Scarlet & Violet: Triple Beat - Review & Best Cards of the new set

Hello everybody. I'm Rodrigo, bringing you news about the Pokémon TCG. With the rhythm focused on the Scarlet & Violet expansion, we are already close to the launch of the new expansion, the Sub Set Triplet Beat, which will debut on 03/10/2023 in Japan, and which will address the Paldea's starters in their former forms - and of course, now with additional information from more cards.

If you want the complete review of Scarlet & Violet, you can access this article as well.

Pokémon

Tropius

Basic

- Leaf Drain (G): Deals 20 damage and heals 20 damage to itself.

- Tropical Winds: (G)(G)(C): Deals 130 damage and moves all Energy from this Pokémon to one of your Benched Pokémon.

A great recursive Pokémon for the archetype, plus we still have Gardenia's Vigor ASR 143 which is a grass energy accelerator (G) for Benched Pokémon.

Meowface ex

Stage 2 - Evolves from Floracat

- Magic Bouquet: You can discard a type (G) Energy from your hand to perform this ability. You choose an opponent's Benched Pokémon and put 3 damage counters on it.

- Nail Scratch (C)(C): Deals 100 damage plus 120 damage if the opponent has any damage counters on it.

In addition to dealing damage with counters with his ability to discard grass energy, he has the attack that hits 100 + 120 if the opponent has any damage counters for just two energy (C). Undoubtedly, one of the best starters out there.

Paldean Tauros - Fire Type

Basic

- Fury Horn (C)(C): Deals 20 damage plus 10 for each damage counter on this Pokémon.

- Blaze Dash (F)(F)(C): This attack dals 120 damage and discards an Energy attached to this Pokémon.

Does it remind you of something? If so, if you remembered the Reshiram BLW 26 back in the Base Set of Black & White, where it had several variations like the Reshiram PR-BLW BW23 and Reshiram PR-BLW BW004 in their promo versions, their version of B/W: Next Destinies with Reshiram NXD 21 and their version of B/W: Legendary Treasures with Reshiram LTR 28. And later, it had a reprint in Sun/Moon: Shining Legends with this art Reshiram SLG 14, where the last attack had a change.

The principle is the same, and it's a great attacking Pokémon for the archetype, as we have the Stadium Magma Basin BRS 144 to accelerate energy and put a damage counter on it, to strengthen its first attack.

Skeledirge ex

Stage 2 - Evolves from Crocalor

- Vitality Song (F): Deals 50 damage and heals 30 damage to all your Pokémon.

- Burning Voice (F)(F): Deals 270 damage minus 10 for each damage counter on this Pokémon.

Of the three, it is the weakest. Despite having raw damage of 270 for just two energy, it also has a reduction of two points for each damage taken.

In the Standard format it is practically a dead weight and the second attack gets worse, as it loses strength per damage counter, so if you use the Stadium Magma Basin BRS 144, it is almost a “shot in the foot”.

However, in Expanded, it is a powerful Pokémon because with the low cost of only two (F) energies, you can use any Max Potion GRI 128 to heal all its damage, although losing energy linked to it, but these energies can be recovered by using Welder UNB 189 or Blacksmith FLF 88, powering up two (F) energies to fulfill the cost of the attack and stay in this aggressive and practical combo; but again, in Standard, only with the obvious advantage against Grass Pokémon (G).

Paldean Tauros - Water Type

Basic

- Fury Horn (C)(C): Deals 20 damage plus 10 for each damage counter on this Pokémon.

- Water Dive (W)(W)(C): This attack does 60 damage to one of your opponent's Pokémon (Weakness and Resistance don't apply to Bench).

Another interesting variation of Tauros for the water archetype.

As the Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR ASR 40 is present as a (W) energizer in the discard, since the Frosmoth SHF 30 will rotate, the Paldean Tauros has the versatility to attack both the opponent's Active Pokémon and doing sniper damage on the Bench, and can even combine damage with Radiant Greninja ASR 46.

Gyarados

Stage 1 - Evolves from Magikarp

- Revenge Storm (W)(C)(C): Deals 80 damage plus 100 damage if you have more prize cards left than your opponent.

- Berseker Tackle (W)(W)(C)(C): This attack does 200 damage and deals 50 damage to itself.

Once again, another Gyarados in this batch of Scarlet & Violet expansions, and a little disappointing with the high-energy cost in the second attack's Tribute to take 50 damage to itself dealing 200 damage to the Opponent.

The only positive here will be its first attack, if applied correctly in a situation that is unfavorable in the amount of prizes, and that can clearly energize you as quickly as possible to deal 180 damage.

Floatzel

Stage 1 - Evolves from Buizel

- Whirlpool Tail (W): Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent's Active Pokémon and all cards attached to it return to their hand.

