Rebel Clash Coalossal has the stronger ability since it can accelerate two energy (albeit only one Fighting, the other needs to be Fire) and it does so from the discard which is arguably more useful.
That said, I think Evolving Skies Galarian Zapdos with Energy Switch is better still. Energy Switch combos can be a little janky but I think they’re very underrated; much faster than relying on a Stage 2.
Strč prst skrz krk
This artwork is absolutely stunning. 10/10
Blamo
This and the other Unown V are erroneously counted as Pokemon V.
IMO Dark Explorers had the best end-of-set rares of the B/W era. Absolutely jam-packed with awesome Pokémon. And in this era, before rainbow cards, full arts were the TRUE chase cards for 2-prizers.
You’d think so, but you can’t! From the Pokemon.com page on V-UNION mechanics: “all four parts of a specific Pokémon V-UNION in your deck must be part of the same full illustration.”
Oh right, forgot about Morpeko! Which brings another V-Union oddity to the table: whenever they get an alternate art (like Morpeko has), you can theoretically mix and match the artwork of the four component cards into some dadaist nonsense.
I hope Morpeko V-Union won’t be the last one… 🫤🫤🫠🫠🫣🫣
Twylis
I find it very funny that, ability-lock notwithstanding, this Cherubi is completely immune to Shining Fates Yveltal‘s insta-KO. Monstrous legendary death bird can’t handle a tine beby cherrie.
Twylis
V-Unions are so strange. Like, they’re introduced as this fancy new mechanic, with three popular flagship pokemon to start it off shortly followed by Pikachu, but then they just……stop.
Thematically, too, they’re very weird; they’re basically giant cards introduced during a generation that features giant pokemon and yet the cards don’t actually feature said giant pokemon? V-Unions would’ve been a perfect way to incorporate Dynamaxes into the game in a way that feels very physically appropriate.
Amazing Rares are similarly strange. Around for one regular set and one special set and then poof, nothing. Why do they keep introducing these new concepts if they’re not gonna keep them around for at least a single block?
An Unown V-Union would’ve been rad :(
Strč prst skrz krk
Use it with CEL Xerneas and SHF Yveltal. Piers helps you find the Twin Energy to attach to Yveltal, and then another Yveltal to set up next turn.
I think the best option would actually be Volcarona V, since it wants like a third of the entire deck discarded repeatedly and there’s not a lot of critical cards to accidentally discard besides Volcarona itself (which you only need three of, max). I originally dismissed this ability as irredeemably terrible (a stage 2 with a single-use ability that isn’t even guaranteed to work???), but there is actually quite a bit of synergy to be had.
If you go first, use this on SHF Koffing on turn 1 to lock your opponent out of Abilities on their set-up turn! A great way to shut out Crobat V and Genesect V.
The Vileplume line that was released in Japan has been cut from Astral Radiance, along with the Poliwag lines. We should get them in SWSH11 sometime this summer.
Twylis
It’s a very cool concept, but attacks like this usually just don’t work in practice. They’re too easy to work around; just need to retreat or switch. And even if it *did* work, you’re still only doing 2HKOs at best. Zeraora V‘s bench damage does help counteract that, but something with an effect guaranteed to actually work — such as Blaziken VMAX‘s Max Blaze, or even just Sobble‘s Keep Calling — is going to help it significantly more.
I do wish this card also prevented retreating or something, just to make it a little more viable. The art is gorgeous and I love Weavile in general.
Strč prst skrz krk
This card was printed with both the 25th anniversary stamp and without it
Twylis
I wish blue ability text on Fire-types was still a thing. More readable and just has a visually pleasant contrast. They briefly brought it back in Evolutions
Combos with this card, EVS Zoroark, and BRS Bibarel can be added into any deck at all. They work especially well in decks that use Stage 1 attackers, such as BRS Lucario!
PoPcorn
Super duhový trenér oblíbených Pokémonů
Jack
Use this card if you want to Forest Dump all over the competition.
Strč prst skrz krk
I’m so glad they brought Abyssal Hand Octillery back as a colorless type that can fit into any deck! Given the amount of love for Bidoof out there, I don’t think it’s any coincidence that they finally gave Bibarel a competitive card!!
The tragedy with Gulpin is that its green color used to match when poison was Grass-type, and Swalot matched when it was Psychic-type… now neither matches :(
Comments
Illiterature
To hell with your spread damage!
