Stellar Crown Review - Spoilers, Products, and Cards

We have Pokémon news for September 2024, more precisely, September 13th! The new Scarlet/Violet set, Stellar Crown, is the seventh base set in this block.

This set, Stellar Crown, will focus on Terapagos (from the VGC DLC, The Indigo Disk), and its mechanic, "Stellar", which is similar to the old Crystal Pokémon.

Stellar Crown was released in Japan on July 19th, 2024, and will be released in the west on September 13th, 2024.

This set will also feature new ACE SPEC cards, which have unique effects and were implemented in the Black & White era. If you'd like to know more about this mechanic, click here.

Products

Western Boosters

Japanese Boosters

Elite Trainer Box (Regular and Pokémon Center): Terapagos

Regular version:

Pokémon Center version:

The regular version will cost around US$49.99, and the Pokémon Center version will cost around US$59.99. They will both be released on September 13th, 2024.

They include:

- One promo Pokémon card for each ETB, which is an Illustration Rare Noctowl. The only difference is that the Pokémon Center ETB includes two copies of this promo card, and one has the "Pokémon Center" logo.

- A 7-dice set. One is a coin-flip die, and the other six are damage-counter dice.

- 65 card sleeves to protect your cards featuring the Pokémon the box is themed around.

- Plastic condition markers for Poison and Burn damage.

- A box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized, featuring the box's theme.

- A player’s guide to the Scarlet & Violet—Stellar Crown expansion.

- An online code card for the ETB to port to TCG Live.

- Nine boosters for the regular ETB, and eleven boosters for the "Pokémon Center" ETB. Each one includes 11 cards (10 Pokémon or Trainers, and 1 basic energy), and a digital code to port to TCG Live.

Regular version:

Pokémon Center version:

The new thing about this set is that all basic energy cards will have a Glass Stained effect, similar to the "Terastal effect", which references the main mechanic in the set:

Stellar Crown - Booster Box

This product includes 36 Stellar Crown boosters. A single booster costs around US$4.49, and the Booster Box with all 36 boosters costs around US$161.64. It will also be released on September 13th, 2024.

Stellar Crown - Blister Unitary Booster

This product will cost around US$5.49 and be released on September 13th, 2024.

Stellar Crown - Triple Packs

This product includes 3 Stellar Crown boosters and two different promo cards, Tinkaton and Latias. It will also be released on September 13th, 2024 and cost around US$13.99.

Stellar Crown - Premium Checklane Blister (Ancient & Future)

This product includes 3 "baby" Pokémon with the "Ancient" and "Future" mechanics, just one Stellar Crown booster, and one signature coin.

As of now, we have no information on how much it will cost and when it will be released.

Stellar Crown - Pack Blister

This product includes a Stellar Crown booster and a collectible acrylic coin. Each "blister" features a different promo card, either Horsea or Porygon 2. It will be released on September 13th, 2024 for US$5.49.

In some countries, this product will be a "Quad Pack" that includes four boosters, with one of the promo cards listed above, but no coin.

Stellar Crown - Booster Bundle

This product features 6 Stellar Crown boosters. It will also be released on September 13th, 2024, for US$26.94.

Stellar Crown - Build and Battle Box/Pre Release Kit

This product includes 6 Stellar Crown boosters, and some cards centered around the promo Pokémon in the pre-release kit. These cards will feature the set's logo. It will be released on September 13th, 2024 for US$21.99.

Bonus

Charizard ex-Super-Premium Collection

This special Charizard ex box will be a "reprint" with the alternative art of the Pokémon that comes from the Japanese product called "Special Deck Set ex Venusaur & Charizard & Blastoise", released in November 2023.

In this product, there are these versions of Venusaur ex sv3pt5 3, Charizard ex sv3pt5 6 and Blastoise ex sv3pt5 9 with these exclusive arts:

But Venusaur ex and Blastoise ex will come in the base collection of Stellar Crown.

The product will come with a Pokémon figurine and a base as a support for its card, which is practically similar to the same proposal that occurred in 2019, in the Sun/Moon block with the Hidden Fates special collection, where it had the Rayquaza Shiny as a figurine for this purpose.

