Pokémon TCG · Series Guide
The Sword & Shield Series
Every Pokémon TCG set in the Sword & Shield series, from Sword & Shield to Crown Zenith: Pokémon V, VMAX and VSTAR, regulation marks, Trainer Galleries, and a guide to every set.
The sets in the series
Sword & Shield ran from February 7, 2020 to January 20, 2023: seventeen English sets, twelve main expansions and five special sets, holding 3,026 cards before their companion lists. Every one has a full guide.
| Set | Code | Type | Released | Cards | Complete set as singles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sword & Shield | SSH | Main expansion | February 7, 2020 | 216 (202 + 14) | $526.51 on Oct 22 |
| Rebel Clash | RCL | Main expansion | May 1, 2020 | 209 (192 + 17) | $502.76 on Oct 22 |
| Darkness Ablaze | DAA | Main expansion | August 14, 2020 | 201 (189 + 12) | $241.82 on Oct 22 |
| Champion's Path | CPA | Special set | September 25, 2020 | 80 (73 + 7) | $535.38 on Oct 22 |
| Vivid Voltage | VIV | Main expansion | November 13, 2020 | 203 (185 + 18) | $508.33 on Oct 22 |
| Shining Fates | SHF | Special set | February 19, 2021 | 73 (72 + 1) + 122 Shiny Vault | $698.16 on Oct 22 |
| Battle Styles | BST | Main expansion | March 19, 2021 | 183 (163 + 20) | $788.51 on Oct 22 |
| Chilling Reign | CRE | Main expansion | June 18, 2021 | 233 (198 + 35) | $2,001.93 on Oct 22 |
| Evolving Skies | EVS | Main expansion | August 27, 2021 | 237 (203 + 34) | $8,037.18 on Oct 22 |
| Celebrations | CEL | Special set | October 8, 2021 | 25 + 25 Classic Collection | $525.75 on Oct 22 |
| Fusion Strike | FST | Main expansion | November 12, 2021 | 284 (264 + 20) | $2,230.35 on Oct 22 |
| Brilliant Stars | BRS | Main expansion | February 25, 2022 | 186 (172 + 14) + 30 Trainer Gallery | $1,392.11 on Oct 22 |
| Astral Radiance | ASR | Main expansion | May 27, 2022 | 216 (189 + 27) + 30 Trainer Gallery | $1,271.75 on Oct 22 |
| Pokémon GO | PGO | Special set | July 1, 2022 | 88 (78 + 10) | $354.35 on Oct 22 |
| Lost Origin | LOR | Main expansion | September 9, 2022 | 217 (196 + 21) + 30 Trainer Gallery | $1,920.28 on Oct 22 |
| Silver Tempest | SIT | Main expansion | November 11, 2022 | 215 (195 + 20) + 30 Trainer Gallery | $1,374.25 on Oct 22 |
| Crown Zenith | CRZ | Special set | January 20, 2023 | 160 (159 + 1) + 70 Galarian Gallery | $2,488.80 on Oct 1 |
The Cards column gives the numbered cards and, after the plus, the cards above the printed total. The last column is what one copy of every card cost as singles, companion list included, each at its cheapest variant and TCGplayer market price, on the date beside it. It shows how much value a set packs in, not what opening it returns.
What Sword & Shield changed
Sword & Shield replaced Pokémon-GX with Pokémon V, Basic Pokémon worth two Prize cards, and Pokémon VMAX, which evolve from them and are worth three. Brilliant Stars added Pokémon VSTAR, which evolve from a Pokémon V, are worth two Prize cards and carry a VSTAR Power you can use once a game. It was also the first series with regulation marks, the letter at the bottom left of each card that decides Standard legality: D, E and F.
