The first cards and Japanese release date information were revealed for the two upcoming Pokemon trading card game Sets. The sets, titled Heat Wave Arena And The glory of Team Rocket Will be arriving in Japan in the spring of 2025, with an eventual release in the West (potentially under a different name).
The first card confirmed by PokéBeach to be Included in the Heat Wave Arena Set is Cynthia’s Garchomp ex. Fans who buy a box set of Heat Wave Arena Will also receive all three winning cards from the 2024 Illustration Contest. Heat Wave Arena Also received a release date in Japan of March 14, 2024. The second upcoming set, The glory of Team Rocket, will be released in Japan on April 18 and will Include Rocket’s Mewtwo EX, With the rest of the set is made up of all rockets Pokemon Cards.
Team Rocket Pokemon TCG set will not include Dark Pokemon
Breaking tradition from previous Team Rocket expansions
The glory of Team Rocket will be the third expansion set featuring the titular group of buddies from the original Pokemon Shows and games. The first, titled simply team rocket, Came out in 2000 while Team Rocket returns was released four years later. It’s been 20 years since the team got their time in the spotlight, so The glory of Team Rocket is a welcome addition to the trading card game roster.
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The first two expansions featuring Team Rocket introduced Dark Pokemon, a type closely associated with the team. According to PokéBeach, April’s set will not include any Dark versions of Pokemon, only Rocket’s Pokemon. While this may be disappointing to some fans, the upside is that it keeps the price of the original Dark Cards steady, Some of which fetch over $100 today.
The Pokemon TCG Heat Wave Arena Card Reveal Is Unexpected (But Welcomed)
Cynthia is a favorite champion
The fact that Team Rocket’s gear includes their Pokemon is self-evident, but Cynthia’s Garchomp is a bit more of a surprise. The name of the gear it appeared in, Heat Wave Arena, implies a connection to the Pokemon stroke heat wave. Because of this, I was expecting a card like Ash’s Torcoal or Alder’s Volcarona. Cynthia’s Garchomp has no connection to the move, so you discover how the first card is a little more out of left field.
However, the inclusion of this champion is a welcome one, as Cynthia is a fan favorite, with her Garchomp being a notoriously difficult opponent. Cynthia’s stylish design, smart and calm demeanor, and balanced, strong team make her a popular character in the Pokemon Franchise.
The Pokemon trading card game Has a full lineup of other sets and cards coming out in the near future. While Heat Wave Arena And The glory of Team Rocket are arriving in Japan in the spring of 2025, the release dates and English names are yet to be announced.
Source: PokéBeach