Starting from the first expansion pack of the Pokémon Card "Sword & Shield" series, "Gigantamax Clash," Pokémon V has evolved into Pokémon VMAX through "V Evolution," unleashing powerful abilities. From the "Rising Rivals" series onward, Pokémon V now has a brand-new evolutionary form: Pokémon VSTAR.
Pokémon V can evolve into Pokémon VSTAR, which possesses the powerful "VSTAR Power," through "V Evolution." The "VSTAR Power" is divided into two types: Abilities and Moves. Both types have extremely potent effects, aiding trainers in forging ahead in battles. Due to the formidable impact of "VSTAR Power," it can only be used once per battle.
※ If a Pokémon VSTAR is knocked out by an opponent, the opponent will take 2 Prize Cards.
Hisuian Typhlosion V, after evolving into Hisuian Typhlosion VSTAR, can use the move "Brilliant Flame" with just 1 Psychic Energy. If there are 4 damage counters placed on the opponent's Pokémon, it can instantly knock them out.
The newly introduced Lucario V, after evolving into Lucario VSTAR, can effectively use the move "Radiant Pulse" to deal high damage based on the amount of energy attached to the opponent's Pokémon in play.
The "Brilliant Stars" expansion brings together a plethora of Pokémon VSTAR, each possessing powerful "VSTAR Powers." Let's introduce some of the powerful Pokémon VSTAR featured in this set to the trainers.
Arceus VSTAR's "VSTAR Power" is the ability "Star Birth," which allows the player to choose up to 2 cards from their deck and add them to their hand. Although this ability can only be used once per game, it is immensely powerful as it lets the player obtain the cards they need precisely when they need them.
Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR's "VSTAR Power" is the move "Star Chronos," which requires 4 Metal Energy and 1 other Energy to use. It deals a hefty 220 damage and also allows the player to take an additional turn after the current one ends. This move is especially powerful in the late stages of a battle, as using it at the right time can enable the player to take multiple Prize Cards in consecutive turns, potentially clinching victory.
Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR's "VSTAR Power" is the ability "Star Portal," which allows the player to attach up to 3 Water Energy from their discard pile to their Water-type Pokémon in any way they like. For trainers utilizing a deck built around Water-type Pokémon, using this ability at a crucial moment can significantly accelerate energy attachment, making their offensive strategy more formidable.
Aside from Pokémon VSTAR, the "Brilliant Stars" expansion also includes numerous practical Pokémon cards for battles. Let's unveil some of these cards for the trainers.
Bibarel's ability "Industrious Incisors" allows you to draw cards from the top of your deck until you have 5 cards in your hand. When you're low on hand resources, this ability can help you navigate through a crisis.
Solrock's ability "Sun Energy" allows you to attach 1 Psychic Energy from your discard pile to your Lunatone. Combined with Lunatone's move "Moon Kinesis," which deals damage based on the amount of Psychic Energy attached to itself, you can potentially attach a large amount of Psychic Energy to Lunatone in a single turn by setting up multiple Solrock. This can result in significant damage output.
Manaphy's ability "Wave Veil" ensures that all of your Benched Pokémon are protected from the damage of your opponent's attacks.
Magnezone's ability "Magnetic Circuit" allows you to attach any number of Metal Energy cards from the top 6 cards of your deck to your Pokémon in any way you like. This provides a powerful method for accelerating Energy attachment in Metal-type decks.
"Radiant Pokémon" is a new type of Pokémon card introduced in the "Astral Radiance" series, with a rarity designated as "K". These cards are characterized by being Basic Pokémon and having very powerful attacks or abilities.
For instance, this Radiant Hisuian Sneasler possesses a powerful ability called "Poison Peak." As long as this Pokémon is in play, the number of damage counters your opponent's Active Pokémon takes due to Poison increases by 2. When combined with the Hisuian Qwilfish's "Painful Poison" attack, also included in the "Astral Radiance" series, which can Poison the opponent with no energy cost and causes the Poison to place 5 damage counters, you can increase the damage counters placed due to Poison during each Pokémon Checkup to 7. This strategy can be exceptionally troublesome for your opponent.
Radiant Heatran's attack "Raging Bomb" requires 1 Fire Energy and 2 Colorless Energy, dealing damage equal to the number of damage counters on this Pokémon times 70. When combined with the Stadium card "Magma Basin," also included in the "Astral Radiance" series, you can quickly attach Energy to it and place damage counters, setting up for high damage output.
Radiant Hawlucha has the ability "Big Match." While it is on your Bench, your Pokémon's attacks do 30 more damage to your opponent's Active Pokémon VMAX. When combined with the Pokémon Tool card "Choice Belt," also included in the "Astral Radiance" series, you can increase the damage dealt to your opponent's Pokémon VMAX by a total of 60 points.
Radiant Steelix’s attack “Destructive Finish” involves discarding cards from the top of your deck until only 1 card remains, dealing 60 base damage plus an additional 30 damage for each energy card discarded in this way. When combined with Hisuian Basculegion’s “Soul Return” attack, also included in the “Astral Radiance” series, which allows you to shuffle all basic energy cards from your discard pile back into your deck and deal 20 damage for each card shuffled in this way, you can boost the energy concentration in your deck during the late game and then deliver a lethal blow with “Destructive Finish.”
Due to the powerful effects of Radiant Pokémon, only one Radiant Pokémon card can be included in a single deck. Trainers, please make sure to keep this rule in mind!
Starting from the "Astral Radiance" series, a new rarity level has been introduced with AR (Art Rare) and SAR (Special Art Rare) cards. Both of these beautifully blend the distinct characteristics of Pokémon with the unique styles of various illustrators, making it seem as though you're being drawn into the world of the illustrations.
In the last new card reveal, Solrock and Lunatone were featured, each with their corresponding AR (Art Rare) rarity. Compared to cards of previous rarities, AR cards have a more "artistic" feel, with full-art illustrations. Besides Solrock and Lunatone, other Pokémon also make cameo appearances in these illustrations, adding a charming touch.
In addition to the AR cards, some Pokémon V and Supporter cards also have their corresponding SAR (Special Art Rare) versions. These SAR cards feature stunning full-art illustrations that showcase both the power of the Pokémon and the unique artistic styles of the illustrators.
For example, this SAR rarity Luminion V card is designed with an underwater and starry sky theme. The card depicts "Luminion" foraging in the deep, unfathomable ocean, with light emanating from its fins illuminating the underwater objects in a kaleidoscope of colors. The card's background is filled with a magical, fantastical atmosphere.