Along the way it added Amazing Rares (Vivid Voltage), Single Strike and Rapid Strike (Battle Styles), Fusion Strike, Radiant Pokémon (Astral Radiance) and the Lost Zone of Lost Origin. From Chilling Reign on, alternate full arts became the cards collectors chase, and from Brilliant Stars each main set came with a 30-card Trainer Gallery. Crown Zenith closed the series with its Galarian Gallery.
Each set's face card
One headline Pokémon from each set's guide.
Zacian V
Sword & Shield #138
Sword & Shield
Dragapult VMAX
Rebel Clash #93
Rebel Clash
Charizard VMAX
Darkness Ablaze #20
Darkness Ablaze
Gardevoir VMAX
Champion's Path #17
Champion's Path
Pikachu VMAX
Vivid Voltage #44
Vivid Voltage
Crobat VMAX
Shining Fates #45
Shining Fates
Single Strike Urshifu VMAX
Battle Styles #86
Battle Styles
Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX
Chilling Reign #75
Chilling Reign
Umbreon VMAX
Evolving Skies #95
Evolving Skies
Flying Pikachu VMAX
Celebrations #7
Celebrations
Mew VMAX
Fusion Strike #114
Fusion Strike
Arceus VSTAR
Brilliant Stars #123
Brilliant Stars
Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR
Astral Radiance #40
Astral Radiance
Mewtwo VSTAR
Pokémon GO #31
Pokémon GO
Giratina VSTAR
Lost Origin #131
Lost Origin
Lugia VSTAR
Silver Tempest #139
Silver Tempest
Charizard VSTAR
Crown Zenith #19
Crown Zenith
Rarities across the series
Rare Holo V, VMAX and VSTAR are where a set prints its regular rule-box Pokémon; Rare Ultra holds the full arts, alternate arts among them; and Rare Rainbow and Rare Secret the cards above the printed total.
| Set | Rare Holo V | Rare Holo VMAX | Rare Holo VSTAR | Rare Ultra | Rare Rainbow | Rare Secret |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sword & Shield | 17 | 4 | 0 | 16 | 8 | 6 |
| Rebel Clash | 16 | 7 | 0 | 18 | 11 | 6 |
| Darkness Ablaze | 14 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 5 |
| Champion's Path | 11 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Vivid Voltage | 11 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 12 | 6 |
| Shining Fates | 8 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Battle Styles | 12 | 6 | 0 | 22 | 14 | 6 |
| Chilling Reign | 15 | 8 | 0 | 39 | 23 | 12 |
| Evolving Skies | 18 | 15 | 0 | 38 | 22 | 12 |
| Celebrations | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fusion Strike | 19 | 8 | 0 | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| Brilliant Stars | 20 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 8 | 6 |
| Astral Radiance | 19 | 2 | 7 | 30 | 18 | 9 |
| Pokémon GO | 6 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 3 |
| Lost Origin | 12 | 1 | 6 | 25 | 15 | 6 |
| Silver Tempest | 15 | 1 | 6 | 26 | 14 | 6 |
| Crown Zenith | 17 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 1 |
Pokémon VSTAR appear from Brilliant Stars on. Chilling Reign and Evolving Skies have the most cards above the printed total, 35 and 34. Counts come from the Pokémon catalog and leave out companion lists.
The chase card in each set
Every set has one card its collectors open packs for. In Sword & Shield it is usually an alternate full art, filed as Rare Ultra or Rare Rainbow, or a card in a companion list. Across the series, Evolving Skies' Umbreon VMAX was the most valuable card the guides list, at $2,324.50 on Oct 22.
