News Japan's December Sets: 'Ultra Sun' and 'Ultra Moon!'

Cherrim is one of my favourite pokemon and thats the cutest card art I've ever seen. I so wish the card wasn't trash from a gameplay perspective, she hasn't gotten a card in years. ; _ ;
 
the problem is, it says it does the extra damage only to EVOLVED pokemon. kinda meh
ignoring necrozma and prism pokemon (which have a pretty hefty energy cost) we seem to be moving more towards an evolved meta. and with mew you can hit 130 on non-evolved too. i mght make this deck for kicks
 
Love the artworks in these sets! That Yungoos is adorable, and I am SO happy to see the Rotom Formes back in action! :3

Based on these sets (and SM4+), I've made a temporary setlist for Ultra Prism, though according to an earlier news story there's supposed to be 10 GX cards in the set. With the Ultra Beast Full Arts there are 9, so I'm not sure if they count or if the remaining 4 are promos like Alolan Raticate and Palossand. Unless I counted wrong there should be 18 Trainer cards, and 3 Special Energies like previously mentioned here. Either way here's the (incomplete) setlist!

1. Exeggcute
2. Yanma
3. Yanmega
4. Roselia
5. Roserade
6. Turtwig
7. Turtwig
8. Grotle
9. Torterra
10. Cherubi
11. Cherrim
12. Carnivine
13. Leafeon GX
14. Mow Rotom
15. Shaymin
16. Dewpider
17. Araquanid
18. Magmar
19. Magmortar
20. Chimchar
21. Chimchar
22. Monferno
23. Infernape
24. Heat Rotom
25. Salandit
26. Salazzle
27. Turtonator
28. Alolan Sandshrew
29. Alolan Sandslash
30. Alolan Vulpix
31. Piplup
32. Piplup
33. Prinplup
34. Empoleon
35. Buizel
36. Floatzel
37. Snover
38. Abomasnow
39. Glaceon GX
40. Wash Rotom
41. Frost Rotom
42. Manaphy
43. Tapu Fini
44. Electabuzz
45. Electivire
46. Shinx
47. Shinx
48. Luxio
49. Luxray
50. Pachirisu
51. Rotom
52. Drifloon
53. Drifblim
54. Spiritomb
55. Skorubi
56. Drapion
57. Croagunk
58. Toxicroak
59. Giratina Prism Star
60. Cresselia
61. Cosmog
62. Lunala Prism Star
63. Dawn Wings Necrozma GX
64. Cranidos
65. Rampardos
66. Riolu
67. Lucario
68. Hippopotas
69. Hippowdon
70. Passimian
71. Murkrow
72. Honchkrow
73. Sneasel
74. Weavile
75. Stunky
76. Skuntank
77. Darkrai Prism Star
78. Alolan Diglett
79. Alolan Dugtrio
80. Magnemite
81. Magnemite
82. Magneton
83. Magnezone
84. Shieldon
85. Bastiodon
86. Bronzor
87. Bronzong
88. Heatran
89. Solgaleo Prism Star
90. Dusk Mane Necrozma GX
91. Magearna
92. Morelull
93. Shiinotic
94. Tapu Lele
95. Alolan Exeggutor
96. Gible
97. Gible
98. Gabite
99. Garchomp
100. Dialga GX
101. Palkia GX
102. Lickitung
103. Lickilicky
104. Eevee
105. Eevee
106. Buneary
107. Lopunny
108. Glameow
109. Purugly
110. Fan Rotom
111. Shaymin
112. Yungoos
113. Gumshoos
114. Oranguru
115. Type: Null
116. Drampa
117. Ancient Crystal
118. Cynthia
119. Cyrus Prism Star
120. Electric Memory
121. Escape Board
122. Fire Memory
123. Gardenia
124. Lillie
125. Looker
126. Lookers Whistle
127. Mars
128. Missing Clover
129. Mount Coronet
130. Mysterious Fossil
131. Order Pad
132. Pal Pad
133. Pokemon Fan Club
134. Volkner
135. Super Boost Energy Prism Star
136. Unit Energy GRW
137. Unit Energy LPM
140. Leafeon GX
141. Pheromosa GX
142. Glaceon GX
143. Xurkitree GX
144. Dawn Wings Necrozma GX
145. Celesteela GX
146. Dusk Mane Necrozma GX
147. Dialga GX
148. Palkia GX
149. Cynthia
150. Gardenia
151. Lana
152. Lillie
153. Looker
154. Lusamine
155. Mars
156. Pokemon Fan Club
157. Volkner
 
