Pokémon TCG Set Guide
Every Pokémon Sword & Shield Set in Order
A complete chronological guide to all 12 main Sword & Shield expansions and five special sets, including release dates, card counts, Pokémon V, VMAX, VSTAR, Amazing Rares, Alternate Arts, Trainer Galleries and Crown Zenith.
Last updated: August 13, 2026
What are all the Pokémon Sword & Shield sets in order?
The full English release order is Sword & Shield, Rebel Clash, Darkness Ablaze, Champion’s Path, Vivid Voltage, Shining Fates, Battle Styles, Chilling Reign, Evolving Skies, Celebrations, Fusion Strike, Brilliant Stars, Astral Radiance, Pokémon GO, Lost Origin, Silver Tempest and Crown Zenith. Twelve are main expansions and five are special sets.
Complete Sword & Shield Set List in Order
| # | Release | Date | Complete checklist | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sword & Shield | February 7, 2020 | 216 | Main |
| 2 | Rebel Clash | May 1, 2020 | 209 | Main |
| 3 | Darkness Ablaze | August 14, 2020 | 201 | Main |
| 4 | Champion’s Path | September 25, 2020 | 80 | Special |
| 5 | Vivid Voltage | November 13, 2020 | 203 | Main |
| 6 | Shining Fates | February 19, 2021 | 195 | Special |
| 7 | Battle Styles | March 19, 2021 | 183 | Main |
| 8 | Chilling Reign | June 18, 2021 | 233 | Main |
| 9 | Evolving Skies | August 27, 2021 | 237 | Main |
| 10 | Celebrations | October 8, 2021 | 50 | Special |
| 11 | Fusion Strike | November 12, 2021 | 284 | Main |
| 12 | Brilliant Stars | February 25, 2022 | 216 | Main |
| 13 | Astral Radiance | May 27, 2022 | 246 | Main |
| 14 | Pokémon GO | July 1, 2022 | 88 | Special |
| 15 | Lost Origin | September 9, 2022 | 247 | Main |
| 16 | Silver Tempest | November 11, 2022 | 245 | Main |
| 17 | Crown Zenith | January 20, 2023 | 230 | Special |
Totals include secret cards and dedicated subsets such as Shiny Vault, Classic Collection, Trainer Gallery and Galarian Gallery.
What Is the Sword & Shield Pokémon TCG Era?
The Sword & Shield Series brought Galar Pokémon, Pokémon V and VMAX to the physical game after Sun & Moon. It later introduced Battle Styles, Fusion Strike, VSTAR Powers, Radiant Pokémon, Trainer Galleries and a major wave of Alternate Art cards.
Alternate Art is a collector term, not one universal rarity
Collectors use “Alt Art” for cards with distinctive alternate illustrations, but official rarity labels and numbering differ by expansion. Always identify the exact set and number.
Sword & Shield Sets Released in 2020
1. Sword & Shield
The base set introduced Zacian V, Zamazenta V, Lapras VMAX and Snorlax VMAX. Pokémon V replaced GX as the era’s primary two-Prize card type, while VMAX represented Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon.
2. Rebel Clash
Rebel Clash expanded the Galar roster with Toxtricity VMAX, Inteleon VMAX, Cinderace VMAX, Rillaboom VMAX and Full Art Boss’s Orders.
3. Darkness Ablaze
Charizard VMAX headlines Darkness Ablaze alongside Eternatus VMAX, Scizor VMAX and Butterfree VMAX.
Champion’s Path
This Gym Challenge-themed special set includes Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX and Shiny Charizard V as its signature chases.
4. Vivid Voltage
Vivid Voltage introduced Amazing Rare cards with colourful splash-pattern backgrounds. Pikachu VMAX and its Rainbow Rare version became the set’s defining cards.
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Sword & Shield Sets Released in 2021
Shining Fates
Shining Fates includes Shiny Charizard VMAX and a 122-card Shiny Vault numbered SV001 through SV122.
5. Battle Styles
Battle Styles introduced Single Strike and Rapid Strike cards. Alternate Art Tyranitar V and Empoleon V became important collector cards.
6. Chilling Reign
Chilling Reign features Calyrex, the Galarian legendary birds and a deep Alternate Art lineup including Blaziken VMAX and Galarian Moltres V.
7. Evolving Skies
Evolving Skies combines Eeveelutions and Dragon Pokémon. Umbreon VMAX 215/203, Rayquaza VMAX, Sylveon VMAX and Leafeon VMAX lead its Alternate Arts.
Celebrations
Celebrations marked Pokémon’s 25th anniversary. Its Classic Collection recreates historically important cards including Base Set Charizard, Umbreon Gold Star and Shining Magikarp.
8. Fusion Strike
Fusion Strike introduced a third Battle Style. Gengar VMAX, Espeon VMAX, Mew VMAX and Celebi V Alternate Arts define the collector side.
Sword & Shield Sets Released in 2022–2023
9. Brilliant Stars
Brilliant Stars introduced Pokémon VSTAR and the Trainer Gallery. Charizard V Alternate Art, Charizard VSTAR and Arceus VSTAR headline the main set.
10. Astral Radiance
Hisuian Pokémon, Origin Forme Dialga and Palkia, Machamp V Alternate Art and a 30-card Trainer Gallery define Astral Radiance.
