Following the success of the Pokémon Trading Card Game's latest expansion, Chilling Reign, collectors and players alike will be looking forward to the release of August's expansion, titled Evolving Skies. This expansion will seek to redesign and revamp the stats and appearance of many fan-favorite Pokémon. There will be a particular emphasis on Dragon-types, with Eevee's various "Eeveelutions" also receiving some special attention. As has been the case with many Pokémon Sword and Shield series expansions, new VMAX and V form cards will also be added.
Evolving Skies will feature over 200 different cards in its collection, including 18 Pokémon V forms and 15 Pokémon VMAX forms. Players can also look forward to additional Pokémon Single Strike and Rapid Strike cards to round out their decks. Evolving Skies is also adding 24 Trainer cards accompanying the collection to provide additional utilities to Pokémon teams seeking to claim victory in battle. A new Special Energy card will also be released in August, though the exact details about its typing or utilities in battle have yet to be officially announced. Aside from the general overview of Evolving Skies, the Pokémon Trading Card Game website has confirmed some specific cards that will be included through its expansion page and promotional art.
Two of the most powerful Pokémon that will be featured in the upcoming Sword and Shield: Evolving Skies expansion are none other than Rayquaza and Duraludon. Rayquaza is well-known as one of the Legendaries for Pokémon's third generation of games: Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Rayquaza will be receiving a VMAX form as Rayquaza VMAX, and will likely be one of the most powerful additions in th new expansion. Duraludon was one of Pokémon Sword and Shield's promotional Pokémon, advertising Gigantamax forms and new Galarian Pokémon simultaneously. As one of Raihan's most powerful Pokémon, it gained extreme notoriety and earned itself a VMAX form in the upcoming Evolving Skies expansion.
Evolving Skies Shifts Focus To Pokémon TCG's Dragons and Eeveelutions
Two more popular dragons will be joining the Evolving Skies expansion in the form of Dragonite and Noivern. Dragonite has been one of the most popular Pokémon since Kanto, the first generation of Pokémon games. Likely due to its popularity, Dragonite has been granted a V form in the Pokémon TCG Evolving Skies expansion. Dragon-type Pokémon have always been popular in the Pokémon series, with its typing being practically unmatched until the introduction of Fairy types. Noivern is a unique take on the Dragon-type design from Pokémon X and Y, combining the unexpected features of a bat and adding Dragon-typing. While it may not be the most popular Dragon Pokémon, it was featured on Ash's team in the anime and has some astounding power. Like Dragonite, Noivern will be receiving a V form in the Evolving Skies collection when it releases.
Another set of Pokémon that has long represented the mechanic of evolution in the Pokémon series has been Eevee and its Eeveelutions. Evolving Skies will place particular emphasis on the Eeveelutions, with all eight forms featured in promotional art for the expansion. The overview for the expansion on the Pokémon website states the Eeveelutions will "appear in a full rainbow of Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX."
The Pokémon Trading Card Game is set to release two more expansions for the Sword and Shield card series this year, including Evolving Skies and Celebrations. While much of the Evolving Skies expansion remains unknown, the revealed Pokémon cards promise a powerful upcoming collection. Evolving Skies will release on August 27, 2021.
Sources: Pokemon