Some text that would fit in with current TCG lores (copy/pasted from other article with some new additions)

Spiritomb:
-1st attack: Put 2 Supporter cards from your discard pile into your hand (adapted from Vs. Seeker and any other card that adds cards from the discard pile into the hand)
-2nd attack: If the Defending Pokémon is a Basic Pokémon, it can't attack during your opponent's next turn (adapted from Fates Collide Zygarde 10%'s Aura Break)

All Rotom cards:
-Rotomotor: If there are 9 or more Pokémon Tool cards in your discard pile, ignore all Energy in the attack cost of each of this Pokémon's attacks. (adapted from Steam Siege Yanmega's Sonic Vision)

Lucario: Scud Jab > Missile Jab (same Japanese name as Furious Fists Lucario EX's Missile Jab)

Luxio: Electromagnetic Barrier > Disconnect (same attack as Manectric ex from EX Deoxys)

Luxray: Voltage Arrow > Volt Bolt (same attack as Raikou EX from Dark Explorers)

Magmar's first attack: "Discard the top card of your opponent's deck." (adapted from Guardians Rising Trubbish's Stomp Off)

Magnemite's Hard Unit: "As long as this Pokémon is on your Bench, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks (both yours and your opponent's)." (adapted from Crimson Invasion Magikarp's Submerge)

A much easier way to word Shinx's ability: "This Pokémon can evolve during your first turn or the turn you play it." (adapted from Flashfire Caterpie's Adaptive Evolution)

For future translations, you might want to refer to this: if any card effects interact with the discard pile, you don't need to add in "the search your discard pile for..." stuff, since that's redundant. It's just "put x card(s) from your discard pile into your hand" or "shuffle x card(s) from your discard pile into your deck." (see Rescue Stretcher, Vs. Seeker, etc.)

Going by current TCG lores, "any damage done is reduced by x" has been changed to "this Pokemon takes x less damage from attacks"
 
Haha, very funny WPM. I see what you did there.

If you look at the weakness of every Dragon type Pokemon in the Ultra Moon Set, it says that they're weak to dairy, and then at the bottom of Palkia GX's translation it says, "All Dragons in this set are lactose-intolerant".

Had a long day WPM?
 
Pokemon Fan Club is in the set!!!

If we ever get a sun and moon on format at some point in the future and we loose Bridgette, at least we still have Fan club. gonna keep my fan clubs in the binder for now, until next rotation happens though, since Bridgette is still better at the moment.

Fan club is also great at getting pokemon that have abilities that only work when played from the hand, so thats an added benefit.
 
