Pokémon TCG: Astral Radiance Expansion

The next out-of-this-world Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance, is almost here. This expansion includes powerful new Pokémon VSTAR, Pokémon V, and Pokémon VMAX to add to your team. Like the previous expansion, Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars, this new set also sports a 30-card Trainer Gallery subset featuring special artwork. Here's a sneak peek at some of the new cards that can be found in Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance when the expansion releases on May 27, 2022.

Hisuian Decidueye VSTAR swoops into battle with 270 HP, a hard-hitting attack, and a VSTAR Power Ability. Its 160-damage Somersault Feather is a good attack on its own, but it becomes even more powerful if you choose to discard Energy cards from your hand while using it. By discarding up to 3 Energy, you'll do an extra 30 damage per discarded card. If you have the Energy in your hand to spare, you can do an incredible 250 damage total! If you find your hand low on cards, the Star of Fortune VSTAR Power lets you draw cards until you have eight in your hand. Use this Ability wisely—you're only able to use one VSTAR Power per game.

The Legendary Pokémon Calyrex and Glastrier combine to form Ice Rider Calyrex on a pair of stunning cards in Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance's Trainer Gallery subset. On both cards, the Pokémon are seen alongside their Trainer, Peony, albeit in wildly different situations. As Ice Rider Calyrex V, the partners look rather stoic as they journey across the snowy mountaintops. Their Glacial Lance attack does a solid 200 damage to your opponent's Active Pokémon at the cost of discarding 2 Energy. When the Pokémon Dynamaxes on the Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX card, though, the action grows more intense. Calyrex and Glastrier—now massive in size—are rearing back and ready for battle as Peony hangs on for dear life. This card's Max Lance attack also involves discarding Energy cards—doing so increases the move's strength. Discard 2 Energy when using this attack, and you'll do 250 damage!

Starmie V's bright red core paired with the mostly blue background certainly helps this card catch the eye, but it is its Energy Spiral attack that your opponents are bound to notice. This is another Pokémon that relies on Energy cards to increase its attack strength, but in this case, it's your opponent's Energy that makes the difference. Starmie V's Energy Spiral attack costs 2 Water Energy, and it does 50 damage for every Energy that's attached to all your opponent's Pokémon. They may think they're preparing to take you down as they load up their team with Energy, but they're just making Starmie V stronger! If you want to make waves during battle, Starmie V can definitely sink your opponent.

This trio of Legendary Pokémon appears in Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance with a shared attack. Their Regi Gate attack does 0 damage, but for the cost of 1 Colorless Energy, you can search your deck for a Basic Pokémon to place on your Bench. Not a bad way to quickly build up your team! Each of these three Pokémon also have a second attack for when you want to go on the offensive but with added effects: Regice's Blizzard Bind does 100 damage and prevents the Defending Pokémon from attacking during your opponent's next turn if it's a Pokémon V. Regirock's Giga Impact is more powerful, hitting for 140 damage, but it prevents Regirock from attacking during your next turn. Watch for your opponent's Active Pokémon's Retreat Cost when using Registeel's Heavy Slam attack—it can hit for an impressive 220 damage, but it does 50 less damage for each Colorless Energy in that Retreat Cost.

There are two Hisuian Qwilfish in the Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance expansion that can be evolved into Hisuian Overqwil. Your opponent is sure to regret it if you do! Hisuian Overqwil's Tormenting Poison attack has no attack cost, but your opponent's Active Pokémon will be severely Poisoned to the degree that it takes five damage counters during Pokémon Checkup (the phase between players' turns) instead of one. Its Pinning attack may only do 50 damage, but it also prevents the Defending Pokémon from retreating during your opponent's next turn, potentially prolonging the effects of Tormenting Poison. Your opponent will certainly get the point (sorry, sorry).