Pokémon has officially announced the next expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Sword & Shield: Chilling Reign will release on June 18, 2021, in stores and online.
The Chilling Reign expansion will elaborate on the Rapid Strike and Single Strike mechanics introduced in Sword & Shield Battle Styles. It will include over 190 new standard legal cards, including 15 new Pokémon V cards and eight new Pokémon VMAX cards. There will also be at least 25 new trainer cards and three new special energy cards.
Pokémon has not revealed any cards from the expansion as of yet. But, they did reveal several Pokémon that will get cards. Both of Calyrex’s forms, Ice and Ghost, will get cards along with Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos and Galarian Moltres.
The Chilling Reign expansion seems to be based on the Crown Tundra, the most recent DLC for Pokémon Sword & Shield. The expansion introduced Calyrex and the Galarian Legendary birds. It was also home to a plethora of other older and newer Pokémon.
✅ More Single Strike & Rapid Strike cards
✅ 15 Pokémon V
✅ 8 Pokémon VMAXEmbrace the chill in #PokemonTCG: Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign. With over 190 cards, expand the realms of your strategy with new powers and endless possibilities!
❄️➡️ https://t.co/OeEsOZ491H pic.twitter.com/symNtje8rr
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) March 31, 2021
Chilling Reign and Battle Styles
Battle Styles introduced two new mechanics to the Pokémon TCG: Rapid Strike and Single Strike. Rapid Strike Pokémon have moves that cost less energy but they are weaker. Single Strike Pokémon are the opposite, with moves that cost more but they are stronger. These cards often have synergies with each other and have trainer cards that work with them.
The Chilling Reign expansion will add more of these cards and new trainer cards as well. This will pave the way for new deck archetypes revolving around these mechanics.
The Pokémon TCG meta has been consistent for over a year, with cards like Pikachu and Zekrom GX, Arceus Dialga and Palkia GX and Blacephelon GX dominating the game. The introduction of new V cards and VMAX cards will give players fresh options to experiment with.
