. This attack does 10 damage for each heads.

Xatu

Ability: Akashic Sense
Once during your turn, you may attach a Basic [P] Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. If you attached Energy to a Pokémon in this way, draw 2 cards.

[P][C][C] Super Psy Bolt: 80 damage.

Deoxys

[P] Psypunch: 30 damage.

[P][P][P] Genome Spiral: 120 damage. Move all Energy attached to this Pokémon to your Benched Pokémon in any way you like.

Gimmighoul

[C] Call for Family: Search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.

[C][C] Corkscrew Punch: 20 damage.

Gimmighoul

[C] Continuous Coin Toss: 20x damage. Flip a coin until you get tails. This attack does 20 damage for each heads.


Fighting

Hoopa ex

[D][D] Energy Crush: 50x damage. This attack does 50 damage for each Energy attached to all of your opponent’s Pokémon.

[D][D][D] Scoundrel Fist: 200 damage. During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t use Scoundrel Fist.


Dark

Gastly

[C] Allure: Draw a card.

[D][C] Will-O-Wisp: 20 damage.

Haunter

[D][C] Dark Slumber: 40 damage. Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep.

Gengar

Ability: Night Gate
Once during your turn, you may switch your Active Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.

[D][C] Nightmare: 100 damage. Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep.

Absol

[C] Draw Sense: You may discard any number of cards from your hand. Then, draw cards until you have 5 cards in your hand.

[C][C] Enhanced Slash: 20+ damage. If this Pokémon has a Pokémon Tool attached, this attack does 60 more damage.

Yveltal

[C][C] Cross-Cut: 30+ damage. If your opponent’s Active Pokémon is an Evolution Pokémon, this attack does 60 more damage.

[D][D][C] Dark Edge: 120 damage. Discard an Energy from this Pokémon.

Nickit

[C] Surprise Attack: 30 damage. Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.

Thievul

Ability: Bag Snatch
When you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokémon during your turn, you may look at your opponent’s hand, choose 2 Energy cards you find there, and have your opponent shuffle them into their deck.

[C][C] Claw Slash: 60 damage.


Steel

Skeledirge ex

Ability: Explosive Song
Once during your turn, you may discard a [R] Energy card from your hand in order to use this Ability. During this turn, your Pokémon’s attacks do 60 more damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon (before applying Weakness and Resistance).

[R][R] Raster Burn: 160 damage. This attack’s damage isn’t affected by any effects on your opponent’s Active Pokémon.

Gholdengo ex

Ability: Bonus Coin
Once during your turn, you may draw a card. If this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may draw 2 cards instead.

[C] Gold Rush: 50x damage. Discard any number of Basic Energy cards from your hand. This attack does 50 damage for each card you discarded in this way.


Normal

Bombirdier ex

[C] Fast Carry: If you go first, you can use this attack on your first turn. Search your deck for up to 3 Basic Pokémon and put them onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.

[C][C][C] Shadow Wind: 130 damage. You may shuffle this Pokémon and all attached cards into your deck.


Trainer Cards

Ancient Booster Energy Capsule

The Ancient Pokémon this card is attached to gets +60 HP, recovers from all Special Conditions, and can’t be affected by any Special Conditions.

Gorgeous Mantle

If the Pokémon this card is attached to does not have a Rule Box, it gets +100 HP and when it is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 1 more Prize card for it. (Pokémon ex, Pokémon V have Rule Boxes.)

Parasol Lady

Shuffle your hand into your deck and draw 4 cards. If you go second and it’s your first turn, draw until you have 8 cards instead.

Shauntal

Flip a coin. If heads, switch in 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon to the Active Spot. If tails, switch your Active Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.

More Paradox Rift Full Art Cards Revealed!

We got a few new spoilers for the upcoming Pardox Rift for the Pokémon TCG and I am hyped. There are some pretty cool cards, and I am excited to try out some new decks. The set releases on November 3rd, and on the 2nd for TCG Live. I know its a little soon since we just got Obsidian Flames, but it’s always nice to see what’s coming. I’ll be starting this round of spoilers with the full art cards. I am digging the unique style for this set, and it has the super cute Plusle and Minun that I need in my binder. If you enjoy these updates, don’t forget to like, comment, and share this with your friends.


Pokémon: Path to the Peak Episode 4 is out now!

If you haven’t been watching this mini-series, you need to. It is an adorable re-imagining of the Pokémon TCG competitive scene that doesn’t require any knowledge of Pokémon or the card game to enjoy. It has a great protagonist, a fun story, and a cute art style. If you weren’t playing the TCG before watching this, you’re going to want to after.

As I did with last weeks episode, I am going to over analyze what happened in Worlds. This will contain spoilers, so make sure you watch the episode before reading the rest. If you enjoy these posts, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends.


