TThe latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Scarlet and violet – rising sparksarrives on November 8, 2024, but you can visit your local game store to play with it early! Starting October 26, 2024, select retailers will begin selling the Scarlet and violet – rising sparks Build & Battle Box, giving fans the chance to have a pre-release battle and experience the latest expansion before the official release date. Use the Event Locator to find a Prerelease event near you.
In the Prerelease format, players can compete with a 40-card deck with four prize cards set aside at the start of the game, as opposed to a 60-card deck with six prize cards. This format is perfect for introducing new players to the exciting world of the Pokémon TCG with fast-paced, fun games, and it gives seasoned players an inside look at it all too. Scarlet and violet – rising sparks has to offer. Due to the limited card pool and variety of cards that can be obtained in a Build & Battle Box, prerelease events are also a great opportunity to flex your creative deckbuilding muscles.
Each Build & Battle Box contains four Scarlet and violet – rising sparks booster packs, a ready-to-use 40-card deck of key cards from current and past sets, as well as one of four unique foil promo cards to boost your Prerelease deck. Depending on which promo card you get, you can add the chilly Chien-Pao, the exciting Magneton, the gigantic Gouging Fire, and the serene Indeedee. Whichever promo card you get will definitely determine your Prerelease strategy!
Are you ready to set your opponent’s chances of winning on fire? Gouging Fire is exactly the Paradox Pokémon for this, and its Blazing Charge attack is the key to this strategy. Blazing Charge does 100 damage and can deal an additional 70 damage if your opponent has four or fewer prize cards left. Normally it would take some time for this bonus damage to occur, but prerelease games have every player start the deck with four prize cards, making Blazing Charge an instant powerful attack. You still have the 
necessary to turn it on, but keep this format quirk in mind.
Prepare for some damage with this promo card featuring Chien-Pao. The Icicle Loop attack does 120 damage 
and returns an attached Energy to your hand. That’s enough damage to take out most one-cost Pokémon in one hit, and returning energy to your hand can be useful if Chien-Pao itself is close to being taken out. Don’t forget the Snow Sink ability: there are two new Stadium cards inside Scarlet and violet – rising sparks which you may want to throw away when the time is right.
Shock your opponents with Magneton’s Overvolt Discharge, a powerful ability that allows you to attach up to three basic energy cards from your discard pile to your cards. 
Pokémon any way you want! The catch? Magneton will also be disabled. Giving up Prize cards never feels good, but enabling future attacks is usually worth it, and Magneton’s Evolution, Magnezone, carries a high attack cost that can be more easily fulfilled using Overvolt Discharge.
Being behind on prize cards can also be an advantage if you’re lucky enough to find Tapu Koko in your Build & Battle Box. The attack cost for the number of prizes and deals a total of 180 damage if you have more prize cards than your opponent. It is a perfect combination with Magneton!
Need HP? Indeedee is happy to serve you! When playing Indeedee from your bench hand, you can use the Obliging Heal Ability to remove 30 damage and a special condition from your active Pokémon. There are plenty of Pokémon in there Scarlet and violet – rising sparks that can ruin your day with special conditions, so you’ll want to save Indeedee’s option for when it matters most.
There are variations between Build & Battle Boxes, so you can put your own creative spin on building your deck. Whether you head to your local game store or just play with a friend, you’re in for some fast and fun battles with cards from the new Scarlet and violet – rising sparks expansion! If you can’t attend a prerelease event, these Build & Battle Boxes will be available for purchase once the expansion officially launches.
