The Pokémon Trading Card Game‘s third Sword and Shield expansion of 2022 was leaked online after images of the TCG set were mistakenly posted by the official Pokémon Center store. Following the release of the Astral Radiance TCG expansion in May, many collectors have been curious about what the next Pokémon TCG card set will be this year. While no dates are currently available, an accidental leak has offered a look at what might be expected in the coming months.
In April, fans were given a potential first glimpse at the new Pokémon TCG expansion when the new Japanese set Dark Phantasma was announced. The card set appears to be heavily themed around Pokémon Legends: Arceus, featuring Hisuian Zoroark and Hisuian Electrode. This is particularly exciting for those who were wanting more Hisuian Pokémon forms in Astral Radiance, as the previous set primarily focused on Kleavor, Basculegion, Sneasler, and Wyrdeer.
However, Pokémon TCG site PokeGuardian has posted on Twitter that the Pokémon Center store had mistakenly uploaded an image of the upcoming Pokémon TCG expansion. According to the image found on the Pokémon site, the next Pokémon Sword and Shield TCG expansion is called Lost Origin. The picture also unveiled a new Build & Battle Stadium that will be available when the new set launches later this year.
Unfortunately, outside of its name, the Pokémon TCG Lost Origin leak doesn’t offer additional information about release dates or potential card lists. However, based on the box artwork, it appears that the set will feature Sinnoh’s Diamond and Pearl Legendary Pokémon Giratina. Since the mysterious Ghost-type Legendary is also featured in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the new set could include further references to the game, like a card for antagonist Volo, or potentially adding more of the “Radiant” Pokémon TCG cards that were introduced in the Astral Radiance set.
Based on previous release cycles, the Pokémon TCG Lost Origin expansion may launch around the end of July. Astral Radiance, which was released in May, hit stores three months after Brilliant Stars in February. However, if the new set follows this schedule, Lost Origin could end up being one of the last Pokémon Sword and Shield expansions to release. In June, Gen 9 Pokémon Scarlet and Violet were announced for this November. Because of this, the Pokémon Trading Card Game may begin producing a new generation of cards after the release of Lost Origin in the summer.