In Ultra Prism, we expect 10 GXs half of them are UBs. And the cards we've seen from SM5 are
  • Dusk Mane Necrozma (UB)
  • Dawn Wings Necrozma (UB)
  • Leafeon
  • Glaceon
  • Dialga
  • Palkia
We need 1 non-UB and 3 UB GXs to expect.
  • Yanma/Yanmega - Ehh?! 1 Geodude
  • Turtwig/Grotle/Torterra - ehh?! Giga Drain Torterra was seen success... way back HS-Unleashed and that's all. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Roselia/Roserade - we've seen this Flower Tornado on Roserade on AOR Belossom. We need a good deck for it to fit. 3 Geodudes
  • Cherubi/Cherrim - Shields Fire Weakness. 3 Geodudes
  • Leafeon-GX - Good set up move for T1. 4 Geodudes
  • ALL Rotom Forms - 9+ Tool requirement is a pain, but the benefit of free attack is great. Wash is meh! Doesn't OHKO Vulpix, Ralts, etc. (2) Frost is super great. (4) Others are decent (3-4)
  • Land Shaymin - We have Brigette, if you think this will be good Rainbow Road, Rainbow Road was #GoneForGood. 2-3Geodudes
  • Magmar/Magmortar - Flame Body ability is great, but doing 160 on a one-prized Pokemon is great. Good also w/ Blacksmith on Expanded. 3-4 Geodudes
  • Chimchar/Monferno/Infernape - Doing 50-160 every turn with Burn is good, but the base damage is underpowered. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Salandit/Salazzle - Good with GRI Salazzle for easy OHKO on Fire-weak Pokémon except Promo Cool Solgaleo. 3 Geodudes
  • Turtonator - Ehh?! 2 Geodudes
  • Piplup/Prinplup/Empoleon - Max of 120with a full bench for 2 isn't enough to OHKO Big decks, except Fire Decks. 3 Geodudes
  • Alolan Sandshrew/Alolan Sandslash - which is better, A 0 energy atk that deals 30 and recoils thw opponent 60 for a non-GX, or a DCE atk that hit 20 and recoils 80 on a GX? 3 Geodudes
  • Buizel/Floatzel - Just to say the least. Perfect dmg on hitting Fire decks for Weakness, except Rainbow Bird. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Snover/Abomasnow - Just use Aqua Patch. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Glaceon-GX - It changes a LOT of GX decks, except Metal decks. It won't stay for long. 4-5 Geodudes
  • Manaphy - Let's try this one. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Shinx/Luxio/Luxray - 5 Geodudes on Disconnect Luxio, item lock is back.. But for how long? Luxray extends the firepower and capability with Pink Celebi. 3-4 Geodudes
  • Pachi - it can attach up to 5 L to a Raichu deck. 3-4 Geodudes
  • Electabuzz/Electivire - Perfect counter tl bunch of Metal Pokémon? 4 Geodudes
  • Drifloon/Drifblim - Tapu Koko counter, but still. 4-5 Geodudes
  • Croagunk/Toxicroak - Too specific but it can fit to a Fighting deck. 3,Geodudes
  • Spiritomb - Good. 4 Geodudes
  • Skorupi/Drapion - TOO MUCH EXPENSIVE!! 1 Geodudes
  • Giratina Prism - Energy accel, Good. Attack. Not good, especially no legit Energy accel for Psychic yet. Being a Prism, maybe. 3-4 Geodudes
  • Lunala Prism - at least an Energy Accel for Psychic types. 4 Geodudes
  • Cresselia - Mini-damage Change on a non-GX for a single energy. 3 Geodudes
  • Dawn Wings Necrozma GX - We only play this for the Rush In ability. 4 Geodudes
  • Cranidos/Rampardos - Take Out for FFF, Cross-Cut on F. It's like Machamp. 3 Geodudes
  • Riolu/Lucario - If you build a Cynthia's deck, this will be good. If not, ehh??! 3 Geodudes
