One of the most exciting parts of a new release is getting new cards to play with. It does not matter whether you play Standard, Expanded, GLC, or something else: each new set usually has one or more cards worth getting excited about. Vanillamon is no exception, so in this series we dive into the most recent releases to see which new cards could affect the format.
We will focus mostly on the latest spoilers and the implications they may have once the cards reach the US and European markets.
What matters at a glance
- Wishiwashi ex is the immediate power outlier and a possible banlist candidate.
- Kommo-o has the pieces to become a real Stage 2 archetype.
- Legendary Lava Lake is the most promising of the split Stadiums.
- Dolliv gives Arboliva decks a meaningful consistency upgrade.
Storm Emeralda
Storm Emeralda is the latest Japanese set, released on July 31. Its cards will arrive internationally in Delta Reign. Browse the full gallery and translations on PokéBeach. The English proxy images below come from Pokémon Proxies and remain unofficial until release.
Wimpod
There are currently no Golisopod legal in Vanillamon, so this card is simply one to remember in case a playable Golisopod is released later.
Magmortar
Accelerating two Energy at once is certainly interesting. However, limiting those attachments to Magmortar or Electivire means the deck must go the extra mile to move the Energy before using it effectively.
Frillish
This is the first Frillish legal in Vanillamon. Notably, the first legal Jellicent is also from this set, so for now this Frillish is only as useful as the next card—spoiler: not much.
Jellicent
Drawing a card is nice, but nothing to write home about. This Pokémon is interesting only if you have a specific reason to interact with the bottom of your deck.
Wishiwashi ex
The elephant in the room: very high HP, huge damage output, and great survivability in a type with plenty of support and access to Energy acceleration. Baxcalibur and Frosmoth are both Vanillamon options for accelerating Water Energy.
Format signal: Banlist watch. Do not be surprised if this card proves too strong for the format.
Drowzee
If you really need a Drowzee, the one from Evolving Skies remains the better option because it can be searched with Buddy-Buddy Poffin. There are no especially relevant Hypno to play in Vanillamon anyway.
Golett
All Golett currently legal in Vanillamon are almost identical, and this one does not meaningfully change the choice.
Nidorina
There are no Nidoran♀ or Nidoqueen legal in Vanillamon, so this card is useless for now.
Kommo-o
High damage output, an Ability that accelerates Energy, and no Weakness make a compelling package. The drawback is that it is a Stage 2. Another powerful Kommo-o is due in the 30th Celebration set, so an entirely new deck may emerge. Vanillamon-legal Jangmo-o and Hakamo-o already exist.
Format signal: Archetype watch. The full evolution line now has the ingredients for a dedicated deck.
Altaria
Free Retreat is always useful. Which deck wants this effect remains to be seen, but Altaria can only become stronger as new Basic Pokémon are released.
Delicious Rice Balls
This is a nice way to heal high-HP Pokémon and potentially let them survive one more hit. The competition for deck space is fierce, though, and the card asks you to dedicate multiple slots before it becomes truly effective.
Adventuring Lantern
If you really do not want to discard a card, this is an option over Earthen Vessel. Otherwise, the Ancient Item remains the more flexible choice.
Custom Vest
There are currently no Vanillamon-legal Mega Pokémon ex, so there is no reason to consider this card yet.
Mega Rayquaza Cap
The Tool gives its holder an attack with rules text, directly bypassing Vanillamon’s central legality test.
Format signal: Ban on release.
Emcee’s Hype
Control and stall decks may consider this a strong draw option in the mid to late game, when the extra two cards are easier to unlock.
Aarune
This offers the best search rate available for Stadium cards. If the new split Stadiums are good enough, Aarune may see play because it can find both halves with one card and still leave another search available.
Zinnia’s Trust
An interesting, if slow, switching option. Combining Switch and Energy Switch in one card may open up useful sequencing lines.
Tate & Liza’s Training
Drawing only two cards is not enough, even with the benefit of returning the Supporter to your hand for future turns.
Legendary Ocean Trench
Doubling healing looks powerful, but it remains to be seen whether playing two cards at once is too high a cost. At least this Stadium can deliver one turn of doubled healing before the opponent gets a chance to remove it.
Legendary Summit
The effect is even more powerful, but the opponent gets an entire turn to remove the Stadium before it matters. If it stays in play for a few turns, however, the Prize advantage can become insurmountable in the right deck.
