Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift

Status: Released (November 2023)

Past vs. Future in Paradox Rift

The concept of "Paradox Pokémon" fully arrived on November 3, 2023, with Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift. This set introduced "Ancient" and "Future" tags, creating two distinct playstyles. Ancient Pokémon like "Roaring Moon ex" focused on raw power and aggression, while Future Pokémon like "Iron Valiant ex" and "Iron Hands ex" relied on technical manipulation and speed. This expansion completely reshaped the competitive landscape, as Roaring Moon's ability to instantly KO any Pokémon made it a terrifying threat.

Iron Hands and the Prize Trade

Perhaps the most impactful card was "Iron Hands ex." Its "Amp You Very Much" attack allowed players to take an extra prize card upon a knockout. This fundamentally broke the math of the prize trade, forcing every deck to have a counterplay for it. Collectors were also treated to incredible art, with the "Roaring Moon ex" Special Illustration Rare and the "Groudon" Illustration Rare becoming instant classics. Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift was a complex, powerful set that added deep strategic layers to the game.