The latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars, will arrive on February 25, 2022, but you can get an early chance to play with some of the new cards at your local hobby store. Starting February 12, 2022, select retailers will begin selling the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars Build & Battle Box, giving fans the opportunity to check out the latest expansion before its wider release date as well as build a playable deck in the fast-paced Prerelease format.

The Prerelease format lets players first construct and then compete with a 40-card deck, setting aside four Prize cards at the start of play. It’s a great way to get in some quick games with family or friends and to begin developing strategies ahead of the expansion’s general release. Each Build & Battle Box includes a 40-card ready-to-play deck featuring key cards from current and prior sets and features one of four unique foil promo cards. It also contains four Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars booster packs and a deck-building tip sheet.

Use the Store Finder to locate a participating retailer near you, and ask them about getting your hands on the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars Build & Battle Box. Don’t miss the full line of Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars products when the expansion releases on February 25!