The upcoming Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Obsidian Flames, arrives on August 11, 2023. It features more than 190 cards, including newly discovered Pokémon from the Paldea region, Pokémon ex, Tera Pokémon ex—some of which have had their types shifted—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 stoke the flames and explore a few of the cards that are just waiting to ignite the passion of fans everywhere in Scarlet & Violet—Obsidian Flames.

Scizor

• Illustrator: otumami

Pokémon TCG illustrator otumami has created artwork for the Pokémon TCG since the Sun & Moon—Forbidden Light expansion. Most of their artwork features Pokémon in dynamic motion, as if they’re ready to strike, and this rendition of Scizor crushing a rock with its pincers is no different. White lines are drawn throughout the illustration to highlight the speed and strength of Scizor’s movements with chunks of rock flying asunder to solidify the action of the scene.

Scizor also has an attack befitting its strength in Punishing Scissors: this attack does 10 damage, and 50 more damage for each of your opponent’s Pokémon in play that has an Ability—dealing up to 310 damage in the right situation.

Ryme

• Illustrator: nagimiso

Feel the rhythm with Ryme as she spits bars on a well-lit stage in what is likely Montenevera, the home of her Gym in the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games. Ryme takes full control of the frame as she rocks the night during one of her famous concerts. A careful look at the scene shows that her skeleton-like hair is making the same gesture as her right hand—an appropriately ominous move for this Ghost-type Gym Leader. It’s no wonder that, in addition to drawing you 3 cards, she also forces your opponent’s Active Pokémon to the Bench in fear.

Mawile

• Illustrator: sowsow

Mawile cheerfully wanders around a cave filled with stalactites and glimmering minerals. A light source highlights both the depth of the cave and the Deceiver Pokémon’s cheerful disposition at the center of sowsow’s artwork.

Mawile may look friendly, but it’s more than ready to chomp at Special Energy with its huge jaws. A direct reprint of Giratina’s Dimension Breach Ability, Mawile’s Special Eater Ability allows you to discard a Special Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon when you play Mawile from your hand onto your Bench. Your opponent might be happy to see such an adorable Mawile played against them, but it won’t be long before they regret it!

Glimmora ex

• Illustrator: 5ban Graphics

Glimmora is known for being a disruptive Pokémon in the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, and its first appearance as a Pokémon ex in the Pokémon TCG continues that unruly trend. Glimmora ex’s Dust Field Ability says that as long as it’s in the Active Spot, your opponent can’t have more than 3 Benched Pokémon. Limiting your opponent’s Benched Pokémon is a great way to limit how many backup attackers or Abilities they have on the field at any given time. Glimmora ex also has the equally troublesome Poisonous Gem attack—for just 2 Fighting Energy, it can do 140 damage and leave the opponent’s Active Pokémon Poisoned. Between a disruptive Ability and deadly status condition, Glimmora is ready to bring your opponent’s patience down to zero.  

Charizard ex

• Illustrator: AKIRA EGAWA

The king of flames dons the Darkness-type as this type-shifted Pokémon ex is ready to plunge its opponents into a fiery darkness. Charizard ex lets out a mighty roar with a Dark-type Tera Jewel upon its head—the crystals around it forming a domain where you might battle it, emphasizing the grandeur of its Terastallized appearance at the center of the artwork.

Charizard ex’s commanding presence also comes with a powerful Ability, Infernal Reign. When you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokémon during the turn, you may search your deck for up to 3 Basic Fire Energy cards and attach them to your Pokémon in any way you like. This Ability is perfect for powering up its Burning Darkness attack, which does 180 damage, and then 30 more damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken. Even if you’ve fallen behind with Charizard ex, you’ll have plenty of firepower to tip the scales back in your favor.