- Waterfall (W)(C): Deals 60 damage.

It is a perfect Pokémon to sabotage the opponent.

Assuming you come across an Arceus VSTAR CRZ GG70 with the energies ready to constantly hit 200 damage and energize Pokémon V or a Yveltal SHF 46 with 5 energies ; if by chance the first attack the Floatzel hits, everything the opponent assembled on their turn went off in vain. Even more so if it's a stage 2 Pokémon or one that depends on many things to hit, doing a whole rework and delaying their turn.

Quaquaval ex

Stage 2 - Evolves from Quaxwell

- Lively Sambal (W): Deals 60 damage. You switch that Pokémon to one on your Bench, and if you do, your opponent does the same.

- Propeller Shot (W)(C): Deals 230 damage and returns two Energy from this Pokémon to your hand.

Of the three, it is the most defensive, as its first attack has a “similar” effect to Guzma BUS 115, and its second attack returns the energy attached to this Pokémon to your hand, giving you more redistribution options to another Pokémon.

Who knows, in the future, there might be a Pokémon on that block that does a “Rain Dance”? Only time will tell as, for now, what we have to streamline (W) energies is Origin Forme Palkia-VStar.

Wattrel

Basic

- Devastating Wind (C): Your opponent shuffles their hand back into the deck and draws 4 cards.

- Flap (C)(C)(C): Deals 40 damage.

A good disruption for the opponent's hand with the first attack is a Judge FST 235 for the second time in the same turn, if your deck has this card as a control.

Kilowattrel

Stage 1 - Evolves from Wattrel

- Peck (C): 20 damage.

- Jet Wing (C)(C)(C): Deals 150 damage, and during your next turn, this Pokémon cannot attack;

Although the second attack has a high tribute cost to deal only 150 damage and is prevented from using this attack on the next turn again, it has the advantage of having 0 retreat cost.

So, it can go back to the Bench, reset the attack negation effect and be able to go back to Active and hit the opponent's Active Pokémon again, attacking Pokémon that are weak to Electric-types, such as Lugia VSTAR SIT 139 and Flying Pikachu VMAX CEL 7.

Dedenne ex

Basic

- Terastral Ability: This Pokémon does not take damage if it is on the bench.

- Tail Swap (P)(P): Move all damage counters from one of your Benched Pokémon and put those counters on your opponent's Active Pokémon.

- Wonder Shot (P)(P)(P): Deals 170 damage and discards an Energy from this Pokémon.

For me, one of the best ex of this set, as it can manipulate the damage that your Pokémon received before and throw that amount of damage against the opponent, for example, using the elemental Paldean Tauros to do this combo or even catch a high HP Pokémon as a "bait" to take that damage and transfer it.

Tinkaton

Stage 2 - Evolves from Tinkatuff

- Gather Materials: you discard a card from your hand and if you do, you draw 3 cards.

- Special Hammer (P)(C): Deals 90 damage, plus 90 if you have a Special Energy attached to this Pokémon.

Practically a Kirlia SIT 68 embedded with the ability where it discards a card from the hand and draws a certain number, in addition to being an interesting attacker for two energies and can cause up to 180 damage.

Paldean Tauros - Fighting Type

Basic

- Fury Horn (C)(C): Deals 20 damage plus 10 for each damage counter on this Pokémon.

- Combat Tackle (F)(F)(C): This attack deals 130 damage and takes 30 damage to itself.

An interesting variation of Tauros for the Fighting (F) archetype, and it is good against the Electric (L) archetype (which will get stronger in this block with Miraidon ex and with the Pokémon that will be part of this archetype like Raikou V BRS 48 and Regieleki VMAX SIT 58), and also against the Arceus VSTAR BRS 123.

Lycanrock ex

Stage 1 - Evolves from Rockruff

- Rock Throw (F): Deals 40 damage.

- Scary Fang (F)(C)(C): Deals 140 damage and during your opponent's next turn, if they try to attack Lycanrock ex (even if they get KO'd), the Pokémon receives 10 damage counters.

A counter to the electric archetype and the Arceus VSTAR BRS 123. And for accelerating energies, we have the Gutsy Pickaxe ASR 145.

Also, to increase your damage, we have Grant ASR 144, which will be useful in this deck.

Falinks

Basic

- Headbutt (C): Deals 20 damage.

- Coordinated Attack (F)(C)(C): Deals 70 damage plus 90 if you have another Falinks on your bench.

It's similar to Falinks RCL 109's damage system to increase more damage for each Falinks in play; and in this case, just one is enough to cause great damage to apply weakness to the electric archetype and against Arceus VSTAR BRS 123.

