The Pokémon Company has announced the Shining Fates expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, which will feature over 100 Shiny Pokémon cards. Shiny Pokémon are extremely rare in the mainline Pokémon video games, and the only thing that separates them from regular Pokémon is a different color palette and opening sparkle animation.
The chances of encountering a differently colored mon in the Pokémon video games can be improved in various ways, but it can still take a long time to catch or breed one. Shiny hunting is easier in The Crown Tundra DLC for Pokémon Sword & Shield, but that's the exception, rather than the rule. The lovingly dubbed "shinies" have appeared in the Pokémon Trading Card Game in the past, but the rarity of these has varied drastically depending on the set.
As it turns out Shiny Pokémon cards will be featured in an upcoming expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The Pokémon Company has revealed via a press release that the Shining Fates expansion will be released across various products throughout early 2021, starting on February 19. The set will include over 100 Shiny Pokémon cards, including nine Shiny Pokémon V and seven Shiny Pokémon VMAX cards – one of which depicts Shiny Gigantmax Charizard.
The first four Shining Fates items will be released on February 19th. The TCG expansion's Elite Trainer Box comes with ten booster packs and a foil Eevee VMAX promo card, along with other accessories. Meanwhile, the Shining Fates Tins will include six booster packs, and a foil promo card featuring Eldegoss V, Boltund V, or Cramorant V. The Shining Fates Collection - Pikachu V set (pictured above) will include four booster packs and a foil promo/oversized promo Pikachu V card. Additionally, the Shining Fates Mad Party Pin Collections will include three booster packs, one foil promo card featuring Bunnelby, Dedenne, Galarian Mr. Rime, or Polteageist; and one corresponding pin. The next two items will be sold on March 5, 2021: The Shining Force Mini Tins will include two booster packs and a metallic coin; and the Premium Collections each feature seven booster packs and one foil promo card featuring either Shiny Crobat V or Shiny Dragapult V, one foil promo card, and one foil oversize promo card featuring either Shiny Crobat VMAX or Shiny Dragapult VMAX, with a corresponding metallic coin.
Shiny hunting is one of the most time-consuming activities in the Pokémon video games (unless you're willing to pay money), but there is an undeniable moment of satisfaction when a Shiny Pokémon appears on the screen for the first time. Fortunately, fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game will have an easier time nabbing a Shiny Pokémon when Shining Fates is released next year.
The first Shining Fates set for the Pokémon Trading Card Game will be released on February 19, 2021.
Source: Official Pokémon Press Site