Pokemon TCG – Surging Sparks Hands-On Preview

by

Key Takeaways

  • The design of Surging Sparks, focusing on Pikachu, is visually striking and may attract collectors, with 11 Special Illustration Rares and three secret rare Pikachus.
  • Although the set has alluring features, including sought-after cards like Hydreigon ex, it’s criticized for its bloated nature of 252 cards, which may make completing a master set costly and challenging.

As a seasoned gamer and longtime collector of Pokémon cards, I must say that Surging Sparks has truly rekindled my excitement for this beloved franchise. It’s been a while since we had a set dedicated to none other than our electrifying friend, Pikachu, and boy, did The Pokemon Company deliver on the design front!

In our current phase of the Pokemon Trading Card Game Scarlet and Violet era, which is already two years in, it’s astonishing that until now, no set has been dedicated exclusively to the franchise icon, Pikachu. Previously, we did receive a set featuring another beloved character, Charizard, with Obsidian Flames, but unfortunately, Pikachu hasn’t made a notable appearance thus far.

Instead of quickly introducing a Pikachu-themed series in the Sword & Shield era, with Vivid Voltage serving as the fourth mainline set following Sword & Shield, Rebel Clash, and Darkness Ablaze, we’ve experienced a slight delay in this instance.

Prior to its launch, we had a chance to test out Surging Sparks, the newest collection in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and it might entice former enthusiasts to return.

The Product Presentation

Surging Sparks is another example of The Pokemon Company nailing the design of its products.

Opting for Pikachu was naturally the best decision, and the Elite Trainer Box’s vibrant mix of purple and yellow certainly makes it stand out.

This new Pokemon design seems to hark back to its traditional style, featuring a creature that appeals to fans, unlike Terapagos in the previous release. However, it works exceptionally well. To put it simply, as someone who adores purple, I believe this Elite Trainer Box from Scarlet and Violet could be the most visually stunning yet.

The Pulls From 49 Packs

Here for a special treat indeed – the tugs from Surging Sparks! Seems like fortune is finally turning.

In earlier pack openings, neither Shrouded Fable nor Astral Radiance nor Temporal Forces were favorable for me. However, Obsidian Flames showed some improvement, as I managed to draw three Charizards from it. The rainbow rare Charizard from Brilliant Stars also helped brighten that opening. With Scarlet and Violet 151, I received two Zapdos ex, which made me content. But it was Fusion Strike and Paradox Rift where I truly hit my stride, pulling the alternate art Espeon VMAX and Roaring Moon ex respectively. To put it simply, my pack openings have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride.

It’s great news to share that Surging Sparks is showing signs of improvement! Previously, Stellar Crown granted me with Daschbun ex, not exactly the desired Special Illustration Rare from the set. However, it remains a Special Illustration Rare. In contrast, this time around, I drew the Hydreigon ex Special Illustration Rare, which is expected to be one of the most coveted cards in the entire collection.

Beyond that, the Jasmine full art card is quite a valuable addition, and I also managed to get three rare nighttime Illustrations as well.

Overall Thoughts On The Set

Following some challenging times, I anticipate that Surging Sparks will entice former collectors to return to the Trading Card Game (TCG).

There are 11 exceptional Rare Illustrations to gather, with seven being Pokemon. Each one is visually stunning, and even a Pokemon like Durant boasts an impressive card design. However, it’s the three secret rare Pikachus that are most likely to draw collectors in.

As a collector, though, I do have some issues with Surging Sparks. If you’ve read my previous TCG hands-on previews, you’ll know I often feel the sets are too bloated, and Surging Sparks is a culprit of that.

Previously, I commended Stellar Crown for having significantly fewer cards compared to other sets in Scarlet and Violet, making it feasible for collectors to assemble a complete set. However, Surging Sparks takes the opposite approach, boasting an impressive total of 252 cards, which is nearly 80 more than Stellar Crown, making the task of completing a master set slightly more challenging for collectors.

As a collector, amassing the master set filled with coveted high-end secret rares isn’t going to be a budget-friendly endeavor. It’ll require opening numerous packs or hunting for bargains on eBay, both of which add up quickly – especially when personal funds are already stretched thin.

Read More

2024-11-01 17:10