Scarlet & Violet Era (TCG)

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The Scarlet & Violet Era (Japanese: ポケモンカードゲーム スカーレット&バイオレット Pokémon Card Game Scarlet & Violet) is a series of Pokémon Trading Card Game sets and products released by The Pokémon Company (TPC) and Pokémon Korea in select asian markets. It began with the Japanese release of Scarlet ex, Violet ex, ex Starter Sets and the Premium Trainer Box ex on January 20th, 2023. This was followed by the release of these products (with the exception of the Premium Trainer Box ex, which was released later in select markets) in Traditional Chinese on February 3, 2023, in Thai on February 24, 2023, in Indonesian on March 3, 2023 and in Korean on March 15, 2023.

Set chronology

The Scarlet & Violet Era kicked off with the set release of Scarlet ex and Violet ex and introduces the Trading Card game to Generation IX. In the SV set release cycle followed by all language releases other than Simplified Chinese, The first Pair of sets features the box legendaries of Koraidon and Miraidon. It Brought the TCG up to regulation G and saw the rotation of regulation D cards shortly thereafter. With this initial pairing of base sets, Pokémon Tool cards were introduced as a distinct class of trainer cards, AR Rarity cards where introduced as secret rares in Main Series set releases and SAR rarity cards were introduced, largely replacing HR rarity cards from prior sets. The base sets also saw the introduction of Pokémon ex and Tera Pokémon ex that replace the Pokémon V, VMAX, V-UNION and VSTAR from the Sword & Shield Era. The First Subset, Triplet Beat focused heavily on the Generation IX Starter Pokémon with the Final evolutions Meowscarada, Skeledirge and Quaquaval each featuring prominently on the pack artwork and getting Pokémon ex cards with RR, SR, SAR, and UR rarity prints.

The second Main Set release, the twin expansions of Snow Hazard and Clay Burst introduced the Treasures of Ruin and in particularly Chien-Pao and Ting-Lu who featured prominently on the pack art of their respective sets. Each Treasure of Ruin was given a Pokémon ex card with RR, SR, and SAR prints while Chien-Pao and Ting-Lu also received a UR rarity print. In the second subset, Pokémon Card 151, the Mythical Pokémon Mew is featured as the Cover Pokémon as the original 151 generation I pokémon are reintroduced to this game. Mew along with the final evolutionary forms of the Generation I Starter Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise are all featured among the 12 Pokémon ex in the set. This set is unique as Pokémon cards are given a set number based on their Pokédex order rather than their energy type. It is also notable as it features the original 151 generation I Pokémon, this is the first set to feature Kadabra since Split Earth released in Japan in 2002.

Set characteristics

In marketing the sets, The Pokémon Company oversees Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Indonesian and Thai releases, while Pokémon Korea oversees Korean releases. Each of these companies may order sets released in their markets differently, or even tweak the cards in their releases, but they broadly all contain the same cards in the same releases.

In markets that have caught up to Japanese set releases, Main series sets are released roughly every 3rd month with an Enhanced or High Class subset usually being released 1-2 months between main set releases. A typical set consists of between 70-80 cards in the main set topped off by 25-30 secret cards with card numbers that exceed the set count. In Japanese, Traditional Chinese and Korean markets, these set releases are supplemented with deck releases, special sets and trainer box products that help players complete their collection and generate a viable game deck to play with against other players.

In the Indonesian and Thai markets, such supplementary releases are rarer. Cards developed for these releases are instead often distributed through other means as promotional cards.

Card design and layout

An example of a Pokémon card in the Scarlet & Violet Era

As with the two series that preceded it, the Scarlet & Violet Era sees a redesign in the card aesthetics. Pokémon V, VMAX, V-UNION and VSTAR are phased out and replaced with Pokémon ex and Tera Pokémon ex. Trainer cards are also given a new category of card as Pokémon Tool cards are made separate class from Item cards. Pokémon Tool Trainer cards are given a purple background and rulebox, distinct from blue Item cards, green Stadium cards and orange Supporter cards.

