Battle strategy has taken an interesting turn in the Pokémon Trading Card Game with the release of the Sword and Shield Battle Styles TCG expansion. The expansion adds new Supporters, Tools, and battle mechanics for players to add to their active decks or use while building a brand-new deck. However, the most interesting mechanic introduced in the Pokémon Battle Styles expansion is the Single Strike and Rapid Strike cards, which bring a whole new set of strategies to the game.
The Battle Styles expansion is based on gameplay introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield's Isle of Armor DLC. During the DLC, players take on the Dojo nestled at the entrance of the new region and train under Dojo Master Mustard. After completing the Master's challenges, players are awarded a Kubfu, which they must bond with before challenging one of two mastery towers. Defeating one of these towers will allow Kubfu to evolve into either the Fighting/Dark-type Single Strike Style Urshifu or the Fighting/Water-type Rapid Strike Style Urshifu. Urshifu's Single Strike and Rapid Strike become primary mechanics in the Battle Styles expansion.
Another reason to grab a few Battle Style card packs is the chance to get some particularly stunning full-art cards. The Tyranitar V Single Strike full-art, for example, features the Pokémon prone on the ground after consuming too many bowls of curry, while Empoleon V Single Strike's full-art card shows it practicing its martial arts moves with Falinks and Mienfoo.
All New V & VMAX Pokémon In The Battle Styles TCG Expansion
Below is the list of 18 new V and VMAX Pokémon TCG cards included in the Battle Styles expansion. These new cards come in their standard, full-color editions, as well as a few secret rainbow rare cards.
- Kricketune V - Grass-type. Standard and full-art.
- Flapple V - Grass-type. Standard and full-art.
- Flapple VMAX - Grass-type. Standard and secret rainbow rare.
- Victini V - Fire-type. Standard and full-art.
- Victini VMAX - Fire-type. Standard and secret rainbow rare.
- Empoleon V Rapid Strike - Water-type. Standard and two full-art.
- Tapu Koko V - Lightning-type. Standard and full-art.
- Tapu Koko VMAX - Lightning-type. Standard and secret rainbow rare.
- Mimikyu V - Psychic-type. Standard and full-art.
- Necrozma V - Psychic-type. Standard and full-art.
- Urshifu V Single Strike - Fighting-type. Standard and two full-art.
- Urshifu VMAX Single Strike - Fighting-type. Standard and secret rainbow rare.
- Urshifu V Rapid Strike - Fighting-type. Standard and two full-art.
- Urshifu VMAX Rapid Strike - Fighting-type. Standard and secret rainbow rare.
- Tyranitar V Single Strike - Darkness-type. Standard and two full-art.
- Corviknight V - Metal-type. Standard and full-art.
- Corviknight VMAX - Metal-type. Standard and secret rainbow rare.
- Stoutland V - Colorless. Standard and full-art.
New Pokémon Abilities In The Battle Styles TCG Expansion
Several Pokémon species have been given new Abilities to shake up Pokémon TCG gameplay. Below is the list of new Pokémon abilities, how they work, and what combinations are suggested for gameplay.
- Weepinbell - Dangerous Mucus: The Active Pokémon is burned and poisoned. Can be combined with Salazzle's Derisive Roasting.
- Cherrim - Spring Bloom: A Grass-type energy card can be attached as frequently as the player wants to one Pokémon that doesn't have a rule box. Can be combined with Tapu Bulu's Nature's Judgment.
- Yamper - Ball Search: When played from the hand onto the bench, Yamper's ability allows players to search their discard pile for a Poké Ball and Great Ball Trainer card. Can be combined with Galarian Mr. Rime's Ball Juggling.
- Bronzong - Metal Transfer: As often as they like, a player can move a Metal-type energy card attached from one Pokémon to another. Combine with the Supporter card Cheryl to heal a large number of damaged Evolved Pokémon.
- Golbat - Discreet Draw: When Golbat is played to evolve a Pokémon, the player may draw two cards. Can be combined with Eternatus VMAX's Dread End.
- Crobat - Drastic Draw: When Crobat is played to evolve a Pokémon, the player may draw three cards. Can be combined with Eternatus VMAX's Dread End.
- Emboar Single Strike - Fighting Fury Stance: Powers up all Single Strike Pokémon, so they can do 30 more damage per attack. Can be combined with Single Strike Urshifu VMAX's G-Max One Blow.
- Octillery Rapid Strike - Rapid Strike Search: Once per turn, a player can search their deck for a Rapid Strike Pokémon and put it into their hand. Can be combined with Rapid Strike Mienshao to pull it from the deck after its Spinning Whip move.
All Rapid & Single Strike Pokémon In The Battle Styles TCG Expansion
V and VMAX cards aren't the only Pokémon cards to receive the Rapid Strike and Single Strike mechanics in the Battle Styles expansion. There are a number of standard Pokémon cards that fall under either Strike type, and each can be equipped with new Pokémon Tools or be pulled using Strike-specific abilities.
- Carnivine Rapid Strike
- Remoraid Rapid Strike
- Octillery Rapid Strike
- Shinx Rapid Strike
- Luxio Rapid Strike
- Luxray Rapid Strike
- Mienfoo Rapid Strike
- Mienshao Rapid Strike
- Falinks Rapid Strike
- Tepig Single Strike
- Pignite Single Strike
- Emboar Single Strike
- Mankey Single Strike
- Primeape Single Strike
- Stonjourner Single Strike
- Houndour Single Strike
- Houndoom Single Strike
- Mawile Single Strike
New Pokémon Supporter Cards In The Battle Styles TCG Expansion
Supporter and Trainer cards are some of the most important cards in a Pokémon Trading Card deck. These cards are usually based on popular human Pokémon characters, items, or locations from the main video game series. Below are the Supporter and Trainer cards to look out for in the Battle Styles expansion and what they do when played.
- Bruno Single Strike - Shuffle your hand into your deck and draw four cards. If the player's Pokémon was knocked out the previous turn, they can draw seven.
- Korrina's Focus - Draw until there are six cards in the player's hand.
- Rapid Strike Style Mustard - Playable when it is the only card left in the player's hand. Search the deck for a Rapid Strike Pokémon and set it directly on the bench, regardless of the Pokémon's Evolutionary stage. Draw five Cards.
- Single Strike Style Mustard - Playable when it is the only card left in the player's hand. Search the deck for a Single Strike Pokémon and set it directly on the bench, regardless of the Pokémon's Evolutionary stage. Draw five Cards.
- Single Strike Scroll of Scorn - A Pokémon Tool that gives Single Strike Pokémon the move Furious Anger.
- Rapid Strike Scroll of Swirls - A Pokémon Tool that gives Rapid Strike Pokémon the move Matchless Maelstrom.
- Tower of Waters - A Stadium Card that reduces the retreat cost by two Energy cards.
With these Battle Style expansion cards, battle strategies can take new directions in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, offering new and exciting challenges to overcome.