Sandstorm Studies

Think you've mastered the strategies of the Pokémon-e TCG? Are you ready for a new set of challenges? Pokémon-e TCG: EX Sandstorm ups the ante, bringing you more Pokémon, more power, and more deck building and strategy options than ever before. There are a few old tricks resurfacing in this set, and they all have new twists to them, so it's best to be fully prepared for the new mechanics and strategies.

Baby Pokémon have returned, in all of their cuteness. Behind these sweet faces are some excellent Pokémon and a new version of the Baby Pokémon Rule. Instead of the "flip rule," the new Poké-Power allows you to remove all damage counters on the baby when you evolve it into the Basic Pokémon. Remember, a Basic Pokémon that used to be a baby is always considered to be an evolved Pokémon and your opponent can sometimes use that to their advantage. Using the "healing" aspect of the Baby Pokémon to your advantage can swing a game in your favor, especially since the new baby Pokémon often have attacks that help you prepare for later in the game.

Another mechanic from the oldies but goodies bin are Fossils. Reappearing in EX Sandstorm are three different Fossil cards to select from: the new Root and Claw Fossils, and the Mysterious Fossil. Each leads to new and exciting Pokémon paths, and each works a little differently than the other Fossils. The Mysterious Fossil is just how you remember it—fragile. The Root and Claw Fossils have some additional protection in the form of more HP and a Poké-Body ability to help it last until you get the chance to evolve it. Using these tools can be tricky if your opponent can damage your Benched Pokémon, but the rewards for success are great—the Pokémon that evolve from Fossils are powerful indeed!

Pokémon-ex are large and in charge. Able to take a beating but give out more than they get, they are sure to dominate your opponent. In EX Sandstorm, Pokémon-ex take a new form—Pokémon-ex Evolutions! Bigger and stronger evolutions for regular Basic Pokémon, the Pokémon-ex Evolutions add surprise value and a bigger kick to your Evolution Chains. The Pokémon-ex Evolutions hold the same drawback as previous Pokémon-ex: if they are defeated, your opponent can draw two Prize cads instead of one. Odds are, though, that your evolved Pokémon-ex will win you more than a few Prize cards.

There are lots of new and old mechanics to think about and experiment with in Pokémon-e TCG: EX Sandstorm, but one thing is for certain: EX Sandstorm will blow you away!