| Set | Chase card | Rarity | Market price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sword & Shield | Snorlax VMAX | Rare Rainbow | $107.02 on Oct 22 |
| Rebel Clash | Boss's Orders | Rare Ultra | $53.40 on Oct 22 |
| Darkness Ablaze | Charizard VMAX | Rare Holo VMAX | $38.59 on Oct 22 |
| Champion's Path | Charizard V | Rare Secret | $256.30 on Oct 22 |
| Vivid Voltage | Pikachu VMAX | Rare Rainbow | $168.93 on Oct 22 |
| Shining Fates | Charizard VMAX | Shiny Vault, Rare Holo VMAX | $111.75 on Oct 22 |
| Battle Styles | Tyranitar V | Rare Ultra | $233.09 on Oct 22 |
| Chilling Reign | Blaziken VMAX | Rare Rainbow | $382.23 on Oct 22 |
| Evolving Skies | Umbreon VMAX | Rare Rainbow | $2,324.50 on Oct 22 |
| Celebrations | Charizard | Classic Collection | $141.35 on Oct 22 |
| Fusion Strike | Gengar VMAX | Rare Rainbow | $1,027.32 on Oct 22 |
| Brilliant Stars | Charizard V | Rare Ultra | $271.54 on Oct 22 |
| Astral Radiance | Machamp V | Rare Ultra | $191.87 on Oct 22 |
| Pokémon GO | Mewtwo V | Rare Ultra | $53.70 on Oct 22 |
| Lost Origin | Giratina V | Rare Ultra | $855.69 on Oct 22 |
| Silver Tempest | Lugia V | Rare Ultra | $477.26 on Oct 22 |
| Crown Zenith | Giratina VSTAR | Galarian Gallery, Rare Secret | $296.38 on Oct 1 |
Prices are TCGplayer market prices and move daily, so each carries its date. Each set guide has the chase card's other versions and the rest of its chase list. How much are my Pokémon cards worth? →
The set guides
Sword & Shield (February 7, 2020). The first Sword & Shield set. It replaced Pokémon-GX with Pokémon V and VMAX, printed the first regulation marks, and its rainbow Snorlax VMAX is its most valuable card.
Rebel Clash (May 1, 2020). The second Sword & Shield set, with the Galar starters' VMAX forms and Dragapult VMAX. Its most valuable card is a Trainer: the full-art Boss's Orders.
Darkness Ablaze (August 14, 2020). The set that introduced Charizard VMAX and Eternatus VMAX. Its regular Charizard VMAX is its most valuable card, and the whole set costs less than any other Sword & Shield main expansion.
Champion's Path (September 25, 2020). A special set of Galar Pokémon and Supporters, with Gym Leaders like Kabu, Milo and Piers among its Trainers. Nearly all its value is in two cards, the secret-rare Charizard V and the rainbow Charizard VMAX.
Vivid Voltage (November 13, 2020). The set that introduced Amazing Rares, with art that breaks out of the frame, and Pikachu VMAX. The rainbow Pikachu VMAX is its most valuable card by a wide margin.
Shining Fates (February 19, 2021). A special set whose value is almost all in its 122-card Shiny Vault: 104 shiny Pokémon and shiny Pokémon V and VMAX, led by the shiny Charizard VMAX.
Battle Styles (March 19, 2021). The set that split many cards into Single Strike and Rapid Strike, around the two Urshifu VMAX. Its most valuable card is the alternate full-art Tyranitar V.
Chilling Reign (June 18, 2021). The set of Ice Rider and Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX and the Galarian legendary birds. Alternate full arts lead its value, the rainbow Blaziken VMAX (201) first.
Evolving Skies (August 27, 2021). The set of the Eeveelutions and the dragons, with every Eevee evolution as a Pokémon V and VMAX. Its alternate-art Umbreon VMAX (215) is the most valuable card in any Sword & Shield guide.
Celebrations (October 8, 2021). The Pokémon TCG's 25th-anniversary set: 25 new cards of legendary Pokémon and Pikachu, and beside them a Classic Collection of 25 famous cards reprinted. The reprinted Base Set Charizard leads its value.
Fusion Strike (November 12, 2021). The largest Sword & Shield set, 284 cards, built around the new Fusion Strike style and Mew VMAX. Its alternate-art Gengar VMAX is worth three times the next card.
