Today, The Pokémon Company International unveiled the new Pokémon VSTAR gameplay mechanic for the best-selling Pokémon Trading Card Game. Pokémon VSTAR will appear in the upcoming Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars expansion, arriving at participating retailers worldwide on February 25, 2022.

Pokémon VSTAR evolve from Pokémon V and will play a major role in the Pokémon TCG metagame. Each Pokémon VSTAR has a VSTAR Power — an Ability or attack — with an extremely powerful effect that can decide the outcome of a battle. Players can use only one VSTAR Power per game, and those who use a VSTAR Power must flip over a VSTAR marker during the battle.

In addition to their VSTAR Powers, Pokémon VSTAR have high HP and high-damage attacks, and they give up two Prize cards when Knocked Out.

Trainers can look forward to seeing Arceus VSTAR, Charizard VSTAR, Shaymin VSTAR and Whimsicott VSTAR in Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars. The expansion will also include a special Trainer Gallery subset of 30 cards with artwork featuring fan-favorite Trainers and Pokémon.

Available in booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes and special collections, Sword & Shield—Brilliant Stars will include the following:

  • 20 Pokémon V and 15 full-art Pokémon V
  • Four new Pokémon VSTAR
  • Three new Pokémon VMAX
  • 22 Trainer cards and six full-art Supporter cards
  • One new Special Energy card

In addition, Trainers can find Pokémon VSTAR in the Pokémon TCG: Leafeon VSTAR Special Collection and Pokémon TCG: Glaceon VSTAR Special Collection when they become available in the first quarter of 2022. Each of these VSTAR Special Collections includes a promo card featuring Leafeon V or Glaceon V, an etched promo card and etched oversize card featuring Leafeon VSTAR or Glaceon VSTAR, an acrylic VSTAR marker and five Pokémon TCG booster packs.

To learn more about the Pokémon TCG, please visit Pokemon.com/TCG.