Pokémon GO
This crossover set includes Mewtwo VSTAR, Radiant Charizard, Radiant Blastoise, Radiant Venusaur and peelable Ditto cards hidden beneath other Pokémon.
11. Lost Origin
Lost Origin returned the Lost Zone and features Giratina V Alternate Art, Aerodactyl V Alternate Art and Pikachu VMAX in the Trainer Gallery.
12. Silver Tempest
Lugia V Alternate Art, Regidrago V Alternate Art and Rayquaza VMAX Trainer Gallery cards lead the final main Sword & Shield expansion.
Crown Zenith
Crown Zenith ended the era with a 70-card Galarian Gallery. Giratina VSTAR, Arceus VSTAR, Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR and Palkia VSTAR form a connected gold-art group.
Every Special Sword & Shield Set
| Special set | Defining subset or theme | Normal booster box? |
|---|---|---|
| Champion’s Path | Galar Gym Challenge and two Charizard chases | No |
| Shining Fates | 122-card Shiny Vault | No |
| Celebrations | 25-card Classic Collection | No |
| Pokémon GO | Mobile-game crossover and peelable Ditto | No |
| Crown Zenith | 70-card Galarian Gallery | No |
Major Sword & Shield Card Mechanics
Pokémon V, VMAX and VSTAR
Pokémon V generally give up two Prize cards. VMAX cards represent Dynamax or Gigantamax forms and usually give up three. VSTAR cards introduced once-per-game VSTAR Powers.
Battle Styles
Single Strike, Rapid Strike and Fusion Strike labels identify compatible Pokémon and Trainer engines.
Amazing Rare and Radiant Pokémon
Amazing Rares debuted in Vivid Voltage. Radiant Pokémon arrived later and limited decks to one Radiant Pokémon total.
Alternate Arts
Alternate Art cards show Pokémon in full scenes and became a defining collector category, especially in Chilling Reign, Evolving Skies and later sets.
Trainer Gallery and Galarian Gallery Card Counts
Brilliant Stars, Astral Radiance, Lost Origin and Silver Tempest each contain a 30-card Trainer Gallery numbered TG01 through TG30. Crown Zenith replaces that structure with a 70-card Galarian Gallery numbered GG01 through GG70.
Do not stop at the printed denominator
A Lost Origin card numbered 196/196 does not represent the end of a complete master checklist. Secret cards continue beyond 196, and Trainer Gallery cards use a separate TG prefix.
Notable Cards From Every Main Sword & Shield Set
| Set | Notable cards | Defining feature |
|---|---|---|
| Sword & Shield | Zacian V, Snorlax VMAX | Pokémon V debut |
| Rebel Clash | Boss’s Orders, Toxtricity VMAX | Galar expansion |
| Darkness Ablaze | Charizard VMAX | First Charizard VMAX |
| Vivid Voltage | Rainbow Pikachu VMAX, Rayquaza Amazing Rare | Amazing Rare debut |
| Battle Styles | Tyranitar V Alternate Art | Single and Rapid Strike |
| Chilling Reign | Blaziken VMAX, Galarian Moltres V | Deep Alt Art roster |
| Evolving Skies | Umbreon VMAX, Rayquaza VMAX | Eeveelutions and Dragons |
| Fusion Strike | Gengar VMAX, Espeon VMAX | Fusion Strike style |
| Brilliant Stars | Charizard V, Arceus VSTAR | VSTAR and Trainer Gallery |
| Astral Radiance | Machamp V, Starmie V TG | Hisuian era |
| Lost Origin | Giratina V, Aerodactyl V | Lost Zone return |
| Silver Tempest | Lugia V, Rayquaza VMAX TG | Final main set |
How to Identify a Sword & Shield Card
- Find the collector number and expansion symbol.
- Check for V, VMAX, VSTAR or Radiant naming.
- Look for SV, TG or GG subset prefixes.
- Confirm the exact regular, Full Art, Rainbow, gold or Alternate Art treatment.
- Match condition before comparing prices.
Use our set identification guide and fake-card guide.
How to Collect the Sword & Shield Era
Choose a realistic subset
Popular projects include Eeveelution Alternate Arts, Trainer Galleries, Amazing Rares, Radiant Pokémon, Celebrations Classic Collection or Crown Zenith’s Galarian Gallery.
Define the master checklist
State whether secrets and SV, TG or GG subsets are included. A main-set denominator rarely represents the complete release.
Protect textured and full-art cards
Use our condition guide and storage guide.
Check exact prices
Compare identical variants with the Pokémon pricing guide and grade selectively using our grading guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many main Sword & Shield sets are there?
There are 12 main English expansions.
How many releases are there including special sets?
There are 17 when five special sets are included.
What was the first Sword & Shield set?
Sword & Shield released on February 7, 2020.
What was the final Sword & Shield set?
Crown Zenith released on January 20, 2023.
Which set introduced Alternate Arts?
Alternate treatments existed earlier, but Battle Styles established the era’s major modern Alternate Art direction.
How many Crown Zenith cards are there?
There are 230 across the 160-card main checklist and 70-card Galarian Gallery.
Which set contains Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art?
Evolving Skies contains Umbreon VMAX 215/203.
Sources and Editorial Method
Release order and totals were cross-checked using the historical expansion index, the official expansion archive and official Crown Zenith product information.
