Silver Tempest Set Review

With Pokemon Scarlet and Violet right around the corner to introduce us to a whole new generation of Pokemon in the Paldea region, the Pokemon TCG has time for one last hurrah for its outgoing Sword & Shield era. Sword & Shield: Silver Tempest is the final major expansion before the new era kicks off, and it’s full of whoppers ready for you to collect to send Galar out with a bang.

With only one expansion left in this era, Silver Tempest isn’t making any big changes to the game in the same way Brilliant Stars, Astral Radiance, or Lost Origin did. Instead, it’s more about celebrating the best things about Sword & Shield, with plenty of V, VMAX, VSTAR, and Radiant cards all making an appearance.

There is one slight tweak, though, and that’s with the introduction of VSTAR powers on certain Trainer cards. These fossils have the interesting ability of granting the V Pokemon they’re attached to with a VSTAR power. As usual, you can only use one VSTAR Power per game, but the thought of putting one of these onto your VMAX Pokemon and having the best of both worlds is irresistible.

Of course, for collectors, there is so much to find in Silver Tempest. Legends and history appear to be a big running theme throughout the expansion, with many of the Pokemon having some connection to the past. For example, you can find the literal fossil Pokemon here, like Anorith and Archeops, or ones with more lore-centric ties, such as Relicanth, Milotic, Unown, Claydol, and Sigilyph.

That being said, the headliner is easily Lugia V and Lugia VSTAR, which are available in numerous different art styles – including a special alt-art Lugia V that features a cameo from Pokemon Go’s own Professor Willow. Meanwhile, Lugia VSTAR can be found in both rainbow rare and golden rare styles, putting an extra level of grandeur on one of Pokemon’s most awesome-looking creatures.

Lugia isn’t the only incredible card here though. Standouts include the other VSTAR cards, Serperior VSTAR, Alolan Vulpix VSTAR, Unown VSTAR, and Mawile VSTAR – if we don’t see much of VSTAR going into the Scarlet & Violet era, Silver Tempest sure did give us a great last set of them here. Radiant Pokemon are also back for Silver Tempest, although there aren’t as many here as there were in Astral Radiance or Lost Origin. If you’re lucky, you could pull a Radiant Jirachi, Radiant Alakazam, or Radiant Tsareena

While ever Pokemon expansion is crammed full of gorgeous secret rares, Silver Tempest tucked some of its winners into the regular cards too. Ho-oh V’s vivid, fiery art is gorgeous, while Alolan Vulpix V showcases an eerie, dreamlike scene, and Omastar V really channeling the creepy prehistoric nightmare we always knew it was. It’s nice to see some visually stunning cards you’d hope to pull just spread into the normal cards every once in a while!

One of the best things the Pokemon TCG introduced this year is the Trainer Gallery, a subset of cards that showcase Pokemon alongside iconic trainers in stunning full-art styles. Silver Tempest certainly delivered, with the likes of Xerosic and his Malamar, Bede and his Mawile, Rayhan and Daruladon VMAX, and May with Blaziken VMAX all bringing something truly special to the expansion. My personal favourite is Smeargle, who is painting up a masterpiece with his Artist trainer.

You’ll be able to buy Silver Tempest in all sorts of ways. Alongside buying a loose booster pack, you could get the Booster Box, which includes 36 boosters, or the Elite Trainer Box, which bundles eight packs with special dice, sleeves, and a lovely Alolan Vulpix-themed storage box.

Meanwhile, the Build & Battle Stadium has everything you need for you and a friend to play. The Stadium includes two Build & Battle Boxes that contain four booster packs, 23 extra cards, and a promo foil, giving you more than enough to make two Silver Tempest-themed decks to do battle with.

It wouldn’t be Pokemon without Checklane boosters, which bundle up booster packs with coins and cards to ensure you get your favourites right from the start. Silver Tempest’s include the three-pack Togetic and Manaphy packs, and the one-pack Gallade, Magnezone, Cranidos, and Hisuian Basculin. Finally, there’s the Mini Album Portfolio, which features one booster pack and a mini binder to keep your most valuable cards safe and sound in.

Silver Tempest brings one of the Pokemon TCG’s most exciting, and longest, eras to an end in style. With big pulls, gorgeous art, and everything that’s made the last year of the game so special all wrapped up into one expansion, this is one release you won’t want to miss. Make sure you’ve preordered your booster packs and singles through Magic Madhouse today!