The Pokémon Company International is launching a new expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game this August, called Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze.
Just like in the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games, Charizard will finally make its Gigantamax form debut, along with the introduction of other highly collectible cards. In addition to the Charizard VMAX, trainers can also look forward to pulling more Pokémon from the Galar region as Pokémon VMAX, including Centiskorch VMAX and Grimmsnarl VMAX in their Gigantamax forms, as well as finding the Legendary Pokémon Eternatus VMAX in its unique Eternamax form.
The full expansion will include seven Pokémon VMAX, 14 powerful Pokémon V, nine full-art Pokémon V, 17 Trainer cards, four full-art Supporter cards, and three new Special Energy cards.
Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze will launch around the world on August 14, but fans can play with cards from the expansion before then if they get the Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze Build & Battle Box (pictured above), available through participating Pokémon TCG retailers. Each box features four Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze booster packs; a 23-card Evolution pack with key cards from current and prior sets, including one of four alternate-art promo cards; and a deck-building tip sheet.
Here’s to a summer of catching ‘em all.
