Munch “The Scream” Japanese Pokemon Promo Cards

Some of the most unique and coolest Pokemon cards ever just got released in Japan. The cards are based on Norwegian painter Edvard Munch’s famous painting “The Scream” which is currently touring in Japan at the Tokyo Art Museum. There was a total of 5 Pokemon cards (Pikachu not shown) that are Pokemon versions of the famous painting made into promo cards.  These cards will almost positively only be available in Japan and not any other countries.

The Mimikyu comes with a mini card binder. It was only available online from the Pokemon Center (limit 1 per person) and sold in VERY limited quantity at the Tokyo Art Museum. In order to buy merchandise at the museum, you must buy a ticket and brave the 1-2 hour wait to buy merchandise.

Eevee, Psyduck and Rowlet were given out at the Pokemon Centers in Japan (1 per person) if you bought 2 or more Pokemon booster packs. BUT, the problem is that none of the Pokemon Centers in Japan currently have any booster packs for sale because they are so popular, so these were very difficult to get. Lines formed at 5am at most stores and it was a lottery to buy booster packs.

The final card is Pikachu which will be available for one week only in early December. In order to receive the card,  you must attend the Munch art exhibit (admission ticket required), while supplies lasts.

There were several other Munch items including file folders, keychain charms, a plush “Scream” Pikachu, phone covers and more in very limited quantity and only sold at the museum’s gift shop (limit 5 items per person). Most items are already sold out.

You can currently find these rare treasures on Pokevault while supplies lasts. These cards are very popular and will not last long.

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Pokemon SM7b Fairy Rise Card Series Released In Japan

The newest series of Japanese Pokemon cards has officially been released today. The new series is called SM7b Fairy Rise. It is another monthly mini series that comprises of 50 cards plus 6 SR, 4HR and 3UR cards for a grand total of 63 cards.

This new series features some great Pokemon characters like Alolan Ninetales, Sceptile, Alolan Vulpix, Sigilyph, Gardevoir, Ribombee,  Cutiefly and many more. Like the previous few mini sets, there are 2 prism star cards (Xerneas and Life Forest). There are also 4 GX cards (Mimikyu, Alolan Ninetales, Sigilyph, Sceptile) and the same 4 GX characters printed with different images as SR cards as well as Morty and Mina. The HR cards feature the same 4 GX cards but with a reflective prism type background and different image. The 3 UR cards have a beautiful gold border and are Net Ball, Adventuring Satchel and Spell Tag.

Currently these are only sold in Japan, but you can buy them on Pokevault and have them shipped directly to you.

There will be no English version of this set. Instead, they will be released in a giant set called Lost Thunder. It will be the largest Pokemon set in history, consisting of 210 cards. It will be a mix of 3 of the Japanese sets:

SM7a Thunderclap Spark
SM7b Fairy Rise
SM8 Explosive Impact

Exactly which cards will be in the set is not known at this time.

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9 New Japanese Pokemon GX Card Starter Theme Decks Coming July 13th

The Japan Pokemon Center will be releasing 9 new Pokemon  GX starter theme decks on July 13, 2018.

Grass Deck (Lurantis)

Fire Deck (Charizard)

Water Deck (Lapras)

Lightning Deck (Raichu)

Psychic Deck (Mewtwo)

Fighting Deck (Lycanroc)

Dark Deck (Yveltal)

Metal Deck (Metagross)

Fairy Deck (Xerneas)

Each deck will contain:
60 Cards (Including 1 GX holofoil card)
25 Paper Damage Counters/2 Markers
1 GX Marker

These will be available in Japan, starting on July 13th. You will be able to purchase these on Pokevault as soon as they are released.

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Japanese Pokemon Card Series SM5+ Ultra Force to be released January 19th

The latest addition to the Japanese Pokemon card Sun & Moon series is scheduled for release in Japan, on January 19, 2018. This set is called SM5+ Ultra Force.

This set will have some additions that previous sets have not had. Sinnoh’s water-type gym leader Wake will make an appearance,  as well as some new trainer cards, Ultra Space, Steel Frying Pan and Ultra Recon Squad. Buzzwole will also have a brand new card.

In addition, there will be several cards that have an alternate type. Empoleon (originally a water type) will be reprinted as a metal type, Magnezone (originally a lightning type) will be a metal type, Abomasnow (originally a water type) will be a grass type, Infernape (originally a fire type) will be a fighting type, Palkia GX (originally a dragon type) will be a water type, Torterra (originally a grass type) will be a fighting type and possibly more to come. These will of course be available on Pokevault on January 19th as soon as they are released.