Brilliant Stars (February 25, 2022). The set that introduced Pokémon VSTAR and the Trainer Gallery, with Charizard VSTAR and Arceus VSTAR. Its alternate full-art Charizard V is its most valuable card by a wide margin.
Astral Radiance (May 27, 2022). A set of Hisuian Pokémon from Pokémon Legends: Arceus, with Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR, the first Radiant Pokémon and a Trainer Gallery. The alternate full-art Machamp V leads its value.
Pokémon GO (July 1, 2022). An 88-card special set built on Pokémon GO, with Mewtwo VSTAR, Dragonite VSTAR, Radiant Charizard and the team leaders Blanche, Candela and Spark. Its prices are close together, the full-art Mewtwo V first.
Lost Origin (September 9, 2022). The set built around the Lost Zone, with Giratina VSTAR, Colress's Experiment and a Trainer Gallery. Its alternate full-art Giratina V is worth four times the next card.
Silver Tempest (November 11, 2022). The last main expansion of Sword & Shield, with Lugia VSTAR, Regidrago VSTAR, Unown VSTAR and a Trainer Gallery. The alternate full-art Lugia V is its most valuable card.
Crown Zenith (January 20, 2023). The last Sword & Shield set. Its 160-card main set is modest; the value is in the 70-card Galarian Gallery beside it, where Giratina VSTAR, Mewtwo VSTAR and Arceus VSTAR sit.
Sword & Shield in Standard and Expanded
No Sword & Shield card is Standard-legal as printed, apart from basic Energy: the series' cards carry the D, E and F regulation marks, and Standard has allowed only H, I and J since April 10, 2026. A card reprinted later with a legal mark is legal by name, so check a card's name before you rule it out. Every set is legal in Expanded, apart from three cards on the Expanded banned list: Flapple, Scoop Up Net and Medicham V. Each guide names its own. Banned and legal Pokémon cards →
Before and after
Sun & Moon came before Sword & Shield, with Pokémon-GX, Prism Star cards and TAG TEAMs.The Sun & Moon series →
Scarlet & Violet followed in March 2023, bringing back the Pokémon ex and the Illustration Rare.The Scarlet & Violet series →
Frequently Asked Questions
What sets are in the Pokémon TCG Sword & Shield series?
17 English sets: Sword & Shield (February 7, 2020), Rebel Clash (May 1, 2020), Darkness Ablaze (August 14, 2020), Champion's Path (September 25, 2020), Vivid Voltage (November 13, 2020), Shining Fates (February 19, 2021), Battle Styles (March 19, 2021), Chilling Reign (June 18, 2021), Evolving Skies (August 27, 2021), Celebrations (October 8, 2021), Fusion Strike (November 12, 2021), Brilliant Stars (February 25, 2022), Astral Radiance (May 27, 2022), Pokémon GO (July 1, 2022), Lost Origin (September 9, 2022), Silver Tempest (November 11, 2022) and Crown Zenith (January 20, 2023). That leaves out the Black Star Promos.
When did the Sword & Shield series start and end?
It started with the Sword & Shield set on February 7, 2020 and ended with Crown Zenith on January 20, 2023. The Scarlet & Violet series followed in March 2023.
Which Sword & Shield set is the biggest?
Fusion Strike, with 284 cards. Celebrations is the smallest at 25.
What is the most valuable card in the Sword & Shield series?
Among the chase cards the set guides list, the Rare Rainbow Umbreon VMAX from Evolving Skies, at $2,324.50 on October 22, 2026. The Rare Rainbow Rayquaza VMAX from Evolving Skies was next at $1,267.32. Prices move daily.
Are Sword & Shield cards legal in Standard?
No, apart from basic Energy. Sword & Shield cards carry the D, E and F regulation marks, and Standard has allowed only H, I and J since April 10, 2026. A card reprinted later with a legal mark is legal by name. The whole series is legal in Expanded except for the cards on the Expanded banned list: Flapple, Scoop Up Net and Medicham V.
Track the whole series.
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