The product will contain a special code to be used at PTCG Live, in addition to the version of Charmander sv3pt5 4 and Charmeleon sv3pt5 5 with a special "holo" effect from the box, and ten assorted boosters from the Scarlet /Violet block. It will cost around US$79.99 (R$446.75 -- in current conversion), and will be launched on October 4, 2024.

PRODUCT DETAILS

As we mentioned before, this set will bring us another batch of Paradox Pokémon, both ultra rare and common, besides new ACE SPEC cards.

The Pokémon Company still hasn't announced which Pokémon are included in the pre-release kit. So, I'll focus on the cards that have been announced.

Pokémon ex

Stellar Terastal Pokémon ex: The Main Pokémon in this Set

From left to right (keep in mind that all have the same Terastal ability: if they're on your bench, they are protected from attack damage, both from enemy Pokémon and your own):

Terapagos ex

Basic Pokémon.

Unified Beatdown (C)(C): If you go second, you can't use this attack during your first turn. This attack does 30 damage for each of your Benched Pokémon.

Crown Opal (G)(W)(L): Deal 180 damage. During your opponent's next turn, prevent all damage done to Terapagos ex by attacks from Basic non-Colorless (C) Pokémon.

To sum up, Terapagos ex will play a role similar to Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR CRZ GG67's, even more considering we can use Area Zero Underdepths, the stadium from this same set, with it.

Cinderace ex

Stage 2 Pokémon: it evolves from Raboot.

Flare Strike (F)(C)(C): Deal 280 damage. You can't use Flare Strike next turn.

Garnet Volley (F)(F)(D): This attack does 180 damage to 1 of your opponent's Pokémon. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)

Out of all the "Tera Stellar" Pokémon we'll discuss, this seems the easiest to set up. That's because, in Standard, we have Infernape TWM 33 and also Earthen Vessel sv4 163. Our biggest concern will be finding a darkness energy.

Lapras ex

Basic Pokémon.

Power Splash (W): This attack does 40 damage for each Energy attached to Lapras ex.

Larimar Rain (W)(P)(M): Look at the top 20 cards of your deck and attach any number of Energy cards you find there to your Pokémon in any way you like. Shuffle the other cards back into your deck.

It is quite easy to deal damage with its first attack. We can use, on the same turn we attack, Baxcalibur PR-SV 19 to attach Basic Water Energy sv2 279 to our Pokémon from our hand.

There's also Blastoise PGO 17, from Pokémon GO, to set up your energy cards. However, if you use its ability to look for six basic energy cards of any type in your deck and attach them to your Pokémon in any way you like, you'll also lose your turn.

As for its second attack, it's quite expensive and difficult to set up. So, the only way to do it might be Blastoise PGO 17, or the Lost Box mechanic with Mirage Gate LOR 163.

Galvantula ex

Stage 1 Pokémon: it evolves from Joltik.

Upper Thread (L)(C): Deal 110 base damage. If your opponent's Active Pokémon is a Pokémon ex or Pokémon V, this attack does 110 more damage.

Fulgurite (G)(L)(F): Deal 180 damage, but you'll have to discard all Energy from Galvantula. During your opponent's next turn, they can't play any Item cards from their hand.

Its first attack is quite easy to understand, and is particularly efficient against Water Pokémon and colorless flying Pokémon, like Lugia VSTAR SIT 211. As for its second attack, it isn't that efficient.

Other Pokémon ex

Hydrapple ex

Stage 2 Pokémon: it evolves from Dipplin.

- Ability - Ripe Charge: Once during your turn, you may attach a Basic Grass Energy sv2 278 from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon. If you attached Energy to a Pokémon in this way, heal 30 damage from that Pokémon.

- Syrup Storm (C)(C): This attack does 30 base damage + 30 more damage for each Basic Grass Energy sv2 278 attached to all of your Pokémon.

This is a strong card that has synergy with teal-mask-ogerpon-ex-twm-25 to counter Charizard ex sv4pt5 54.

Medicham ex

Stage 1 Pokémon: it evolves from Meditite.