It can be useful at some point in a fighter-type archetype.

Paldean Clodsire ex

Stage 1 - Evolves from Paldean Wooper

- Ability Poison Bog: if there is a stadium in play, you can leave the opponent's Active Pokémon poisoned.

- Needle Bone (D)(C)(C):Deals 200 damage and flips a coin. If it hit tails, you can't attack the next turn.

With Galarian Slowking VMAX CRE 100 and Radiant Hisuian Sneasler LOR 123 support, it's an excellent attacker to power up poison between turns, and of course, has a chance to be able to hit with constant high damage if he hits coins without having to take the negative effect of the coin, which becomes a good option, since its ability already contributes to the poison combo.

Sableye

Basic

- Dark Eye (C): The opponent's Active Pokémon is asleep.

- Unseen Claw (D): Deals 20 damage plus 70 if the opponent is marked with any special condition.

It is simply fantastic both as a recursive Pokémon to set "bad status", as well as counterattacking with high damage for just one basic energy and still being basic - being quick and practical to put it in play.

Hydreigon

Stage 2 - Evolves from Zweilous

- Ability Tri Howl: you look at the top 3 cards of your deck and if you find energies in that action, you can attach them to your Pokémon any way you want. The rest of the non-energy cards are discarded.

- Dark Cutter (D)(D)(C): Deals 160 damage.

It's similar to Blastoise TEU 25, but for the dark archetype, and it's not 6 cards from the top of the deck, but only 3 to power up.

The good thing is that the skill doesn't make a point of justifying that it's just basic energies, that is, it can pull special energies and attach them directly to your Pokémon, which is excellent.

Falkner

Supporter: You draw 2 cards. And if there is a stadium in play, draw 2 more cards.

It is a “draw power” a bit weak in the format, but it can break the branch with some strategy that has decks with constant use of Stadiums, where it will make more sense.

Boss's Orders: Ghetsis

Supporter: You pull your opponent's Benched Pokémon into Active Position.

This is one of the other classic villains missing from the set. Having already Boss's Orders RCL 154, Boss's Orders SHF 58 and Boss's Orders BRS 132 released, it's time for the Unova villain to debut his card to update its presence on Standard.

Clavel

Supporter: Search your deck for 3 Pokémon that have less than 120 HP, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.

An improved version of the old Professor Elm's Lecture LOT 188, which only looked for Pokémon with up to 60 HP.

Dendra

Supporter: You place a card on the bottom of your deck. If you do, draw until you have 5 cards in your hand.

An excellent "Draw Power", since this expansion has a lot of focus on discarding hands.

Artazon Town

Stadium: During either player's turn, you can search for a basic Pokémon (that doesn't have a Rule Box) and put it on your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.

Lesson Studio

Stadium: During both players' turns, Stage 1 Pokémon do 10 more damage to the opponent's Active Pokémon.

Great Ball

Item: you look at the top 7 cards of your deck, and catch a Pokémon you find in this action, reveal it and put it in your hand.

Superior Energy Retrieval

Item: You discard two cards from your hand to perform this effect (if you cannot meet this requirement, you cannot play the card). By discarding two cards from your hand, you take 4 basic energies from the discard pile, reveal them, and put them into your hand.

Literally, a “reprint” of Superior Energy Retrieval PLF 103, from Black & White: Plasma Freeze.

Jet Energy

It supplies only colorless (C) type energy. If it's equipped to a Pokémon on your Bench, it will be promoted to its active position automatically.

Luminous Energy

It gives any type of Energy to the Pokémon it's attached to. However, if it has one more Special Energy attached to the Pokémon, that Luminous Energy will provide one (C) instead.

Similar to the card Prism Energy NXD 93, from the Black/White: Next Destinies expansion, but it has this downside, if you accumulate a lot of special energy on the Pokémon, if it has Luminous Energy, it will only provide a colorless energy, which is a bit bad.

But to improvise with a type of tribute that exists for a Pokémon with a specific energy and a colorless one, for example, it can be useful.

The expansion still has a little variety of very effective cards, and it is obvious because we are just starting with the launch of new sets, but it is noticed that they are trying to “nerf” the cost of attacks that cause high damage, that is, attacks that would cause 200 damage or more, always asking for 4 energies, to try to "compensate" for the Power Creep that Pokémon has been developing since the Sun / Moon era.

We have some good ex cards like Lycanrock ex and Dedenne ex, a few recursive ones like Hydreigon, but what is saved in the collections are the new Trainers that are excellent in 80% of the cases shown since Scarlet & Violet : Base Set.

So, do you already have something in mind to tweak some decks for the future Metagame? Leave it in the comments of the article.

See you next time!