Pokémon Card of the Day: September 2026
Tuesday, Sept. 1st, 2026
Blaziken Ruby and Sapphire 3/109
Blaziken’s first card entered the TCG with a bang, having one of the strongest Poké-Powers of its time. Firestarter lets you fuel Energy from the Discard Pile to your Pokémon, effectively giving yourself two Energy attachments per turn.
Fire Stream isn’t particularly strong, but at a time when Stage 2s had 100 HP, it could have been worse. This card’s most lethal application was along with the far stronger Blaziken ex. That card could snipe for 100 damage, easily fueled by this card.
Blaziken was reprinted with the exact same artwork in Celestial Storm, albeit remade to fit in with the Sun and Moon cards. Journey Together’s Blaziken ex has a very similar Ability as well.
Wednesday, Sept. 2nd, 2026
M Steelix EX Steam Seige 68/114
This Mega Steelix EX is one of the last Megas released during XY, featured in XY11 Steam Siege. This expansion featured dual-type cards, with Mega Steelix being Metal and Fighting. This represents Steelix’s Steel-Ground typing, but it only uses Metal Energy to remain somewhat viable.
Mega Steelix is gold because every dual-type in the set (except for Volcanion EX) is a Shiny Pokémon. It’s a little jarring for your Steelix EX to become Shiny when it Mega Evolves, but I think it’s a neat feature nonetheless.
Canyon Axe is a decent attack seeing as most Basic EX cards had 180 HP, and 240 HP was as high as you could go with a Mega EX. However, 5 Energy to attack is far too much for this card to be competitively viable.
Thursday, Sept. 3rd, 2026
Exploud Great Encounters 17/106
This Exploud card has a lot of text! Ambient Noise isn’t one complex effect but simply lets you flip two coins and lays out an effect for each possibility. I always like these cards that have a huge idea and then a flat damage attack to fit in underneath. It seems like the card designer was very proud of the first effect and based the card around it.
What’s even more fascinating about this Exploud is that it is the first Exploud to have less than three attacks. The first two Exploud cards had four, and Exploud ex had three. This is very bizarre, as Unseen Forces’ Tyranitar ex is the only other card ever to have four attacks. Unfortunately, there have only been eleven Exploud cards, but none of them have ever had just one attack.
Friday, Sept. 4th, 2026
Pikachu EX Promo XY174
Fall 2016’s tins were themed around the Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel movie, which starred Volcanion and Magearna. The EX cards included in those decks were alternate art versions of the strong cards in Steam Siege.
However, most tins at that time were in a set of three, and there was no real third Pokémon to go along with the two new Mythical Pokémon. Pikachu was the easiest solution to fill this role, since it’s the mascot of the series. Nonetheless, it still feels somewhat out of place.
Pikachu EX, being a not-fully-evolved Pokémon, has less HP than typical XY EX cards, having 130 instead of 170 or 180. Mega Thunderbolt is a neat card with huge damage, but it’s not particularly sustainable.
Saturday, Sept. 5th, 2026
Pinsir GX Hidden Fates 6/68
Here lies another victim of the “Battle Academy” treatment. This Pinsir GX was originally part of a starter deck in Japanese. I think that’s great and gives new players a way to get used to multi-prizers. The issue is the way the card was introduced into the English game.
All of the GX cards from the starter decks were placed into Hidden Fates. This means that from a Hidden Fates pack, you could get Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno GX, or Pinsir GX. The effect of having a flat damage attack and a GX attack is aesthetically pleasing, giving plenty of space for the art, but the card is just awful in the card game.
Somehow, despite having a Mega Evolution, this is Pinsir’s only chase card ever. Poor Pinsir…
Sunday, Sept. 6th, 2026
Antique Old Amber 151 154/165
After two Generations of Unidentified Fossil, Scarlet and Violet introduced a Fossil mechanic more similar to Diamond and Pearl. Every Fossil Pokémon once again received its own Fossil card with the prefix “Antique”. This is an odd choice, since “Antique” usually references something manmade.
