The Pokémon Trading Card Game is adding yet another expansion to its Scarlet & Violet set, titled Paradox Rift, this November. The Paradox Rift expansion adds more than 180 cards, including Ancient and Future Pokémon, which is a mechanic based on the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet video games. In addition to powerful new playing cards, there are 15 Special Illustration Rare and 28 full-art Ultra Rare cards for those lucky enough to pull them.
The Pokémon TCG Paradox Rift expansion will be released on November 3, 2023, and preorders are available now. Early peeks at the cards that have been leaked or seen from the Japanese versions have shown that the artwork is stunning. Many Tera Pokémon ex cards are included in the set to offer powerful abilities, even aside from the Ancient and Future Pokémon that are making their debut. Although the market values aren’t available or stable until after the expansion releases, here are ten of the best and coolest cards from Paradox Rift that collectors will want to keep an eye out for.
10 Steelix (208/182)
Steelix is presented in a way that truly shows off its massive size for this Illustration Rare card in Paradox Rift. This Steel-type Pokémon is shown in its artwork to stand at least four stories high as it appears to be helping people out at a construction site, lifting workers up to the top of steel girders. In a game of Pokémon TCG, this would also be a fairly strong card, with the ability to do 180 damage with its Heavy Impact
9 Mela (236/182)
The boss of Team Star’s Schedar Squad Fire crew in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, she is a strong opponent in the video game but a good card to have in the Pokémon TCG. Her abilities can be helpful in gaining cards during a game, but for collectors, this full-art Ultra Rare is especially notable for its beautiful artwork of the character. Currently, on TCGPlayer, Mela cards have been seen listed at around $50 USD, showing how desirable the card already is for many.
8 Armarouge ex (218/182)
This full-art Ultra Rare of Armarouge ex is a striking image of the Fire-type Pokémon in the Pokémon TCG Paradox Rift expansion. Although it does not have one of the new Ancient and Future card mechanics, it is one of the powerful ex cards that are often game-changers in play. The artwork for this card evokes the feeling of authority through its cel-shaded character and flaming background.
7 Professor Sada’s Vitality (256/182)
Pokémon Scarlet‘s main professor is Professor Sada, shown here in this card for Pokémon TCG Paradox Rift with a Smoliv and Pawmi looking over her shoulder while she reads a book. What appears to be a Lechonk is near her knee, facing toward her, also engrossed in what she is doing. This Special Illustration Rare card is likely to be popular, not only for its Ancient game mechanic but also for its full-art depiction of the peaceful scene.
6 Vanillish (190/182)
Vanillish might not be a very powerful card or carry any of the special Ancient or Future delineations, yet the illustrations for this adorable full-art card make it worthy of being collected. Vanillish is an Illustration Rare showcasing the ice cream-like Pokémon hanging around in an ice cream parlor, while in the background, there is an ice cream cone that looks like it has a melting Poké Ball for its sweet treat. In an expansion that leans heavily into the strong and powerful, it is endearing to see such charming card art.
5 Iron Hands ex (248/182)
The Paradox Rift Future Pokémon, Iron Hands ex, is shown in a cartoony card for its Special Illustration Rare full-art piece. This whimsical artwork showcases Iron Hands ex bashing holes in several brick walls that could easily have been walked around, seemingly just for the fun of crashing into them. It is a powerful card in play, although this version of it is probably best to keep somewhere safe and un-shuffled.
4 Garchomp ex (245/182)
This Special Illustration Rare card for Garchomp ex shows off a Terastallized version of Garchomp with a Water Tera type. The type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex cards are one of the core mechanics that was taken from the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet video games and add some unexpected features. So far, no English version of this card has been revealed, but the striking artwork alone makes it one to keep an eye on.
3 Iron Valiant ex (249/182)
Iron Valiant ex is one of the Future Pokémon included in Pokémon TCG Paradox Rift and is a Basic Pokémon that is of the Psychic-type. The full-art Special Illustration Rare card artistically places Iron Valiant ex amidst several other Iron variety cards such as Iron Moth, Iron Bundle, and Iron Thorns.
2 Aegislash (210/182)
Aegislash’s full-art Illustration Rare is one of the most beautiful cards revealed so far. It features Pokémon displayed regally in its Shield Form over what appears to be a stone throne with a brick wall behind it. The spectral eye that casts manipulating powers is evident, and the entire card gives an air of mystery. Aegislash has two forms it can take: the Shield Form and Blade Form, but for this card, it has the Mysterious Shield ability, which is a strong defensive card for all Pokémon around it.
1 Roaring Moon ex (251/182)
Not only is Roaring Moon ex a stunning and vibrant card that showcases the Dark Energy type Ancient, but it is also poised to be one of the most valuable cards in the expansion. This Special Illustration Rare card is number 251/182 in the Pokémon TCG Paradox Rift set, and early estimates on TCGPlayer show the market price of the card at around $75.00 USD currently. In play, Roaring Moon ex’s Calamity Storm attack lets players discard a Stadium to do a whopping 220 damage.
