Scarlet & Violet: Twilight Masquerade - New Products, Cards, and Spoilers Review

The new Scarlet & Violet set, Twilight Masquerade, will be released on May 24th in the west. It will be the main Pokémon TCG attraction for May this year, so we also already know a lot about the new products.

Let's review it!

This special set includes two Japanese sets: ”Crimson Haze” and ”Mask of Change”, which were released in Japan on 22/03/2024 and 26/04/2024. For us in the west, these two sets will be released on 24/05/2024 as "Twilight Masquerade".

It was directly inspired by a DLC from the VGC, The Teal Mask, and will bring the legendary Pokémon Ogerpon.

Just like Temporal Forces, we'll also get more ACE SPECs cards, which are special cards with unique effects. Feel free to check out more about this mechanic here.

Products

Western Booster Design

Japanese Booster Design

Elite Trainer Box (Standard and Pokémon Center): Ogerpon

Standard Version

Pokémon Center Version

These products will cost around US$ 49,99 for the standard version, US$ 59,99 for the Pokémon Center version. They are both set to release on 24/05/2024.

They include:

- A different promo card for each Elite Trainer Box. Both "ETB"s will feature Teal Mask Ogerpon. The only difference between them is that the Pokémon Center "ETB" will include two copies of this promo card, and one will have the “Pokémon Center” logo.

- 7 dice. One will be a coin-flip die, and the other 6 are damage-counter dice.

- 65 card sleeves with the Pokémon featured in that particular box.

- 2 plastic condition markers to mark Poison or Burn damage.

- A collector's box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized. The box is carefully decorated with the theme of the "ETB".

- A “Player’s Guide” to Scarlet & Violet - Twilight Masquerade.

- A code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live.

- Nine boosters (for the standard ETB), and eleven boosters (for Pokémon Center's ETB), each with 11 cards. 10 cards are Pokémon or Trainers, and the 11th card is a basic energy. Each booster also has a digital code for TCG Live.

Standard Version

Pokémon Center Version

Twilight Masquerade - Booster Box

This product has 36 Twilight Masquerade boosters. Each booster pack itself costs around US$ 4,49, and the Booster Box as a whole, with all 36 boosters, will cost around US$ 161,64. The release date for this product is 24/05/2024.

Twilight Masquerade - Blister Unitary Booster

This booster costs around US$ 4,49, and will also release on 24/05/2024.

Twilight Masquerade - Triple Packs

This product has 3 Twilight Masquerade boosters, but also two different promo cards: Snorlax and Revavroom. They'll also be released on 24/05/2024 for US$ 11,99 each.

Twilight Masquerade - Pack Blister

This product includes one Twilight Masquerade booster and one collectible acrylic coin. Each blister features a different promo card: either Pupitar or Toxel. They'll also be released on 24/05/2024 for US$ 5,49 each.

In Brazil, this product was adapted as a ”Quad Pack”, which includes four boosters and also one of the promo cards we listed above.

Twilight Masquerade - Booster Bundle

This product includes 6 Twilight Masquerade boosters and is also set for release on 22/03/2024 for US$ 26,94.

Twilight Masquerade - Build and Battle Box/Pre Release Kit

This product brings 6 Temporal Forces boosters and also a considerable portion of a "deck" that focuses on one of the promo Pokémon included in this kit (the cards themselves also feature the set's logo in their design). It's also set for release on 24/05/2024, for US$ 19,99.

As we mentioned, this set will bring new Paradox Pokémon, both ultra rares and commons. It also features ACE SPEC cards, which are the most interesting part of this set.

Pre-Release Pokémon

Thwackey

Its ability, Boom Boom Groove, is perfect with an active Pokémon that has Festival Lead as their ability because Thwackey lets you look for a card in your deck and put it in your hand.

Infernape

Its ability, Pyro Dance, lets you attach a Basic Fire Energy sve 2 and a Basic Fighting Energy sve 6 from your hand to your Pokémon in any way you want.

Froslass

Its ability, Freezing Shroud, deals 10 damage to each Pokémon that has an ability in between player's rounds, except for Froslass.

Tatsugiri

Its ability, Attract Customers, lets you look at the top 6 cards in your deck, get a Supporter card, reveal it, and put it in your hand.