The trade-off for the lack of a universal Fossil was that each one had its own special Ability. For example, this Antique Old Amber is immune to Abilities, which could be useful against Munkidori’s Adrena-Brain.
If you look in the bottom right corner of the card, this is one of the rare cards that designates that it can evolve into something. In this case, Antique Old Amber can evolve into Aerodactyl or Aerodactyl ex. This would imply that there was a new ex, since the old one Evolves from Mysterious Fossil. However, this card rotated before any such card was printed. Presumably the ex was included for future-proofing, but there’s no point without Mega Aerodactyl ex.
Monday, Sept. 7th, 2026
Armored Mewtwo Promo SM228
Armored Mewtwo is a special full-art Promo card contained in the 2019 Collector’s Chest, themed around the movie Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution.
This card is in the style of Cosmic Eclipse’s Trainer Gallery cards, but it’s unique, not featuring any sort of Pokémon Trainer in the card art. It is based around the special design of Mewtwo featured in the movie, giving it a special card name “Armored Mewtwo”.
The card isn’t particularly strong, dealing 130 damage for three Psychic Energy. 120 HP isn’t bad but three Retreat is awful. Armored Mewtwo is a relatively unplayable card but a very unique memento of the film.
Tuesday, Sept. 8th, 2026
Exeggcute Plasma Blast 102/101
It’s interesting that Exeggcute managed to make the cut for a Gold Secret Rare in Black and White. The reason why it got depicted in its Shiny form is because of its Ability, Propagation.
Propagation allows you to return Exeggcute to your hand if it’s in the Discard Pile. If you can find an Exeggcute or two in your deck, that means that you never have to discard a card again. Ultra Ball typically requires you to discard two cards, but you can simply discard two Exeggcute and then return them to your hand using Propagation. Ultra Ball has now become equivalent to Master Ball, an ACE SPEC.
Exeggute helps you to keep more cards in your hand and allows you to stomach cards with big discard costs. It’s very strong in the Expanded format.
Wednesday, Sept. 9th, 2026
Electabuzz ex Ruby and Sapphire 97/109
Electabuzz joined many of its Big Basic friends in the first EX expansion. These cards behaved as an introduction to 2 Prize cards without destroying the metagame.
Electabuzz ex is a callback to the original Electabuzz from Base Set. That card worked with Hitmonchan as one of the most efficient attackers at the time. Unlike Chansey ex, Electabuzz gains some extra HP, and Quick Attack does some decent damage.
Electabuzz ex’s artwork is far more detailed than the original’s Ken Sugimori stock art, featuring Electabuzz charging up in a power plant. This must be the Kanto Power Plant, since Electabuzz can’t be found in Hoenn’s New Mauville.
Thursday, Sept. 10th, 2026
Trevenant VMAX Evolving Skies 14/203
Trevenant VMAX is emblematic of the middle of a TCG generation. By Evolving Skies, most of the new Pokémon have received chase cards, so some random Pokémon begin to trickle in. Maybe Trevenant was chosen since Hop uses it in the Sword and Shield game?
In terms of its playability, Trevenant VMAX is okay. Missing in the Forest can do huge damage at the end of the game once your opponent has played a lot of Supporter cards, but it’s far too weak in the first few turns. Even worse is that your opponent can just play smart and not discard any Supporters.
Trevenant VMAX would be a good end-game cleaner, but being a VMAX, it takes too much space in the deck to be viable.
Friday, Sept. 11th, 2026
Genesect Promo XY119
This Genesect has a very realistic artwork illustrated by PLANETA. This card was released during the Pokémon 20th Anniversary celebration in its own collection box. There were many Mythical Pokémon released as special full art cards.
Genesect, along with the other Mythical cards, were reprinted with regular arts in the Volcanion and Magearna Mythical collections.