Trainer and Energy cards cards got a new header format with the the placements swapped. The type of card (Trainer or Energy) now appears on the right where as the subcategory (Item, Pokémon Tool, Supporter or Stadium for Trainer cards and Basic Energy or Special Energy for Energy Cards) now appears on the left. Additionally Basic Energy Cards are now labelled as such on the card header. The divider in the header is moved closer to the centre of the card and instead displays more of a diagonal pattern. On trainer cards the rulebox has a slightly different shape and is surrounded by a bigger border and the coloured slits on the side of the cards indicating what type of Trainer the card is are further spaced apart, but also bolder in colour. the graphic texture on the card is also given a more matte look with fewer ridge lines.

Pokémon cards feature more subtle design changes, none of the information contained on a Pokémon card is relocated, but many design aesthetics have been modified for the new Era. Weakness, Resistance and Retreat cost are now displayed between 2 bars on the cards type colour matched background rather than on a wider bar. Energy symbols also lose a white buffer that they had in the Sword & Shield Era. For Pokémon cards with an ability, the ability icon now has a more rounded shape with more distinct borders. On Stage 1 and Stage 2 Evolution Pokémon cards, the evolution window now has a more rounded shape and the strands connecting the evolution bar to the top of the card now follow updated shape of the gap in the header observed on Trainer and Energy cards.

In Korean releases, Pokémon Korea has also replaced the yellow borders previously used by TPCi in their sets and aligned the cards in their sets with the silver borders used by TPC.

Card rarities

As with every series that preceded it, the Scarlet & Violet Era saw a shakeup in the card rarity structure that makes up an expansion set. Rainbow Rare cards of both chase Pokémon and Supporters along with the associated HR rarity are phased out, as is the triple rare RRR rarity associated with VMAX and VSTAR cards in the Sword & Shield Era. In its place the Scarlet & Violet Era introduces the SAR rarity, and also expands the use of the AR rarity that was introduced in VSTAR Universe into it's main series sets. Sets in the Scarlet & Violet Era feature the Following Rarities:

• The C (Common) Rarity is the most common rarity, It is featured on mostly Basic and Stage 1 Pokémon, occasionally trainer cards are also given this rarity. Approximately 50% of the non-secret cards in any given expansion are given this rarity.
• The U (Uncommon) Rarity is the second most common rarity, most trainer and energy cards are given this rarity as are some Pokémon. Approximately 30-33% of the non-secret cards in any given expansion are given this rarity.
• The R (Rare) the rarest rarity non-Pokémon ex cards can have in the Scarlet & Violet era sets This rarity is also occasionally given to Supporter cards. These cards always have holographic prints. Expansions usually contain 8 cards with the R rarity comprising of between 10-12% of the set.
• The RR (Double Rare) rarity is the rarity thats given to Pokémon ex and Tera Pokémon ex. Expansions in the Scarlet & Violet Era typically feature 6 such cards.
• The AR (Art Rare) Rarity is retained after being introduced in VSTAR Universe and is akin to the CHR cards found in High Class expansions of the Sun & Moon and Sword & Shield era. Like CHR rarity cards, they are full art cards of regular Basic, Stage 1 or Stage 2 Pokémon but instead of featuring the Pokémon alongside a human trainer or companion, these cards depict Pokémon in its natural environment. When AR rarity cards are from the same evolution line, they also furthermore try to depict a story of the Pokémon's life as it evolves. Scarlet & Violet Era expansions typically feature 12 AR rarity cards as secret rares.
• The SR (Super Rare) rarity is retained from the Sword & Shield era. Full art Pokémon ex and Tera Pokémon ex as well as supporter cards are given this rarity. Unlike in the Sword & shield era, alternative art prints are no longer afforded this rarity as they were in prior series, but instead are given the SAR rarity. Scarlet & Violet Era expansions typically feature 8-10 SR rarity cards as secret rares.
• The SAR (Special Art Rare) rarity is similar to the AR rarity, but is exclusively given to Pokémon ex and Supporter cards. These cards however contain an additional layer of glitter foil and can be seen as a replacement to the HR rarity from prior series. Scarlet & Violet Era expansions typically feature 5 SAR rarity cards as secret rares.
• The UR (Ultra Rare) rarity is the rarest rarity and features gold foil prints of Pokémon ex, Item, or Energy cards. Scarlet & Violet Era expansions typically feature 3 UR rarity cards as secret rares.

Gameplay and card mechanic changes

As with any Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the Scarlet & Violet Era introduced a number of new card types, which introduce new mechanics into the game. This section will go over all the new types of cards introduced in the Scarlet & Violet era. All cards from the Scarlet & Violet Era have and can be distinguished by a regulation mark of G.

