The latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance, arrives on May 27, 2022, but you can visit your local hobby store to start playing with some of these new cards early. On May 14, 2022, select retailers will begin selling the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance Build & Battle Box, which will give fans a chance to check out this latest expansion and build a playable deck in the fast-paced Prerelease format before its wide release date.

This format allows players to compete with a 40-card deck, with four Prize cards set aside at the start of play. It’s a great way to get in some quick games with family or friends and begin developing strategies ahead of the expansion’s release. Each Build & Battle Box includes a 40-card ready-to-play deck featuring key cards from current and prior sets and one of four unique foil promo cards. Depending on which promo card you get, you could add the swift Hisuian Basculegion, the mighty Wyrdeer, the menacing Hisuian Samurott, or the electrifying Magnezone to your deck. You also get four Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance booster packs and a deck-building tip sheet.

Use the Store Finder to locate a retailer near you to ask about getting your hands on the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance Build & Battle Box. And don’t miss the full line of Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance products and the wide release of the expansion on May 27!