The expansion is inspired by Sword and Shield.
In the Isle of Armor expansion for Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, players are allowed to collect an Urshifu that knows one of two Battle Styles: Single Strike Style or Rapid Strike Style.
The next expansion for the Pokemon Trading Card Game (Pokemon TCG) has been inspired by this mechanic, as it will add these two Battle Styles to the game.
Appropriately called Sword & Shield – Battle Styles, the expansion will include 60 Battle Style cards, such as Single Strike Tyranitar V, Rapid Strike Octillery, and Rapid Strike Empoleon V. There will also be cards for Single Strike Urshifu V and Rapid Strike Urshifu V.
In addition to featuring Pokemon, these Single Strike and Rapid Strike cards may also come in the form of Trainer and Energy cards. According to a press release, these cards “tend to assist Pokémon of that particular Battle Style and allow players to build a Single Strike or Rapid Strike deck.”
Overall, there will be 12 Pokemon V and 16 full-art Pokemon V cards to collect in this expansion, as well as six Pokemon VMAX cards. This VMAX lineup includes Single Strike Urshifu VMAX and Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX — cards that will feature Urshifu in its Gigantamax forms.
The Sword & Shield – Battle Styles expansion will be released worldwide on March 19, 2021. Cards in this expansion will be sold in “booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes, and special collections.”
Are you excited about this new expansion for the Pokemon TCG? Let us know on Twitter at @superparenthq.
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