Releases

The following tables depict which set releases have been released in the 6 Asian markets that follow the Scarlet & Violet Era of Pokémon Trading Card Game releases.

SV Series releases

These releases were all initially released in the Japanese Market by The Pokémon Company, they all have release numbers that start with prefix "SV".

Release Type		Release Number	Set Symbol	Set Code	Release Name	The Pokémon Company				Pokémon Shanghai	Pokémon Korea
						Japanese	Traditional Chinese	Indonesian	Thai	Simplified Chinese	Korean
Promotional Cards		—		SV-P	SV-P Promotional cards	List	List	List	List	✘	List
Main Set Release		SV1		SV1S SV1V	Scarlet ex Violet ex	✔	✔	✔	✔	✘	✔
		SV2		SV2P SV2D	Snow Hazard Clay Burst	✔	✔	✔	✔	✘	✘
Subset Release	Enhanced	SV1a		SV1a	Triplet Beat	✔	✔	✔	✔	✘	✔
		S2a	File:SetSymbolSV2a.png	SV2a	Pokémon Card 151	✔	✔	✘	✘	✘	✘
Deck / Box Release	Fixed Decks	SVA	File:ExStarterSetGrassSetSymbol.png File:ExStarterSetFireSetSymbol.png File:ExStarterSetWaterSetSymbol.png	SVAM SVAL SVAW	ex Starter Set Sprigatito & Lucario ex ex Starter Set Fuecoco & Ampharos ex ex Starter Set Quaxly & Mimikyu ex	✔	✔	✔	✔	✘	✔
	Trainer Box	SVB	File:SetSymbolPremiumTrainerBoxex.png	SVB	Premium Trainer Box ex	✔	✔	✘	✘	✘	✔
	Fixed Decks	SVC	File:ExStarterSetSVCSetSymbol.png	SVC	ex Starter Set Pikachu ex & Pawmot	✔	✔	✘	✘	✘	✔
		SVD	File:SetSymbolSVD.png	SVD	ex Start Decks	✔	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘
Promotional Release	Special Set	SVP1	File:SetSymbolSVP1.png	SVP1	ex Special Set	✔	✔	✘	✘	✘	✘

Merchandise

Main article: Scarlet & Violet TCG Era merchandise

This section is a stub. You can help Bulbapedia by expanding it.

Merchandise released during the Scarlet & Violet era varied wildly between different markets, as the different companies distributing the TCG released vastly different products and accessories. Broadly speaking, In Japan, the Pokémon Center stores continued their longstanding tradition of releasing a set of Picture frames, deck boxes, card sleeves, playmats and other accessories with every main set and subset release. These releases are broadly carried over to the Taiwan and Hong Kong markets. Merchandise releases in other markets where TPC has distribution authority have been more limited.

In Korea, Pokémon Korea typically releases the same deck boxes and sleeves as are available in Japan, in addition to occasionally releasing their own merchandise not available in other markets. Trainer boxes are released more sporadically.

Gallery

Logos

• 

  Japanese Series logo

• 00 SV Era Logo F.png

  Traditional Chinese Series logo

• 

  Indonesian Series logo

• 

  Thai Series logo

• 

  Korean Series logo

In other languages

Language Title Japanese ポケモンカードゲーム スカーレット&バイオレット Pokémon Card Game Scarlet & Violet Chinese Cantonese 寶可夢集換式卡牌遊戲 朱／紫 Pokémon Jaahpwuhnsīk Jindau Yàuhhei Kāat Jyū & Jí Mandarin 寶可夢集換式卡牌遊戲 朱／紫 宝可梦集换式卡牌游戏 朱／紫 Pokémon Jíhuànshì Kǎpái Yóuxì Zhū & Zǐ Indonesian Pokémon Game Kartu Koleksi Scarlet & Violet Korean 포켓몬 카드 게임 스칼렛 & 바이올렛 Pokémon Card Game Scarlet & Violet Thai Pokémon เทรดดิ้งการ์ดเกม สการ์เล็ต & ไวโอเล็ต Pokémon Trading Card Game Scarlet & Violet

Resources

• Japanese Trainers site
• Taiwanese Trainers site
• Indonesian Trainers site
• Thai Trainers site
• Simplified Chinese Trainers site
• Korean Trainers site

This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.