Every Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion offers a new adventure, and Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift is no exception. Set in the time-bending beauty of Area Zero, this expansion gives Trainers the opportunity to find and battle with Ancient Pokémon, Future Pokémon, Pokémon ex, and Tera Pokémon ex. Rife with strategic opportunities and fun artwork, the rift makes for a riveting journey. Check out some of the cards you’ll find in the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift expansion, officially available November 3, 2023.
Tapu Koko ex
If tourism officials in Alola are looking for a travel ad, artist Jerky’s illustration of Tapu Koko ex would fit the bill. Jerky’s distinctive style of vivid colors and bold shapes captures a tropical paradise that this Legendary Pokémon happens to protect. And Tapu Koko ex is more than up to the challenge of defending its territory with the Vengeful Shock attack, which can do 120 total damage and make the opponent’s Active Pokémon Paralyzed if any of your own Pokémon were Knocked Out by attack damage during your opponent’s last turn. It’s a fantastic opportunity to turn the tables on an opponent. Additionally, the Extreme Current attack does a shocking 180 damage, but it requires you to discard an Energy from Tapu Koko ex first.
Tinkaton
Tinkaton is known for two things: its aggressively adorable appearance and bringing the hammer down on anyone who dares to oppose it. And this particular Tinkaton delivers big on both, as captured by artist KEIICHIRO ITO. Tinkaton may be swinging a hammer that weighs at least 220 pounds, but this Pokémon does it with ease—and glee, judging by its expression. Although the Hammer Pokémon’s Crushing Blow attack does just 30 damage, it also discards an Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon—that is, indeed, a crushing blow. As if that weren’t enough, Tinkaton nails down opponents with Alloyed Hammer, an attack that does a substantial 180 damage if Tinkaton has a Metal Energy attached. As you can see, Tinkaton is tons of fun—and tons of terror to your opponent.
Groudon
Groudon looms large in Pokémon mythology as a raiser of land and expander of continents. With that impressive resume, it’s reasonable to expect a lot from this Legendary Pokémon. And illustrator Nurikabe captures the Continent Pokémon’s ferocity, as well as its powerful connection to land and sea, as it roars defiantly from an intensely dramatic landscape. With Swelling Power, you can attach a Basic Fighting Energy card from your hand to one of your Pokémon. Magma Purge also plays with Energy—discard up to four Energy from your Pokémon, and the attack does 60 damage for each of them. It’s a significant sacrifice, but great rewards often require great risk, and 240 total damage certainly qualifies.
Hoopa ex
Hoopa Unbound is endlessly powerful and endlessly stunning as a Tera Pokémon ex, and artist collective 5ban Graphics has expertly captured the delicate beauty of Terastallization and the strength of the Djinn Pokémon. Hoopa ex is ready to overpower opponents with its Energy Crush attack, doing 50 damage for each Energy attached to all your opponent’s Pokémon. And if that’s not enough, this Mythical Pokémon packs quite the punch with Bandit’s Fist, which does 200 damage. The downside is Hoopa ex can’t use the attack again during your next turn. That means it’s a good time to retreat it or switch it out to the Bench—because it’s a Tera Pokémon ex, Hoopa ex is safe from attack damage while it’s there.
Toxtricity ex
Toxtricity ex rocks, and 5ban Graphics was up to the task of capturing its electrifying energy—as a Fighting-type Pokémon! With 260 HP, only the hardest hitters are going to be able to Knock Out the Punk Pokémon with a single attack. Of course, Toxtricity ex is rocking out pretty hard with its insanely cool Gaia Punk attack. This hard-hitting move does 270 damage, but you have to discard three Lightning Energy from your Pokémon to use it. And just like Tinkaton, Toxtricity ex enjoys hammering away at opponents, as its Knocking Hammer attack does 70 damage and discards the top card of your opponent’s deck. Finally, Toxtricity ex is rocking the same kind of defensive shield as Hoopa ex—it won’t take any damage while on your Bench, either from your own attacks or an opponent’s.
These are just some of the incredible cards you’ll find in Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift. See what other cool cards you can discover when the expansion releases on November 3, 2023.
