Pokémon TCG Prerelease tournaments let players be the first to get their hands on the newest expansion and try out the latest cards in action. Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Cosmic Eclipse Prerelease tournaments will be held October 19–27, 2019, shortly before the expansion launches on November 1. In addition to getting cards early, you’ll be able to pick up a cool promo card featuring Buzzwole, Entei, Phione, or Blacephalon! Check with your local game store to see when they’re hosting one of these events.

When you sit down to play at a Prerelease tournament, you’ll receive a Build & Battle Box containing a 23-card Evolution pack, which includes an exclusive foil promo card and is designed to give you a strong foundation for building a new deck. Each box also includes four 10-card booster packs from Sun & Moon—Cosmic Eclipse. You’ll use these cards, plus basic Energy provided by the Tournament Organizer, to construct your own 40-card deck. You’ll get to keep all the cards from your Build & Battle Box, whether you use them in your deck or not. If you’re lucky, you might even open one of the new out-of-this-world TAG TEAM Trainer cards!

The promo card you’ll receive is a cool collector’s item, with a shiny foil stamp marking it as a Prerelease promo. It can also be used in your deck, and you’re likely to wind up with plenty of cards that match its type. Take a look at the four promo cards available at Sun & Moon—Cosmic Eclipse Prerelease tournaments, and get some tips to make the most of the one you receive.

Buzzwole (SM218)

The Ultra Beast Buzzwole is the kind of card that gets better and better as the match rolls on. This Grass-type Pokémon’s Beast Boost Ability makes its Touchdown attack do more damage as you take Prize cards, and Touchdown’s healing effect is great if Buzzwole has taken a hit or two. Sure, Buzzwole will be even more valuable in a full six-Prize match than in the shortened Prerelease tournament, but it still has excellent potential in this format.

Entei (SM219)

Even in this era of hard-hitting Pokémon, not too many of them have two attacks that have 100+ damage potential like Entei. Even before you’re ready for Entei to attack, you’ll want it on your Bench where you can power it up. Whether you’re just lining up a continuous barrage of Fire Mane attacks or waiting to pounce with the Rally Back attack when one of its allies is Knocked Out, this Legendary Pokémon can turn up the heat in any Prerelease battle.

Phione (SM220)

You’re not going to win too many battles with Phione on the attack, but its Whirlpool Suction Ability could be a game changer from the Bench. It forces your opponent to swap out their Active Pokémon, possibly promoting a much weaker Pokémon in its place. For such a small Pokémon, Phione could have an enormous impact on the game.

Blacephalon (SM221)

Light up your next Prerelease match with the Psychic-type Blacephalon. Its Fireworks Bomb attack is decent to start with—but when your opponent has three Prize cards left, it goes off with a bang and lets you shower 12 damage counters on their Pokémon however you like. Since Prerelease matches start with four Prize cards, you’ll find Blacephalon useful earlier in the game, and perhaps giving you a quick upper hand in battle.

 

Look forward to fun battles in Sun & Moon—Cosmic Eclipse Prerelease tournaments October 19–27, 2019!