Scarlet & Violet: Temporal Forces - Products, Cards and Spoilers Review

Temporal Forces is the first 2024 Pokémon TCG western release, and it is also the fifth base set in the Scarlet & Violet block.

Without further ado, let's check out the new set.

The Temporal Forces special set includes two Japanese sets, Wild Force and Cyber Judge, and it will be released in Japan on January 26th, 2024. For us in the west, it will be released on March 22nd, 2024.

We saw a bit about this set and its spoilers in this article about the 2024 rotation, in the section covering extra information.

This set is slightly inspired by the VGC DLC, The Indigo Disk, and brings Ancient and Future Paradox Pokémon, the "Beasts of Johto" and "Swords of Justice of Unova".

The greatest feature in this set is the return of ACE SPEC cards, which are special cards with unique effects, a mechanic implemented in the Black & White era. Check out more details about them by clicking here.

This set will have, at first, seven ACE SPEC cards (six Trainer cards and one special energy), besides the usual number of cards for sets: more than 160 cards (including the regular versions, ultra rares, secret arts, alternative arts, gold arts, etc) and new Paradox Pokémon.

Products

Western Boosters Design

Japanese Boosters Design

Elite Trainer Box: Walking Wake ex & Iron Leaves ex

Walking Wake ex

Iron Leaves ex

Both cost around US$49.99, and are predicted for release on March 22nd, 2024.

Each ETB has a different promo card. Flutter Mane will be included with Walking Wake ex, (the "Ancient Misdreavus"), and Iron Threats will be included with Iron Leaves ex (the "Future Tyranitar").

Flutter Mane

Iron Threads

The accessories included are themed after each ETB (Ancient and Future, which differ from one another through their color palette and overall design), but both have:

- A 7-dice set; 1 coin-flip die and 6 other dice to use as damage-counters.

- A 65-sleeve kit to protect your cards themed after the Pokémon starring on the ETB box, that is, Walking Wake or Iron Leaves.

- Acrylic Poison and Burnt condition markers.

- 4 box dividers to organize your cards in the box, themed around the box.

- One player's guide to the Scarlet & Violet - Temporal Forces expansion.

- A code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live so you can migrate to TCG Live.

- 11 Temporal Forces Boosters. Each pack has 11 cards (10 Pokémon or Trainer cards, and one basic energy), and each Booster has a digital code so you can migrate to TCG Live.

Elite Trainer Box -Pokémon Center- : Walking Wake ex & Iron Leaves ex

Costing around US$ 59.99, it is predicted to be released also on March 22nd, 2024, and also has the same items as the traditional ETB (listed above), but with one key difference.

The Flutter Mane and Iron Threads promo cards have the "Pokémon Center" logo, as you can see in the images, and this product includes another copy of these cards without the logo.

Temporal Forces - Booster Box

This product has 36 Temporal Forces Boosters. The Boosters themselves, isolated, cost US$ 4.49 each. The Booster Box as a whole (the box with 36 Boosters) will cost around US$ 161.64. It will also be released on March 22nd, 2024.

Temporal Forces - Triple Packs

This product has 3 Temporal Forces Boosters, and two different promo cards: Cyclizar and Cleffa. These will also be released on March 22nd, 2024 for US$ 13.99 each.

Temporal Forces - Pack Blister

This product contains a Temporal Forces Booster and a collectible acrylic coin, and each blister has one different promo card: Carvanha and Bellibolt. These will also be released on March 22nd, 2024 for US$ 5.49 each.

In some places, this product was adapted as a "Quad Pack", that is, containing four Boosters, and includes one of the promo cards listed.

Temporal Forces - Booster Bundle

This product has 6 Temporal Forces Boosters, and its release is also set for March 22nd, 2024 for US$ 26.94. It will have two versions with different designs.

Note: the version with 10 Boosters has also been confirmed, but we don't know if the price of this product will be the same as the product that contains 6 Boosters.

Temporal Forces - Build and Battle Box/Pre Release Kit

This product has 6 Temporal Forces Boosters and a portion of a "deck" focused on one of the promo Pokémon that will be included in this kit, with this set's logo seal printed on the card's image. Its release is also set to March 22nd, 2024 for US$ 21.99.

As mentioned, this set will bring new waves of Paradox Pokémon, ultra rares and commons. We also have the ACE SPEC cards, which are the most interesting part of this set.

Pokémon ex

The Beasts of Johto

Gouging Fire ex

- Heat Blast (F)(C): deals 60 damage.

