Most Powerful Pokemon Cards In The Chilling Reign Expansion
The Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield Chilling Reign expansion was recently released for players and collectors to enjoy. Featuring Pokémon from the Crown Tundra, Chilling Reign brings the unique collection of creatures from Sword and Shield's second expansion into packs of cards. While there are a few disappointments in Chilling Reign’s selection, with more than 190 cards available, there are enough powerful contenders to make the Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion worth considering,
It’s no surprise Chilling Reign gives the Galarian Legendary birds some astounding power, as they were featured throughout the expansion's marketing. Galarian Articuno V focuses on optimizing its trainer's hand, with its Reconstitute Ability forcing the player to discard two cards and draw an additional card during their turn. Its Psyray attack, while weaker than the other two Legendary birds' moves, deals 110 damage and inflicts the Confusion status.
For a trainer stuck in a nasty situation, Galarian Zapdos V can quickly turn a battle around. It focuses on dealing deadly blows efficiently, utilizing its Fighting Instinct Ability to power up its Thunderous Kick attack based on how many opponents it's facing. Galarian Moltres V employs more of a risk-reward tactic. Its Direflame Ability charges it up with Dark Energy from the discard pile to power its Aura Burn attack, which then deals a massive 190 damage to the opponent but also 30 damage to Moltres itself. Trainers looking to test their luck in exchange for damage should not ignore this fiery creature.
Chilling Reign doesn’t just imbue Legendaries with devastating powers, instead spreading the love among more common Pokémon. Rapid-Strike Weavile and Rapid-Strike Zebstrika, for example, form an effective pair in battle. Rapid-Strike Weavile's Two-Hit KO ensures the knockout of a Defending Pokémon if it was attacked by another Rapid-Strike Pokémon in the prior turn. This then makes Rapid-Strike Zebstrika’s Coordinated Bolt ability more powerful. Weavile and Zebstrika are dependent on cooperative action and synergy in a deck, so each of these cards becomes substantially better with proper deck cohesion.
An integral part of the Sword and Shield TCG series has been the inclusion of Dynamax and Gigantimax cards. Two new cards that take advantage of these forms, effectively utilizing them for their abilities, are Dynamax Celebi VMAX and Dynamax Blaziken VMAX. The former's Ability is called Curative Forest and allows players to heal their Grass Pokémon for 20 HP upon use. Like many decks, Dynamax Celebi VMAX works to ensure the longevity of Pokémon in play.
Dynamax Blaziken VMAX, on the other hand, currently holds the status of the most valuable card of the Chilling Reign expansion. This popularity speaks to its Secret Rare and alternate art but also its effectiveness in battle. Blaziken’s Max Blaze attack not only deals 130 damage to opposing Pokémon but also equips two benched Rapid-Strike Pokémon with Energy cards from the player's discarded pile. This move ensures Blaziken's continued use even after it has been defeated, equipping its trainer with the means to continue offensive plays. These VMAX Pokémon would be powerful additions to Grass-type or Fire-type decks, respectively.
Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield Chilling Reign is full of rare and strong new cards, and each can be utilized properly with the right decks, types, and strategies. Some have already gained popularity and value based on their rarity and art, but quite a few will also be able to significantly assist their trainers in battle.