Posted in: Card Games, Games, Pokémon TCG, Tabletop | Tagged: Paldea Evolved, pokemon, pokemon cards, Pokemon TCG, tyranitar

Pokémon TCG Japan: Clay Burst Preview: Tyranitar Illustration

Pokémon TCG Japan's Clay Burst features a Tyranitar Illustration Rare. Will this card pop off like the Battle Styles Alternate Art?

The next two sets of the Scarlet & Violet era are arriving on April 14th in Japan. The two sets, Snow Hazard and Clay Burst, will largely focus on the Treasures of Ruin Legendary group from the region of Paldea introduced in Scarlet & Violet. In this expansion, all four Treasures of Ruin (Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, Chi-Yu, and Wo-Chien) will receive Pokémon ex. This set follows Pokémon TCG Japan's Scarlet ex and Violet ex and the subset Triplet Beat which were released in early 2023, kicking off the new Paldea-themed series block that will presumably run for the next three years. Snow Hazard and Clay Burst will merge with Triplet Beat as the basis for Scarlet & Violet – Paldea Evolved, the second English-language expansion set of the Generation Nine era, which will release on June 30, 2023. The Pokémon ex mechanic, the main mechanic of this new era, continues in Snow Hazard and Clay Burst, as does the layout of the Secret Rare section, which includes Illustration Rares, Special Illustration Rares, Full Art ex, Full Art Trainers, Special Illustration Rare Trainers, and Gold cards.  Today, let's take a look at an Illustration Rare featuring the iconic Tyranitar that appears in Clay Burst.

Unlike the highly sought-after and adorable Tyranitar Alt Art from Sword & Shield – Battle Styles, this new Illustration Rare depicts Tyranitar in all of its epic and powerful glory. Artist Nurikabe depicts a flock of Staravia flying behind this Johto badass. Nurikabe made their debut in the hobby with 2022's Sword & Shield – Brilliant Stars. Since then, they've become known for cards, including Aerodactyl V from Sword & Shield – Lost Origin, Kricketune Illustration Rare from Crown Zenith, and Sandile Illustration Rare from Scarlet & Violet.

Japanese sets often give us early ideas of what the English-language sets may include, so be sure to keep an eye on our coverage. You can stay tuned for previews of Scarlet & Violet cards as well as updates on everything Pokémon TCG right here at Bleeding Cool.

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