- Exploding Flare (F)(F)(C): deals 260 damage and this Pokémon won't be able to use Exploding Flare until it leaves the active position.

Out of all the Beasts of Johto, this one is the most complicated to charge without leaning on Charizard ex sv3 125's ability because it is the slowest one in the trio. Without Charizard ex sv3 125 to help you, you'll need to use Magma Basin BRS 185, and will still need to pass a turn (considering this stadium's effect and the energy you can attach from your hand every turn.).

Walking Wake ex

- Ability Cerulean Pulse: the damage dealt by this Pokémon's attack isn't affected by any effect on your opponent's active Pokémon.

- Catharsis Roar (W)(C)(C): deals 120 damage more 120 if the opponent's active Pokémon is affected by any bad status.

The cost to charge this Pokémon is quite obvious and clear: you'll use Baxcalibur PR-SV 19, one of the best energy Pokémon in the current format.

Raging Bolt ex

- Heat Blast (C): discard your hand and draw 6 new cards.

- Extreme Ascent (L)(F): you can discard any number of basic energies attached to your Pokémon in play. This attack will deal 70 damage for each basic energy card attached to your Pokémon in play that was discarded this way.

There are several ways to charge this Pokémon to compensate for its second attack's exotic cost, like Sandy Shocks ex sv4 108 and its ability: if your opponent has 4 Prize Cards or fewer left to win the game, you can use its ability, get a Basic Fighting Energy sv1 258 from the discard pile and attach it to this Pokémon. Next, we can use Energy Switch SIT 212 to move this energy.

The Swords of Justice of Unova

Iron Leaves ex

- Verdant Flow Ability: once, during your turn, when you play this Pokémon from your hand to your bench, you'll be able to swap it for your active Pokémon. If you do so, you'll be able to transfer energies from your other Pokémon to this Pokémon in any way you want to.

- Prismatic Edge (G)(G)(C): deals 180 damage, and this Pokémon won't be able to attack on the next turn.

Iron Crown ex

- Ability Cobalt Commander: your "Future Pokémon" attacks (except Iron Crown ex) deal 20 extra damage against your opponent's active Pokémon.

- Twin Shotels (P)(C)(C): this attack deals 50 damage to two enemy Pokémon, and doesn't apply weakness, resistance or any effects on your opponent's defending Pokémon.

This Pokémon, among the Swords of Justice of Unova, is the best one. Considering its attack goes through abilities and effects, it can counter Manaphy BRS 41.

Iron Boulder ex

- Repulsor Axe (F)(C): this attack deals 60 damage and, if by any chance this Pokémon is dealt damage through opponent's attacks, this opponent Pokémon will get 8 damage counters.

- Power Stamp (F)(F)(C): deals 200 damage, and you discard two energies attached to this Pokémon.

The Galar Dragons

Koraidon ex

- Revenge Crush (C)(C): this attack deals 20 damage plus 10 for each damage counter on this Pokémon.

- Kaiser Tackle (F)(F)(F): deals 280 damage and 60 damage to itself.

Koraidon ex

- Expelling Bolt (L)(P): this attack deals 60 damage, and, if the opponent has any damage counters, it deals an extra 100 damage.

- Cyber Drive (L)(P)(F): deals 220 damage and this Pokémon won't be able to use Cyber Drive on the next turn.

Pokémon ex da coleção

Gengar ex

Stage 2 Pokémon: it evolves from Haunter.

- Ability Corroding Curse: any time your opponent attaches an Energy from your hand to one of your Pokémon, that Pokémon gets 2 damage counters.

- Trick Step (D)(D): deals 160 damage and moves an Energy from your opponent's Active Pokémon to one of their Benched Pokémon.

It's a perfect Pokémon to combine with Hisuian Samurott VSTAR ASR 102 attacks..

Incineroar ex

Stage 2 Pokémon: it evolves from Torracat.

- Ability Adversity Act: the colorless energy costs (C) of this Pokémon's attacks are subtracted for each Pokémon on the opponent's Bench.

- Blazing Bomb (F)(C)(C)(C)(C): deals 240 damage and the opponent's Active Pokémon is burned.

This Pokémon will be a breath of fresh air for the Fire type and as a good attacker, as its ability exempts colorless energy costs for the proportion of Pokémon on the opponent's bench, that is, if the opponent has 5 Pokémon on the bench, the cost of Incineroar's attack will be just ONE ENERGY of fire only!

Pokémon ex Terastal from the collection

Wugtrio ex Terastal

Stage 1 Pokémon: it evolves fromWiglett.

