The Sword & Shield Series ran from February 2020 to January 2023 and covers the Galar generation of the Pokémon TCG. It introduced Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX, later added Single Strike, Rapid Strike and Fusion Strike styles, then shifted into Pokémon VSTAR, Radiant Pokémon and the Trainer Gallery before closing with Crown Zenith and its 70-card Galarian Gallery.
This guide covers all 17 international Sword & Shield expansions in release order. For ordinary expansions, the checklist figure is the final numbered English set. Where Pokémon uses a separately numbered subset—such as the Shiny Vault, Classic Collection, Trainer Gallery or Galarian Gallery—the table shows those pools separately rather than presenting a combined number as one official set size.
For detailed Japanese source mapping and cross-region differences, use our complete Pokémon TCG set guide.
Sword & Shield Pokémon TCG sets at a glance
| Set | Code | Release | Type | Checklist | Main focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sword & Shield | SSH | 7 February 2020 | Standard expansion | 216 | Zacian V, Zamazenta V and the launch of Pokémon V/VMAX |
| Rebel Clash | RCL | 1 May 2020 | Standard expansion | 209 | Toxtricity VMAX, Dragapult VMAX and Galar expansion |
| Darkness Ablaze | DAA | 14 August 2020 | Standard expansion | 201 | Eternatus VMAX and Charizard VMAX |
| Champion's Path | CPA | 25 September 2020 | Special expansion | 80 | Galar Gym Challenge and Charizard chase cards |
| Vivid Voltage | VIV | 13 November 2020 | Standard expansion | 203 | Gigantamax Pikachu and Amazing Rare cards |
| Shining Fates | SHF | 19 February 2021 | Special expansion | 73 main + 122 Shiny Vault | Shiny Pokémon, Charizard VMAX and the Shiny Vault |
| Battle Styles | BST | 19 March 2021 | Standard expansion | 183 | Single Strike and Rapid Strike; Urshifu VMAX |
| Chilling Reign | CRE | 18 June 2021 | Standard expansion | 233 | Calyrex, Galarian Legendary birds and Crown Tundra |
| Evolving Skies | EVS | 27 August 2021 | Standard expansion | 237 | Eeveelutions, Rayquaza and the return of Dragon-type Pokémon |
| Celebrations | CEL | 8 October 2021 | Special anniversary expansion | 25 main + 25 Classic Collection | 25th anniversary, Pikachu and historical reprints |
| Fusion Strike | FST | 12 November 2021 | Standard expansion | 284 | Mew VMAX and the Fusion Strike style |
| Brilliant Stars | BRS | 25 February 2022 | Standard expansion | 186 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery | Arceus VSTAR, Charizard VSTAR and the debut of VSTAR |
| Astral Radiance | ASR | 27 May 2022 | Standard expansion | 216 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery | Hisui, Origin Forme Dialga/Palkia, Radiant Pokémon and Trainer Gallery |
| Pokémon GO | PGO | 1 July 2022 | Special expansion | 88 | Pokémon GO collaboration, Mewtwo and peelable Ditto cards |
| Lost Origin | LOR | 9 September 2022 | Standard expansion | 217 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery | Giratina VSTAR, the Lost Zone and Trainer Gallery |
| Silver Tempest | SIT | 11 November 2022 | Standard expansion | 215 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery | Lugia VSTAR, Regidrago VSTAR and the final Trainer Gallery |
| Crown Zenith | CRZ | 20 January 2023 | Special expansion | 160 numbered + 70 Galarian Gallery | Era finale, Zacian/Zamazenta and the 70-card Galarian Gallery |
Standard rows show the final numbered English checklist. For Shining Fates, Celebrations, Brilliant Stars, Astral Radiance, Lost Origin, Silver Tempest and Crown Zenith, separately numbered official subsets are shown as a second pool rather than being collapsed into one headline total.
What defines the Sword & Shield Series?
