Scarlet & Violet Era (TCG)
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The Scarlet & Violet Era (Japanese: ポケモンカードゲーム スカーレット&バイオレット Pokémon Card Game Scarlet & Violet) is a series of Pokémon Trading Card Game sets and products released by The Pokémon Company (TPC) and Pokémon Korea in select Asian markets. It began with the Japanese release of Scarlet ex, Violet ex, ex Starter Sets and the Premium Trainer Box ex on January 20, 2023. This was followed by the release of these products (with the exception of the Premium Trainer Box ex, which was released later in select markets) in Traditional Chinese on February 3, 2023, in Thai on February 24, 2023, in Indonesian on March 3, 2023 and in Korean on March 15, 2023.
Series chronology
The Scarlet & Violet Era kicked off with the release of Scarlet ex and Violet ex and introduces the Trading Card game to Generation IX. In the SV set release cycle followed by all language releases other than Simplified Chinese, The first Pair of expansions features the box legendaries of Koraidon and Miraidon. It Brought the TCG up to regulation 
and saw the rotation of regulation 
cards shortly thereafter. With this initial pairing of base expansions, Pokémon Tool cards were introduced as a distinct class of trainer cards, AR Rarity cards where introduced as secret rares in Main Series expansion releases and SAR rarity cards were introduced, largely replacing HR rarity cards from prior expansions. The base expansions also saw the introduction of Pokémon ex and Tera Pokémon ex that replace the Pokémon V, VMAX, V-UNION and VSTAR from the Sword & Shield Era. The First Subset, Triplet Beat focused heavily on the Generation IX first partner Pokémon with the Final evolutions Meowscarada, Skeledirge and Quaquaval each featuring prominently on the pack artwork and getting Pokémon ex cards with RR, SR, SAR, and UR rarity prints.
The second Main Series set release, the twin expansions of Snow Hazard and Clay Burst introduced the treasures of ruin and in particularly Chien-Pao and Ting-Lu who featured prominently on the pack art of their respective expansions. Each Treasure of Ruin was given a Pokémon ex card with RR, SR, and SAR prints while Chien-Pao and Ting-Lu also received a UR rarity print. In the second subset, Pokémon Card 151, the Mythical Pokémon Mew is featured as the Cover Pokémon as the original 151 Generation I Pokémon are reintroduced to this game. Mew along with the final evolutionary forms of the Generation I first partner Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise are all featured among the 12 Pokémon ex in the subset. This expansion is unique as Pokémon cards are given a set number based on their Pokédex order rather than their energy type. It is also notable as it features the original 151 generation I Pokémon, this is the first TCG set to feature Kadabra since Split Earth released in Japan in 2002.
In the third Main Series expansion release, Ruler of the Black Flame prominently featured a Dark Terastallized Charizard, and introduced the TCG to Tera Pokémon ex who can be a different type than their species would suggest reminiscent of the δ Delta Species from the EX Era. These Pokémon gain a different weakness that would correspond to their new typing however still utilise the same energy type for their attacks as their species would suggest.
Set characteristics
In marketing the sets, The Pokémon Company oversees Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Indonesian and Thai releases, while Pokémon Korea oversees Korean releases. Each of these companies often changes the set numbering of the cards in their releases, or may even tweak some aesthetic features within the individual cards themselves, but broadly all companies feature the same set of cards within the same product releases.
In markets that have caught up to Japanese set releases, Main Series expansions are released roughly every 3rd month with an Enhanced or High Class subset usually being released 1–2 months between Main Series set releases. A typical expansion consists of between 70-80 cards topped off by 25-30 secret cards with card numbers that exceed the set count. In Japanese, Traditional Chinese and Korean markets, these expansion releases are supplemented with deck releases, special sets and trainer box products that help players complete their collection and generate a viable game deck to play with against other players. In the Indonesian and Thai markets, such supplementary releases are rarer. Cards developed for these releases are instead often distributed through other means as promotional cards.
Card design and layout
As with the two series that preceded it, the Scarlet & Violet Era sees a redesign in the card aesthetics. Pokémon V, VMAX, V-UNION and VSTAR are phased out and replaced with Pokémon ex and Tera Pokémon ex. Trainer cards are also given a new category of card as Pokémon Tool cards are made separate class from Item cards. Pokémon Tool Trainer cards are given a purple background and rulebox, distinct from blue Item cards, green Stadium cards and orange Supporter cards.
Trainer and Energy cards cards got a new header format with the placements swapped. The type of card (Trainer or Energy) now appears on the right where as the subcategory (Item, Pokémon Tool, Supporter or Stadium for Trainer cards and Basic Energy or Special Energy for Energy Cards) now appears on the left. Additionally Basic Energy Cards are now labelled as such on the card header. The divider in the header is moved closer to the centre of the card and instead displays more of a diagonal pattern. On trainer cards the rulebox has a slightly different shape and is surrounded by a bigger border and the colored slits on the side of the cards indicating what type of Trainer the card is are further spaced apart, but also bolder in color. the graphic texture on the card is also given a more matte look with fewer ridge lines.
Pokémon cards feature more subtle design changes, none of the information contained on a Pokémon card is relocated, but many design aesthetics have been modified for the new Era. Weakness, Resistance and Retreat cost are now displayed between 2 bars on the cards type color matched background rather than on a wider bar. Energy symbols also lose a white buffer that they had in the Sword & Shield Era. For Pokémon cards with an ability, the ability icon now has a more rounded shape with more distinct borders. On Stage 1 and Stage 2 Evolution Pokémon cards, the evolution window now has a more rounded shape and the strands connecting the evolution bar to the top of the card now follow updated shape of the gap in the header observed on Trainer and Energy cards.
The Pokémon ex cards introduced in this series that replace Pokémon V cards do not follow the same kind of artistic style as their predecessor and instead take design cues more similar to the Pokémon-ex cards from the Black & White and XY Eras. These cards feature the same borders as regular Pokémon have but have the text box somewhat translucent so it is possible to make out the Pokémon behind it and have the Pokémon break the borders of the illustration. They also include special characteristics influenced by the card type and the Pokémon depicted. For example, Koraidon ex features rocks thrown at the card border while Miraidon ex features a debris from its Photon Blaster attack in it's card border.