  • Hippopotas/Hippowdon - Hippopotas is too specific for a basic 90 HP Pokémon, Hippowdon is too expensive to play, but it can add up dmg. quickly. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Passimian - Tech 2 of these in Passimian decks. 4 Geodudes
  • Murkrow/Honchkrow - Ehh? A bit. 2 Geodudes
  • Sneasel/Weavile - Destroys ability reliant decks. 4-5 Geodudes
  • Stunky/Skuntank - Cool gimmick , huh. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Darkrai Prism - Energy Accel, Good. Worse ver. of Generations Darkrai, not good. 3-4 Geodudes
  • Alolan Diglett/Dugtrio - Okay. 3 Geodudes
  • Magnemite/Magneton/Magnezone - Magnemite's ability makes it prevent Jet Punch, Magnezone is super good. 4 Geodudes
  • Bronzor/Bronzong - Confusion was Psy Bolt, man! Thw second is good if you already played Tapu Lele. 3 Geodudes
  • Shieldon/Bastiodon - Another Metal Support but being Stage 2 isn't enough to fit in to Metal Decks. 3 Geodudes
  • Heatran - Another Gardevoir crusher. 3-4 Geodudes
  • Solgaleo Prism - So awesome. 5 Geodudes
  • Dusk Mane Necrozma - Super awesome. 5 Geodudes
  • Gible/Gabite/Garchomp - Become more interesting deck because of its pre-evos. 4 Geodudes
  • Dialga-GX - I misinterprer Dialga but it can be a good card. 3-4 Geodudes
  • Palkia-GX - Not accesible to Aqua Patch, but its worth of a test. 3-4 Geodudes
  • Fairy - too bad no new cards.
  • Eevee - SM Eevee is better. 1-2 Geodudes
  • Glameow/Purugly - decent. 3 Geodudes
  • Lickitung/Lickilicky - fine. 2 Geodudes
  • Buneary/Lopunny - Okay. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Shaymin Sky - ehh?! 2 Geodudes
  • Oranguru - Good for decks playing Looker. 3 Geodudes
  • Order Pad - Ehh? Vulnerable to Garb. 2 Geodudes
  • Escape Board - Okay but not convinced. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Missing Clover - Too slow to set up. 2 Geodudes
  • Yungoos/Gumshoos - Ehh?! 1 Geodude
  • Drampa - Okay. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Mt. Coronet - I'm Done! 4 Geodudes
  • Mysterious Fossil - Old mechanic is back but not as good as the format today. But let's see. 3 Geodudes
  • Reprinted Cards - Hopefully they're be in Ultra Prism, especially Rare Candy, which is very reliant for a Stage 2 Deck which will see play for the next year like Cool Solgaleo. Ultra Ball,as expected, it became a Standard card every format.
  • Lillie - We'll have a Ponytail Lillie in ULP, Omit this!
  • Looker/Looker's Whistle - Interesting card which is a reverse version of Hau. You can use Oranguru to reserve 3 cards next turn, but N might ruin it. 3 for now.
  • Mars - Decent Card. I mean reverse Trade from Zoroark but as a Distruption factor. 3 Geodudes
  • Cyrus Prism - too Specific. Only works on Water or Metal active and your opponent has the power to stay cards in play. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Gardenia - Maybe worse than Lana, maybe not. 3 Geodudes
  • Volkner - Seems decent in Lightning Decks, not good as Korrina before. 3 Geodudes
  • Cynthia - 5 Geodudes
  • Pokemon Fan Club - good to be stay in the format. Only good when Garbodor rule the format.
  • DCE - do we need this?
  • Unit Energy - I don't see a perfect deck to be compatible with. 2-3 Geodudes
  • Super Boost Energy - good benefits, vulnerable to Special Energy Hate, plus the fact that it is a Prism Card. 3 Geodudes
  • The set - So far, it's great! Too bad, because we only need 4 unnamed GXs to be watched out for.
 