Sword & Shield changes substantially across its three-year run. The first year is dominated by Pokémon V and VMAX; 2021 adds Battle Styles and the Fusion Strike label; 2022 introduces Pokémon VSTAR, Radiant Pokémon and Trainer Gallery subsets before the era ends with Crown Zenith.
Key mechanics and collecting changes
| Change | First major set | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon V and VMAX | Sword & Shield launch | Pokémon V are powerful Rule Box Pokémon that give up two Prize cards; Pokémon VMAX evolve from Pokémon V and give up three Prize cards when Knocked Out. |
| Amazing Rare | Vivid Voltage | Amazing Rare cards use a rainbow-splash rarity treatment and unusual multi-type Energy attacks. |
| Shiny Vault | Shining Fates | A separately numbered 122-card Shiny Vault turns shiny Pokémon into the main collector structure of the special expansion. |
| Single Strike / Rapid Strike | Battle Styles | Red Single Strike and blue Rapid Strike labels create dedicated card synergies and deck-building packages. |
| Fusion Strike | Fusion Strike | The third Battle Style mixes teamwork and control effects, with Mew VMAX as the headline Pokémon. |
| Pokémon VSTAR | Brilliant Stars | VSTAR Pokémon evolve from Pokémon V and add once-per-game VSTAR Powers. |
| Radiant Pokémon / Trainer Gallery | Astral Radiance era | Radiant Pokémon use a one-Radiant-Pokémon-per-deck restriction, while Trainer Gallery subsets celebrate Pokémon-and-Trainer artwork. |
| Lost Zone return | Lost Origin | The Lost Zone returns as a major strategic identity, especially around Giratina VSTAR. |
| Galarian Gallery | Crown Zenith | The era ends with a 70-card special-art gallery alongside the main Crown Zenith checklist. |
Sword & Shield set-by-set guide
Open a set below for the collector-focused summary. Ordinary sets show their final numbered checklist; where Pokémon publishes a separately numbered Vault, Classic Collection or Gallery, that second pool is shown separately. Reverse holos, stamped promos and other variants can make a master set larger again.
Sword & Shield — SSH · 7 February 2020 · 216 cards
The launch expansion brings the Galar region into the TCG and introduces Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX. Zacian V and Zamazenta V lead the set, with Gigantamax Snorlax and Lapras among the early VMAX cards.
Exact checklist: 216 cards (202 main + 14 above-set). The 216-card checklist establishes the era's full-art, Rainbow Rare and gold secret-rare structure. Zacian V was also one of the defining competitive cards of the early era.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution with booster displays, ETBs and theme decks.
Japanese source context: Sword / Shield plus V Starter Sets.
Rebel Clash — RCL · 1 May 2020 · 209 cards
Rebel Clash expands the first Sword & Shield card pool with more Pokémon V and VMAX and a larger set of Galar characters and locations.
Exact checklist: 209 cards (192 main + 17 above-set). At 209 cards it remains a large early-era set but has a less specialised collector identity than later Sword & Shield releases.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution.
Japanese source context: Rebellion Crash / VMAX Rising.
Darkness Ablaze — DAA · 14 August 2020 · 201 cards
Darkness Ablaze centres on Eternatus and the Darkest Day theme, with Charizard VMAX becoming the set's most recognisable collector card.
Exact checklist: 201 cards (189 main + 12 above-set). The 201-card checklist is comparatively compact for the era. Charizard VMAX gives the set a strong sealed and binder identity despite the small above-set-number section.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution.
Japanese source context: Infinity Zone / Explosive Walker plus VMAX Starter Sets.
Champion's Path — CPA · 25 September 2020 · 80 cards
Champion's Path is a compact special expansion based around the Galar Gym Challenge and Gym Leaders. It has no clean one-set Japanese equivalent.
Exact checklist: 80 cards (73 main + 7 above-set). The exact checklist contains 80 cards. Shiny Charizard V and Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX dominate the collector identity, while the small set size can make duplicate-heavy openings especially noticeable.