Pokémon ex

Ogerpon: The Star of the Set

Grass Type: Teal Mask

Basic Pokémon

- Ability: Teal Dance: Once during your turn, you may attach a Basic Grass Energy sv2 278 from your hand to this Pokémon. If you attached Energy to a Pokémon this way, draw a card.

- Myriad Leaf Shower (G)(G)(G): deals 30 base damage plus 30 damage for each Energy attached to both active Pokémon (yours and your opponent's).

This is a "Tech Pokémon", essential with Espathra ex sv4pt5 6 to counter Charizard ex sv4pt5 54, and, of course, to make this combo work, you'll need Earthen Vessel sv4 163.

Fire Type: Hearthflame Mask

Basic Pokémon

- Wrathful Hearth (F)(C)(C): deals 20 damage for each damage counter on this Pokémon.

- Heat Blast (F)(F)(F): deals 140 damage. However, if your opponent's active Pokémon is an evolution Pokémon, you'll deal an extra 140 damage, which totals 280 damage. You'll also need to discard all energies attached to Hearthflame Mask: Ogerpon to use this attack.

It is useful with the Magma Basin BRS 185 Armarouge sv1 41 combo.

Water Type: Wellspring Mask

Basic Pokémon

- Sob (C): deals 20 damage, and, next turn, your opponent's active Pokémon can't retreat.

- Torrential Pump (W)(C)(C): deals 100 damage and lets you return three energies attached to this Pokémon to your deck. If you do, this attack will deal an extra 120 damage to one of your opponent's benched Pokémon (don't apply weakness and Resistance).

The consistent "tech" Pokémon for this card is Baxcalibur sv2 60, which will set up its second attack and always target your opponent's benched Pokémon with its "sniper" attacks.

Fighting Type: Cornerstone Mask

Basic Pokémon

- Ability: Cornerstone Stance: prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by your opponent's Pokémon that have an Ability.

- Demolish (F)(G)(G): deals 140 damage, but this attack isn't affected by weakness or resistance, or by any effects on your opponent's Active Pokémon.

We'll also get Infernape in this set, which has a great ability. With it, you'll be able to get a Basic Fire Energy sv3 230 and a Basic Fighting Energy sv1 258 from your hand and attach them to your Pokémon.

Paradox Pokémon ex

Scream Tail ex

Basic Pokémon

- Scream (C): you can only use this attack if you're second to play during your first turn. If you use it, your opponent can't use Supporter cards on their next turn.

- Crunch (P)(C)(C): deals 120 base damage and forces your opponent to discard one of the energies attached to your opponent's active Pokémon.

This Pokémon will be critical for the Ancient Box archetype, and will help you sabotage your opponent.

Iron Thorns ex

Basic Pokémon

- Ability: Initialization: if Iron Thorns is your active Pokémon, all Pokémon in play with Rule Boxescan't use any abilities, except Future Pokémon.

- Volt Cyclone (L)(C)(C): deals 140 base damage, and lets you move one energy from this Pokémon to another Pokémon on your bench.

This Pokémon will be essential for the Future Box archetype to support and sabotage meta decks like Lost Box, lock down Lugia VSTAR SIT 139 and Charizard ex sv4pt5 54, and also help you set up Iron Hands ex sv4 70 and Miraidon PR-SV 92.

This Set's Pokémon ex Terastal

Greninja ex Terastal

Stage 2 Pokémon: evolves from Frogadier.

- Shinobi Blade (w): deals 170 damage and lets you look for any card you want in your deck and put it in your hand.

- Mirage Barrage (W)(C)(C): discard two energies attached to Greninja ex Terastal. This attack will deal 120 damage to two Pokémon on your opponent's bench (don't apply weakness and resistance to the bench).

This is another Pokémon that stands out in this set. Many players have eagerly awaited for this Pokémon as they want to use it in the Water archetype, much because of its Fighting type advantage. This means you can beat dominant Electric decks like Iron Hands ex sv4 70, and it also has a strong strategy with "sniper" damage and many "searches" - its basic attack also deals some nice damage.

I talked about this Pokémon in this article.

Dragapult ex

Stage 2 Pokémon: evolves from Drakloak.

- Jet Headbutt (C): deals 70 damage.

- Phantom Dive (F)(P): deals 200 damage and lets you put 6 damage counters on your opponent's benched Pokémon in any way you want.

This is one of Japan's favorite Pokémon currently, so it will be incredibly popular in its own deck and as a support Pokémon in the Regidrago VSTAR SIT 136 deck.

