The Pokemon Trading Card Game annual special sets frequently target nostalgia. Evolutions! Celebrations! But more than any expansion before it, Scarlet & Violet 151 builds around the franchise’s long-time motto: “gotta catch ‘em all.”
Featuring the original Kanto creatures and with set order matching Pokedex order, 151 is a set built to be stored in binders. Rather than a smattering of different types and regional forms, the expansion presents each in their proper context and iconic form. This is a set that knows its audience. And isn’t afraid to hit it hard in the wallet! Like other special expansions, it’s unavailable in individual booster packs and more commonly found in curated boxes with promotional cards and such. (Still, there are “booster bundle” packs and Elite Trainer Box releases, for those looking to buy in more bulk.)
The inclusion of the full Kanto Pokedex means the return of Kadabra. Gone from the TCG for two decades after some legal entanglements with magician Uri Geller, the Scarlet & Violet 151 appearance isn’t something The Pokemon Company is particularly touting, but it’s notable for long-time collectors. It also means we’ll probably see more of fan-favorite Alakazam in future sets. It has made an appearance every time the card game had another “this is a Basic no matter what” concept, like EX or Radiant or V, so we’d bet printing it more often is in the company’s plans.
Adding to the nostalgia of Scarlet & Violet 151 is the use of “galaxy” foil for the Pokemon TCG set’s energy cards. Old-heads like us may remember this holographic treatment from its earliest days, and filling decks with that design might tempt some. (And along the way, maybe they’ll open some Eeveelutions or a particularly hungry Snorlax.) We don’t know this for sure, but it feels like these foil energy might be in higher quantities than usual? Fingers crossed; it’d be helpful if they are.
Unsurprisingly, The 151 set includes a truly stellar #151, Mew ex. Its Restart ability is a great bench staple, letting you draw up to three each turn. The Genome Hacking attack lets you use any move the opponent’s active creature has, which ain’t a slouch either. It is, of course, exceedingly rare, though! Even with full-art and gold variants in the set. The Ultra-Premium Collection does include an Illustrator Rare version of the card? At about $120, it’s as expensive as it sounds, but it also might be the cheapest way to get one. Just thinking about it does make us start trying to rationalize that “it isn’t that good, actually.”
Past the Pokedex numbers, we do get a few interesting Trainer cards. It’s the first appearance of Daisy, your rival’s older sister, who appropriately gets a Town Map-like ability to look at your Prize cards. Bill’s Transfer lets you access your deck’s Pokemon. Erika’s Invitation lets you pull a Pokemon from an opponent’s hand directly to the active spot for a pummeling. And yep, Giovanni’s here too.
It’s a weird set to talk about, honestly! We feel like you probably know if you’re interested in Scarlet & Violet 151 by the time you’ve finished reading the name, and what’s intriguing here is often the most obvious-in-retrospect sort of treatment for a species or character. But there are absolutely ways to have messed this set up, so it’s nice to see it come together nicely.
The latest Pokemon Trading Card Game expansion set, Scarlet & Violet 151, hits stores beginning September 22, 2023. For more Pokemon TCG coverage, check out our archive. Stay tuned to Siliconera for a breakdown of the set’s best cards.
