We recently got a sneak
peek at Pokémon VSTAR, a new gameplay mechanic that’s coming to the Pokémon
Trading Card Game. Now we have more details about Pokémon VSTAR and other cards
that will debut in the Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars expansion,
which releases on February 25, 2022.
Pokémon VSTAR evolve from Pokémon V. Each Pokémon VSTAR has
a potent VSTAR Power, and each player can use only 1 VSTAR Power per game.
VSTAR Powers come in two varieties, Abilities and attacks, and both can
drastically alter the course of a battle. As you might expect, Pokémon VSTAR also
have high HP and high-damage attacks to back up their VSTAR Powers. And like
Pokémon V, you’re rewarded with 2 Prize cards when they’re Knocked Out. Let’s
take a closer look at a couple Pokémon VSTAR you can find in the Sword &
Shield—Brilliant Stars expansion.
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The Mythical Pokémon Arceus
appears as a Pokémon VSTAR with the Starbirth VSTAR Power. This Ability lets
you search your deck for up to 2 cards to bring into your hand. With this
Ability at your disposal, you’ll be able to snag the cards you need no matter
the situation. Arceus VSTAR also has the Trinity Nova attack, which does 200
damage and allows you to search your deck for up to 3 basic Energy cards and
attach them to your Pokémon V in any way you like.
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Charizard VSTAR has the Star Blaze
VSTAR Power, an attack that hits for a massive 320 damage. You have to discard 2
Energy from Charizard VSTAR when you use the attack, but it’s sure to prove
useful against even the strongest opponent. For its other attack, it can use
Explosive Fire to do 230 damage if there are any damage counters on it already.
Your opponent should definitely get nervous when you bring Charizard VSTAR into
play!
In addition to incredible Pokémon VSTAR, Sword &
Shield—Brilliant Stars has plenty of other great cards, many of which work
well in decks that feature Pokémon VSTAR. Here are some other cards you should
keep an eye on.
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As mentioned above, Pokémon VSTAR
can’t come into play unless you evolve them from Pokémon V. And like Arceus VSTAR,
Arceus V is useful for building up a sturdy foundation. Its Trinity Charge
attack lets you search your deck for up to 3 basic Energy cards and attach them
to your Pokémon V in any way you like. It’s a great way to prepare your team to
unleash a lot of punishment.
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Charizard V can evolve into
Charizard VSTAR, of course, but don’t overlook its own impressive attacks. Not
only will Incinerate do 90 damage, but it also discards all Pokémon Tools from
your opponent’s Active Pokémon. The Heat Blast attack can also be used to do a
whopping 180 damage.
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As always, the new expansion
features plenty of Trainer cards and Special Energy cards to boost the
effectiveness of your deck. Double Turbo Energy, for example, has
good synergy with Arceus VSTAR. It provides two Colorless Energy, but the
attacks of the Pokémon it’s attached to will do 20 less damage. The upside is
you’re able to use attacks with a high Energy cost quicker.
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Cheren’s Care allows you to put 1 of
your Colorless-type Pokémon that has any damage counters on it (along with any
attached cards) back into your hand. It’s perfect for any Pokémon that’s on the
verge of being Knocked Out.
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Kindler lets you look at the top 7 cards of
your deck and put up to 2 of them into your hand. You’ll have to discard a Fire
Energy card from your hand to use it, but it can help you get a card you need
into play.
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Speaking of discarded Fire Energy, the Magma Basin Stadium card allows you
to attach a Fire Energy from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Fire-type
Pokémon once during your turn. If you do, however, you must place 2 damage
counters on that Pokémon. Even so, remember that Charizard VSTAR’s Explosive
Fire attack benefits from having damage counters on that Pokémon.
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It may not be a Trainer card, but Moltres also works well with Magma Basin. Its
Inferno Wings attack does a total of 90 damage if there are any damage counters
on it. Since Inferno Wings requires only one Fire Energy to use, you’ll be able
to use this attack right away.
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In addition to the Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars
expansion, Trainers can find Pokémon VSTAR in the Pokémon TCG: Leafeon VSTAR
Special Collection and Pokémon TCG: Glaceon VSTAR Special Collection when they
become available in the first quarter of 2022. Each of these special collections
includes a promo card featuring Leafeon V or Glaceon V, an etched promo card
and etched oversize card featuring Leafeon VSTAR or Glaceon VSTAR, a VSTAR
marker, and Pokémon TCG booster packs.
Pokémon VSTAR deliver an exciting new twist to the Pokémon
TCG that will change the way you play. Add some of these powerful new cards to
your deck when the Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars expansion launches
on February 25.
Source: Pokemon