This Set's Other Pokémon ex

Magcargo ex

Stage 1 Pokémon: evolves from Slugma.

- Hot Magma (F)(C): deals 70 damage and Burns your opponent's active Pokémon.

- Ground Burn (F)(F)(C): deals 140 damage and has two other effects. Each player will discard a card from the top of their respective decks. If this top card is another basic energy, you'll deal 140 extra damage. This means you may deal up to 280 extra damage, and, in total, you'll deal 420 damage)!

It is basically an attacker with the same concept as the old Entei LOT 47, only much more powerful!

Blissey ex

Stage 1 Pokémon: evolves from Chansey.

- Ability: Happy Switch: you may move one basic energy from one of your Pokémon to another.

- Return (C)(C)(C): deals 180 damage and draws cards from your deck until you have 6 cards in your hand.

It is an excellent Pokémon to move energies around and draw many cards.

Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex

Basic Pokémon

- Ability: Seasoned Skillet: Blood Moon used by this Pokémon costs one colorless energy less for each Prize card your opponent has taken.

- Blood Moon (C)(C)(C)(C)(C): deals 240 damage, but you can't use this attack next turn.

This is a version of Radiant Charizard CRZ 20, but for the colorless archetype.

"Baby" Pokémon

Poliwrath

Stage 2 Pokémon: evolves from Poliwhirl.

- Hypnosis (W): makes your opponent's active Pokémon Asleep.

- Jumping Uppercut (C)(C): this attack deals 120 base damage, but you may deal an extra 120 damage. If you do, you'll return this Pokémon and all cards attached to it back to your deck.

Milotic

Stage 1 Pokémon: evolves from Feebas.

- Ability: Tranquill: your opponent's Pokémon and all the cards they put in play can't be returned to their hand.

- Hydro Splash (W)(C)(C): deals 100 base damage.

Alakazam

Stage 2 Pokémon: evolves from Kadabra.

- Strange Hack (P): makes your opponent's active Pokémon Confused. Move all damage counters from your opponent's Pokémon to another Pokémon in any way you want.

- Psychic (P): deals 10 base damage + 50 damage for each energy attached to your opponent's active Pokémon.

Munkidori

Basic Pokémon

- Ability: Adrenaline Brain: on your turn, if this Pokémon has a Basic Darkness Energy sve 7 attached, move 3 damage counters from one of your Pokémon to one of your opponent's Pokémon.

- Mind Bend (P)(C): deals 60 damage and makes your opponent's Pokémon Confused.

Fezandipiti

Basic Pokémon

- Ability: Adrenaline Pheromones: on your turn, if this Pokémon has a Basic Darkness Energy sve 7 attached, and your opponent deals damage to it, toss a coin. If it's heads, prevent all damage done.

- Energy Feathers (P): deals 30 damage for each energy attached to Fezandipiti.

Okidogi

Basic Pokémon

- Ability: Adrenaline Power: on your turn, if this Pokémon has a Basic Darkness Energy sve 7 attached, it will get 100 HP and deal an extra 100 damage.

- Okie-Punchy (F)(F): deals 70 damage.

Hisuian Arcanine

Stage 1 Pokémon: evolves from Hisuian Growlithe.

- Proud Fangs: deals 30 damage. And, if any of your benched Pokémon has any damage counters, you'll deal an extra 90 damage.

- Searing Flame (F)(F)(C): deals 90 damage, and makes your opponent's active Pokémon Burned.

Brute Bonnet

Basic Pokémon

- Poison Spray (D): this attack makes the opponent's active Pokémon Poisoned.

- Rattling Strike (D)(D)(D): this attack deals 50 damage plus 50 damage for each damage counter your opponent's Pokémon have.

Trainer: Supporter

Caretaker

Draw two cards. If Community Center, the stadium card, is in play, this card won't go to your discard pile. It will be recycled back to your deck, and shuffled.

Carmine

If you're first to play on your first turn, you may use this card. Discard your hand and draw 5 new cards from the top of your deck.

Perrin

Reveal two Pokémon in your hand to your opponent and put them back in your deck. Afterward, look for two new Pokémon, reveal them, and put them in your hand again.

Raifort

Look at the top 5 cards in your deck. You may choose up to 5 cards to discard. You may put the other cards you didn't discard in your deck in any order.