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Japanese Card Series SM5 Ultra Sun & Moon Set To Be Released In Japan December 8th

The 5th addition in the Japanese Sun & Moon Pokemon card series is set to be released on December 8, 2017. The series will be called SM5 “Ultra Sun & Moon”.

The series will feature some of the classic characters as well as the Alolan Pokemon characters. As in previous series, there will be several full art cards including Dialga GX, Palkia GX, Gardenia, Mars & more. As well as prism star cards. These will be available for purchase on Pokevault as soon as they are released.

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Pokemon Center Eevee Poncho Limited Edition Goods

The Japan Pokemon Centers are releasing a bunch of new Eevee Poncho goods on October 7, 2017. The goods all feature Eevee with Eeveelution ponchos.

There are all 8 Eeveelution versions of plush toys and plush mascot keychains. After making many different poncho versions of Pikachu, it looks like the Pokemon Centers have moved on to Eevee. We got our first look at the Eevee ponchos with the limited edition Pokemon Store Okinawa Eevee Arcanine plush toy poncho. There were 2 different versions made (mouth open and mouth closed). Now the Pokemon Centers have decided to make all 8 Eeveelutions.

In addition to the plushies and mascots, there are several more items including Deck Sleeves, File Folders, Candy Tins, Ponchos, gashapon vending figures and more….

These will go on sale on October 7, 2017, in Japan, while supplies lasts. Of course you can buy them at Pokevault.com.

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Black and White TCG Set

This set is absolutely fantastic, for players and collectors! All “base” sets have a reputation for being groundbreaking in the competitive scene and just sought after in general. Black and White was no exception! New “extended art” ultra rare cards were introduced and they are absolutely beautiful. Being the ultra rares in the set its only natural that they are expensive, right? Wrong! Each extended art card (Reshiram and Zekrom) also received regular foil versions in the set as well. This is great for collectors and players; it gives collectors gorgeous ultra rares while keeping the price down on these cards for players. Almost all of the foils in this set are playable; at the very least. Emboar, Zoroark, Reshiram, and Zekrom are the ones that really shine however. Emboar has the “rain dance” power but with fire energy and to any Pokémon! Zoroark can copy any attack on the defending Pokémon for a Double Colorless Energy or search out any one card for a Dark Energy. Reshiram and Zekrom both do 120 damage for just three energy or twenty damage plus ten more damage for each damage counter on Reshiram/Zekrom! The only drawbacks to their attacks are that Reshiram discards two fire energy and Zekrom does forty damage to itself. Maybe you figured it out yourself but Emboar and Reshiram go together amazingly while Zoroark can fit into any deck. Zekrom is better suited in a deck with Pachirisu from Call of Legends and Shaymin from Unleashed. Many of the other cards in this set have a lot of potential, I highly advise you to check out a list of the set!

Now what does this set have to offer collectors? Well first off, a brand new foil pattern! Instead of sparkles the foil is horizontal lines which are definitely an improvement in my opinion. Of course the Pokémon are all new so these are the first cards released of these Pokémon. Actually, that’s not entirely true! There is a secret Pikachu in this set. It is extremely rare; about one in three to four boxes! Even the “flavor text” for the card acknowledges its rarity. As previously mentioned, there are two ultra rares in this set; Reshiram and Zekrom. There is also an error card in this set and it isn’t just any card; it’s the Zekrom ultra rare. The card was printed on two different backgrounds, one black and one gray with the gray one being the error. All collectors simply have to get their hands on both versions of this card. Like sets before every card except the ultras and the secret comes in reverse foil version. Gotta catch ‘em all!

Overall, the Black and White TCG set is a great investment for anyone who likes Pokémon. Of course if you’re reading this you like Pokémon so go out and buy a few packs of this set. Some packs even come up with codes for the upcoming online Pokémon card game making the set an even better deal. Packs with codes can only be found at hobby stores however, meaning if you want the codes go out and support your local game store. That’s it for the Black and White set, peace!

