Draft:Sun & Moon Era (TCG)

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The Sun & Moon Era (Japanese: ポケモンカードゲーム サン&ムーン Pokémon Card Game Sun & Moon) is series of Pokémon Trading Card Game sets and products released by The Pokémon Company (TPC), Pokémon Korea and Pokémon Shanghai in asian markets. It is the first Era where sets have been released Thai, Indonesian, Traditional Chinese & Simplified Chinese, however as these markets were behind they received different releases as the Japanese and Korean releases in an effort to catch up to those markets.

Series chronology

The Pokémon Company oversees Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Indonesian and Thai releases, Pokémon Korea oversees Korean releases and Pokémon Shanghai oversees Simplified Chinese releases. Each of these companies may order sets released in their markets differently, or even tweak the cards in their releases as Pokémon Korea gives their cards the same yellow borders found in the Sun & Moon Series sets released by The Pokémon Company International, but they broadly all contain the same cards in the same releases.

Set characteristics

Card design and layout

An example of a Pokémon card in the Sun & Moon Era

Card rarities

Gameplay and card mechanic changes

As with any series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the Sun & Moon Era introduced a number of new card types, and changes to existing card types which introduce new mechanics into the game. This section will go over all the new types of cards introduced in the Sun & Moon Era. All cards from the Sun & Moon Era have and can be distinguished by a regulation mark of A, B, or C.

An example of a Pokémon-GX card in the Sun & Moon Era

Pokémon-GX

An example of a Ultra Beast card in the Sun & Moon Era

Ultra Beast

An example of a TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX card in the Sun & Moon Era

TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX

An example of a Shining Pokémon card in the Sun & Moon Era

Shining Pokémon

An example of a Prism Star card in the Sun & Moon Era

Prism Star

An example of a TAG TEAM Supporter card in the Sun & Moon Era

TAG TEAM Supporter


Releases

Japanese & Korean Releases

These releases were all initially released in the Japanese Market by The Pokémon Company, they all have release numbers that start with prefix "SM". Korean-Exclusive releases aren't given a set prefix.

Release Type Release Name Set Symbol Set Code The Pokémon Company Pokémon Korea
Japanese Korean
Promotional Cards SM-P Promotional cards SM-P List List
Promotional Pack Pikachu's New Friends SM0 ✔ ✘
Main Series Expansion Collection Sun
Collection Moon

SM1S
SM1M
✔ ✔
Islands Await You
Alolan Moonlight

SM2K
SM2L
✔ ✔
To Have Seen the Battle Rainbow
Darkness that Consumes Light

SM3H
SM3N
✔ ✔
Awakened Heroes
Ultradimensional Beasts

SM4S
SM4A
✔ ✔
Ultra Sun
Ultra Moon

SM5S
SM5M
✔ ✔
Forbidden Light SM6 ✔ ✔
Sky-Splitting Charisma SM7 ✔ ✔
Super-Burst Impact SM8 ✔ ✔
Tag Bolt SM9 ✔ ✔
Double Blaze SM10 ✔ ✔
Miracle Twin SM11 ✔ ✔
Alter Genesis SM12 ✔ ✔
Subset Expansion Sun & Moon SM1+ ✔ ✔
Facing a New Trial SM2+ ✔ ✔
Shining Legends SM3+ ✔ ✔
GX Battle Boost SM4+ ✔ ✔
Ultra Force SM5+ ✔ ✔
Dragon Storm SM6a ✔ ✔
Champion Road SM6b ✔ ✔
Thunderclap Spark SM7a ✔ ✔
Fairy Rise SM7b ✔ ✔
Dark Order SM8a ✔ ✔
GX Ultra Shiny SM8b ✔ ✔
Night Unison SM9a ✔ ✔
Full Metal Wall SM9b ✔ ✔
GG End SM10a ✔ ✔
Sky Legend SM10b ✔ ✔
Remix Bout SM11a ✔ ✔
Dream League SM11b ✔ ✔
Tag All Stars SM12a ✔ ✔
Minor Release Sun & Moon Starter Set SMA ✔ ✔
Premium Trainer Box SMB ✔ ✘
Tapu Bulu-GX Enhanced Starter Set SMC ✔ ✔
Ash vs Team Rocket Deck Kit SMD ✔ ✔
Solgaleo-GX & Lunala-GX Legendary Starter Set SME ✔ ✔
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Premium Trainer Box SMF ✔ ✘
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Deck Build Boxes SMG ✔ ✘
GX Starter Decks SMH ✔ ✘
Eevee-GX Starter Sets SMI ✔ ✔
TAG TEAM GX Premium Trainer Box SMJ ✔ ✘
Trainer Battle Decks SMK ✔ ✔
Sun & Moon Family Pokémon Card Game SML ✔ ✔
TAG TEAM GX Starter Sets SMM ✔ ✔
TAG TEAM GX Deck Build Box SMN ✔ ✔*
Promotional Release Rockruff Full Power Deck SMP1 ✔ ✘
Great Detective Pikachu SMP2 ✔ ✔
Korean Exclusive Release Random Half Deck SM30A ✘ ✔
Lycanroc-GX Full Power Battle Starter Set SM60A ✘ ✔
Raikou-GX Starter Set Lightning SM60B ✘ ✔