Legendary Lava Lake
This is the most interesting of the three. Shutting off Abilities is powerful in a format largely defined by them. Combined with hand disruption, this Stadium could become part of comeback strategies for control and stall decks.
Format signal: Most promising Legendary Stadium.
MEGA Starter Decks
These three preconstructed decks were released in Japan on July 31. Most cards are reprints, but a handful are new additions to Vanillamon. They will most likely join the international card pool alongside Storm Emeralda. See the complete PokéBeach gallery; the images and English translations below are reproduced from that report.
Floragato
This is the first Vanillamon-legal Floragato ever released. Now we need a legal Meowscarada to make use of it.
English translation
Grass · HP 90 · Stage 1—Evolves from Sprigatito
[G][G] Slash — 60 damage.
Weakness: Fire ×2 · Resistance: none · Retreat: 1
Smoliv
We already have two Vanillamon-legal Smoliv, and this card is almost identical to the one from Destined Rivals.
English translation
Grass · HP 60 · Basic Pokémon
[G] Spray Fluid — 20 damage.
Weakness: Fire ×2 · Resistance: none · Retreat: 1
Dolliv
Dolliv is new to Vanillamon. Scarlet & Violet has an Arboliva with a useful Ability, so decks no longer need to rely on Rare Candy to play it. Better still, Forest of Vitality can now put Arboliva into play in one turn.
Format signal: A meaningful consistency upgrade for Arboliva.
English translation
Grass · HP 90 · Stage 1—Evolves from Smoliv
[G] Leaf Step — 40 damage.
Weakness: Fire ×2 · Resistance: none · Retreat: 1
Pawmo
Pawmo was already available in Vanillamon, and the version from Phantasmal Flames is almost identical.
English translation
Lightning · HP 90 · Stage 1—Evolves from Pawmi
[L] Electro Ball — 40 damage.
Weakness: Fighting ×2 · Resistance: none · Retreat: 1
Pawmot
The first Vanillamon-legal Pawmot has an Ability reminiscent of Dynamotor on Eelektrik and Flaaffy. It is more flexible because it can attach Energy directly to the Active Pokémon, but appearing on a Stage 2 with a weak attack is a serious drawback. Dynamotor will usually remain the better option.
English translation
Lightning · HP 150 · Stage 2—Evolves from Pawmo
Ability—Power Plant Touch: Once during your turn, you may attach a Basic [L] Energy from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon.
[L][C] Electric Punch — 100 damage.
Weakness: Fighting ×2 · Resistance: none · Retreat: 1
Purrloin
Paradox Rift already gave Vanillamon a legal Purrloin, and this version does not add much in terms of attacks.
English translation
Darkness · HP 60 · Basic Pokémon
[D] Dig Claws — 20 damage.
Weakness: Grass ×2 · Resistance: none · Retreat: 1
Zorua
Evolving Skies already has a 70 HP Zorua. This one can attack on turn one, but 10 damage is rarely worth planning around. If your deck runs Double Colorless Energy, the older card may still be better.
English translation
Darkness · HP 70 · Basic Pokémon
[D] Stampede — 10 damage.
[D][C] Scratch — 30 damage.
Weakness: Grass ×2 · Resistance: none · Retreat: 1
Delibird
The newest member of the “Active Pokémon that looks at the top six” family joins Mew for Items, Manaphy for Pokémon, Tatsugiri for Supporters, and Celebi for Energy—all legal in Vanillamon. Delibird has 20 more HP than Celebi and a Resistance that may come in handy, but not being searchable with Buddy-Buddy Poffin is a real cost.
Format signal: A credible alternative to Celebi when the extra HP matters.
English translation
Colorless · HP 90 · Basic Pokémon
Ability—Energy Present: Once during your turn, if this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may look at the top 6 cards of your deck, choose an Energy you find there, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Shuffle the remaining cards and put them on the bottom of your deck.
[C] Beat — 10 damage.
Weakness: Lightning ×2 · Resistance: Fighting −30 · Retreat: 1
Which of these cards will matter most? The early shortlist is Wishiwashi ex for raw power, Kommo-o for a new archetype, Legendary Lava Lake for disruption, and Dolliv for consistency—but real games will decide the rest.