The card isn’t particularly strong, but it’s meant as a special collector’s edition. Linear Attack isn’t bad for sniping evolving Basics, but Destructor Beam costs too much Energy to be practical.
Saturday, Sept. 12th, 2026
Sigilyph GX Lost Thunder 98/214
It’s always neat to see when obscure Pokémon get a chase card, typically near the end of a Generation. Sigilyph got its chance in Lost Thunder, even receiving a Rainbow Rare.
The card has a neat Ability that reflects back all the damage it takes from EX and GX Pokémon. Although this Ability is very strong, Sigilyph’s attacks are quite weak, meaning that this card isn’t particularly useful.
However, having so much card text means that there isn’t much space for Sigilyph to be seen. Surprisingly, the entire green section of Sigilyph’s body is obscured behind the card text. I guess that means that the top eye is this Pokémon’s ‘main’ eye, and the most important thing to be in frame.
Sunday, Sept. 13th, 2026
Ursaluna Astral Radiance 124/189
Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduced many new Evolutions for past Pokémon, most of which were from Johto. Unlike a Pokémon like Stantler, which felt lacking and needed a new Evolution, Ursaring was strong enough by itself. This means that Ursaluna feels a little overkill.
180 HP on a Stage 2 is very strong, especially when Ursaring already reaches 140 HP as a Stage 1. One interesting side effect of creating an Evolution for a previously strong enough Pokémon is the interactions with old cards. Ursaring Prime doesn’t have a different name than Ursaring, so you can Evolve an Ursaring Prime into a regular Ursaluna. Prime Pokémon only give up one Prize card, so it’s not a huge deal, but it’s a neat interaction. Ursaluna’s Peat Hunt is a reference to the Peat Block item needed to evolve Ursaring.
Monday, Sept. 14th, 2026
Celesteela GX Unbroken Bonds 163/214
Although they didn’t get a brand new type of chase card, Ultra Beast GXs had an altered design. The regular blue on a GX card is replaced with red, with a special pattern that matches the one on the Ultra Beast tag. These GX cards also feature an Ultra Wormhole on top of an otherwise black background.
Ultra Beast cards usually interact with Prize Cards, and this one is no different. Discovery GX allows you to take your Prize Cards and replace them with the top six cards of your deck. A Redeemable Ticket plus two “draw 3” Supporters is very strong for just one Energy, even if it is a GX attack.
This card is also the only time Celesteela has ever been portrayed as a Colorless-type, referencing that it is a Steel-Flying Pokémon.
Tuesday, Sept. 15th, 2026
Nosepass Ruby and Sapphire 18/109
Nosepass’ first ever card is a Rare, seeing as Probopass wasn’t introduced until Generation 4. You can tell that it is a non-holo rare since the e-Reader strip is present. The Game Boy Advance’s e-Reader could scan these codes and unlock exclusive content. Unfortunately, 60 HP isn’t great for a Basic that can’t Evolve.
Nosepass can’t deal any damage, but its attacks have some pretty useful effects. Invisible Hand searches for any card if your opponent’s Active is Evolved, and Repulsion can return their Active Pokémon to the hand. You can see that both attacks reference your opponent having more than one Active Pokémon. Some Generation 3 cards had text to support a Double Battle format.
Interestingly, this card doesn’t require any Fighting Energy to attack. This matches modern Nosepass cards designed to evolve into Metal-type Probopass cards. Is this a coincidence?
Wednesday, Sept. 16th, 2026
Mewtwo ex 30th Celebration 157/128
The brand new 30th Celebration expansion features this really cool “Futuristic Rare” design, illustrated by YOSHIROTTEN. It features all of the type symbols as well as a Poké Ball.
While the design is a little tacky, I think it’s great for a Secret Rare card. I really like the lighting on Mewtwo and the cool new holo pattern.