Twylis
Rebel Clash Coalossal has the stronger ability since it can accelerate two energy (albeit only one Fighting, the other needs to be Fire) and it does so from the discard which is arguably more useful.
That said, I think Evolving Skies Galarian Zapdos with Energy Switch is better still. Energy Switch combos can be a little janky but I think they’re very underrated; much faster than relying on a Stage 2.
Strč prst skrz krk
This artwork is absolutely stunning. 10/10
Blamo
This and the other Unown V are erroneously counted as Pokemon V.
Nos
A much weaker, but far cooler version of Hypnotoxic Laser.
Georgette
So sad!
Strč prst skrz krk
Very fun in Expanded with Hypnotoxic Laser.
Twylis
It’s not often a Pokémon gets depicted with saliva. Not even Lickilicky has had that honor yet (though Lickitung has).
Strč prst skrz krk
This same move came back with BST Orbeetle
Strč prst skrz krk
IMO Dark Explorers had the best end-of-set rares of the B/W era. Absolutely jam-packed with awesome Pokémon. And in this era, before rainbow cards, full arts were the TRUE chase cards for 2-prizers.
Strč prst skrz krk
First ghost-type Sableye since Lost Thunder
Strč prst skrz krk
This card marked the first time that Kyogre
appeared in a set that Groudon did NOT appear in.
https://pkmncards.com/pokemon/kyogre/
https://pkmncards.com/pokemon/groudon/
Henry VIII
Groudon will tromp all over you.
Strč prst skrz krk
It’s based on a djinn (genie), from Arabian mythology.
Think a big, bad, scary form of Genie from Aladdin.
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Hoopa_(Pok%C3%A9mon)#Origin
Strč prst skrz krk
Pupitar lives on inside…
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pupitar_(Pok%C3%A9mon)#Biology
Strč prst skrz krk
Very fitting that a set called “Ancient Origins” features Origin Forme Giratina!
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Giratina_(Pok%C3%A9mon)#Biology
Twylis
Oh, interesting! I think that might actually be the first ever illustration-related ruling? A good example of how messy this mechanic can get though.
Jack
You’d think so, but you can’t! From the Pokemon.com page on V-UNION mechanics: “all four parts of a specific Pokémon V-UNION in your deck must be part of the same full illustration.”
Twylis
Oh right, forgot about Morpeko! Which brings another V-Union oddity to the table: whenever they get an alternate art (like Morpeko has), you can theoretically mix and match the artwork of the four component cards into some dadaist nonsense.
Sam
Yes
Strč prst skrz krk
Excited to use supereffective glasses with this card :) Irida will be a great new supporter to find the glasses item card.
https://m.bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Irida_(Space_Juggler_64)
Strč prst skrz krk
Are Zacian and Zamazenta named after cyan and magenta?
Strč prst skrz krk
I hope Morpeko V-Union won’t be the last one… 🫤🫤🫠🫠🫣🫣
Twylis
I find it very funny that, ability-lock notwithstanding, this Cherubi is completely immune to Shining Fates Yveltal‘s insta-KO. Monstrous legendary death bird can’t handle a tine beby cherrie.
Twylis
V-Unions are so strange. Like, they’re introduced as this fancy new mechanic, with three popular flagship pokemon to start it off shortly followed by Pikachu, but then they just……stop.
Thematically, too, they’re very weird; they’re basically giant cards introduced during a generation that features giant pokemon and yet the cards don’t actually feature said giant pokemon? V-Unions would’ve been a perfect way to incorporate Dynamaxes into the game in a way that feels very physically appropriate.
Amazing Rares are similarly strange. Around for one regular set and one special set and then poof, nothing. Why do they keep introducing these new concepts if they’re not gonna keep them around for at least a single block?
An Unown V-Union would’ve been rad :(
Strč prst skrz krk
Use it with CEL Xerneas and SHF Yveltal. Piers helps you find the Twin Energy to attach to Yveltal, and then another Yveltal to set up next turn.
Twylis
I think the best option would actually be Volcarona V, since it wants like a third of the entire deck discarded repeatedly and there’s not a lot of critical cards to accidentally discard besides Volcarona itself (which you only need three of, max). I originally dismissed this ability as irredeemably terrible (a stage 2 with a single-use ability that isn’t even guaranteed to work???), but there is actually quite a bit of synergy to be had.
