Paradox Rift will likely be the final expansion to release this year within thePokemon TCG:Scarlet and Violetseries, and this set has a plethora of cards to get excited over including the new Ancient and Future Pokemon geared towards aiding gameplay and a host of special illustration secret rares to gawk over.
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Releasing on June 28, 2025, in the west, following Japan’s late October release, Paradox Rift’s English set will introduce a roster of Paradox Pokemon with the Ancient and Future mechanic labels, and the expansion is largely made up of Japan’s Ancient Roar & Future Flash, and September’s Raging Surf and Tera Mewtwo & Skeledirge ex Decks. Here are ten of the best cards from Paradox Rift.
Pokemon TCG
Roaring Moon Ex
First up is theRoaring Moonex card carrying the new Ancient label, and its overpowered Frenzied Gouging attack instantly KOs your opponent’s Active Pokemon—and it only takes three Energy to summon it.
The brunt of the self-inflicted 200 damage can be negated with a card like Emergency Jelly, and the Calamity Storm attack is a great backup dealing 100 damage plus 120 more if you discard a Stadium. This is a no-brainer card to have in your deck for gameplay and a solid attack card to start the list.
Card Number
Pokemon Type
Frenzied Gouging / Calamity Storm
If Roaring Moon left you blurry-eyed, the first secret rare on our list and full-art illustration rare is Cyclizar, showing four of the nightmarish Pokemon stationary at a parking lot next to a sidewalk with some chatting and another sleeping.
Many of these snapshot full-art cards are a joy to look at, especially when they’re colorful yet minimalist to not overpower the eye, and the line work makes it feel like you’re viewing a comic book. Cyclizar also has a cute Driving Buddy attack that deals 70 more damage if a Supporter Card is played.
Ram / Driving Buddy
Gholdengo Ex
Next up is the special illustration rareGholdengoex, which offers a rather unique design for a Pokemon card. The artwork features a graffiti-style print of the golden Pokemon, mimicking an Oscar award come to life, smirking at the viewer with its arms folded.
Gholdengo ex is actually one of the more expensive cards in the Paradox Rift set and offers a Coin Bonus ability and a Make it Rain attack. However, the real draw to this card is the Pokemon’s pose that breaks the fourth wall and makes the card look like a treasure come to life with its gold aesthetic.
Coin Bonus / Make it Rain
Iron Valiant Ex
Iron Valiantex is a basic card carrying the Future label, and while its artwork isn’t anything to write home about,the impressive abilitythis card carries is enough to label it a dark horse of the set when it comes to gameplay tactics.
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This card’s Tachyon Bits allows you to put two damage counters on one of your opponent’s Pokemon per turn while Active, therefore, allowing three or more of these cards to sit in your deck will keep the damage river flowing before your opponent can fight back.
Tachyon Bits / Laser Blade
Back to the full-art side of the set, Aegislash, the metal Pokemon, is captured in all its grandeur decorating the side of what looks to be ancient ruins while soaking up the sun.
The lower point of view makes this Pokemon look particularly impressive and there’s also the Mysterious Shield ability to accompany the aesthetic that protects the monster from all damage done by Pokemon ex and Pokemon V. The muted colors and the mythological feel given to this secret rare makes it a must-have to collect.
Mysterious Shield Ability / Hard Bashing
If you’re an OG Pokemon fan, you’ll be more acquainted with the rock monster, Onyx, butits evolution, Steelix, offers a special illustration secret rare in this Paradox Rift set.
Gliding its way across the city, Steelix can be seen towering next to a construction site with a number of characters observing its appearance from ground level and from the top of an iron structure. It’s one of those cards where there’s plenty to look at and admire and the full-art also carries the Earthquake attack that’s synonymous with the Pokemon’s ground-rumbling nature.
Earthquake / Heavy Impact
Iron Hands Ex
The final card on this list prioritizing gameplay mechanics over artwork is Iron Hands ex sporting the Future label. Players and collectors alike have been praising this card as the best in the set when it comes to gameplay, and despite its artwork being better than other basic cards with its 3D composition, it’s still lackluster compared to the secret rares.
Harboring 230 HP, this card’s attack, Amp You Very Much, allows you to draw an extra Prize card if the attack KO’s an opponent’s Pokemon, and trainers will have a lot of fun testing this card’s energy play.
Arm Press / Amp You Very Much
If you cast your mind back to the stunning artwork done by Alan Lee and John Howe for The Lord of the Rings movies, you’ll notice that this Groudon artwork could give them a run for their money since the Fighting Pokemon seems to be roaming Mordor itself.
The red and brown colors used in the artwork to bring the volcanoes and lava to life are particularly eye-catching, and you’re able to pretty much feel the heat coming off the card. Furthermore, Groudon carries the Magma Purge that deals 60 damage.
Swelling Power / Magma Purge
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If there’s one card on this list that will give you an infectious smile it’s Mantyke and the deep-sea diving aesthetic is particularly pleasing. Boasting a Buoyant Healing attack on the side, this card is beautiful to look at, exploring every detail as the gentleman explores the underwater landscape from his pod.
Mantyke’s joyful face is a sight for sore eyes and the blue color palette is on brand with this Water-type Pokemon. The price tag isn’t particularly high for this card, but collectors will want to bag it for the exhaustive artwork alone.
Buoyant Healing
Lastly, the Dark-type PokemonYveltalhas a mysterious aura radiating from the card as the design retains the flying monster’s draconic traits while turning the artwork into a trippy mural.
Accompanied by a Cross-Cut attack that deals 30 damage plus 60 more if the opponent’s Active Pokemon is an evolution, the colors used in the card’s spiral pattern become a pleasing vortex to witness, and it complements the Pokemon’s airborne nature. Not only does the Gen 6 monster show off its darker side in the image, but it also looks like it’s hypnotizing the viewer.
Cross-Cut / Dark Edge
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