Pokémon Sword & Shield Ends | A Look Back at a Grand Era

One of the biggest American influencers, named Logan Paul discovered the Pokemon TCG as a hobby for himself during COVID-19 and shared it with his numerous fans worldwide.

This led, among other things, to the fact that here in Germany, for example, through the YouTuber "Trymacs" a downright Pokemon Hype broke loose and numerous products either completely sold out or overpriced were.

The focus at the time was on the latest sets: Darkness Ablaze, Champion's Path, and Vivid Voltage. In Darkness Ablaze, the Charizard VMAX the Chase card; in Champions Path, there were 2 more Charizard cards. One was a Shiny Charizard V as well as a Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAXIn Farbenschock, it was once again the incredible Rainbow Rare Pikachu. "Trymacs," for example, invested over approx. 12.000€ in Vivid Voltage, only to pull the Pikachu card himself (according to his own statements).

Vivid Voltage, Champion's Path & Darkness Ablaze are currently available at great prices in the shop; for Vivid Voltage, feel free to just click here, for Path of the Champion here and for Darkness Ablaze simply here.

Am 01.03.2021 arrived a "Special Set" of the Sword & Shield era onto the market. Shining Fates bot immensely many iridescent Pokemon cards in its own subset. The hype was still present, so this set was initially hardly available and, when it was, often very overpriced. Due to this and the beginning of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the peak of the Pokémon hype gradually flattened out, and prices increasingly stabilized.

The absolute highlight, besides all the shiny Pokémon, was definitely a Shiny Charizard VMAX.

The next set Fighting styles marked the final decline of the absolute Pokemon hype, but delivered the very first alternative artwork cards, which looked incredible and therefore still leave a positive impression of the set.

Battle Styles are currently available at a great price in the shop; feel free to just click here.

After Fighting styles the set was initially released Chilling Reign, this set also stood out with great alternative artwork cards. However, it was completely overshadowed by its successor. Evolving Skies delivered everything a collector's heart desires. There was numerous alternative artwork cards. Here, however, featuring many fan favorites, such as all the evolutions of Eevee. Other Pokémon, like the legendary dragon Rayquaza or the popular Pokémon Dragonite, also received alternate artwork cards.

In total, this set had an incredible amount to offer and remains, unlike its predecessor Chilling Reign, unforgettable to this day.

With the incredible Evolving Skies set, another Pokemon Hype up and through the upcoming Pokemon anniversary and the associated Celebrations Anniversary Set this was then further reinforced.

Am 08.10.2021 the time had finally come. Celebrations appeared and caused worldwide again for sold-out department stores and excessive prices. The set stood out primarily because it many iconic cards from 25 years of Pokemon and re-released them. Included, of course, were absolute fan favorites like Charizard, Pikachu, or Mewtwo.

The year 2021 ended with a set that was certainly good, but performed rather moderately due to the sheer flood of new sets Fusion Strike. It also included alternative artwork cards, such as Gengar or Espeon. However, due to Celebrations and the like, it unfortunately got a bit lost in the shuffle.

The year 2022, however, started off incredibly strong again. The set Radiant Stars was released, and it essentially featured Charizard as the mascot. The Pokémon received numerous cards there, but other highly popular Pokémon, such as Arceus or Umbreon, also received incredible cards.

With the set, so-called Trainer Gallery Cards introduced, which allowed the set to perform even more strongly.

Both sets are currently available at a great price in the shop. For Fusion Strike, simply click here and for Radiant Stars simply here.

Astral Radiance was released after Brilliant Stars and stood in the shadow of that very set for a long time. Nevertheless, it is an incredibly beautiful & successful set from the Sword & Shield era, as it Radiant Pokémon cards for the first time introduced and also via numerous, beautiful alternative artwork cards has.

Astral Radiance is currently available at a great price in the shop; feel free to just click here here.

Pokemon GO was a worldwide phenomenon, and so finally, in early July 2022, in collaboration with the developer of the mobile game Niantic, the first Pokemon GO special set released.

This was intended to introduce active Pokemon GO players to the Pokemon TCG and bring active collectors closer to the mobile game.

The set featured, among other things, special 3D artworks and introduced more Radiant Pokemon cards, such as the Radiant Charizard. In the Focus but the legendary Pokemon was there Mewtwo, so very similar to the mobile game as well.

Pokemon GO is currently available at a great price in the shop; feel free to just click here.

Lost Origin & Silver Tempest ...were released sequentially in 2022 and each features 1 specific Pokemon as its theme.

In the Lost Origin set works es primarily for the legendary Pokemon Giratina from the fourth generation. It is represented by a V, VSTAR, Gold, Rainbow Rare, as well as an incredible Alternate Art card. In addition to Giratina, the set also includes other fan favorites, such as Mew & Pikachu, which have their own special Trainer Gallery cards, among others.

In the set Silver Tempest once again, the legendary Pokemon stands Lugia in the foreground. It is featured here just as frequently as the Giratina in its set. Additionally, this set includes the first card of the trainer Serena, as well as other great cards, such as alternate artwork cards of Unown or Regidrago.

Both sets are truly incredible and offer something for every collector.

Lost Origin is currently available at a great price in the shop; feel free to click here here.

As of 20.01.2023 is being Crown Zenith officially the End of the Sword & Shield Era usher in, as it will be the last set of this era.

It will be over 160 great cards include, including a wonderful new Galar Gallery, new card types as well as exclusive gold cards. However, if you are interested in the set in detail, feel free to click here.

That much can be said: This set ends the Sword & Shield era with a bang.

As you have surely discovered by now, the Sword & Shield era had a lot to offer. From V and VMAX Pokémon cards to magnificent alternate artwork cards, there was plenty to truly enjoy. We will remember the Sword & Shield era more than fondly, that much is definitely certain.