Mew VMAX, Genesect V, Hoopa V and other powerful cards will release as part of the upcoming Sword & Shield Fusion Strike expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, debuting as the featured stars among eight total VMAX cards and 20 V cards. The legendary Pokémon from Generations I, V and VIII respectively add to a line of powerful cards that include Dragonite V, Duraludon V and Rayquaza VMAX, all of which released earlier this week as part of the Evolving Skies expansion. Pokémon TCG keeps up a vigorous schedule of expansion packs based on the current generation of video games, Sword & Shield.
The history of Pokémon TCG stretches back to the mid 1990s, when it released months after the debut of Pokémon Red & Green in Japan. TCG's popularity has witnessed an annual increase in Pokémon card sales since at least 2015-2016. The demand for cards has even escalated to the point of rampant scalper activity and a shortage of the sought-after Fusion Strike cards. Fusion Strike, which releases globally on November 12, serves as this year's take on gameplay from the Sword & Shield games. The upcoming expansion brings a renewed focus to teamwork based strategy.
The Pokémon Company has published a press release detailing the upcoming additions to the Fusion Strike expansion, which includes a new style of battle. Fusion Strike Style prioritizes teamwork and synergy between Fusion Strike Pokémon, buffing the player's Pokémon when that player has multiple cards on the field. This new style also builds around Special Energy cards and unique Trainer cards. Booster packs, tins, and special collections may bring any combination of 20 Pokémon V and 13 full-art Pokémon V, eight Pokémon VMAX, Energy cards or Trainer and support cards. Featured Pokémon may include Mew VMAX, Genesect V and Hoopa V. The expansion follows in a line of recent expansions and battle packs prioritizing different types of Pokémon. The Evolving Skies expansion pack released earlier this week, and last month, TCG also released new V Battle Decks featuring the likes of Rayquaza V, Noivern V and others.
Ahead of the November release date, the new Fusion Strike style can be tested early beginning October 30 at local card retailers. Per the Pokémon website, "The Sword & Shield—Fusion Strike Build & Battle Box contains four Sword & Shield—Fusion Strike booster packs; a 23-card Evolution pack featuring key cards from current and prior sets, including one of four alternate-art promo cards; and a deck-building tip sheet." Pokémon TCG's resurgence has translated to over 34 billion cards sold since last year, representing an increase of 3.7 billion cards since the previous year. Conversely, Scalpers have become more emboldened, taking to ripping apart booster packs at retailers like Walmart in an effort to get rare finds and resell them. For the average collector, this has served as a frustrating obstacle to pursuing their hobby, especially given recent shortages of Pokémon cards forcing retailers to limit sales.
Hopefully The Pokémon Company has a means to rectify the recent issues with scalpers and card shortages by the time the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Sword & Shield—Fusion Strike expansion releases. Fans clamoring for these new cards to battle with and add to their collection may have an easier time pursuing their hobby as pandemic restrictions lessen, though the COVID Delta variant represents a significant unknown. How Pokémon cards sell in the upcoming months will depend in great part on how the world continues to respond to the virus.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game – Fusion Strike expansion releases worldwide on November 12.
Source: The Pokémon Company
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