- Troika Pump (W): Discard 3 energy from your hand and target an opponent's Pokémon; and for each card discarded, there is 60 damage (do not apply weakness or resistance to the bank).

- Tingly Bolt (W)(W): deals 120 damage and the opponent's active Pokémon cannot retreat.

A good Pokémon for “sniper” purposes, as we have Earthen Vessel sv4 163 to retrieve energy from the deck, as well as Superior Energy Retrieval sv2 189 for energy from discards.

Farigiraf ex

Stage 1 Pokémon: it evolves from Girafarig.

- Ability Tail Armor: Damages all types of damage done to the opponent's basic Pokemon.

- Sneaky Beam (P)(C)(C): deals 160 damage and deals 30 damage to one of the opponent's Benched Pokémon (do not apply weakness and resistance).

"Baby" Pokémon

Rabsca

Stage 1 Pokémon: it evolves from Rellor.

- Ability Sphere Shield: prevent all effects and damage done to your Benched Pokémon from your opponent's attacks.

- Psychic (G): deals 10 damage plus an extra 30 for each energy attached to your opponent's active Pokémon.

Its ability is a mixture of Manaphy BRS 41 and Jirachi sv4 126 in a single Pokémon, and its attack, besides easy to set up, is perfect to counter Charizard ex sv3 125. If this Pokémon has Supereffective Glasses ASR 152 equipped, it will deal 210 damage for just a single energy.

This is the math: 10 + 60 (for two of Charizard's Fire energies) totals 70 damage. Then, considering the effect that triples this archetype's weakness, 70 x 30 = 210 damage!

Whimsicott

Stage 1 Pokémon: it evolves from Cottone.

- Ability Floaty Heal: when evolving this Pokémon from your hand to one of your Cottone in play, you will be able to heal all damage from your grass-type Pokémon that is in the active position; and by doing so, you will discard all energy attached to that healed Pokémon.

- Seed Bomb (G): deals 40 damage.

Shiftry

Stage 2 Pokémon: it evolves from Nuzleaf.

- Expelling Tornado (G): Choose 3 Pokémon from your opponent's Bench. Your opponent will collect them back into their deck, with all cards attached to these Pokémon.

- Energy Loop (C)(C): deals 140 damage and puts an energy from this Pokémon back into your hand.

Feraligatr

Stage 2 Pokémon: its evolves from Croconaw.

- Ability Torrential Heart: during your turn, you can place 5 damage counters on this Pokémon; and if you do, Feraligatr will gain an additional 120 points of damage on its attack against your opponent's Active Pokémon.

- Great Wave (W)(W): this attack does 180 damage and in the next turn, this Pokémon will not be able to use Great Wave.

The combination of the Luxurious Cape sv4 166 increases the Pokémon's health by an additional 100 HP will make it have greater durability in the game and will also be able to abuse the use of its ability, causing more damage.

Iron Threads

- Destropress (L)(C): discard the 5 top cards in your deck. This attack deals 70 damage for each card that has the name "Future" (Pokémon or Trainer) that was discarded this way.

- Megaton Lariat (L)(L)(L)(C): deals 140 damage.

This is a very risky Pokémon because its first attack needs to discard the right cards, and is heavily dependent on Cryptomaniac's Deciphering (which will be analyzed further below).

Iron Hands

- Shockwave (L)(C): deals 30 damage, and you flip a coin. If it's heads, your opponent's active Pokémon will be Paralyzed.

- Superalloy Hands (L)(L)(C): deals 80 damage. However, if the opponent's active Pokémon is an ex or V Pokémon, this attack gains 80 extra damage and deals 160 damage.

It is a great Pokémon to counter Lugia VSTAR SIT 211 and Water Pokémon, like Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR CRZ GG67.

Raichu

Stage 1 Pokémon: its evolves from Pikachu.

- Entangling Bolt (L)(C): deals 50 damage to all Pokémon in games that have any damage counters (including both you and the opponent, to receive this damage).

- Lightning Ball (L)(C)(C): deals 120 damage.

Iron Valiant

- Twin Lasers (C): deals 20 damage, and you pick a Pokémon on your opponent's bench to apply this damage (don't consider weakness or resistance on the bench).

- Zen Blade (P)(P)(C): deals 120 damage, but this attack can't be used on the next turn.

This Pokémon and its ex version, Iron Valiant ex sv4 249, have an excellent synergy with damage counters and Radiant Alakazam SIT 59, and also go really well with Xatu sv4 72, which will help you move energies.

Iron Valiant

- Calculation (P): look at the top 4 cards of your deck and rearrange them however you want.

