Hisuian Samurott VSTAR and More in Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance

11 May 2022

Hisuian Samurott VSTAR and More in Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance

Take an early look at some of the Pokémon VSTAR, Pokémon V, and Trainer Gallery cards in the upcoming expansion.

We’ve already seen some of the cool new cards you’ll find in the upcoming Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance, but with new Pokémon V, Pokémon VMAX, and Pokémon VSTAR to discover, along with more cards in the Trainer Gallery subset, there’s still a lot to see. Here’s an early peek at some of the cards that can be found in Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance, which arrives on May 27, 2022.


Hisuian Samurott VSTAR

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Hisuian Samurott gains the power of a Pokémon VSTAR in this card, and the Pokémon looks especially intimidating as it looms large on the card, staring out at the player. The swirls of light surrounding it add to the feeling of strength emanating from Hisuian Samurott VSTAR. Perhaps it’s getting ready to use its Merciless Blade attack, which hits for 110 damage but will do an extra 110 damage if your opponent’s Active Pokémon is already damaged. You can get a jumpstart on that extra damage by using the Moon Cleave Star VSTAR Power Ability, which lets you put 4 damage counters on 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon. Just remember that you can only use one VSTAR Power per game, so make sure you use it at the most opportune time.


Flapple

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Milo, the Turffield Gym Leader, appears alongside Flapple in this gorgeous Trainer Gallery card. This Grass-type specialist looks utterly delighted as his Flapple partner helps gather baskets of apples from an orchard. Very fitting that Flapple has an Apple Drop Ability, which allows you to put 2 damage counters on 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon during your turn. However, if you do so, you must shuffle Flapple and all attached cards back into your deck. If you want to cause damage without sending Flapple away, the Pokémon’s Acid Spray attack causes 60 damage and allows you to discard an Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon if you get heads on a coin flip.


Hisuian Sneasler V

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With a gleam in its eye, a mischievous grin, and those fierce-looking claws, there’s no doubt that Hisuian Sneasler V spells trouble for your opponent. Those mighty claws are put to good use with the Pokémon V’s Poison Claws attack, which has no attack cost. Although this attack doesn’t cause any immediate damage, it does make your opponent’s Active Pokémon Poisoned. This leaves your opponent open to a follow-up with the Dire Claw attack, which hits for 80 damage plus 80 more for each Special Condition affecting your opponent’s Active Pokémon. A clear-cut example of claws and effect!


Wyrdeer V

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Looking proud and stoic, Wyrdeer V appears ready to take on all who dare challenge it. This Pokémon V exudes confidence—and how can it not, when it has the support of your entire team? Wyrdeer V’s Frontier Road Ability lets you move any amount of Energy from your other Pokémon to Wyrdeer V when the Pokémon moves from your Bench to the Active Spot. If your team has been thoroughly powered up, Wyrdeer V can find itself immediately overflowing with Energy. This can be followed up with its Psyshield Bash attack, which does 40 damage for each attached Energy. With enough Energy attached, Wyrdeer V could turn into a true powerhouse.


Gapejaw Bog

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The Hisui region’s Gapejaw Bog is an area within the Crimson Mirelands. As the card art reflects, it seems to be a rather unpleasant place to visit, filled with murky swamps, patchy ground cover, and barren trees. As a Stadium card, it can be equally unpleasant: it puts 2 damage counters on any Basic Pokémon played to the Bench from a player’s hand. This condition affects both players, so although it can potentially hurt your opponent, make sure you’re in a good position before you play this card, lest you become bogged down as well.





Of course, these are just a handful of the 180-plus cards that you can find in the upcoming Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance expansion. See what else you can discover when the expansion releases on May 27, 2022.

Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance
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Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance
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