In addition to providing yet another opportunity to hone battle
skills and obliterate opposing Pokémon Trainers, the Pokémon Trading Card Game
offers exciting opportunities to view Pokémon in a new light with each new card.
Some cards contain Pokémon powerful enough to overpower an opponent with a
single attack. Others contain Pokémon that simply make you smile or possess a
special Ability that, when used effectively, can subtly influence the
trajectory of a battle. The Pokémon TCG: Shining
Fates expansion boasts more than 190 cards featuring Pokémon ranging from
adorable to ferocious, including some that are ferociously adorable! Here is a
glimpse of a few of the cards in the Shining
Fates expansion.
Charizard VMAX
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Illustrator aky CG Works’ Charizard VMAX manages to simultaneously
capture the Flame Pokémon’s fiery attitude and battle style while still
revealing a little of its playful side. Surrounded by its signature flames and
with menacingly sharp claws, Charizard VMAX almost doesn’t need the whopping
330 HP to inspire dread in opponents. The card’s G-Max Wildfire attack deals a
hefty 300 damage with the unfortunate downside that the Trainer must discard
two Energy cards when using the attack. Despite Charizard’s blazing reputation,
the card’s pastel-colored background and colorful details will make it a fun
card to put into play.
Falinks V
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Falinks may not be as much of a household name as, say, Charizard
or Pikachu. But the Formation Pokémon is undeniably packing some offensive and
defensive battle energy, including a Giga Impact attack that deals 210 damage
and an Iron Defense Formation Ability that allows all Falinks Pokémon to take
20 less damage from attacks. Another card by illustrator aky CG Works, it depicts
the six individuals that comprise a Falinks formation spread across the card,
giving the impression that the viewer is about to be swarmed!
Rillaboom VMAX
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Rillaboom’s strength and personality are on full display in illustrator
5ban Graphics’ depiction of the Drummer Pokémon. Boasting a show-stopping 330
HP and a Max Beating attack that deals between 130 and 280 damage, Rillaboom
VMAX is one of those cards that will make your opponent’s heart skip a beat
when it appears. The card’s whimsical, vivid color palette does nothing to
undermine Rillaboom’s scrappy expression and body language—highlighted by the
Pokémon’s massive fists in the foreground. If anything, the pastel color
palette magnifies Rillaboom’s intensity, making for an exciting card that will
be tough to take down.
Polteageist
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Just try not to chuckle at the sight of illustrator Sanosuke
Sakuma’s purple specter peeking out of its cracked teapot. The Psychic-type Polteageist
returns with its aptly-titled Mad Party attack that deals 20 damage for each
Pokémon in the discard pile, and a Tea Break Ability that allows its Trainer to
draw two cards after discarding a Pokémon that knows the Mad Party attack.
Polteageist might not have the highest HP at 60, but the Pokémon and card have
an undeniable eccentric charm that just might lull your opponent into a false
sense of complacency.
Dedenne
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It doesn’t get much more adorable than a flying Dedenne possibly
about to belly flop onto its opponent. But illustrator Mizue’s simple
card—focusing on the Antenna Pokémon with a few visual bursts for added
drama—calls attention to every detail of the Pokémon’s form. From its coiled
tail with a star at the end to its delightfully rotund form and distinctive antennae,
Dedenne might not look particularly fierce, but it still packs a punch. With an
HP of 70 and a Mad Party attack that deals 20 damage for each Pokémon that
knows the Mad Party attack in the discard pile, Dedenne’s battle prowess should
not be overlooked.
The Pokémon TCG: Shining Fates expansion launches February 19.
