Pokémon TCG: 2024 Rotation + Wild Force & Cyber Judge Spoilers

In this article, we'll approach two important themes regarding the 2024 updates: the Standard format card rotation and spoilers from the next Scarlet & Violet 5 set. We already have a few names registered for this set (their trademarks), Wild Force and Cyber Judge, which will focus on Paradox Pokémon from the first and second DLC of the VGC, The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk (from what we've seen so far).

The Pokémon TCG Rotation: Origin and Reasoning

What is the rotation in Pokémon TCG?

The rotation is a methodology applied ever since the early days of this TCG franchise, both by the Pokémon Company (representing Japan - where the rotation is different from the west and applies only to Japan with their own rules) and the Pokémon Company International (representing the west, which involves big countries like the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom and Brazil).

Rotations, to value card cycles and new sets from a specific block (keep in mind there are differences between Japanese blocks and western blocks), previously, even before 2022, were based on each generation released around the start of that year's second semester, which means, mid-August/September.

However, some details were changed in the last few years because of the global pandemic crisis, from 2020 until mid-2021. We returned to the physical tournament scene bit by bit, and in 2022 there wasn't a rotation. In 2023, we had another change made to the calendar and to how we would apply these rotations, which you can check out more about here.

Usually, sets released before rotate, usually the 4 previous main sets and/or special sets that fit inside the release timeline between these special sets.

If we followed this schedule without the changes made this last year, the logic would go something like this:

The main sets that would rotate would be:

- 1) Sword/Shield: Battle Styles (set 5);

- 2) Sword/Shield: Chilling Reign (set 6);

- 3) Sword/Shield: Evolving Skies (set 7);

- 4) Sword/Shield: Fusion Strike (set 8).

And from the special set:

- Sword/Shield: Celebrations (set 7.5)

So, for you to remember what it was like in the past and what it will be like now:

2023.1 Rotation, the Old One

2024.1 Rotation, the New One

To properly organize the cards that would be "removed" from the Standard format in a more cohesive way, the Pokémon Company established letters at the "bottom" of each card, in their bottom-left corner, close to where the symbols related to each expansion, card number and rarity are (as shown in the picture above).

There, the expansions listed above were marked as "E" cards - which means, all cards with this letter will rotate next year, and only cards with "F", "G" and "H" letters will be valid. This refers from Sword/Shield: Brilliant Stars sets until the future sets that will be released in the Scarlet/Violet* block.

The Japanese Pokémon TCG sets (only available in the east) are treated differently from the west (available in the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom and Brazil).

This is the schedule:

1) Japanese sets are released first;

2) Then, western (international) sets are released;

3) Western rotations are short and don't last long;

4) Finally, Japanese sets take longer to come and last longer; almost a year.

Like so, Japan always has access to cards beforehand, and uses them for longer. The metagame works different there than in the west.

There's already a date set for the release of these cards in Japan and the east: January 26th, 2024!

On this day, we'll also the Japanese sets, Wild Force and Cyber Judge, will also be released, and will form our Scarlet/Violet 5 block, planned for mid-March in the east.

The date for the West was confirmed by the Pokémon Company, today (January 10, 2024), on April 5, 2024 -- on the first day of the International of this first semester.

It's worth keeping in mind that there are Pre-Release, Promos, rarities such as Gold Full Art and Trainer Gallery cards from later sets. They also have the letter that references this rotation, E, so, they'll be unavailable in the future as well.

Example: the cards below are from Sword/Shield: Brilliant Stars's Trainer Gallery, and carry the Black Gold Full Art rarity.

Even though they are from the Sword/Shield: 9 set, they won't be available because they are just alternative rarities of Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 88 and Single Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 86.

Here's another example using Trainer Gallery:

This card is also from the Sword/Shield: Brilliant Stars block, Houndoom BST 96 from Battle Styles, and will also be rotated.

Pokémon

Trainers

Note: Exp. Share BST 126 was reprinted in Scarlet/Violet: Base Set, so we won't be significantly affected by its departure.

Special Energies

Pokémon

Trainers

Special Energies

Pokémon

Trainers

Special Energies

Pokémon

Trainers

Note: Judge FST 235 was reprinted in Scarlet/Violet: Base Set*, so we won't be significantly affected by its departure.

Special Energy

Pokémon

Venusaur & Blastoise

All VUnion

Mewtwo VUnion

Greninja VUnion

Zacian VUnion

Pikachu VUnion

Morpeko VUnion

Note: this Pokémon's Trainer Gallery version from Sword/Shield: Crown Zenith, with the Marnie art, is also considered a "reprint", so, it won't remain in Standard, and will be rotated due to the letter on its bottom.

These are the artworks in question:

Trainer

These trademarks had already been discovered, albeit with just a few details, in the first semester of 2023 (April 3rd, 2023), but they were officially announced on December 23rd. We had some other news regarding these Japanese sub sets announced that day too.

Now, these details are confirmed:

1) Focus on the VGC DLCs, with the "Paradox" Johto Beasts, and the Unova Swords (without Keldeo).

2) We also had a glimpse of two ACE SPEC cards, which have now gone out of "the standard" of only being "item" cards, as they were in Black/White, and have expanded into other cards in the format. For the first time, we have a special energy version of ACE SPECs. Check out below.