Products: Special expansion: boosters were only sold inside Champion's Path products, not conventional booster displays.
Japanese source context: Draws from Infinity Zone, Explosive Walker, Legendary Heartbeat, decks and promos.
Vivid Voltage — VIV · 13 November 2020 · 203 cards
Vivid Voltage introduces Amazing Rare cards to the international game and centres the set on Gigantamax Pikachu, alongside Zarude and more Pokémon V/VMAX.
Exact checklist: 203 cards (185 main + 18 above-set). The Amazing Rare treatment gives the set a distinct six-card mini-theme inside the 203-card checklist. Rainbow Rare Pikachu VMAX is the other signature collector card.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution.
Japanese source context: Amazing Volt Tackle / Legendary Heartbeat.
Shining Fates — SHF · 19 February 2021 · 73 main + 122 Shiny Vault
Shining Fates is the era's major shiny-focused special expansion. Its normal set is small, but a separately numbered 122-card Shiny Vault makes the full checklist much larger.
Exact checklist: 195 cards (73 main + 122 Shiny Vault). The 195-card total should be understood as two blocks: 73 cards in the main checklist and 122 Shiny Vault cards. Shiny Charizard VMAX is the headline chase.
Products: Special expansion distributed through ETBs, tins and collections rather than booster displays.
Japanese source context: Shiny Star V plus deck/special-product cards.
Battle Styles — BST · 19 March 2021 · 183 cards
Battle Styles introduces the Single Strike and Rapid Strike labels, two card families designed to work with dedicated Trainers, Energy and Pokémon.
Exact checklist: 183 cards (163 main + 20 above-set). The set is important mechanically and for its Urshifu alternate arts, even though later Sword & Shield releases are more collector-heavy.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution.
Japanese source context: Single Strike Master / Rapid Strike Master.
Chilling Reign — CRE · 18 June 2021 · 233 cards
Chilling Reign moves into the Crown Tundra and highlights Ice Rider and Shadow Rider Calyrex alongside Galarian Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres.
Exact checklist: 233 cards (198 main + 35 above-set). The set is one of the major alternate-art collecting releases of the era, with a large 233-card checklist and numerous Full Art / alternate-art Pokémon V.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution.
Japanese source context: Silver Lance / Jet-Black Spirit / Peerless Fighters.
Evolving Skies — EVS · 27 August 2021 · 237 cards
Evolving Skies combines Eevee Heroes material with dragon-focused Japanese sets and marks the return of Dragon-type Pokémon to the international TCG.
Exact checklist: 237 cards (203 main + 34 above-set). It is the era's defining alternate-art collector set, with Umbreon VMAX, Rayquaza VMAX and multiple Eeveelution alternate arts. The 237-card numbered checklist understates the significance of its artwork variants.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution.
Japanese source context: Skyscraping Perfection / Blue Sky Stream / Eevee Heroes plus held-over cards.
Eevee Heroes is an important source for Evolving Skies, but Evolving Skies also draws from other Japanese releases, so the two are not one-to-one equivalents.
Celebrations — CEL · 8 October 2021 · 25 main + 25 Classic Collection
Celebrations is a 25th-anniversary special expansion with a 25-card main set and a separately numbered 25-card Classic Collection that recreates historic cards in modern form.
Exact checklist: 50 cards (25 main + 25 Classic Collection). The full set contains exactly 50 cards across the two pools. Product promos sit outside that 50-card checklist and form a separate anniversary collecting layer.
Products: Special expansion sold through anniversary products with four-card booster packs; no conventional booster display.
Japanese source context: 25th Anniversary Collection / Promo Card Pack 25th Anniversary Edition.
Fusion Strike — FST · 12 November 2021 · 284 cards
Fusion Strike introduces the third Battle Style, mixing support and disruption around pink-labelled Fusion Strike cards. Mew VMAX is the set's defining Pokémon.
