Every generational shift in the Pokémon TCG brings a bit of a reset, and Scarlet & Violet is where the current chapter of the game, built around ex cards, officially began.
A new region, a new generation
Released in 2023, Scarlet & Violet was based on the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet video games and introduced the Paldea region to the TCG. As with previous generational launches, it brought a wave of new Pokémon designs alongside a refreshed card layout.
ex cards take over from VMAX
The headline mechanic of the set was the modern ex card, a powerful Pokémon category that replaced VMAX and VSTAR cards from the Sword & Shield block. Despite sharing a name with the EX cards from the Kalos era roughly a decade earlier, this is a distinct mechanic built for the current rules, typically carrying strong attacks balanced by giving up two prize cards when knocked out.
Setting the tone for the current era
Because it launched both a new region and a new signature mechanic, Scarlet & Violet is generally treated as the clean starting point of the current TCG era, one that's still ongoing and expanding through further Paldea-region sets.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Scarlet & Violet set release?
Scarlet & Violet released in 2023, based on the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet video games and the Paldea region.
How are modern ex cards different from the older EX cards?
Although the name is similar to the EX cards from the Kalos era, the current ex cards are a separate mechanic tied to the Scarlet & Violet block, generally offering strong attacks with a two-prize penalty if knocked out.
Why is this set considered a fresh starting point?
It introduced a new region, a new generation of Pokémon, and the ex mechanic all at once, giving the TCG a clear new chapter after the long Sword & Shield block.