Pokemon Sword and Shield released last November on Nintendo Switch, introducing the Galar region to fans across the world. Soon, Sword and Shield will arrive in the Pokemon Trading Card Game as the latest expansion. The expansion officially releases February 7 and adds more than 200 new cards to the long-running TCG.
The new set contains Galar region Pokemon like Wooloo and Yamper, and Galarian designs of old Pokemon like Galarian Ponyta. The Sword and Shield expansion also brings more than 15 new Pokemon V, including legendaries Zacian and Zamazenta. Further, Sword and Shield's main new battle mechanic, Gigantamaxing, will be represented in special VMAX cards. We know that Gen 1 Pokemon Snorlax and Lapras will account for two of the four VMAX cards.
The Sword and Shield expansion will also be added to Pokemon TCG Online this Friday. In addition to standard booster packs, The Pokemon Company is releasing a few box sets and decks to kick things off in the Galar Region. Check out the new box sets and decks arriving this Friday.
The Elite Trainer Box retails for $40 and comes with everything you need to get started with the Sword and Shield expansion. Amazon has slightly discounted both boxes, marking the Zamazenta box down to $34.47 and the Zacian box to $36.02. The special collector's box has four dividers to help you store all the goodies inside.
8 booster packs
45 energy cards
6 damage counter dice
coin-flip die
2 acrylic condition markers
65 card sleeves showing either Zacian or Zamazenta depending on which box you buy
If you want a pre-made 60-card deck that you can use in both the physical card game and online game, there are three themed decks available at launch: Water, Fire, and Grass. Each deck contains the final evolution form of one of Sword and Shield's starters, so you'll get Inteleon, Rillaboom, or Cinderace out of the gate. Amazon is selling the themed decks for $14, which is $5 off of the list price. Unfortunately, you won't get to choose your deck if you buy online. It's picked at random for you.
Sword and Shield Booster Blister Pack | $15.15 ($19)
Booster Blister Packs come with one promo foil card
The Booster Blister Pack comes with three Sword and Shield booster packs and one promo foil card. In terms of value, you're paying a premium here for three packs and a promo card, but some foil cards wind up being quite rare, which makes this ideal for collectors.
Remember the days of going to the store and buying one or two booster packs? As a kid, I always wondered what it would be like to open a whole booster box instead of a couple of packs. Well, here you go. Booster boxes contain 35 card packs, and you actually save a decent amount of money buying packs in bulk. Amazon is selling Sword and Shield Booster boxes for $100, which is $50 less than its list price.
