First official details released on the Scarlet & Violet - Paradox Rift expansion for the Pokémon TCG, launching internationally from November 3rd

Following on from the reveal of a selection of Ancient and Future Pokémon cards during the Pokémon World Championships Closing Ceremony, and the accidental reveal of the set in an update to the U.S. Pokémon Center website during the Pokémon World Champions, the fourth Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion in the Scarlet & Violet series, Paradox Rift, has finally been officially announced by The Pokémon Company International. This expansion currently has no Japanese equivalent announced, but is expected to including cards from that the Japanese Raging Surf subset, and the Terastal Starter Sets. Paradox Rift will release in retail stores internationally on November 3rd.

This expansion sees the introduction of Ancient and Future Pokémon Pokémon and Trainer cards. These two different kinds of Pokémon each have their own specialization. Ancient Pokémon can be thought of as this generation's equivalent of the Single Strike cards from the Sword and Shield era, focusing on powerful, hard-hitting attacks while having high HP. Future Pokémon meanwhile are more similar to Rapid Strike style cards, focusing on technical attacks and abilities that allow for synergistic combinations. Both categories of Pokémon will each benefit from Trainer cards which target their specific category with powerful effects.

Paradox Rift also will see the return of Technical Machine cards, first reintroduced in the Japanese Raging Surf subset after being last seen in the Rising Rivals expansion in 2009, though the various Single Strike and Rapid Strike Scroll Pokémon Tool cards from the Sword and Shield era were functionally similar. Technical Machine cards as of this set are categorized as Pokémon Tool cards, following the precedent set by those Scroll cards.

A full set list will not be available for some time, given that the Japanese equivalent set hasn't even had its own formal announcement. While the press release itself does not mention any specific Pokémon, the description of the Elite Trainer Box on the Pokémon Center website explicitly mentions four as yet unseen Pokémon ex cards, these being Sandy Shocks ex, Iron Hands ex, Armarouge ex, and Gholdengo ex.

Players can also expect the set to include the following:

• 13 Pokémon ex
• 7 Tera Pokémon ex
• 34 illustration rare Pokémon
• 15 special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards
• 28 ultra rare full-art etched Pokémon ex and Supporter cards
• 7 hyper rare gold etched cards, which will likely include 1 each of Pokémon ex, Trainer and Energy cards

With almost triple the number of illustration rare Pokémon compared to the previous Obsidian Flames expansion, not to mention more than double the number of special illustration rare, ultra rare full-art, and hyper rare cards, Paradox Rift promises to be an incredibly dense set that's sure to be highly sought after by collectors.

Scarlet & Violet - Paradox Rift will be available for players of the Pokémon TCG Live app one day ahead of the physical release, on November 2nd. The Battle Pass for this set are not yet known, but will presumably include decks focused around the new Ancient and Future Pokémon.

As usual, Scarlet & Violet - Paradox Rift will be available across a variety of formats, including the typical booster packs and Special Collections, as well as in Elite Trainer Boxes featuring Iron Valient and Roaring Moon. Special versions of these Elite Trainer Boxes will also be available through Pokémon Center in the US, Canada, and the UK. These special versions contain two additional booster packs, and as well as an additional copy of the included illustration rare style promo car, featuring the Pokémon Center logo.

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