The upcoming new Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Paldea Evolved, arrives on June 9, 2023. It features more than 190 cards, including newly discovered Pokémon from the Paldea region, Pokémon ex and Tera Pokémon ex, and a slew of new Trainer and Special Energy cards. Even more Pokémon and Trainers appear as illustration rare cards, which showcase dazzling artwork that really brings these characters to life. Before the expansion officially lands, let’s explore a few of the cards that are just waiting to be found in Scarlet & Violet—Paldea Evolved.

Tinkatuff

Tinkatuff is as tough as it is cute! Illustrator Tika Matsuno portrays Tinkatuff pounding away at a sheet of metal deep within a cave filled with bright and colorful crystals. A quick look at the rest of the scene shows a metal pipe, girder, and other resources for Tinkatuff’s tool-crafting antics. It looks like it won’t be long until this Tinkatuff finishes forging its next hammer—you can see the full progression starting with the Tinkatink illustration rare card and wrapping up with the special illustration rare card featuring Tinkaton ex.

Baxcalibur

Illustrator Tomokazu Komiya creates another stunning scene—this time with Baxcalibur at the center of the action. Baxcalibur flips itself over and uses Glaive Rush, its signature move from the Pokémon video games, to cut down a tree in its snowy mountain habitat. Take a peek at the upper-left corner of the artwork to see a person watching in fear from the window of their home as the scene unfolds. If you want to appreciate this artwork in play, consider using Baxcalibur’s powerful Ability. Super Cold lets you attach a Basic Water Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon as often as you like during your turn, which means you can quickly power up even the most bulky Pokémon to attack.

Chi-Yu ex

Chi-Yu is one of four Treasures of Ruin making its Pokémon TCG debut as a powerful Pokémon ex. This Pokémon bursts through the frame of the card, with dark flames engulfing the artwork and borders. For one Fire Energy, you can burn your opponent’s resources and discard the top 2 cards of their deck with the Jealously Singe attack. If you want to start a wildfire in battle, you can use the Flame Surge attack for two Fire Energy to do 100 damage to the opposing Pokémon and then attach a Fire Energy from your deck to 3 of your Benched Pokémon.

Reversal Energy

It’s time to turn the tables on your opponent! This Special Energy card bears a striking resemblance to Scramble Energy from the EX Deoxys expansion released in 2005, and its power remains timeless. If you have more Prize cards remaining than your opponent—and if Reversal Energy is attached to an Evolution Pokémon without a Rule Box—this card provides 3 of every type of Energy at a time. Try pairing this card with Evolution Pokémon who have powerful but expensive attacks, like Cetitan from the Scarlet & Violet expansion. Reversal Energy is sure to be a powerful card in the Gym Leader Challenge alternative play format, where Evolution Pokémon don’t have Rule Boxes and can take advantage of this Special Energy card.

Giacomo

Giacomo is a skilled Trainer and the boss of Team Star’s Dark crew, but he’s also a DJ with a passion for music. Illustrator KIYOTAKA OSHIYAMA gives the audience a window into one of Giacomo’s preshow activities, showing an elevated perspective from the rafters as the Team Star leader reviews his notes while munching on what appears to be a hot dog. His determination as a DJ shines in this artwork, and alongside that is his determination to discard a Special Energy from each of your opponent’s Pokémon—an effect that is perfectly disruptive for a rebellious Dark-type Trainer like Giacomo. You may even use this disruptive Supporter card to discard the previously mentioned Reversal Energy. Your opponent certainly won’t forget Giacomo’s name!