ThePokemon Trading Card Gamehas been around nearly as long as the video game series, and has evolved with new mechanics alongside it. New “Battle Styles” cards based onSwordandShield’s Isle of Armor DLC will be introduced in March 2021, soon after theShiny FatesTCG expansion set.
However, when a card game has been around as long as thePokemon TCG, there will inevitably be errors published in its extensive catalog of cards. The most recent error appears for a card based on Cinderace, the final stage Fire-type starter from the Galar region. Its original printing in thebaseSword & Shieldset(number 36/202) that released February 2020 apparently lists just one energy for Retreat Cost when it should have two.
RELATED:The Pokemon Company Reveals ‘Battle Styles’ Pokemon Cards
In a message posted to the official Pokemon website Wednesday, it was announced that this Cinderace card will henceforth use the intended Retreat Cost rather than the one printed, and it was added to an ongoing PDF that lists various errata throughout the history of thePokemon TCG. The PDF details changes going back to theDiamond & Pearl - Mysterious Treasuresset released in August 2007, but also features blanket changes to the game such as Potions healing 30 damage rather than 20.
Though this change may be annoying for tournament referees to keep track of until reprints of Cinderace with the appropriate Retreat Cost begin to circulate, it will no doubt make the original card rise in value for fans and general collectors alike. There has been an explosion in popularity for TCG pack openings and collecting in 2020, withrare Pokemon cards selling for upwards of $200,000as notable internet figures like Felix “Pewdiepie” Kjellberg and Logan Paul open packs on stream.
Another major development took place for thePokemon TCGthis year.Illusionist Uri Geller gave Nintendo permission to print Kadabra cards againin November after suing Nintendo in 2000 based on the Pokemon’s Japanese name “Yungeller.” Though Kadabra has continued to appear in the video games, anime, and other media, it has been notably absent from the TCG for 20 years.
The errata forSword & Shield’s Cinderace card is not the first, and it will no doubt be the last correction issued by Nintendo and The Pokemon Company for misprints. One fan of the series recently went viral when pointing out anotable error with Poke Ball graphics across early cards, and it should be interesting to see what other issues affect thePokemon TCGas it continues to expand.