Strč prst skrz krk
I love this artwork. Takes me back to the 2005 ‘Golden Sky’ theme deck.
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Golden_Sky_(TCG)
Slava Ukraini
Or the Castforms from CRE aren’t a bad option either
Strč prst skrz krk
Spunky looking little guy! Cute art
Strč prst skrz krk
Also will work great with the new Gutsy Pickaxe card!
Strč prst skrz krk
This is the most recent original Hajime Kusajima illustration.
https://pkmncards.com/artist/hajime-kusajima/?sort=date&ord=auto&display=images
Strč prst skrz krk
If you go first, use this on SHF Koffing on turn 1 to lock your opponent out of Abilities on their set-up turn! A great way to shut out Crobat V and Genesect V.
Strč prst skrz krk
Right–it’s a major buff to Dark Weezing’s Mass Explosion.
https://pkmncards.com/card/dark-weezing-team-rocket-ro-31/
Strč prst skrz krk
Sorta like Defender, but for one turn only. I wonder why it wasn’t made into a Stadium card?
Twylis
This artwork is very intriguing. Whose idea was it to put the cicada zombie in charge of lava lamp supervision?
Strč prst skrz krk
The Vileplume line that was released in Japan has been cut from Astral Radiance, along with the Poliwag lines. We should get them in SWSH11 sometime this summer.
Twylis
It’s a very cool concept, but attacks like this usually just don’t work in practice. They’re too easy to work around; just need to retreat or switch. And even if it *did* work, you’re still only doing 2HKOs at best. Zeraora V‘s bench damage does help counteract that, but something with an effect guaranteed to actually work — such as Blaziken VMAX‘s Max Blaze, or even just Sobble‘s Keep Calling — is going to help it significantly more.
I do wish this card also prevented retreating or something, just to make it a little more viable. The art is gorgeous and I love Weavile in general.
Strč prst skrz krk
This card was printed with both the 25th anniversary stamp and without it
Twylis
I wish blue ability text on Fire-types was still a thing. More readable and just has a visually pleasant contrast. They briefly brought it back in Evolutions
Slava Ukraini
Other good stage 1 attackers: Astral Radiance Bisharp, FST Cloyster, and any of the three new Wormadams.
PoPcorn
Super karta.
Strč prst skrz krk
Combos with this card, EVS Zoroark, and BRS Bibarel can be added into any deck at all. They work especially well in decks that use Stage 1 attackers, such as BRS Lucario!
PoPcorn
Super duhový trenér oblíbených Pokémonů
Jack
Use this card if you want to Forest Dump all over the competition.
Strč prst skrz krk
I’m so glad they brought Abyssal Hand Octillery back as a colorless type that can fit into any deck! Given the amount of love for Bidoof out there, I don’t think it’s any coincidence that they finally gave Bibarel a competitive card!!
Strč prst skrz krk
I think it might be. I’d like to work it into my BST Coalossal deck, but I worry that having two Stage 2 lines in the deck could get messy.
Strč prst skrz krk
This and Root Fossil were the first time there were Pokemon-specific fossil cards printed.
Strč prst skrz krk
This card works in combo with Whimsicott VSTAR decks. Really a terrific ability!!
Jijoje
I thought this card was trash but know it is the bane of my existence!
Strč prst skrz krk
Could be good in a Cheryl healing deck with BST Bronzong??
Slava Ukraini
Is anyone using this card with Zeraora V?
Slava Ukraini
This would combo well with BST Kingdra.
Slava Ukraini
The tragedy with Gulpin is that its green color used to match when poison was Grass-type, and Swalot matched when it was Psychic-type… now neither matches :(
Slava Ukraini
Not to mention BST Weepinbell and RCL Garbodor.
Slava Ukraini
Fun card in Rough Seas decks in Expanded
Slava Ukraini
This guy with a bunch of Heat {R} Energy attached is a mean, bulky wall. Steam Crush is a brutal move!!
Slava Ukraini
I wish this card would also let you shuffle Item cards back into your deck, but perhaps that would be too busted…
Slava Ukraini
Can get up to some stalling mischief with this card and the new Vileplume
https://m.bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Vileplume_(Battle_Region_3)
Slava Ukraini
Is this card the best acceleration option for {F} decks in the meta rn?