Summary
- The upcoming Paradox Rift expansion for the Pokémon TCG will introduce new cards and focus primarily on Gen 9 Pokémon from the Scarlet and Violet games.
- Preorders for Paradox Rift are now available at Pokémon Center, including Elite Trainer Boxes featuring Scream Tail and Iron Bundle.
- The expansion will feature new Paradox Pokémon cards with “Ancient” or “Future” designations, allowing them to benefit from certain item and Trainer cards.
Paradox Rift is the newest upcoming expansion for the Pokémon TCG. It will introduce new cards to the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet run of the trading card game and include many new Paradox Pokémon. The new Paradox Rift expansion should follow the highly-anticipated Pokémon Card 151 set that releases in September.
Although Obsidian Flames just released, many of the 2023 Pokémon TCG expansions were known ahead of card reveals for Paradox Rift at this year’s Pokémon World Championships. However, unlike the Pokémon Card 151 and Classic sets previously announced for later this year, Paradox Rift will see a return of many Pokémon featured in the latest Gen 9 games, Scarlet and Violet. At this time, it should be the final set of 2023 that will focus primarily on Gen 9 rather than leaning into the original 151 Pokémon of Gen 1.
Pokémon TCG Paradox Rift Release Date & Preorders
The release date for Paradox Rift should be November 3, 2023, although the official listing is still simply “November 2023.” Additionally, preorders for Paradox Rift are now available at Pokémon Center. Elite Trainer Boxes featuring Scream Tail and Iron Bundle are available for $59.99, but booster packs and booster boxes are also available to order now.
The Pokémon TCG Paradox Rift Elite Trainer Boxes include:
- 11 Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift booster packs
- 65 card sleeves featuring Iron Valiant or Scream Tail (depending on which box is purchased)
- 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
- A guide to the Paradox Rift expansion
- 6 dice
- 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
- 2 plastic condition markers
- A code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live
- 1 full-art foil promo card featuring Iron Bundle or Scream Tail (depending on which ETB is purchased)
- 1 full-art foil promo card featuring Iron Bundle or Scream Tail with a Pokémon Center logo (depending on the ETB)
New Cards Revealed For Pokémon TCG’s Paradox Rift Expansion
New Paradox Pokémon cards were revealed for Paradox Rift at the Pokémon World Championships. The new cards so far will feature:
- Scream Tail (Ancient)
- Brute Bonnet (Ancient)
- Brute Bonnet Illustration Rare
- Roaring Moon ex (Ancient)
- Iron Bundle (Future)
- Iron Moth (Future)
- Iron Moth Illustration Rare
- Iron Valiant ex (Future)
These Paradox Pokémon will have “Ancient” or “Future” on the cards, and it will allow them to get benefits from certain item and Trainer cards. Related abilities and attacks will also be affected by the Ancient and Future delineations.
This is not the first time Paradox Pokémon have been introduced into the trading card game, but it is the largest addition of Paradox Pokémon to date. Obviously, from the expansion name and the cards shown so far, Paradox Rift will have a major focus on Paradox Pokémon and will mark the first time many of these have been in the Pokémon TCG.
Source: Pokémon Center, The Official Pokémon YouTube Channel