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Jun 27, 2023

Art of the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Obsidian Flames Expansion

25 August 2023 Now that the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Obsidian Flames, has arrived, it’s time to dive in and explore some of the amazing artwork adorning the cards.

25 August 2023

Now that the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Obsidian Flames, has arrived, it’s time to dive in and explore some of the amazing artwork adorning the cards. We’ve got an artist spotlight, a look at the all-new type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex, and more!

It’s always fun to see an artist illustrate multiple Pokémon from within a single evolutionary chain, and even though Lunatone and Solrock aren’t technically related, these two Meteorite Pokémon definitely feel like two sides of the same celestial coin. Artist Tetsu Kayama uses multiple techniques on these two cards to give them a distinctive feel that lets you know these Pokémon are counterparts, even if they do seem as different as night and day. The backgrounds are filled with foliage drawn with relatively simple lines, and the Solrock cards makes use of crosshatching to add texture to the distant mountains and clouds. In both pieces, the skies and the Pokémon are shaded in a style that recalls the pointillism of Georges Seurat. Both cards also make use of cooler colors, lending a somber mood to these scenes.

We’ve seen Tera Pokémon ex in the Pokémon TCG already, but the Scarlet & Violet—Obsidian Flames expansion introduces a new variety of these powerful cards—type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex. As the name suggests, these are Tera Pokémon ex that are a different type than what is typically associated with that Pokémon. Take Tyranitar ex, for example. This fearsome Pokémon usually appears in the Pokémon TCG as a Darkness type, but as a type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex, it charges into battle as a Lightning type. Like its fellow type-shifted Pokémon in this expansion, such as Eiscue ex, Vespiquen ex, and Charizard ex, Tyranitar ex’s card stands out thanks to the Pokémon’s brilliant crystalline appearance and the way the Pokémon bursts out of its frame toward the viewer. Combine their fierce poses with a barrage of crystal shards flying outward, and you know these Pokémon mean business. Type-shifted Tera business!

We all know that Pokémon enjoy a good battle, but sometimes they might want to just relax and go about their business in peace. At times like that, being able to blend into one’s surroundings can come in handy. Whether it’s intentional or not, we noticed a few Pokémon in this expansion that appear to be camouflaged. Take little Bounsweet here. Sitting among a pile of berries, this precious Pokémon would be undetectable if not for its cheerful smile. When reaching for a cup of tea on this table, take extra care not to accidentally pick up Sinistea by mistake. You’d hate for it to turn its Cold Tea attack on you. If you see a group of candles on display and one of them begins to move, don’t worry! It might just be a friendly Greavard looking for some companionship. Give that Ghost Dog Pokémon a cuddle, and you just might earn a friend for life.

How many routes must a Trainer walk down before they get to a Gym? The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind, and when you’re hanging out in the Paldea region, you can tell the wind’s a-blowin’ by taking a glance at Artazon’s iconic windmill. Both Foongus and Numel have wandered into this charming town to admire the impressive structure and a colorful array of flowers—and is that a Sunflora hiding behind Foongus? There’s also a way to gauge wind flow on Baltoy’s card. See that adorable Rowlet upon which Baltoy is balanced? That’s no Pokémon—it’s an anemometer designed to look like a Pokémon! Anemometers measure wind speed, of course, but you knew that!

It’s always a good day when you see a Pokémon that’s clearly content with the world around it. Few things warm the heart more than seeing a Pokémon overflowing with pure joy. That was our immediate reaction when we first looked at Lapras here. Through its closed eyes and wide grin, you can sense its happiness as it swims through the water. The sun reflecting off the waves is surely adding to its obvious feeling of comfort. Given that it’s sitting out in the rain, Seismitoad is probably feeling a bit chillier than Lapras. Judging by the expression on the Pokémon’s face, however, it’s just as pleased with its situation. Feeling the gentle rain on your skin while admiring a pair of delicate flowers? Yeah, that actually does seem like a good time. Then there’s Clefairy—its arms wide, basking in the warmth as it sits in a sun-dappled field. Again, its expression speaks volumes, and there is no place this Pokémon would rather be at this moment. We wouldn’t mind joining it.

These cards are just a small sample of the over 190 that can be found in the Scarlet & Violet—Obsidian Flames expansion. As you open your new booster packs, be sure to pay attention to the artwork you discover. You’re bound to find some awesome art that connects with you!