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Emolga The Irresistible! Summary And Review

By JC

Hey guys! Today I will be summarizing and reviewing the 24th episode of the Pokemon Black and White series. In the previous episode, Ash earned his third gym badge by defeating Burgh in a 3-on-3 gym battle. The show beings with a trio of Patrat bouncing on a tree limb to yield some tasty apples. An Emolga peeks from a tree and flops down on the ground next to them. It proceeds to use Attract on all 3 of them, and as a result, takes off with all their hard-earned apples.

Ash, Iris, and Cilan are seen eating lunch with a guest, Bianca. Iris presents some apples for dessert afterwards, to which Bianca responds negatively. Oshawott pops out spontaneously and grabs an apple. Axew is handed one as well, but mishandles it and chases after it down a hill. An Emolga takes his apple and daydreams about a scenario to take all of Iris’s apples. It thinks that if it is nice to Axew, Iris will offer her apples in return. This is exactly what happens, but Bianca comes running down and smothers it. She shows her intentions to catch it and sends out her Mincinno to battle it. Mincinno begins with Double-slap and follows that up with Hyper Voice. It uses Tickle next, but that provokes Emolga to use Discharge and electrocutes everyone. Both battles uses Attract, but only the wild Pokemon’s attack goes through. Oshawott pushes Mincinno out of the way and begins to fall in love. It turns out our new friend is a girl. It flies away as Bianca and Axew chase after it.

Axew wants to give an apple to Emolga so they go looking for it. Bianca has her own intentions and heads off. We see it find some apples and its thoughts about Iris’s apples as well as a negative view of Bianca and being caught. Iris finds her and reveals that her Pokemon has a small crush on the electric-mouse. Just when they are about to cement their friendship, Bianca interrupts. She flies away, but Iris and Axew follow it, but they end up in a forest full of Swoobat. Emolga can’t stand it and she electrocutes all of them. Ash and the others play catch up.

Iris, Emolga, and Axew find a small pond and proceed to have a bit of fun. The electric mouse decides to use Hidden Power into the pool, but gets a little carried away and provokes a school of Swoobat nearby. She electrocutes them again and they make a run for it. The others are in the forest and look upon a rustling bush. Bianca decides to launch a surprise attack with Pignite, but mistakenly attacks a Scolipede. Iris and the two take cover in a small cove. Ash and the others are able to get away from Scolipede and they come to rustling tree. Bianca prematurely attacks again, attacking a Galvantula this time. Angered, it shocks all of them. Back in the cove, a huge group of Swoobat attacks them. They are surrounded and forced to fight. Iris sends out her Excadrill in hopes that he will defend them. It stays clammed up. Emolga uses her Attract, but has no effect on the male Swoobat. Excadrill is inadvertently affected and Iris recalls him, shaking her head.
Continue reading “Emolga The Irresistible! Summary And Review”

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How To Counter The Metagame

By PKG

In the Pokemon Card Game, some hardcore players will use the word “metagame.” Basically the metagame includes all the amazing cards and decks currently in the tournament legal format. People say the metagame changes whenever a new expansion is released or when a killer strategy is produced by the game’s players. As of right now, the format includes cards from HeartGold SoulSilver up to Noble Victories. The metagame was changed once again and here’s an overview of how to counter the latest emerging strategies.

Electric type decks have made a huge comeback. They are popular because of the Electric-type Pokemon Eelektrik and its Dynamotor ability. This ability allows the player to grab an Electric energy card from the discard pile and attach it to anything on your bench. This is excellent for energy acceleration and setting up Pokemon on your bench. Paired with Magnazone, Tornadus, Thundurus, and/or Magnazone you have a very destructive deck. This deck is commonly referred to as “Eelektrik Kicks” or “Eels” among fans.

The best counter for Eelektrik Kicks decks and many other popular Electric-type decks, like Zekrom-Pachirisu-Shaymin a.k.a. “ZPS,” is a Donphan based deck. The Fighting-type hits hard with a 60 damage attack that only costs one Fighting-type energy card. Not only does it have great offense, but the defense is solid, too. It has a Poke-Body called “Exoskeleton” that reduces all damage done to Donphan from attacks by 20 points. Most Electric-types have a weakness to Fighting, which means Donphan’s attack will hit their opponents hard with 120 damage on every turn.

Another emerging deck in the metagame is called “Two Scoops” by most players. It uses a Vileplume, Vanilluxe and Victini combination. This deck can be slow to start since both Vileplume and Vanilluxe are both stage two Pokemon. Nonetheless, once the Two Scoops get rolling there’s no stopping them. With Trainer Cards blocked from use by Vileplume both players are “Trainer Locked.” Plus, Vanilluxe can paralyze the opponent with its Double Freeze attack. This attack is luck based, but that’s where Victini comes in to save the day. It has an ability that lets the player re-flip a coin when used for an attack.

