The next Pokémon Trading Card Game international expansion set, Crown Zenith, has recently been revealed to include numerous new secret rare cards in a celebration of the Pokémon Sword and Shield games. Set to release January 20, 2023, many of Crown Zenith’s cards, especially the secret rares, come from the Japanese-exclusive expansion set, VSTAR Universe. The Crown Zenith set will boast over 160 cards, with a special emphasis on its special cards, from new Radiant Pokémon and VMAX and VSTAR Pokémon to 70 special artwork trading cards for the Galarian Gallery.
As the final Sword and Shield set, it’s only fitting that everything included in the Crown Zenith expansion set be undoubtedly exciting. However, the Secret Rares are the standout stars of this Pokémon TCG set. Coming from the VSTAR Universe expansion, many of the Crown Zenith Secret Rares include the traditional full and alternate art cards, but also feature new “Art Rare” and “Super Art Rare” categories. These cards are similar to the Full Art or Alternate Art Pokémon trading cards from previous sets, but are distinguished from other categories by their unique combination of full and alternate art designs. Without doubt, these new secret rare cards are among the most creative and exciting cards within the Crown Zenith expansion set.
Every Pokémon Secret Art Rare Card In Crown Zenith
While Crown Zenith is predicted to be the last international Pokémon TCG release promoting the Sword and Shield era, many of its cards are coming from a prior release, VSTAR UNIVERSE, which is exclusive to Japan. Among these, the best cards are likely coming to Crown Zenith. The new Secret Rare category of Art Rare will feature standard Pokémon or their evolved forms as full art trading cards. This exciting new category features a variety of basic Pokémon, legendaries, and Galarian forms. Based on what has been revealed so far, the art forms drastically vary depending on artist style, but many of the featured Pokémon are shown in different landscapes, with some even having other Pokémon on the cards with them. Here is every Art Rare card released for Crown Zenith so far:
- Manaphy
- Mew
- Diancie
- Absol
- Altaria
- Miltank
- Galarian Moltres
- Ditto (as Numel)
- Dunsparce
- Galarian Articuno
- Galaraian Zapdos
- Bibarel
- Oricorio
- Lunatone
- Solrock
- Latias
- Lapras
- Hisuian Voltorb
- Deoxys
- Magnezone
- Hisuian Goodra
Every Pokémon Secret Super Art Rare Card In Crown Zenith
Consulting every VSTAR Universe Pokémon card revealed so far gives collectors a glimpse into another new rarity category the Pokémon TCG is adapting to, Super Art Rare. The biggest distinction between the Art Rare and Super Art Rare categories is that the Super Art Rare cards feature Pokémon V, Pokémon VMAX, Pokémon VSTAR, and different trainers. Otherwise, Super Art Rare cards are similar to Art Rares by being full art trading cards. Because of the variations in art styles and designs, it’s likely these Super Art Rare cards will be highly sought after by Pokémon TCG collectors everywhere. Here is every Super Art Rare card included in Crown Zenith:
- Zacian V
- Zamazenta V
- Lumineon V
- Raikou V
- Suicune V
- Entei V
- Deoxys VMAX
- Zeraora VMAX
- Hatterene VMAX
- Hatterene VMAX (alt)
- Glaceon VSTAR
- Simisear VSTAR
- Leafeon VSTAR
- Regigigas VSTAR
- Mewtwo VSTAR
- Charizard VSTAR
- Hisuian Samurott VSTAR
- Deoxys VSTAR
- Zeraora VSTAR
- Lucario VSTAR
- Roxane
- Gardenia’s Vigor
- Cynthia’s Ambition
- Raihan
- Irida
- Adaman
Gen 8 pocket monsters overused in Pokémon TCG Secret Rare cards might finally take a step back after Crown Zenith, but many of the pocket monsters chosen as Art Rares and Super Art Rares are still beloved by many. Because of the exclusive status of Crown Zenith and these trading cards being the first to represent the new category of Secret Rares, it’s likely these cards will be a favorite among collectors. Those interested in trying to pull these elusive cards might want to pursue pre-order options from Pokémon Center, as it’s quite possible the cards will have fluctuating prices once on the market, especially when considering that there is still the potential for more cards to be revealed. Too, the Art Rare and Super Art Rare cards aren’t the only Secret Rares to be included in Crown Zenith.
Other Secret Rares Revealed For Crown Zenith
VSTAR Universe’s card reveal ushered in the anticipation for Pokémon Trading Card Game’s final expansion sets of Gen 8. The regions of Galar and Hisui have been full of great advancements for the Pokémon franchise, prompting the huge celebration which is the special set Crown Zenith. In addition to the Art Rare and Super Art Rare cards that collectors have a chance of pulling, the standard Secret Rare cards will also be appearing still in Crown Zenith. However, based on what has been revealed thus far, it seems that the Secret Rare cards in this expansion set will be focused more on showcasing trainers, rather than the pocket monsters themselves. Here are the Secret Rares not part of the Art Rare or Super Art Rare categories revealed for Crown Zenith:
- Elesa’s Sparkle
- Volo
- Friends in Hisui
- Friends in Sinnoh
With Pokémon Scarlet and Violet announcements for Pokémon TCG proving that the Crown Zenith set will be the last major Pokémon Sword and Shield expansion set, it makes sense that the Secret Rares of this set are going above and beyond. While there haven’t been many traditional Secret Rares revealed yet, it is still possible that there will be another handful of these cards in the official release. However, even if the traditional Secret Rare category isn’t as abundant, the Art Rare and Super Art Rare present an ambitious and intriguing future for Secret Rare cards within the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Crown Zenith Secret Rares are mostly reprints. However, Pokémon TCG Secret Rare cards from Silver Tempest aren’t included, likely because of how new this set still is. Many of the Secret Rares, including Art Rares and Super Art Rares, are pulled from past expansions such as Astral Radiance, Fusion Strike, Brilliant Stars, and still more. Because of its status as an exclusive, special set, the Crown Zenith trading cards will not be sold as individual booster packs, but as special products, such as tins, elite trainer boxes, and special collections. Crown Zenith is set to release on January 20, 2023, with various special products releasing through May 2023. The Pokémon Trading Card Game may be saying goodbye to Gen 8, but its future looks bright with Gen 9.
Source: PokeBeach
