Astral Radiance is to be the tenth expansion set in the Sword and Shield series and will release on May 27th 2022.
What do we know so far about Astral Radiance?
This new set is inspired by the latest game Pokémon Legends Arceus which released in January 2022. It will feature Hisuian Pokémon and scenes from the Hisui region.
Astral Radiance will include 172 cards before secret rares which means cards will be numbered ?/172. Trainer Gallery cards will be numbered TG??/TG30.
Astral Radiance will definitely contain:
3 Radiant (sparkling) Pokémon
8 Pokémon VSTAR
21 Pokémon V
2 Pokémon VMAX
20+ Trainer cards
A 30 card Trainer Gallery subset
The pack art for the new set has been released. There are five different designs featuring Origin Dialga, Origin Palkia, Decidueye, Samurott and Typhlosion. It is highly likely that these characters will have VSTAR cards.
VSTAR Mechanic
Astral Radiance will add eight more VSTAR cards to the Trading Card Game. Pokémon evolve to VSTAR from V form and and are marked with the VSTAR marker.
Players can use only one VSTAR Power per game, and those who use a VSTAR Power must flip over a VSTAR marker during the battle. In addition VSTAR Pokémon have a high HP and give up 2 prize cards if defeated.
It is highly likely that the characters that feature on the pack art – Origin Dialga, Origin Palkia, Decidueye, Samurott and Typhlosion will have VSTAR cards.
Radiant Pokémon
Also referred to as Sparkling Pokémon, Radiant Pokémon are a new mechanic introduced with the Astral Radiance expansion. Radiant Pokémon cards will be shiny cards with etched artwork. These cards have either a highly powerful ability or attack and, like VSTAR cards, can only be used once in a game.
Radiant Pokémon launched in the Japanese set Battle Legion which released on February 25th 2022. The two cards below are from that set.