Traditional Chinese, Indonesian & Thai Releases

These releases were all initially released in the Non-Japanese markets controlled by The Pokémon Company in an effort to catch up to the Japanese sets. "AS" (Asian Set) Series sets typically combine cards from 2 Main Set "SM" Series releases and all have release numbers that start with prefix "AS". "AC" (Asian Collection) Series sets typically combine cards from 4 Main Set "SM" Series releases and all have release numbers that start with prefix "AC".

Release Type Release Name Set Symbol Set Code The Pokémon Company
Traditional Chinese Indonesian Thai
Promotional Cards SM-P Promotional cards SM-P List List List
Main Series Collection Expansion All Stars Collection SET A
All Stars Collection SET B

AC1a
AC1b
✔ ✘ ✘
Dreams Come True Collection SET A
Dreams Come True Collection SET B

AC2a
AC2b
✔ ✘ ✘
Tag Team Collection SET A
Tag Team Collection SET B

AC3a
AC3b
✘ ✔ ✘
Main Series Set Expansion First Impact SET A
First Impact SET B

AS1a
AS1b
✘ ✔ ✔
Legends Awakened SET A
Legends Awakened SET B

AS2a
AS2b
✘ ✔ ✔
Hidden Shadow SET A
Hidden Shadow SET B

AS3a
AS3b
✘ ✔ ✔
Sky Ruler SET A
Sky Ruler SET B

AS4a
AS4b
✘ ✔ ✔
Double Burst SET A
Double Burst SET B

AS5a
AS5b
✔ ✘ ✔
Legendary Clash SET A
Legendary Clash SET B

AS6a
AS6b
✔ ✘ ✔
Collection Deck All Stars Collection GX Starter Deck AC1D ✔ ✘ ✘
Dreams Come True Collection GX Starter Deck AC2D ✔ ✘ ✘
Tag Team Collection GX Starter Deck AC3D ✘ ✔ ✘
Set Deck First Impact GX Starter Deck AS1D ✘ ✔ ✔
Legends Awakened GX Starter Decks AS2D ✘ ✘ ✔
Legends Awakened GX Starter Deck AS2Di ✘ ✔ ✘
Hidden Shadow GX Starter Decks AS3D ✘ ✘ ✔
Hidden Shadow GX Starter Deck AS3Di ✘ ✔ ✘
Sky Ruler GX Starter Deck AS4D ✘ ✘ ✔
Sky Ruler GX Starter Deck AS4Di ✘ ✔ ✘
Double Burst GX Starter Deck AS5D ✔ ✘ ✔
Legendary Clash GX Starter Deck AS6D ✔ ✘ ✔

Simplified Chinese Releases

These releases were all initially released in the Simplified Chinese market by Pokémon Shanghai in an effort to catch up to the Japanese sets. They combine cards from multiple Main Set "SM" Series releases and all have release numbers that start with prefix "CSM".

Release Type Release Name Set Symbol Set Code Pokémon Shanghai
Simplified Chinese
Promotional Cards SM-P Promotional cards SM-P List
Main Series Expansion Storming Emergence: Radiant
Storming Emergence: Verdant
Storming Emergence: Abundant


CSM1a
CSM1b
CSM1c
✔
Shining Synergy: Shower
Shining Synergy: Supreme
Shining Synergy: Summon


CSM2a
CSM2b
CSM2c
✔
Subset Expansion Battle Elite CSM1.5 ✔
Golden Energy CSM2.1 ✔
Striking Competition CSM2.5 ✔
Expansion Deck Storming Emergence GX Starter Deck CSM1D ✔
Shining Synergy GX Starter Deck CSM2D ✔
Minor Release Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX Advanced Deck Building Box CSMA ✔
Shining Pokémon Poké Ball Box CSMJ ✔
Lillie's Support Box CSML ✔
Battle Party Set Grass Deck
Battle Party Set Fire Deck
Battle Party Set Water Deck
Battle Party Set Lightning Deck
Battle Party Set Psychic Deck
Battle Party Set Fighting Deck
Battle Party Set Darkness Deck
Battle Party Set Metal Deck
Battle Party Set Reward Set








CSMPa
CSMPb
CSMPc
CSMPd
CSMPe
CSMPf
CSMPg
CSMPh
CSMPi
✔
Eevee-GX Box Sets CSMY ✔

Merchandise

Main article: Sword & Shield TCG Era merchandise

Merchandise released during the Sword & Shield 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 on a near-monthly basis largely timing in with every main expansion and subset release.