Last week, Ava experienced her first big loss. She became so consumed by her desire to win that she forgot to have fun. The loss devastates Ava because she feels like she let everyone down. This pressure breaks her, and Ava decides to quit the game. She stops going to the club or talking to her friends because of the shame she feels for losing internationals.

In previous episodes, we’ve seen her mother try to talk to Ava about the competitive scene. The cards that were the catalyst for Ava’s adventure once belonged to her mother. We got the sense that Ava’s mother was also a competitive player and that Ava’s natural talent might have also been passed down through her. In this episode, confirmation through some important back story. We get to see Ava’s mother comfort her from a place of empathy, and it is a very cute moment. Ava’s mother faced a similar loss and quit the hobby as a result. She advises Ava not to do the same and to remember why she started playing.

This is an important moment for Ava because not only does she learn how to deal with loss, she remembers why she started playing in the first place. When Ava played the game to win and be the champion she thought everyone wanted her to be, she lost the connection she had to the game. You see less of the Pokemon and more of the mounting stress that looms over Ava as she grinds through the scene. The Pokémon TCG is important to Ava because it is what helped her make important friends and find her place in society. Remembering why she played in the first place helps her deal with the stress, and she starts to have fun again. At this moment, the series shifts focus to the Pokémon, and the audience gets to see a cute and fun battle. Unfortunately, this marks the end of the series, but it was such a fun ride. I loved watching Ava grow as a character, and it even got me excited to play more Pokemon.

As someone who plays a lot of card games, this series is amazing. It had a fun story, cute art, and animation, and it was able to capture why card games are so fun. It is easy to lose sight of what’s important when you are climbing the ladder, and even easier to be stuck in a stressful grind. I’ve done my fair share of obsessing over rank, and remember the tilting frustration that came with the grind. Games and hobbies are supposed to be fun. When they start feeling like a job, it is okay to take a break. Don’t let the climb become more important than your love for the hobby.

Anyways, if you haven’t watched Path to the Peak, go check it out on the official Pokémon YouTube.

Pokémon just dropped a lore cinematic for Poltchageist, and it’s pretty impressive!

The new Pokémon Poltchageist was announced recently, and I didn’t feel too much excitement towards its design. I haven’t been the hugest fan of the recent designs, but playing the TCG has been slowly chipping away at my reservations. I am sure some of the nostalgia I hold dearly has been jading my opinions, so I’ve been trying to be a little more open. With The Teal Mask DLC coming out on September 13, I am giving Violet another try and have started a fresh play-through.

Pokémon has released a cinematic trailer for Poltchageist that has skewed my opinion to be a bit more favorable toward the haunted Tea Caddy. This short provides some chilling lore and fantastic flavor for a Pokémon I was ready to dismiss. Definitely check it out if you are planning to get the next expansion, or if you just want to see a cool Pokémon cinematic.

Poltchageist
Category: Matcha Pokémon
Type: Grass/Ghost
Height: 4″
Weight: 2.4 lbs.
Ability: Hospitality:

Hospitality allows Poltchageist to restore a small amount of its ally’s HP when it enters a battle

Path to the Peak Episode 3 is live!

The 3rd episode of the new Pokémon mini series, Path to the Peak, is up on the official Pokémon YouTube channel. If you haven’t started the series, you need to. Its super cute and short. The series is about the TCG competative scene, but you don’t have to know anything about Pokémon to enjoy the series. Go check it out because trust me, you need this series in your life!

**This is going to have spoilers, so make sure you watch the series before reading this**


This series has been great so far. Obviously, they’ve changed some rules around to make the series more dramatic, but it doesn’t matter because the show is so cute and so much fun to watch.

Ava goes to internationals, and at this point in the story, she is undefeated in her local scene. Ava feels the tension and pressure that comes with undisputed, and this pressure affects how she looks at the game. What started as something fun that she did to make friends is now almost a burden because she doesn’t want to let her friends down. This shift in character presents creates an important moment in Ava’s character where she struggles between having fun and being the people’s champion. This episode deals less with Ava having fun with Oddish and more about Ava dealing with the anxiety of competing on a larger stage. This is a very powerful and relevant human experience that has been illustrated perfectly in a cute ten-minute cartoon.

I like that Ava loses this important match because it paints her as an imperfect character. Although she might be the best in her scene, she still has a lot to learn about the game. The loss gives her an adversity she has to overcome, a goal she needs to work words, and room for improvement. Will this be enough to make her quit the game? Will she leave Oddish behind to play a meta deck? It’s frustrating that I have to wait a week to find out how she reacts, but the series has done such a good job of making me love Ava as a character, that I am willing to wait.


I understand that this might be a little too deep of an analysis for a cartoon, but I love it and want it to be successful. I’ll try to do one of these for all future episodes, so make sure you like comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends! See you next week.