All the new reveals from Pokémon World Championships

I'm back from a bout with COVID and ready to get into the news. The Pokémon Company just dropped some bangerz at the conclusion of the world championships, so let's dig in!

Get a free Dracovish for Sword/Shield 

 Mystery Gift goodies are coming aplenty now through the next few weeks. This is probably the last run of free mons you'll get for Sword/Shield so stock up before the new gen! You can snag a Japanese version of Ash's Dracovish now through August 25 with code GANJ0UAG0882. Open Sword or Shield, go to Mystery Gift and then select the code option. The code is good for multiple games but only one per game!

More Scarlet/Violet new revealed

We got a closer look at the Terastalize mechanic in action in a new competitive play trailer showcasing new Terastal forms, new abilities, new items AND a new Pokémon. That's a whole lotta new all at once. You can check it all out in the official trailer here.

New Pokémon: Cyclizar. This is clearly a pre-evolution to the two box legendaries but no word on if it's a middle form or first stage form. It also appears to be transportation for the pleebs who don't get to cruise around or Koraidon or Miraidon.

From Nintendo: "A Pokémon that has lived in many Paldea region households since ancient times, it’s common to see people riding Cyclizar! Fun fact: It can sprint at over 70 mph while carrying a human!"

Is Fast and Furious: Paldea Drift a thing yet?

BTW, Cyclizar also sports a new move called Shed Tail that "creates a substitute then swaps places with a party Pokémon in waiting."

New Item: Mirror Herb.  This held item copies an opponent's stat increases when consumed. 

New Item: Loaded Dice. Cue the Road to Eld Dorado memes and if you don't know what I'm talking about, do yourself a favor and go find where its streaming right now.

Loaded Dice makes multistrike moves more likely to hit more times. In the trailer, the example is a Terastalized Breloom using Bullet Seed. I'm not going to crunch the numbers but you can see for yourself what a world of hurt this put on the opponent's Blissey.

New Move: Tera Blast.  "Changes type when the user as Terastallized" (I swear they made that as hard to spell as possible).  This is being reported as a normal-type move that selects damage type depending on if the Attack of Special Attack of the user is higher. Also, can we just take a moment to talk about the ghost crown on this Tyranitar throwing it back to Gen 1?

Scarlet and Violet first TCG Expansion teaser

Pokemon ex are returning! From the official site; "Pokémon ex will appear in each stage of Evolution—as Basic, Stage 1, and Stage 2 Pokémon. They have high HP, along with powerful attacks and Abilities, and when one of them is Knocked Out, two Prize cards are taken. These Pokémon have the power to turn the tide of battle in an instant! Pokémon ex will provide all sorts of new strategies as players adjust their decks to utilize (and counter!) these new cards."

And here's one more interested tidbit: "Additionally, an important theme of Scarlet & Violet series is "comebacks," and we plan to introduce Pokémon, Trainer cards and Energy cards that can turn the tide of the battle this way."

No word on a release date for the new expansion yet. (Pretty sure we've still got one more Sword and Shield in the works before then). Check out these popping new card designs in the reveal trailer.

World Championships 2023 Announced!

London just wrapped up the world 'ships for TCG, GO and competitive play. Aside from the plethora of Scarlet and Violet news dropping, next year's location was also revealed.

I know I've shared a ton of video links today, but you really need to check out this announcement clip, featuring a walk through Gen 1's Vermillion City and port.

Obscure Pokémon Fact of the Day (from u/Mx_Toniy_4869)  

Until next time, DSidd aka the Dominic Toretto of Paldea