Sword & Shield—Battle Styles

Status: Released (March 2021)

Choose Your Strike in Battle Styles

Combat evolved on March 19, 2021, with Sword & Shield—Battle Styles. This expansion introduced the "Battle Styles" mechanic, splitting cards into two categories: "Single Strike" (focusing on raw power and one-hit KOs) and "Rapid Strike" (focusing on technical plays and bench damage). The mascots, "Single Strike Urshifu VMAX" and "Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX," immediately became top-tier meta contenders, offering two distinct ways to play the game.

The Return of Alternate Arts

While players loved the new mechanics, collectors celebrated for a different reason: the return of "Alternate Art" cards. These ultra-rare versions of Pokémon V and VMAX featured full, scenic artwork that told a story. The "Tyranitar V" (Single Strike) sleeping after a big meal and the "Empoleon V" (Rapid Strike) training in the mountains became instant classics. Sword & Shield—Battle Styles is credited with kicking off the "Alt Art Era," a golden age of collecting where artwork quality reached new heights.