Posted in: Card Games, Games, Pokémon TCG, Tabletop | Tagged: Paldea, pokemon, pokemon cards, Pokemon TCG, Scarlet & Violet

This Classic Element Of The Pokémon TCG Is Going Away

An element of the Pokémon TCG that has been active in the hobby since the very first English-language set is going away. Actually, more than one element considered a staple of the hobby is leaving, but this is perhaps the most notable change. Starting with March 2023's Scarlet & Violet set, which kicks off the new Paldea-focused era which is expected to run for three years, the English-language and international Pokémon TCG sets will finally lose the yellow borders used on cards since the launch of Base Set. Japan has been using silver borders for years, leaving behind the yellow quite a while ago. The continued use of yellow borders has been criticized by collectors, especially for the perceived clash in colors with cards such as the Character Rares of the Sword & Shield Trainer Gallery subsets as well as the Galarian Gallary and its Art Rares coming in 2023's Crown Zenith.

The English-language Scarlet & Violet base set, the first to use these silver borders, will include 198 cards before Secret Rares. It will be a combination of Japan's two sister sets Scarlet ex and Violet ex along with their three Starter Set ex decks. The set symbols used for English-language and international sets outside of Japan since Base Set will also be gone, replaced by a numbered code to increase alignment with Japan's aesthetic. The code for Scarlet & Violet base set will be SV1EN.

Of the change to silver borders, The Pokémon Company International says:

"This change both frames Pokemon TCG artwork in its originally intended border and further unifies the game on a global level."

For a better look at Scarlet & Violet, please tune in to our previews of Japan's Scarlet ex and Violet ex sets. 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.

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!