Tech in a Cobalion and you’ll have a strong attacker to take out this formidable frozen nightmare. It is a Steel-type and most of the Water-types are weak against it. Another way to beat this engine is to play Cobalion, Electrode and Kyurem as a team. Spread damage with Kyurem and then use Electrode for energy acceleration. Cobalion remains your main attacker in this line up. Another strategy is to just take out every Oddish using the Catcher card as soon as you see it put on the bench. Do not let it evolve so you can stay out of the Trainer Lock.

Overall you will see these two decks at your local City Championships and probably at State Championships, as well. The next two sets are Psycho Drive and Hail Blizzard (if the name doesn’t change in the USA). The metagame will change again, but always remember to look for tech options and type weaknesses to counter whatever comes your way.

 

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Kyurem: Tech + Main Attacker

By: Brian Hsieh

With the release of Noble Victories arriving soon, many have their eyes on one Pokemon; Kyurem. Kyurem is an ice and dragon type. In Pokemon card form that translates to water type. Ice Pokemon featured in the Pokemon Black and White sets have displayed a weakness to steel type, an attempt to give steel decks a pickup later on in the TCG season. Kyurem has 130 HP, a two energy retreat cost, and two attacks. His first attack is Outrage, a two colorless energy attack that has the same effect as Reshiram and Zekrom’s Outrage. His second attack differs from the previously mentioned dragons. Instead of having an attack that does 120, his second attack called Glaciate, which costs two water energy and one colorless energy, attacks every one of your opponent’s Pokemon for 30 each. This move is devastating, as the only downside it has is that it can’t damage the active defending Pokemon for 120. It makes up by doing a possible 180 to your opponent in spread out damage, or 210 if the active Pokemon is weak against water. This gives users a good idea of how to keep it on the field, but not only is it a good Pokemon to use as a main attacker; it also fits as a tech in other decks.

Reshiphlosion is a top tier deck that many decks have to tech for. When the Emerging Powers released, Basculin 24/98 was a clear candidate to be teched into decks to counter Reshiphlosion. It was also a common card, so getting one in a booster pack wasn’t so difficult. You had a choice between Flail, which cost one colorless energy but could do up to 70 damage; or you could use Final Gambit, which cost one water energy and a double colorless and allowed you to do 80 damage. Double both of these attacks and you have a knocked out Reshiram or Typhlosion Prime. However, there were many flaws with Basculin. For one, Basculin only has 80 HP, which gives opponents an easy revenge KO when Basculin actually defeats something. Using Flail to its full effect would have to have Basculin at 70 HP. Final Gambit has a downside of knocking out Basculin if you flip double tails. The other downside to Final Gambit is that it takes two turns to set up (three if you don’t have double colorless), and once Basculin is knocked out, you lose vital energy. Kyurem is a better Basic Pokemon that has a higher HP and better attacks. Outrage already starts off doing 20 damage, so just five damage counters will KO a Reshiram or Typhlosion. Glaciate would do 60 damage to the defending Pokemon while 30 to each bench Pokemon, resulting in massive damage pickups if your main attacker is Kyurem. If you tech it in other decks then Magnezone, Gothitelle, Zekrom, or even your own Reshiram can clean up.

Kyurem can also become a wall in Vileplume decks. Zekrom is unable to hold up the wall without damaging himself for 40 with his big attack and Reshiram is unable to hold up the wall without constantly discarding energy. Kyurem can constantly use his second attack without any negative effect towards the user. This allows for another Kyurem to set up in case a Cobalion is teched in against it. Three Glaciate attacks already does 90 to the whole bench and the defending Pokemon, so many avid players are dying to see how that transfers into real life battle situations. Since Kyurem is a basic Pokemon, it’s able to be sent out first and have you set up Vileplume later. This allows users to add more cards in that can help Kyurem out, like other big bodied Pokemon that can take over if Kyurem is to be knocked out.

Overall I see Kyurem getting a lot of play in some decks. It fits well as a very consistent Reshiphlosion counter in wall decks but fails to one shot anything unless they are babies. It won’t see any play in Yanmegazone, but for Gothitelle and Vileplume decks, it will be a healthy addition.

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