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Pokémon TCG Japan: Snow Hazard & Clay Burst Preview: Copperajah Ex

Sword & Shield is over in the Pokémon TCG but Galarian species will rise again with Copperajah's inclusion in Japan set Snow Hazard.


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 another Pokémon ex from Snow Hazard.

Snow Hazard & Clay Burst cards. Credit: Pokémon TCG
Snow Hazard & Clay Burst cards. Credit: Pokémon TCG

Copperajah gets this ex courtesy of artist Uta, who breaks from the expected 3D art style from the first couple of Japanese sets of this era to deliver an illustrative, sharply drawn Pokémon. Uta has been contributing to the Pokémon TCG since Sun & Moon – Cosmic Eclipse. Some of the more well-known cards by Uta include Absol Illustration Rare from Crown Zenith, Galarian Articuno V from Sword & Shield – Chilling Reign, and Garbodor V from Sword & Shield – Evolving Skies.

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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Theo DwyerAbout Theo Dwyer

Theo Dwyer writes about comics, film, and games.
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