Spidops makes its Pokémon TCG debut as a Pokémon ex, and the Trap Pokémon lives up to its nickname with its unapologetically sneaky Ability: Trap Territory. This Ability increases the Energy cost for an opponent’s Active Pokémon to retreat, putting them in the difficult position of having to choose between sacrificing Energy or Pokémon. Spidops ex doubles down on preventing an opponent from retreating with its attack, Wire Hang, which does 90 damage plus an additional 30 damage for each Energy required for your opponent’s Active Pokémon to retreat. Add that to an impressive 260 HP, and Spidops ex makes for a formidable foe.
While it’s true that Slowbro has been the subject of many a joke, this Hermit Crab Pokémon is getting the last laugh. First, Slowbro boasts an incredible Ability called Strange Behavior, which allows the player to move one damage counter from another Pokémon to Slowbro as often as the player needs to during their turn. It might sound like the player is preparing to sacrifice Slowbro for their other Pokémon, but this Ability is brilliantly paired with the Bubble Drain attack. With Bubble Drain, Slowbro does 60 damage to an opponent while healing 30 of its own damage. This could allow Slowbro to endure several rounds of play, absorbing the damage its own team has endured and subsequently healing it with Bubble Drain. It’s also worth noting that illustrator Shinji Kanda brilliantly captures Slowbro’s beloved idiosyncrasies. The artist’s detailed illustration is a colorful masterpiece that creates the perfect setting for Slowbro.
The endlessly adorable Maushold is known as the Family Pokémon, and this card puts that designation to good use. Making its Pokémon TCG debut, Maushold has two attacks: Slap and Family Attack. While Maushold has a modest 70 HP, and its Slap attack does a respectable but not earth-shattering 40 damage, Family Attack is where Maushold really brings the heat. Harnessing the power of strength in numbers, Family Attack does 70 damage for each Maushold in play, making it tempting to assemble a small army—or family—of Maushold to do some serious damage to opponents. Artist KIYOTAKA OSHIYAMA’s bold, graphic style captures a family of Maushold engaged in conversation, possibly plotting their next Family Attack.
Just as Maushold’s attack is amplified by the presence of other Maushold, the electrifyingly adorable Pachirisu gets a bonus charge from the presence of other Lightning-type Pokémon. Illustrator zig’s richly detailed artwork captures the nuances of Pachirisu’s Ability and attack, as two enthusiastic Pachirisu rub cheeks, possibly preparing to deliver a paralyzing assault. The illustrator’s masterful use of light draws the viewer’s eye across every corner of the card and turns each leaf, berry, and blade of grass into a stunning revelation. Thanks to its Electricity Pouches Ability, Pachirisu can’t be Paralyzed during battle, which is essential in making the most of its Everyone Discharge attack. Players will benefit from a Bench filled with Lightning-type Pokémon because Everyone Discharge does 10 damage plus an additional 20 damage for each one of them.
Koraidon ex makes its first Pokémon TCG appearance with a perfectly paired Ability and attack. Like most Pokémon ex, Koraidon has a healthy 230 HP, making it easier for players to take full advantage of the impact it can have in battle. More specifically, its Wild Impact attack does a substantial 220 damage, ensuring a Knock Out of many Pokémon, including a few Pokémon ex. The caveat is that Koraidon ex can’t attack on its next turn, but that’s no problem because its Dino Cry Ability can then be utilized to attach up to 2 Basic Fighting Energy cards from your discard pile to your Basic Fighting-type Pokémon in any way you like. Using this Ability ends your turn, which is perfectly fine because you can’t attack on your next turn after using Wild Impact anyway. This is a great opportunity to do significant damage while also getting your Fighting-type Pokémon in fighting shape with the necessary Energy.
These are just a few of the incredible cards you'll find in Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet. To see more, check out another sneak peek at Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet. See what other cool cards you can discover when the expansion releases on March 31, 2023!
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