Exact checklist: 284 cards (264 main + 20 above-set). At 284 cards, Fusion Strike was the largest international Pokémon TCG expansion until Ascended Heroes surpassed it in 2026. Gengar VMAX, Espeon VMAX and Mew VMAX alternate arts are major collector highlights.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution.
Japanese source context: Fusion Arts plus decks, family-set, held-over and promo material.
Brilliant Stars — BRS · 25 February 2022 · 186 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery
Brilliant Stars introduces Pokémon VSTAR and once-per-game VSTAR Powers. Arceus VSTAR is the flagship card, joined by Charizard VSTAR and others.
Exact checklist: 216 cards (186 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery). The expansion has 216 cards when its 30-card Trainer Gallery is included. The Trainer Gallery creates a distinct artwork-led subset celebrating Pokémon with Trainers.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution.
Japanese source context: Star Birth / VMAX Climax / Start Deck 100.
Astral Radiance — ASR · 27 May 2022 · 216 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery
Astral Radiance brings Pokémon Legends: Arceus and the Hisui region into the TCG, including Origin Forme Dialga and Palkia VSTAR. It also introduces Radiant Pokémon internationally.
Exact checklist: 246 cards (216 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery). The exact 246-card total includes a 30-card Trainer Gallery. Radiant Greninja and the Hisuian Pokémon artwork give the set a distinctive identity beyond the VSTAR cards.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution.
Japanese source context: Time Gazer / Space Juggler / Battle Region plus other sources.
Pokémon GO — PGO · 1 July 2022 · 88 cards
Pokémon GO is a compact special expansion built around the mobile game, with Mewtwo, Radiant Kanto starters and location/item references from Pokémon GO.
Exact checklist: 88 cards (78 main + 10 above-set). The set contains exactly 88 numbered cards. One unusual collector mechanic is Ditto hidden behind a peelable sticker layer on certain reverse-holo cards.
Products: Special expansion distributed through collection products rather than normal booster displays.
Japanese source context: Pokémon GO Japanese subset.
Lost Origin — LOR · 9 September 2022 · 217 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery
Lost Origin reintroduces the Lost Zone as a major gameplay mechanic, with Giratina VSTAR as the flagship card and purple/pink Lost Zone visual motifs across the set.
Exact checklist: 247 cards (217 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery). The 247-card total includes 30 Trainer Gallery cards. Giratina V alternate art is the defining collector card, while Pikachu and Gengar TG cards make the subset important in its own right.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution.
Japanese source context: Lost Abyss / Dark Phantasma / high-class decks / held-over pools.
Silver Tempest — SIT · 11 November 2022 · 215 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery
Silver Tempest is the twelfth and final main Sword & Shield expansion. Lugia VSTAR leads the set alongside Alolan Vulpix VSTAR, Regidrago VSTAR and Regieleki VMAX.
Exact checklist: 245 cards (215 numbered + 30 Trainer Gallery). The exact 245-card checklist includes the fourth and final 30-card Trainer Gallery. Lugia V alternate art is the set's most recognisable collector card.
Products: Normal main-expansion distribution.
Japanese source context: Paradigm Trigger / Incandescent Arcana plus held-over material.
Crown Zenith — CRZ · 20 January 2023 · 160 numbered + 70 Galarian Gallery
Crown Zenith is the final Sword & Shield special expansion and acts as a broad celebration of the Pokémon V era.
Exact checklist: 230 cards (160 numbered + 70 Galarian Gallery). Its 230-card total is split between a 160-card numbered main set and the 70-card Galarian Gallery. The Gallery is one of the most extensive special-art subsets in the TCG, with connected nine-card and four-card artworks among its best-known features.
Products: Special expansion with a staggered product rollout; boosters only inside Crown Zenith products, not conventional displays.
Japanese source context: VSTAR Universe plus Special Deck Set and held-over cards.
