The most recent card set for the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield - Astral Radiance, is finally available for pre-order ahead of its release later on in 2022. Part of the Sword & Shield generation of card packs, Astral Radiance is notably inspired by Pokémon Legends: Arceus and will mark the first time many Hisuian variants of certain Pokémon are introduced to the Pokémon TCG. All in all, the pack contains over 180 cards, and the Elite Trainer Box set adds a variety of other goods for dedicated Pokémon TCG fans to enjoy. Given the scarcity of Pokémon cards, it's best to pre-order well ahead of Astral Radiance's official release.
Prior to its addition to the Pokémon Center store, Astral Radiance was first confirmed in early 2022 and serves as the equivalent of two Japanese Pokémon TCG sets, Time Gazer and Space Juggler. However, outside of product leaks, nothing has been officially revealed of the set until March of 2022, when official product images and prerelease promos were provided to help build excitement among Pokémon TCG players. Included in this reveal are three brand-new Radiant Pokémon and several Hisuian VSTAR cards, as well as a few cards that have seemingly carried over from the Time Gazer and Space Juggler TCG sets.
Prereleases will occur ahead of the official release from May 14 to May 22. Although the Astral Radiance set can already be pre-ordered from the official Pokémon Center website, many collectors may be aiming to search for the new Pokémon TCG packs in physical stores, as well. Pokémon cards have become surprisingly valuable recently, with collectors selling rare cards for sometimes millions of dollars. The demand has become so widespread that online sellers like eBay have had to take additional steps to prevent fraudulent transactions, and even then, some Pokémon TCG enthusiasts feel that the only safe bet is to buy cards from direct sources or in-person.
What Day Does Pokémon TCG: Astral Radiance Drop
Fortunately, Pokémon TCG players won't have to wait too long for the release of Astral Radiance, which is set to come out on May 27. There are currently several different ways to pre-order Astral Radiance. Individual booster packs for this Pokémon TCG set can be bought for $3.99, or in a bulk order of 36 as part of the Astral Radiance Booster Display Box, though this is capped at a purchase limit of 6 online. The Elite Trainer Box, which comes with the Astral Radiance player's guide, collector's box, card sleeves, dice, and more, has a similar purchase limit of 4 per person. Much of the packaging for the Astral Radiance set features either Darkrai or Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR and Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR.
Perhaps the most exciting part of Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield - Astral Radiance is all of the Pokémon Legends: Arceus content included as part of the set. Legends: Arceus is the most recent role-playing game in the Pokémon series, which released in January of 2022. It was shortly followed by the announcement of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, however, which are poised to introduce the ninth generation of Pokémon. Undoubtedly, this upcoming generation will kick off a new line of Pokémon TCG packs, but for now, players will at least have the chance to get their hands on the most recent set when Astral Radiance comes out this May.