- Majesty Sword (P)(P)(C): deals 100 damage, but if you happen to play a Supporter named “Future” this turn, it will deal an additional 100 damage.

Flutter Mane

- Ability Fluttering Dusk: if this Pokémon is set as the active Pokémon, the opponent's defensive Pokémon won't be able to use abilities, except for Fluttering Disk.

- Flying Curse (C)(C)(C): deal 90 damage and add 2 damage counters on your opponent's benched Pokémon in any way you want to.

It is practically a "new version" of Wobbuffet PHF 36, per se, for the current format, due to its ability.

Scream Tail

- Songful Encouragement (C)(C): heal one of your "Ancient" Pokémon by 100 damage.

- Hyper Voice (C)(C): deal 40 damage.

This is an excellent healing support Pokémon for your "Ancient" Pokémon, and it only costs one energy, any energy, which is incredibly easy to set up.

Relicanth

- Ability Deep in Memories: your Pokémon evolved in game can use the attacks of their previous versions of the evolutionary stage.

- Fin Cutter (F)(C): deal 30 damage.

Basically, it is a “reprint” of an effect similar to that of Shining Celebi PR-SM SM79 (from the Sun/Moon: Shining Legends era, which was a promotional card), which now makes it more accessible to players .

Basically, the Pokémon's ability guarantees that it can copy attacks from its previous versions, for example, if you are using Charizard ex sv3pt5 6 and don't want to waste your second attack, you can copy one of the two attacks from Charmeleon sv3pt5 5, if you want!

Great Tusk

- Lunge Out (F)(C): deals 30 damage.

- Angry Charge (F)(C)(C): deals 80 damage. However, if any of your benched Pokémon has any damage counters, you get an extra 80 damage, and the total is 160 damage.

Great Tusk

- Crust Collapse (C)(C): discard a card from the top of your opponent's deck. However, if you played any “Ancient” Supporter cards in your hand, you will cause your opponent to discard three cards from the top instead of one.

- Giant Tusks (F)(F)(C)(C): deals 160 damage.

Sandy Shocks

- Magnetic Blast (F): this attack deals 20 damage. If you have three or more energy cards in play, this Pokémon will deal an extra 70 damage, and this damage isn't affected by weakness, which means, the total is 90 damage.

- Power Gem (F)(C): deals 60 damage.

Roaring Moon

- Vengeful Feather (D)(D): this attack deals 70 damage plus 10 for each “Ancient” type card in the discard pile.

- Speed ​​Wing (D)(C)(C)(C): this attack deals 120 damage.

Sableye

- Claw Slash (D): this attack deals 20 damage.

- Damage Hoarder (C)(C): move all damage counters from one of your benched Pokémon to the opponent's active Pokémon.

With this card, all Darkness decks that use Roaring Moon ex sv4 251 won't have any issues in case you use its first attack because you'll be able to transfer the 20 damage counters from its first attack to the opponent's active Pokémon.

Iron Threads

- Ability Dual Core: if this Pokémon has the Future Booster Energy Capsule sv4 164 attached to it, it gains the dual typing of the Fighting type and Metallic type.

- Passing Wheel (M)(C): deals 60 damage and moves one Energy from this Pokémon to one of your Benched Pokémon.

Koraidon

- Primeval Battering (F)(C): this attack deals 30 times damage to each "Ancient" type Pokémon in play.

- Shred (F)(F)(C): this attack deals 130 damage and is not affected by any effects from the opponent's Active Pokémon.

Miraidon

- Speed ​​Peak (F)(C): this attack deals 40 damage and look for two basic energies in your deck and attach it to one of your “Future” type Pokémon however you want.

- Sparking Attack (L)(L)(P): this attack deals 160 damage.

Iron Jugulis

- Ability Auto Fighter: if this Pokémon is in the active position, and it is dealt damage by your opponent's active Pokémon, place 3 damage counters on that Pokémon.

- Wind Blast (C)(C)(C): deals 100 damage.

Dudunsparce

Stage 1 Pokémon: it evolves from Dunsparce.

- Ability Draw and Skedaddle: at any moment in your turn, you can draw 3 cards. If you do, shuffle this Pokémon and all cards attached to it back into your deck.

- Land Crash (C)(C)(C): deals 90 damage.

It is a way to replace Bibarel PR-SW SWSH188. Unlike Bibarel PR-SW SWSH188, its ability, which is very useful, retreats it into your deck and protects it from your opponent, even if you need to go through the bureaucratic process of evolving Dunsparce.