Collecting the Sword & Shield era
Alternate-art Pokémon V and VMAX
Sword & Shield popularised modern alternate-art collecting across sets such as Chilling Reign, Evolving Skies and Fusion Strike.
Amazing Rare
Vivid Voltage introduces the compact Amazing Rare rarity, identifiable by rainbow-splash artwork and a distinctive rarity symbol.
Shiny Vault
Shining Fates uses a 122-card separately numbered Shiny Vault, so the 195-card total must be understood as two collecting blocks.
Trainer Gallery
Brilliant Stars, Astral Radiance, Lost Origin and Silver Tempest each add a 30-card TG subset with its own numbering.
Radiant Pokémon
Astral Radiance onward adds Radiant Pokémon, shiny-themed single-copy deck cards with their own visual treatment.
Galarian Gallery
Crown Zenith replaces the Trainer Gallery concept with a 70-card Galarian Gallery, producing one of the era's most artwork-heavy finales.
Standard expansions vs special expansions
Standard Sword & Shield expansions use ordinary booster packs and 36-pack displays, usually alongside Elite Trainer Boxes and Build & Battle products. Booster Bundle products were introduced later in the era, so older releases should not be expected to have the same sealed-product menu as newer Pokémon sets.
The special expansions are Champion's Path, Shining Fates, Celebrations, Pokémon GO and Crown Zenith. Their boosters were distributed through set-branded products rather than conventional booster displays. Celebrations is further distinguished by four-card booster packs.
For sealed-product comparisons, pack count and included accessories are the useful basis. A product that includes sleeves, dice, promos or storage is not directly comparable with a pack-only product even when both contain boosters.
Store note: TCE stocks English Pokémon products; see our English Pokémon TCG range.
Playing these cards and Standard legality
By the 2026 Standard format, the original Sword & Shield-era regulation marks have rotated out of Standard. Some older physical copies may still be usable when the same card has a current legal printing, so tournament legality should be checked by card and regulation mark rather than by expansion name alone.
How do the Japanese Sword & Shield sets match the international sets?
There is no single pattern. Some international expansions map closely to one Japanese set, while others combine paired boosters, subsets, decks or held-over cards. This era guide keeps those notes brief; the detailed mapping is in our English and Japanese Pokémon set guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many Sword & Shield Pokémon TCG sets are there?
There are 17 international Sword & Shield expansions in this guide, from Sword & Shield through Crown Zenith.
What is the biggest Sword & Shield set?
Fusion Strike has the largest single numbered English expansion checklist in the Sword & Shield era at 284 cards. Sets with separately numbered galleries or vaults are listed as separate pools in this guide rather than being combined into one official set size.
Which Sword & Shield sets are special expansions?
Champion's Path, Shining Fates, Celebrations, Pokémon GO and Crown Zenith use special-expansion distribution rather than conventional booster displays.
What is the Trainer Gallery?
Brilliant Stars, Astral Radiance, Lost Origin and Silver Tempest each include a separately numbered 30-card Trainer Gallery focused on Pokémon-and-Trainer artwork.
What is the Galarian Gallery?
Crown Zenith contains a separate 70-card Galarian Gallery with special artwork. It is the spiritual successor to the Trainer Gallery concept but substantially larger.
Are Sword & Shield cards still Standard legal?
As of the 2026 Standard format, the original Sword & Shield-era regulation marks have rotated. An older physical printing may still be usable if the same card has a current legal printing, so check the current legality of the card rather than the set name.
Which set introduced Pokémon VSTAR?
Brilliant Stars introduced Pokémon VSTAR in February 2022.
Which set introduced Radiant Pokémon?
Astral Radiance introduced Radiant Pokémon internationally in May 2022.
Where this comes from: Pokémon’s official expansion pages, card database/checklists and product material, with Japanese source names cross-checked against Pokémon Card Game Japan and the detailed TCE set-mapping guide.
Last updated: 6 October 2026. The guide separates formally numbered subsets from their parent expansion wherever Pokémon publishes them as distinct checklist pools.