The Pokémon Trading Card Game is releasing the Paradigm Trigger set in Japan, and it contains many Secret Rare cards that will be featured in the Silver Tempest expansion. In August, The Pokémon Company revealed that the card game’s eighth generation would be concluding in November with a final Pokémon Sword and Shield TCG expansion called Silver Tempest. However, players are able to get an early preview of the collection’s Secret Rare cards with the launch of the Japanese Paradigm Trigger set in October.
When Silver Tempest launches in November, the final Gen 8 expansion’s setlist will feature a mixture of cards from both the Incandescent Arcana and Paradigm Trigger sets. After months of previews, Paradigm Trigger is set to launch on October 21 and features over twenty-seven Secret Rare cards, including Alternate Art, and Full Art V collectibles. Below is a list of the best Secret Rare’s from Paradigm Trigger that players will be able to pull when the Pokémon Silver Tempest TCG expansion launches in November.
Kanto Fossil Pokémon Omastar V Paradigm Trigger Secret Rare Card
The second card in the Paradigm Trigger Secret Rare setlist is Omastar V, which features an illustration of the Gen 1 Fossil Pokémon surrounded by a swirl of vibrant colors. The secret V collectible is likely going to be a big deal for many players, as it’s the first time Omastar has been featured as a rare card since Pokémon X and Y‘s Breaking Point TCG expansion in 2016. Fans of the Kanto Fossil Pokémon will not want to miss out on this one, as it isn’t often that Omastar gets featured as a rare collectible in a TCG expansion.
Paradigm Trigger Rainbow Rare Regieleki VMAX Card
The Paradigm Trigger set will also feature the debut of Regieleki as a Secret Rare card, following its first appearance in the popular Pokémon Evolving Skies TCG expansion in 2021. The Regieleki VMAX was illustrated by Game Freak artist N-DESIGN Inc, who recently joined the TCG during the Pokémon Sword and Shield series in 2021. The VMAX collectible is also one of the sets Hidden Rare’s and features a rainbow textured holographic foil. Regieleki’s inclusion in the final Gen 8 expansion is fitting, as it made its debut as a Legendary Titan in the Pokémon Sword & Shield DLC The Crown Tundra.
Gold Lugia VSTAR Secret Rare Paradigm Trigger Pokémon Card
Popular Gen 2 Legendary Lugia is not only the mascot for Paradigm Trigger, but it’s also included multiple times in the collection’s Secret Rare setlist. One of the Johto Pokémon’s best cards in the set though is the Gold Lugia VSTAR which features full artwork of the Water-type bird bursting through the sky. Although Lugia will also make its debut as an Alternate Art card in the Silver Tempest expansion, the Secret Rare version of the VSTAR is going to be highly sought after by fans and collectors due to its golden textured foil.
Pokémon Sword & Shield Legendary Regidrago Alternate Art V Card
Although Regidrago was recently included in April’s Pokémon Astral Radiance TCG set, the Legendary Titan is making its return in a big way as an Alternate Art collectible in Paradigm Trigger. The Alternate Art Regidrago V features a unique hand-drawn illustration of the Galar Legendary sitting against an ancient ruin wall, as Lugia is seen flying in the sky behind it. Ever since Alternate Arts were brought back in the Battle Style‘s expansion, the card variant has exploded in popularity and value. With this rare V card featuring two Legendaries in illustration, it’s easily one of Paradigm Trigger‘s best Secret Rare cards.
Paradigm Trigger Alternate Art Unknown V Secret Rare Card
A Paradigm Trigger collectible that will be a big hit with long-time Pokémon players is the Alternate Art Unknown V card. Ever since its debut in the classic Neo Destiny expansion in 2001, the Johto alphabet-Pokémon has rarely been included in sets. The Secret Rare Unknown V has a colorful illustration by veteran Pokémon Gold and Silver Johto region era artist Toshinao Aoki who has been creating Pokémon cards since the Neo Revelation TCG expansion in 2001. Fans who have been waiting for the Gen 2 favorite to get a full artwork card will not want to miss out on the Alternate Art Unknown, as it’s anyone’s guess when the mysterious Pokémon will be brought back to the TCG again.
Secret Rare Paradigm Trigger Alternate Art Skuntank V Card
Gen 4 Poison-type Skuntank is another classic Pokémon to get the coveted Alternate Art card treatment in Paradigm Trigger. The Skuntank V artwork depicts the Pokémon gathering and collecting food for its nest. The holographic card’s scenic woodland art is packed full of details, such as a Paras and Psyduck in the backdrop soaking up some sun. The Secret Rare was drawn by illustrator Jiro Sasumo who recently made their debut in February’s Pokémon Brilliant Stars TCG expansion.
Pokémon Paradigm Trigger Alternate Art Lugia V Secret Rare Card
Paradigm Trigger’s best Secret Rare is the beautiful Alternate Art Lugia V card. The Full Art collectible features a hand-draw illustration of the Gold and Silver Legendary soaring through a raging storm over the sea. What really makes this card special is its details, such as the lightning piercing the black clouds sky, or the fisherman peering over his ship to look up at the giant Flying-type Legendary. The Secret Rare Lugia V will likely end up being Paradigm Trigger‘s most valuable card when it’s the set launches on October 20.
Players looking to collect these cards in English won’t have to wait long, as the majority of them will be featured in the Silver Tempest expansion in November. Although there is rumor that Nintendo is planning to release a special Sword and Shield 12.5 mini set next year, the setlist from the Incandescent Arcana and Paradigm Trigger sets will largely mark the end of Galar region era of the tabletop game. The first Pokémon Scarlet and Violet TCG set has also already been announced, with the Scarlet ex and Violet ex Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion hitting stores on January 20.