Trainer: Supporter

Explorer's Foray

Supporter: look at the top 6 cards in your deck and choose two cards to go to your hand. The other ones will be discarded.

Codebreaker's Solution

Supporter: look for any two cards you want in your deck, and then shuffle it. Place the two cards you chose at the top of your deck in any order you want to.

Bianca’s Devotion

Supporter: Heal all damage to your Pokémon if it has 30 HP or less.

Eri

Supporter: your opponent reveals his hand; and discard two cards of the type ”Trainer: Item” that you find there.

Trainer: Item

Partner Poffin

Item: you can look in your deck for up to two Pokémon with 70 HP or less, reveal them, and place them on your bench. Next, shuffle your deck.

This is an excellent card after rotation, considering Battle VIP Pass FST 225 will be rotated out, as mentioned in this article.

With Battle VIP Pass FST 225 rotated out, the Pokémon that will benefit from this rotation will be:

Order Box

Item: After using this card, your turn ends. Search your deck for two Item cards, reveal them and put them into your hand, then shuffle your deck.

Hand Trimmer

Item: all players must discard cards from their hands until they have 5 cards remaining. (Your opponent starts with the discard effect first. But if both players have 5 cards or less, they do not need to perform the discard effect requested on the item in question).

Trainer: Tool

Emergency Tool

Tool: the cost of removing the Pokémon that has this card equipped is one less colorless energy. But if this Pokémon has 30 HP or less, retreat is free!

Trainer: ACE SPECs

We've reached the best part of this set, the part everyone is eager to explore and read all the details about.

For those who don't know the ACE SPEC mechanic, you can check out more information about it by clicking here.

On January 10th, 2024, during the Champion League broadcast in Japan, another new ACE SPEC was announced: "Hero's Cape".

Tool: the Pokémon that has this card equipped gets an extra 100 HP.

Basically, this is a superior version of Luxurious Cape sv4 166, which was released in Scarlet & Violet: Paradox Rift, but without its setback. This setback was the following: if this Pokémon is knocked out, your opponent will get an extra Prize Card, which means that this "baby" Pokémon is considered an "ultra rare Pokémon". This ACE SPEC tool can also be attached to any Pokémon, without any restrictions!

Additionally, we have the other cards we already covered, also in the "set spoilers" section. For those who haven't read that article, I'll sum it up again:

From left to right:

1) Item - Master Ball: look in your deck for any Pokémon you want and place it in your hand.

Fun Fact: this card is the reprinted version of its previous version in Black & White: Plasma Blast (this is the base version of Master Ball PLB 94).

2) Item - Prime Catch: force your opponent to move one of their benched Pokémon into the active position. Next, you'll do the same with your Pokémon, promoting one from the bench to the active position.

Note: this card is practically a Guzma BUS 115 (from the Sun & Moon era) in item-form.*

3) Special Energy - Neo Superior Energy: grants just one colorless energy (C) to the Pokémon it is attached to. However, if this Pokémon is a stage 2 Pokémon, it will be worth two colorless energies (C)(C).

Fun Fact: this is the first ACE SPEC card that uses energies as its base in the entire TCG.

ACE SPEC - Ancient and Future

From left to right:

1) Item - Drum of Awakening: buy a card for each "Ancient" type Pokémon in your game.

2) Item - Reboot Bot: For each "Future" type Pokémon in play, take the same proportion of base energy from the discard pile and call one of your Pokémon.

It's worth pointing out that the return of the ACE SPEC cards was announced at the end of the 2023 Yokohama World broadcast. There's also more information about it here.

Special Energy

Effect: this energy provides a type of colorless energy (C). The Pokémon that has it attached isn't affected by any effects of your opponent's Pokémon's attacks.

To sum up, if a Pokémon has this energy equipped, it isn't affected by "Instant K.O." effects in Pokémon like Roaring Moon ex sv4 251 and Giratina VSTAR CRZ GG69, for instance. It is a great addition to decks like Lugia VSTAR SIT 211 with Archeops PR-SW SWSH272.

On January 8th, 2024, a Pokémon Company "trademark" was announced with the Stella Miracle name. This probably means this product will focus on Terapagos', the Pokémon, mechanic, and it will probably be something very similar to what Mew VMAX LOR TG30 was to the Sword/Shield block: a "third battle style", to complement the Single Strike and Rapid Strike styles. I believe they might repeat this same process in this Scarlet Violet set.

So? What did you think of these news, products and new set? Which one interested you the most and made you most anxious to get and use in your decks? Which decks will you build based on this information?

See you in the next article!