We’ve already taken a look at a few of the new Pokémon VSTAR cards and some of the other awesome cards in the upcoming Pokémon Trading Card
Game expansion, Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars, but this collection has got us so excited
that we couldn’t resist exploring some more! Between the powerful VSTAR
mechanic and the Trainer Gallery subset that features Pokémon alongside their Trainers,
there’s so much cool stuff crammed into Brilliant Stars. Join us
for another peek at what you’ll find in this expansion that arrives on February
25, 2022.
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Whimsicott looks about as happy as a Pokémon can be as it
leaps into action on this Whimsicott VSTAR card. This little Pokémon VSTAR may
be small in stature, but with its 250 HP, it can certainly hold its own in battle—even
more so when it unleashes its Trick Wind attack, which does a considerable 160
damage while also preventing your opponent from playing any Pokémon Tool or
Special Energy cards during their next turn. However, its biggest strength might
be its Fluffball Star VSTAR Power. For each Energy card you’ve attached to
Whimsicott VSTAR, this attack does 60 damage to one of your opponent’s Pokémon.
This could be a good way to knock a troublesome Pokémon looming on your
opponent’s bench out of play before any damage is done. Clearly, Fluffball Star
is an attractive option for the one VSTAR Power that can be used during a game.
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As we mentioned above, the Sword & Shield—Brilliant
Stars expansion features a subset of over 20 cards called the Trainer
Gallery. Umbreon V is one such card (note the unique card number that begins
with a “TG”). Even though Umbreon normally must evolve from Eevee, Umbreon V
can head right into battle because it is a Basic card. This Single Strike Style
Pokémon certainly looks ready for action as it stands at attention waiting for
instructions from Karen, one of the members of the Johto region’s Elite Four.
Umbreon V’s most damaging move is its Moonlight Blade attack, which does 80
damage and will inflict 80 more if Umbreon V has taken any damage.
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If you have the opportunity, you might want to evolve your
Umbreon V into Umbreon VMAX, if for no other reason than its amazing artwork. Check
out Karen chilling out on a rooftop, lounging alongside her Dynamax Umbreon. Who
wouldn’t like to be in her place?
Good vibes aside, Umbreon VMAX is strong in battle. Both it
and Umbreon V are reprints of recently released cards (with new artwork, of
course) that have proven to be effective in competitive play. This Single
Strike Style Pokémon has a Max Darkness attack that does 160 damage (and
doesn’t require you to have taken damage like Umbreon V). Also, its Dark Signal
Ability lets you switch one of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon for their Active
Pokémon when you use this card to evolve one of your team; a quick and easy way
to disrupt their strategy.
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Gym Leader Valerie appears with her Sylveon on this Rapid
Strike Style Sylveon V Trainer Gallery card. The pair seem serene as they relax
among the falling blossoms. Maybe it’s the look in Valerie’s eyes or the
expression of pure joy on Sylveon’s face, but the affection that these two have
for each other is easy to see.
When in battle, Sylveon V may not have the strongest attack,
but its Dream Gift Ability helps make up for it. With it, you can search your
deck once per turn for an Item card to place in your hand. Just be aware that your
turn ends once you use this Ability, so you won’t be able to play that newly acquired
Item card until your next turn.
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Sylveon is adorable, but when we see one grow to an
incredible size like this Dynamax Sylveon VMAX, it can look fairly intimidating
(but still—and we can’t stress this enough—adorable). Just look at
Valerie here. On the Sylveon V card, her little Pokémon could climb up on its
Trainer’s lap. Now, the Pokémon is big enough that Valerie can ride on its
ribbonlike feelers. That’s one cute customer we wouldn’t want to mess with. Even
less so after seeing its attack!
This Rapid Strike Style Pokémon VMAX has a Precious Touch
attack that doesn’t do damage to your opponent, but instead lets you attach an
Energy card from your hand to a Benched Pokémon and heal 120 damage from
that Pokémon. When you do go on the offensive, Sylveon VMAX’s Max Harmony
attack rewards you for having a diverse team. The attack does 70 damage on its
own, and it will do an additional 30 damage for each different type of Pokémon
on your Bench. Like the Umbreon V and Umbreon VMAX cards, both Sylveon and
Sylveon V (from a previous expansion with different artwork) have been popular
in competitions.
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The fearsome Garchomp is looking mighty tough as it shows
off its strength by slicing down trees with its wings. That power is reflected
in its Dragonblade attack, which hits your opponent’s Active Pokémon for 160
damage. The strength of the attack does come at a price—you’ll have to discard
the top two cards of your deck. Garchomp’s Sonic Slip Ability makes up for that
by providing a bit of protection when you play it from your hand to evolve one
of your Pokémon. When you do so, you prevent all damage from and effects of
attacks done to that Pokémon until the end of your opponent’s next turn.
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Cynthia, the Sinnoh region Champion, is looking mighty
mysterious on this Supporter card. If you’re running low on cards in your hand,
Cynthia’s Ambition will give you more to work with—it lets you draw cards until
you have five in your hand. If your Pokémon was Knocked Out during your
opponent’s last turn, however, you get to draw until you’re holding eight
cards. Then the next move is up to you!
With over 170 cards in the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars expansion, there’s still plenty to discover when it releases. Look for
it on February 25, 2022!
Source: Pokemon