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.

In Mainland China, Pokémon Shanghai typically releases a set of Deck boxes, sleeves, playmats and card binders with every main expansion release featuring artwork from the main expansion booster packs that is unique to this market. Most merchandise from other markets is not available in Mainland China.


Gallery

Logos

In other languages

Language Title
Japanese ポケモンカードゲーム サン&ムーン Pokémon Card Game Sun & Moon
Chinese Cantonese 寶可夢集換式卡牌遊戲 太陽&月亮 Pokémon Jaahpwuhnsīk Jindau Yàuhhei Kāat Taaiyèuhng & Yuhtleuhng
Mandarin 寶可夢集換式卡牌遊戲 太陽&月亮
宝可梦集换式卡牌游戏 太阳&月亮 Pokémon Jíhuànshì Kǎpái Yóuxì Tàiyáng & Yuèliàng
Indonesian Pokémon Game Kartu Koleksi Matahari & Bulan
Korean 포켓몬 카드 게임 썬 & 문 Pokémon Card Game Sun & Moon
Thai Pokémon เทรดดิ้งการ์ดเกม ซันแอนด์มูน Pokémon Trading Card Game Sun & Moon

Resources

This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions and releases
Bold indicates a main expansion. Italics indicate a special set. Releases that are entirely composed of prints from other releases are small.
Sun & Moon Series
SM Black Star Promos
Sun & Moon: Forest Shadow • Roaring Heat • Bright Tide • Sun & Moon Prerelease Kit
Sun & Moon Trainer Kit: Lycanroc & Alolan Raichu
Guardians Rising: Guardians Rising Prerelease Kit • Steel Sun • Hidden Moon
Lugia Legendary Battle Deck • Ho-Oh Legendary Battle Deck • Battle Arena Decks: Black Kyurem vs. White Kyurem
Burning Shadows: Burning Shadows Prerelease Kit • Rock Steady • Luminous Frost
McDonald's Collection 2017 • Shining Legends
Crimson Invasion: Crimson Invasion Prerelease Kit • Destruction Fang • Clanging Thunder
Ultra Prism: Ultra Prism Prerelease Kit • Imperial Command • Mach Strike
Forbidden Light: Forbidden Light Build & Battle Box • Tropical Takedown • Twilight Rogue
Sun & Moon Trainer Kit: Alolan Sandslash & Alolan Ninetales • McDonald's Collection 2018
Celestial Storm: Celestial Storm Build & Battle Box • Leaf Charge • Hydro Fury
Battle Arena Decks—Mega Charizard X vs. Mega Blastoise • Dragon Majesty
Lost Thunder: Lost Thunder Build & Battle Box • Blazing Volcano • Storm Caller
Team Up: Team Up Build & Battle Box • Relentless Flame • Torrential Cannon
Detective Pikachu
Unbroken Bonds: Unbroken Bonds Build & Battle Box • Lightning Loop • Battle Mind
Let's Play, Pikachu! • Let's Play, Eevee!
Unified Minds: Unified Minds Build & Battle Box • Soaring Storm • Laser Focus
Hidden Fates • McDonald's Collection 2019 • Battle Arena Decks—Rayquaza-GX vs. Ultra Necrozma-GX
Cosmic Eclipse: Cosmic Eclipse Build & Battle Box • Towering Heights • Unseen Depths
Battle Academy 2020
Sun & Moon Era
SM-P Promotional cards
Pikachu's New Friends
Collection Sun • Collection Moon: Sun & Moon Starter Set • Premium Trainer Box
Rockruff Full Power Deck • Togedemaru Deck • Turtonator Deck • Sun & Moon
Islands Await You • Alolan Moonlight: Tapu Bulu-GX Enhanced Starter Set
Facing a New Trial • Ash vs Team Rocket Deck Kit
To Have Seen the Battle Rainbow • Darkness that Consumes Light
Shining Legends
Awakened Heroes • Ultradimensional Beasts
GX Battle Boost • Solgaleo-GX & Lunala-GX Legendary Starter Set
Ultra Sun • Ultra Moon: Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Premium Trainer Box
Ultra Force • Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Deck Build Boxes
Forbidden Light
Dragon Storm • Champion Road
Sky-Splitting Charisma
Thunderclap Spark • GX Starter Decks • Fairy Rise
Super-Burst Impact
Dark Order • GX Ultra Shiny • Eevee-GX Starter Sets
Tag Bolt: TAG TEAM GX Premium Trainer Box
Night Unison • Trainer Battle Decks • Full Metal Wall
Double Blaze: TAG TEAM GX Deck Build Box
Sun & Moon Family Pokémon Card Game • GG End • Sky Legend • Great Detective Pikachu
Miracle Twin: TAG TEAM GX Starter Sets
Remix Bout • Dream League
Alter Genesis
Tag All Stars • Extra Regulation Box