The Next Expansion Sets for the Pokemon Trading Card Game: Snow Hazard and Clay Burst
Introduction
The Pokemon Company has recently unveiled the highly anticipated expansion sets for the Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG). The upcoming sets, Snow Hazard and Clay Burst, are set to be released on April 14, 2023, in Japan. In this article, we will explore the exciting new additions, highlighting the unique features and strategies that players can expect from these expansions.
Snow Hazard: Discover the Unleashed Power
One of the expansion sets, Snow Hazard, boasts an intriguing recording card marked with “SV2P.” This expansion introduces a variety of powerful Pokemon ex, characteristically known for their exceptional performance in battles. Let’s take a closer look at some of the notable Pokemon featured in Snow Hazard:
Paojian ex: A Seed Pokemon with Remarkable Skills
Paojian ex catches the attention with its remarkable abilities. Its “Blade” attack not only deals a significant 60 damage but also allows players to discard as many water energy cards attached to their Pokemon as they like. This Seed Pokemon shines with its ability to add up to 2 basic water energy cards from the deck to the player’s hand. Paojian ex’s versatility and powerful skill set make it a valuable addition to any deck.
Dinru ex: Controlling the Field with Strategic Moves
Dinru ex demonstrates its unique characteristic, “Jubaku no Daichi.” This ability eliminates the characteristics of opposing Pokemon on the field, except for Pokemon ex, that have a damage counter. Dinru ex’s “Land Scoop” attack inflicts 150 damage while placing 2 damage counters on the opponent’s Benched Pokemon. By utilizing the ability “Jubaku no Daichi” on Pokemon with special abilities, players can eliminate those abilities, enhancing their battle effectiveness. With a high HP of 240, Dinru ex offers excellent versatility in gameplay.
Ikirinko ex: Unleashing a Surge of Power
Ikirinko ex’s unique characteristic, “Ikiri Take,” can only be activated during the player’s first turn. This powerful effect allows players to discard their entire hand, drawing 6 new cards from the deck. This ability proves advantageous in situations where players need to replenish their hand with a larger number of cards. Additionally, Ikirinko ex’s “Kai wo Iru” attack enables players to attach up to 2 Basic Energy cards to their Benched Pokemon while dealing damage. This attack, requiring only 1 Colorless Energy, makes Ikirinko ex a valuable asset in any deck.
Eyui ex: A Skillful Disruption
Eyui ex possesses a disruptive skill called “Envy,” which allows players to discard the top 2 cards from their opponent’s deck while dealing 100 damage. Moreover, Eyui ex’s “Flame Surge” skill grants players the ability to attach 1 basic Fire Energy card from their deck to up to 3 of their Benched Pokemon simultaneously. This potent combination of damage-dealing and energy manipulation makes Eyui ex a formidable contender in battles.
Other Pokemon
Snow Hazard introduces various other Pokemon that complement and synergize with the aforementioned ex Pokemon. Let’s explore some of these notable additions:
Segrave: Enhancing Water Energy Attachment
Segrave’s ability, “Kyokution,” allows players to attach basic water energy from their hand to Pokemon multiple times during their turn. Players can utilize this ability by attaching energy to Segrave itself and utilizing its powerful “Buster Tail” attack with 130 damage. Alternatively, players can attach energy to other Pokemon, enabling them to quickly execute their attacks. Segrave’s synergy with Paojian ex, which adds basic water energy to the hand, enhances its battle effectiveness. Combined with Paojian ex’s “Trap” ability and “Hail Blade” attack, Segrave proves to be an excellent addition to water energy-based decks.
Veracas: A Unique Bench Placement Trick
Veracas introduces an interesting trick called “Saiki no Nori,” allowing players to place Pokemon from their discard pile directly onto their bench. The versatility of this trick lies in the fact that the Pokemon being placed does not have to be a Seed Pokemon, adding an element of surprise to gameplay strategies.
Cigaroko and Nokocchi: Paralyzing Your Opponent
Cigaroko and Nokocchi both possess disruptive abilities. Cigaroko’s “Horinage Flash” attack not only paralyzes the opponent’s Pokemon but also returns Cigaroko and all cards attached to it back to the deck. On the other hand, Nokocchi’s “Horinage Flash” attack not only deals damage but also interrupts the opponent’s actions. These disruptive maneuvers can greatly impact the flow of the game and swing the battle in the player’s favor.
Kyojione: Embracing Recovery and Consistency
Kyojione’s characteristic, “Megumi no Shio,” ensures gradual recovery by restoring 20 HP for each Pokemon checked during the game. This ability allows players to fight without necessarily defeating their allies while also increasing the chances of recovery. With cute aesthetics and a beneficial characteristic, Kyojione proves to be both an adorable and strong addition to any team.
Raichu: Electrifying Attacks
Raichu enters the scene with its electrifying abilities. With the “Electric Charge” attack, Raichu can add basic lightning energy cards from the deck, setting itself up for a powerful strike. Subsequently, players can use the devastating “10 Man Volt” attack, dealing a tremendous 200 damage. Raichu’s raw power and lightning-based strategy make it a fearsome opponent.
Tortoise: Overwhelming Damage Potential
Tortoise’s “Bite and Roll” attack inflicts damage counters on each of the opponent’s Pokemon equal to the number of “water rats” on the player’s field. This means that, with 6 Pokemon on the opponent’s field and 4 Token Rat on the player’s field, a staggering 24 damage counters can be placed on the opponent’s Pokemon. Tortoise’s ability to dish out substantial damage makes it a force to be reckoned with.
Trainers: Strengthening Your Gameplan
The Snow Hazard expansion set also introduces essential Trainers to aid players in their game strategies. Let’s explore some of the notable Trainers featured in this set:
Grusha: Drawing Power for Early Stages
Grusha, the gym leader from the Pardea region, makes her debut in the Pokemon card game as a valuable support card. Grusha’s ability allows players to draw cards from their deck until they have 5 cards in their hand. This support card proves to be especially advantageous in the early stages of the game when energy cards might not yet be attached. Additionally, Grusha provides a strategic advantage against decks that rely on minimal energy usage.
Nanjamo: Strategic Hand Disruption
Nanjamo, another gym leader from the Pardea region, makes a significant impact as a support card. Nanjamo’s effect requires both players to return their hands to the bottom of their decks and draw the number of cards remaining on their side. This support card becomes particularly powerful when used strategically, especially if the opponent has fewer cards left in their hand. By reducing the opponent’s hand size, players gain a significant advantage in terms of information and decision-making.
Great Fishing Rod: Salvaging Precious Resources
Great Fishing Rod is a key item that allows players to retrieve up to 3 Pokemon and basic energy cards from their discard pile back into their deck. This versatile item proves useful in various scenarios, such as when an important Pokemon is defeated, when multiple energy cards have been discarded, or when players want to ensure the composition of their deck.
Talisman of Courage: Strengthening Seed Pokemon
Talisman of Courage is a Pokemon tool that significantly enhances the maximum HP of Seed Pokemon by 50. This valuable tool becomes instrumental in ensuring the longevity and durability of Seed Pokemon, which typically have lower HP compared to their evolved counterparts. With the Talisman of Courage, Seed Pokemon, including Pokemon ex, can extend their battle prowess, making them formidable opponents on the field.
Rarity “AR (Art Rare)” Cards: Aesthetic Masterpieces
In addition to the captivating gameplay aspects, Snow Hazard introduces a collection of cards with the rare “AR (Art Rare