In Korean releases, Pokémon Korea has also replaced the yellow borders previously used by TPCi in their sets and aligned the cards in their sets with the silver borders used by TPC.
Card rarities
As with every series that preceded it, cards contained within a Main Series expansion always, and within a subset usually carry a rarity marking. The Scarlet & Violet Era saw a shakeup in the card rarity structure that makes up an expansion set. Rainbow Rare cards of both chase Pokémon and Supporters along with the associated 
rarity are phased out, as is the triple rare 
rarity associated with VMAX and VSTAR cards in the Sword & Shield Era. In its place the Scarlet & Violet Era introduces the 
and 
rarities that were first introduced in the final High Class expansion of the Sword & Shield Era, VSTAR Universe into its Main Series expansions. Main Series expansions in the Scarlet & Violet Era feature the Following Rarities:
- The
(Common) rarity is the most common rarity, It is featured on mostly Basic and Stage 1 Pokémon, occasionally trainer cards are also given this rarity. Approximately 50% of the non-secret cards in any given expansion are given this rarity. - The
(Uncommon) rarity is the second most common rarity, most trainer and energy cards are given this rarity as are some Pokémon. Approximately 30-33% of the non-secret cards in any given expansion are given this rarity. - The
(Rare) the rarest rarity non-Pokémon ex cards can have in the Scarlet & Violet Era expansions This rarity is also occasionally given to Supporter cards. These cards always have holographic prints. Expansions usually contain 8 cards with the R rarity comprising of between 10-12% of the expansion. - The
(Double Rare) rarity is the rarity thats given to Pokémon ex and Tera Pokémon ex. Expansions in the Scarlet & Violet Era typically feature 6 such cards. - The (Art Rare) rarity is introduced to Main Series expansions after being first appearing in VSTAR Universe and is akin to the Character Rare cards found in High Class expansions of the Sun & Moon and Sword & Shield Eras. Like Character Rare cards, they are full art cards of regular Basic, Stage 1 or Stage 2 Pokémon but instead of featuring the Pokémon alongside a human trainer or companion, these cards depict Pokémon in its natural environment. When Art Rare cards are from the same evolutionary line, they also furthermore try to depict a story of the Pokémon's life as it evolves. Scarlet & Violet Era expansions typically feature 12 Art Rare cards as secret rares.
- The
(Super Rare) rarity is given to full art chase cards such as Pokémon ex and Supporter cards. Unlike in the Sword & shield Era, alternative art prints of Super Rare cards are no longer also afforded this rarity, but are instead upgraded as Special Art Rares. Scarlet & Violet Era expansions typically feature 8-10 Super Rare cards as secret rares. - The (Special Art Rare) rarity is introduced to Main Series expansions after being first appearing in VSTAR Universe and is similar to the Art Rare rarity. However, it is exclusively given to Pokémon ex and Supporter cards. These cards also contain an additional layer of glitter foil. Scarlet & Violet Era expansions typically feature 5 Special Art Rare cards as secret rares.
- The
(Ultra Rare) rarity is the rarest rarity and features gold foil prints of Pokémon ex, Item, or Energy cards. Scarlet & Violet Era expansions typically feature 3 Ultra Rare cards as secret rares.
Subsets contain the same rarities as are contained within the Main Series expansions, however some subsets, particularly High Class subsets may omit the C, U, & R rarities, when this happens these cards are usually printed without any rarity associated with them.
Gameplay and card mechanic changes
As with any series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the Scarlet & Violet Era introduced a number of new card types, and changes to existing card types which introduce new mechanics into the game. This section will go over all the new types of cards introduced in the Scarlet & Violet Era. All cards from the Scarlet & Violet Era have and can be distinguished by a regulation mark of .
Pokémon exIntroduced in Scarlet ex and Violet ex, Pokémon ex is the Scarlet & Violet Era replacement of Pokémon V cards. Unlike Pokémon V cards, these cards are not all Basic Pokémon and may be Stage 1 or Stage 2 evolutions. Pokémon ex offer a new take on their past iterations from the EX, Black & White & XY Eras and as within those Series, they typically have more HP and stronger attacks than regular Pokémon, however contain a rulebox where they give up 2 Prize Cards when defeated. Pokémon ex can be identified by the
Tera Pokémon exIntroduced in Scarlet ex and Violet ex, Tera Pokémon ex cards are like Pokémon ex cards, but do not take damage from attacks whilst on the bench. This Tera effect is provided by an additional box on the card, but is not not considered a rulebox in and of itself for the purposes of the game. Tera Pokémon ex however still count as rulebox Pokémon cards by virtue of also being a Pokémon ex and having the Pokémon ex rulebox. Ruler of the Black Flame introduced Tera Pokémon ex that have a different typing than their species would suggest. These Tera Pokémon ex gain new Weaknesses and Resistances according to their new typing, but still use the same energy type as their species would suggest. Tera Pokémon ex can be identified by the
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Pokémon ToolConstituting the biggest gameplay change in the Scarlet & Violet Era, Scarlet ex and Violet ex introduce Pokémon Tool cards as a distinct class of trainer card, their introduction has resulted in an errata being issued to all Pokémon tool cards printed prior to the Scarlet & Violet Era affirming that they are no longer to be considered item cards for the purposes of competitive play. This change has certain gameplay implications since as an example, a Pokémon Tool card can no longer be retrieved if discarded by PokéStop's effect. Pokémon Tool cards can be distinguished by the purple "Pokémon Tool" classification printed on the top right of the card, and the Purple Pokémon tool rulebox printed on the bottom left of the Trainer card.
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Releases
The following tables depict which set releases have been released in the 6 Asian markets that follow the Scarlet & Violet Era of Pokémon Trading Card Game releases.
SV Series releases
These releases were all initially released in the Japanese market by The Pokémon Company. They all have release numbers that start with the prefix "SV".
| Release Type | Release Name | Set Symbol | Set Code | The Pokémon Company | Pokémon Shanghai | Pokémon Korea | |||
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| Japanese | Traditional Chinese | Indonesian | Thai | Simplified Chinese | Korean | ||||
| Promotional Cards | SV-P Promotional cards | 
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SV-P | List | List | List | List | ✘ | List |
| Main Series Expansion | Scarlet ex Violet ex |
 