Cook

Heal your active Pokémon by 70 HP.

This is a Cook FST 228 reprint from Sword & Shield: Fusion Strike.

Kieran

Choose one of these two options:

1) You may move one of your Pokémon to your bench.

2) You may deal an extra 30 damage this turn against Pokémon V and ex (before applying weakness and resistance).

Hassel

You can only play this card if one of your Pokémon was knocked out on the previous turn.

Look at the top 8 cards in your deck: choose three cards to put in your hand and return the others to your deck, shuffled.

Lana’s Aid

You may get from your discard pile a combination of up to 3 basic energy cards and Pokémon that don't have any Rule Box and put them in your hand.

Lucian

Both players shuffle their hands back to the bottom of their decks. After that, each player will toss a coin: if it's "heads", they will draw 6 new cards from the top of their deck. But, if they fail and hit "tails", they'll only draw 3 cards instead.

Trainer: Item

Accompanying Flute

Reveal the top 5 cards from the top of your opponent's deck. If you find any basic Pokémon this way, put these Pokémon on your opponent's bench. Afterward, your opponent will shuffle the other cards that weren't basic Pokémon back into their deck.

Bug Catching Set

Look at the top 7 cards in your deck. Look for a combination of 2 cards that are either Grass Pokémon and a basic Grass energy in these seven cards and put them in your hand.

Love Ball

Look in your deck for a Pokémon with the same name as one of your opponent's Pokémon in play, reveal it, and put it in your hand.

Enhanced Hammer

Discard one special energy from one of your opponent's Pokémon.

This card is also a ”reprint”.

Ogre Mask

Choose an Ogerpon ex in your discard pile to be your new active Pokémon. But the Pokémon you'll swap it with has to be a Pokémon ex that has Ogerpon in its name. This new Ogerpon ex will get all cards that were attached to the old one (energies, tools), and all damage counters and special conditions it had.

Trainer: Tool

Handheld Fan

If the Pokémon that has this tool equipped is dealt damage by your opponent's active Pokémon (even if your Pokémon was knocked out), your opponent will need to move one energy from their active Pokémon to one of your benched Pokémon.

Lucky Helmet

If the Pokémon that has this tool equipped is dealt damage by your opponent's active Pokémon (even if they're knocked out), you'll draw 2 cards.

This card is also a ”reprint”.

Trainer: Stadium

Community Center

When this stadium is in play, if any player uses a Supporter that turn, they may heal 10 HP from one of their Pokémon in play.

Festival Grounds

When this stadium is in play, if each player's Pokémon have any energy attached, they won't be affected by special statuses, and if they have any, they'll be removed.

Jamming Tower

When this stadium is in play, all tools lose their effects, be it yours of your opponent's.

Special Energy: Boomerang Energy

This energy gives you one colorless energy (C). If this card is discarded by an effect of an attack used by the Pokémon this card is attached to, instead of sending this energy to your discard pile, attach this card from your discard pile to that Pokémon after attacking.

ACE SPECs

If you don't know the ACE SPEC mechanic, you can see more about it here.

From left to right:

1) Item - Hyper Aroma: look for three Stage 1 Pokémon in your deck and put them in your hand.

It is essential for Gardevoir ex sv4pt5 29 decks that have Kirlia PR-SW SWSH271.

2) Item - Scoop Up Cyclone: get one of your Pokémon in play and put it in your hand.

This is a "reprint" of Scoop Up Cyclone PLB 95, from Black/White: Plasma Blast.

3) Item - Secret Box: to use this card, you need to discard 3 cards in your hand! But, if you do, get: an item, a tool, a supporter, and a stadium from your deck!

From left to right:

4) Tool - Survival Brace: if the Pokémon that has this card attached has all of its HP, and it was knocked out by a single blow, you won't need to discard this Pokémon. You may keep it in play with only 10 HP.

5) Item - Unfair Stamp: you can only play this card if one of your Pokémon was knocked out in the previous turn. Both players shuffle their hands. You'll draw 5 new cards from your deck, and your opponent will only draw 2 new cards.

6) Special Energy - Neo Superior Energy: grants only one colorless energy (C) to the Pokémon it is attached to. However, if this Pokémon is knocked out by any enemy attacks, your opponent will get one less Prize card.

What did you think of the new products and the new set? Which stood out the most to you, and made you anxious to buy and use in your decks? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section down below.

See you next time!