Posted in: Card Games, Games, Pokémon TCG, Tabletop | Tagged: Brilliant Stars, Charizard, pokemon, pokemon cards, Pokemon TCG

The Cards Of Pokémon TCG: Brilliant Stars Part 3: Zarude & Charizard

Pokémon TCG has released the first set of 2022. The expansion, Sword & Shield – Brilliant Stars, came out on February 25th, 2022. It is the ninth set under the Sword & Shield banner and is the first to include the Pokémon-VSTAR mechanic. VSTARs are a replacement for the VMAX mechanic, which is being phased out of the main portion of the set after this release. Sword & Shield – Brilliant Stars also debuts the Trainer Gallery, a special subset of Character Rares, Character Super Rares, Full Art Trainers, and Black & Gold VMAXes that can be pulled in the reverse holo slot. Follow me through a journey through this latest set as we appreciate the artwork, discuss the card's place in the set, and discuss what certain elements of the expansion may imply for the future of the Pokémon TCG. Today, we'll take a look at some of the set's Pokémon-V.

Here, we have Zarude and Charizard getting Ultra Rares. This is the second standard (non-Full Art or Shiny) V for both of these, as Zarude got its debut V in Sword & Shield – Vivid Voltage and Charizard got its V in Sword & Shield – Darkness Ablaze. Charizard remains the reigning champion of the Pokémon TCG as essentially any card featuring this fire-breather ends up at a higher value than other Pokémon on the same card type. Both cards feature dynamic illustrations, but the mere fact that one of these is Charizard makes it an exciting hit. It isn't just the hype that makes it a good card, though, as it is a genuinely interesting and dynamic depiction of the Pokémon.

Stay tuned for the continuing journey through Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield – Brilliant Stars. To look back on this series, click the Brilliant Stars tag below. Next time, this journey continues with the main set.

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