Pokémon

Gouging Fire ex

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

- Exploding Flare (F)(F)(C): deal 260 damage and this Pokémon can't use Exploding Flare until it is no longer in the active position.

Walking Wake ex

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

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

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. Deal 70 damage per each basic energy attached to your Pokémon in play that was discarded like so.

Iron Leaves ex

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

- Prismatic Edge (G)(G)(C): deal 180 damage and this Pokémon can't attack on the next turn.

Iron Crown ex

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

- Twin Shotels (P)(C)(C): this attack deals 50 damage to two enemy Pokémon, and doesn't interact with any weakness, resistance or other effects from the defending Pokémon.

Iron Boulder ex

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

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

Koraidon ex

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

- Kaiser Tackle (F)(F)(F): deals 280 damage to an enemy Pokémon plus 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): this attack deals 220 damage and this Pokémon won't be able to use Cyber Drive on the next turn.

Trainer

Master Ball

Look in your deck for any Pokémon you want and place it in your hand.

ACE SPEC card rules: You can only have one ACE SPEC card in your deck.

This card is a reprint of the iconic Master Ball PLB 94, from the Black/White: Plasma Blast era.

Neo Superior Energy

It grants only one colorless energy (C) to the Pokémon it is attached to; however, if the Pokémon is a stage 2 Pokémon, it will be worth two colorless energies (C)(C).

ACE SPEC card rules: You can only have one ACE SPEC card in your deck.

Prime Catcher

It forces your opponent to move a Pokémon from their bench to the active position. Next, you'll do the same with your Pokémon, promoting one from the bench to the active position.

ACE SPEC card rules: You can only have one ACE SPEC card in your deck.

It has practically the same effect as Guzma BUS 115 in item form. It is incredibly strong, and will redefine the format when it is released.

Its design is quite "similar" to Mega Catcher FCO 104, which was a "catcher" card used for Mega Pokémon-EX in the X/Y era, only in other colors.

It's worth keeping in mind that the return of ACE SPECS was announced at the end of the 2023 Yokohama Worlds broadcast. I wrote about this mechanic and the event here.

After this rotation, Mew VMAX LOR TG30 decks will lose their strength entirely, and Battle VIP Pass FST 225, which is practically a "staple" in many decks, will heavily affect players who need to set up many basic Pokémon.

Another collateral effect will involve Flaaffy EVS 55, and the energy setup for your Electric Pokémon, mostly those which demand multiple pure Electric type energies. Except for Iron Hands ex sv4 70, which can meet its second attack's requirement by using Baxcalibur PR-SV 19 as support.

Other Pokémon which will be missed in Arceus VSTAR CRZ GG70's team is the duo Umbreon VMAX BRS TG23 (with its "Boss's Orders" effect) and Duraludon VMAX SIT TG21 (with its ability that prevents attacks from Pokémon that have special energies attached), which made this deck powerful and consistent.

Another loss will be the bear duo, Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX BRS TG30 and Single Strike Urshifu VMAX BRS TG29, which were great attack options for the Lugia VSTAR SIT 211 deck, just like other attackers, such as Tyranitar V PR-SW SWSH109, Yveltal FST 175 and Stonjourner BST 84.

Speaking of the Rapid Strike styles, Inteleon VMAX FST 79, alongside Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX BRS TG30 decks, will also bid its goodbye.

Medicham V EVS 83, which was great in decks that used multiple counters and damage counters to knock down a specific Pokémon, with synergy with Radiant Alakazam SIT 59, will be a great loss.

Empoleon V PR-SW SWSH108, also as a Rapid Strike Pokémon, which was a great counter against Comfey PR-SW SWSH242, will be a great loss, and its absence against Lost Box decks will significantly affect the format.

Dragonite V PR-SW SWSH154 will also slightly affect Lost Box decks, due to its aggressive attack that dealt 250 damage, which was easily set up by Mirage Gate LOR 163.

Out of all the classic Kanto Eeveelutions, Jolteon VMAX EVS 51 was a great attacker addition in this archetype to help Iron Hands ex sv4 70, which will also be missed.

Out of the Calyrex Riders (Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX ASR TG29 and Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX ASR TG30), Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX ASR TG30 will be missed more because of its excellent energy set up ability and "simultaneous draw power", which was excellent for Mewtwo ex sv4 58 strategies.

Speaking of Mewtwo, one of its forms, Mewtwo VUnion, more popular in control decks, will also bid its goodbye. This Pokémon was notorious in Regionals, International tournaments, and Worlds.

As the second-best VUnion, Greninja VUnion, considering in this Scarlet/Violet format we'll get Baxcalibur PR-SV 19 and have Irida ASR 147, is on borrowed time - so enjoy this deck while you can.

Finally, regarding the Darkness archetype, we had two relevant Pokémon leaving and affecting this deck: Galarian Moltres V CRE 177, with its ability that is similar to a built-in Dark Patch LOR 216, and which helped you pull energies for Roaring Moon ex sv4 251; and Galarian Moltres PR-SW SWSH125, as a "single prize" attacker to finish the game, while your opponent got multiple Prize Cards and increased its damage.

Which cards in this rotation will you miss more? What do you expect from the new set, Scarlet/Violet, its future and the return of the ACE SPEC mechanic?

You are welcome to comment your opinion down below. See you soon.