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SV1S SV1V |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Snow Hazard Clay Burst |
 
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SV2P SV2D |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Ruler of the Black Flame | 
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SV3 | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Black Shine | File:SetSymbolBlack Shine.png | SV3s | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | |
| Ancient Roar Future Flash |
 
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SV4K SV4M |
✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | |
| Subset Expansion | Triplet Beat | 
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SV1a | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Pokémon Card 151 | 
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SV2a | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Raging Surf | 
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SV3a | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | |
| Minor Release | ex Starter Set Sprigatito & Lucario ex ex Starter Set Fuecoco & Ampharos ex ex Starter Set Quaxly & Mimikyu ex |
  
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SVAM SVAL SVAW |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Premium Trainer Box ex | 
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SVB | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| ex Starter Set Pikachu ex & Pawmot | 
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SVC | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| ex Start Decks | 
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SVD | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| ex Compact Deck | 
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SVDs | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | |
| Terastal Starter Set Mewtwo ex Terastal Starter Set Skeledirge ex |
 
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SVEM SVEL |
✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | |
| Ruler of the Black Flame Deck Build Box | 
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SVF | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Venusaur & Charizard & Blastoise Special Deck Set ex | 
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SVG | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | |
| Promotional Set | ex Special Set | 
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SVP1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Other Releases | 2023 Pokémon World Championships Yokohama Deck: Pikachu | 
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WCS23 | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Merchandise
- Main article: Scarlet & Violet TCG Era merchandise
Merchandise released during the Scarlet & Violet Era varied wildly between different markets, as the different companies distributing the TCG released vastly different products and accessories. Broadly speaking, In Japan, the Pokémon Center stores continued their longstanding tradition of releasing a set of Picture frames, deck boxes, card sleeves, playmats and other accessories on a near-monthly basis largely timing in with every main expansion and subset release. These releases are broadly carried over to the Taiwan and Hong Kong markets. Merchandise releases in other markets where TPC has distribution authority have been more limited.
In Korea, Pokémon Korea typically releases the same deck boxes and sleeves as are available in Japan, in addition to occasionally releasing their own merchandise not available in other markets. Trainer boxes are released more sporadically.
Gallery
Logos
Japanese Series logo
Traditional Chinese Series logo
Indonesian Series logo
Thai Series logo
Korean Series logo
In other languages
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Resources
- Japanese Trainers site
- Taiwanese Trainers site
- Indonesian Trainers site
- Thai Trainers site
- Simplified Chinese Trainers site
- Korean Trainers site
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This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. |