March 8, 2022 — Today, The Pokémon Company International unveiled the next expansion for the popular Pokémon Trading Card Game, Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance, which will launch at participating retailers around the world starting May 27, 2022.
Inspired by the Pokémon Legends: Arceus video game, Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance will feature various Hisuian Pokémon and card art that showcases the Hisui region. The expansion will also introduce Radiant Pokémon, a new gameplay mechanic that features Shiny Pokémon illustrated in etched artwork. Radiant Pokémon tend to have a powerful Ability or attack with the potential to impact the Pokémon TCG metagame. Players will only be able to include one Radiant Pokémon in their deck.
In addition, Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance will continue to highlight Pokémon VSTAR and includes a special Trainer Gallery subset of 30 cards with artwork featuring fan-favorite Trainers and Pokémon.
Noteworthy cards from the expansion include:
- Three Radiant Pokémon
- Eight Pokémon VSTAR
- 21 Pokémon V and two Pokémon VMAX
- More than 20 Trainer cards
Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance will be available in booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes and special collections, with the Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box now available for preorder exclusively at Pokémon Center in the US, Canada and UK.
To learn more about the Pokémon TCG, please visit Pokemon.com/TCG.