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I can easily see a Cynthia control deck!
She is a decent supporter and thanks to GXs/EXs you need only 3-4 knock outs.
Ofc fairy is a really bad weakness but I think you can find some way to counter that.
Lucario isn't really needed but can be added for the sheer insane power it provides to search any card you want.
And 200 should be enough to knock out anything if you add tools it is a safe bet.
Another upside is, that they're none GX so while they might knock out Lucario and Garchomp, we are already far a head! :D

Alolan Dugtrio might be a niche fun deck card with a strong upside against Guardevoir.
You only need about 4 energies for a devasting attack which the Mt. Coronet already provides the big chunk of.

I might consider returning to the PTCG just for this set and the two deck options mentioned!

/EDIT: @Post above me:
Impoleon does up to 200 damage! It's for each players bank not just your own.
 
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  • Piplup/Prinplup/Empoleon - Max of 120with a full bench for 2 isn't enough to OHKO Big decks, except Fire Decks. 3 Geodudes

Empoleon hits 20 times the number of benched Pokémon on both sides. Thus he has a maximum damage output of 200 which is rather decent for a non-Gx Pokémon.
 
Salazzle/Infernape looks like a fun gimmick. Burn's been getting a lot of support lately.

That Sneasel is great and will enable Weavile decks even more, they clearly want Weavile to take off as an archetype given this and the BUS weavile.

I also like the Drifblim against spread decks, or in conjunction with Po Town.
 
Any bets on Secret Rare items? For me I'm expecting Pal Pad / Mysterious Fossil / Crushing Hammer / Escape Board (there's always a useless one)
 
50 damage on an Infernape is sacrilege

But it burns the opposing Pokémon and Infernape's ability increases burn damage to 6 damage counters between turns so you're guaranteed to do a total of 110 damage the turn you attack. Plus more if your opponent can't flip heads/heal/retreat their next turn. It also has good HP for a one-prize attacker. Still a Stage 2 though so I doubt it'll see a lot of play.
 
Wait... I'm assuming Infernape's ability stacks? So if I have two Infernape on the field then my burn damage is doing 120 between turns? If so, that's actually a super good card! For only two Energy and two Infernape on the field, you're doing 170 damage, maybe more during your opponent's turn if the burn sticks. Add a Choice Band and you got 200. If it stacks, I could actually see it being played as a viable non-GX deck.
 
Question for you all -

I've never played in a format that Pal Pad was legal in standard. Was it a staple? How many did people typically run in their deck?

I'd assume since VS Seeker was around at the same time it wasn't as useful, but would love to know if it will be a pseudo replacement moving forward.
 
Wait... I'm assuming Infernape's ability stacks? So if I have two Infernape on the field then my burn damage is doing 120 between turns? If so, that's actually a super good card! For only two Energy and two Infernape on the field, you're doing 170 damage, maybe more during your opponent's turn if the burn sticks. Add a Choice Band and you got 200. If it stacks, I could actually see it being played as a viable non-GX deck.
I'm almost sure it doesn't stack, since it doesnt say: "put 4 more damage counters between turns to your opponent's burned pokemon" like seviper's "more poison" ability
 
I’m going to point out some things that popped to me:
Pal Pad and Pokémon Fan Club got reprinted.
ORDER PAD, PEOPLE! ORDER PAD! EDIT: just realized it said flip a coin...
That Infernape looks interesting.
We’re missing quite a few GX’s I think, because 6 GX’s is an unrealistically low number. We’re missing Blacephalon GX, Stakataka GX and Naganadel GX. If they don’t make those ultra beasts, they’ll make reprints of Celesteela GX, Xurkitree GX, and Pheromosa GX.
We’re also missing one not UB GX, so there’s that too.
Seems like a pretty cool set. The art’s AWESOME!
 
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I’m going to point out some things that popped to me:
Pal Pad and Pokémon Fan Club got reprinted.
ORDER PAD, PEOPLE! ORDER PAD!
That Infernape looks interesting.
We’re missing quite a few GX’s I think, because 6 GX’s is an unrealistically low number. We’re missing Blacephalon GX, Stakataka GX and Naganadel GX. If they don’t make those ultra beasts, they’ll make reprints of Celesteela GX, Xurkitree GX, and Pheromosa GX.
We’re also missing one not UB GX, so there’s that too.
Seems like a pretty cool set, but...








IT DOESNT RELEASE ON FEBUARY SECOND?!?!?! DID THEY JUST REMOVE MY BIRTHDAY PRESENT?!???!

Celesteela GX, Pheromosa GX, Xurkitree GX, and Silvally GX seem to be likely candidates from SM4+ since the international version of this set most likely also contains the missing two memory cards for Silvally GX. It would make sense to have Silvally GX in the same set as the missing two memory cards.
 
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