- Chi-Atsu (C)(C): Put damage counters on your opponent's Active Pokémon until its remaining HP is 50.

- Yoga Kick (F)(C)(C): Deal 190 damage. This attack's damage isn't affected by Weakness or Resistance.

This is an excellent addition for Pokémon in this archetype, even more so if you play it with Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 112.

"Baby" Pokémon

Carracosta

Stage 2 Pokémon: it evolves from Tirtouga.

- Ability - Primal Knowledge: Attacks used by your Pokémon do 30 more damage to your opponent's Active "Evolution" Pokémon (before applying Weakness and Resistance).

- Tidal Wave (W)(W): Deal 150 base damage.

Drednaw

Stage 1 Pokémon: it evolves from Chewtle.

- Ability - Impregnable Shell: Prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks from your opponent's Pokémon if that damage is 200 or more.

- Hard Crunch (C)(C)(C): Deal 80 damage. If your opponent's Active Pokémon already has any damage counters on it, this attack does 80 more damage.

Veluza & Crabominable

What do these two Pokémon have in common? Their abilities (Prep Work):

"Attacks used by this Pokémon cost one colorless energy card (C) less for each Trainer Supporter: Kofu in your discard pile."

Veluza is a basic Pokémon, and Crabominable is a stage 1 evolution Pokémon. Here are their attacks:

- Veluza: Sonic Edge (C)(C)(C)(C): Deal 110 damage. This attack's damage isn't affected by any effects on your opponent's Active Pokémon.

- Crabominable: Haymaker (W)(C)(C)(C)(C): Deal 250 damage. You can't use this attack next turn.

Talonflame

Stage 2 Pokémon: it evolves from Fletchinder.

- Aero Chase (C)(C): Deal 110 damage. If your opponent's Active Pokémon's Retreat Cost is 2 or more, this attack does 110 more damage.

Trainer: Supporter

From left to right:

- Crispin: Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Energy cards of different types, reveal them, and put 1 of them into your hand. Attach the other card to 1 of your Pokémon. Then, shuffle your deck.

- Lacey: Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 4 cards. If your opponent has 3 or fewer Prize cards remaining, draw 8 cards instead.

- Briar: You can use this card only if your opponent has exactly 2 Prize cards remaining. During this turn, if your opponent's Active Pokémon is Knocked Out by damage from an attack used by your "Tera" Pokémon, take 1 more Prize card.

- Kofu: Put 2 cards from your hand on the bottom of your deck in any order. If you do, draw 4 cards.

Trainer: Item

Glass Trumpet

Item: You can use this card only if you have any Tera Pokémon in play.

Choose up to 2 of your Benched Colorless Pokémon and attach a Basic Energy card from your discard pile to each of them.

Trainer: Tool

Gravity Orb

Tool: If the Pokémon this card is attached to is in the Active Spot, each player's Active Pokémon's Retreat Cost is one colorless energy more.

Trainer: Stadium

Area Zero Underdepths

Stadium: You may only use this card's effect if you have any "Terastal Pokémon" in play.

When this Stadium is in play, you can have up to 8 Pokémon on your Bench.

ACE SPEC Cards

From left to right:

1) Stadium - Great Tree: Once during each player's turn, that player may search their deck for a Stage 1 Pokémon that evolves from 1 of their Basic Pokémon in play and put it onto that Pokémon to evolve it. If they do, they may search their deck for a Stage 2 Pokémon that evolves from that Stage 1 Pokémon and put it onto that Pokémon to evolve it.

You can't use this effect if you put a basic Pokémon in play and then played this stadium; it needs to be in play for at least one turn before you can use its effect.

2) Tool - Deluxe Bomb: If the Pokémon this card is attached to is in the Active Spot and is damaged by an attack from your opponent's Pokémon (even if it is Knocked Out eventually), put 12 damage counters on the Attacking Pokémon. Then, discard this card.

3) Tool - Sparkling Crystal: Attacks of the "Tera" Pokémon this card is attached to cost 1 less of any type of Energy (but only 1 Energy at a time).

What did you think of the new products and the new set? Which decks are you most anxious to build? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below!

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!