Despite being printed near the end of Generation 9’s fourth year, this is the first regular Mewtwo ex card. Previously, there has been a Tera and Team Rocket’s Mewtwo. I think it’s about time that Mewtwo gets more ex cards. Unfortunately, this card isn’t very strong. For the second time in this Generation, Mewtwo has been outclassed by Mew.
Thursday, Sept. 17th, 2026
Salamence V Darkness Ablaze 143/189
At the beginning of Generation 8, it was declared that Fairy types would be removed from the Pokémon TCG after just 2 Generations, along with Fairy Energy. However, Dragon-types disappeared too. Although they made their grand return in Evolving Skies with a special card design, there was a very bizarre period where Dragon-types were missing.
This Salamence V is a good example of this time in 2020 and 2021. Some strong Dragon-types had to be featured eventually, so Salamence was chosen. Although the Colorless-type might seem to be in reference to the old depiction of Dragons, Salamence is part Flying, so this is correct. This is the only Colorless-type Salamence since the Dragon-type was introduced.
By using dual-types, the game developers hid what they were planning with Dragon-types.
Friday, Sept. 18th, 2026
Archen Plasma Blast 53/101
This Archen is part of the short-lived Restored mechanic, featured during Generations 5 and 6. This was a reimagining of Unidentified Fossil which was ultimately unsuccessful. Instead of having Fossil cards that could be played onto the Bench, Fossils during BW and XY Benched a Restored Pokémon from the bottom 7 cards of your deck
Archen, as well as some other fossil cards at the time, had the Ability Prehistoric Call. This Ability allows you to get the Restored Pokémon at the bottom of your deck more easily. This made playing Restored Pokémon a little more feasible during an otherwise terrible mechanic.
The card’s artwork features Unova’s Nacrene Museum, the location in Black and White where fossils can be restored.
Saturday, Sept. 19th, 2026
Hitmonchan ex Ruby and Sapphire 98/109
Hitmonchan returned in Generation 3 as one of the first ever ex cards. The card is in reference to the Hitmonchan from Base Set, one of the most infamous cards of all time. However, unlike Electabuzz ex, Hitmonchan's attacks don’t particularly match those from the Base Set card.
Steady Punch is a simply weaker version of Jab, and Sky Uppercut adds in a Resistance factor that was never on the original’s Special Punch. The attack names are obviously different as well.
I’m not really sure what is going on with the card artwork. If you look closely, you can see that Hitmonchan is in a boxing ring, but there’s another layer on top that I can’t really make sense of.
Sunday, Sept. 20th, 2026
Armaldo Sandstorm 1/101
Armaldo’s first card features it standing in a vast desert, presumably Hoenn’s Route 111. 120 HP was very high at the time, being the record for a non-ex Pokémon. However, it’s a Stage 2 Fossil Pokémon, so there needs to be more than high HP for this card to be worth it.
Armaldo’s Primal Veil Poké-Body sweetens the pot quite a bit, preventing all Supporters from being played while Armaldo is in the Active Spot. If your opponent is drawing poorly, you can play Armaldo once you’ve set up and completely halt their board progression.
Unfortunately, Armaldo’s huge Retreat Cost means you probably won’t be playing any Supporters either. Blade Arms isn’t the worst amount of damage when your opponent can’t play Supporters, but three Energy is quite a bit.
Monday, Sept. 21st, 2026
Goomy Lost Origin 132/196
This Goomy from Lost Origin just seems like any other Goomy card, but there is a very neat detail that shows how carefully Pokémon cards are designed.
While Goomy’s first attack does not require any Energy color, its second attack, Melt, takes Water and Metal Energy. What’s interesting about this card is that Goomy, Sliggoo and Goodra typically require Water and Psychic Energy, However, Hisuian Sliggoo and Goodra use Water and Metal, since they are part Steel-type.
This makes sense because there is no Hisuian Goomy. This card is intended to evolve into Hisuan Sliggoo and therefore uses the matching Energy, even though it could just as well evolve into Kalosian Sliggoo. This card was released in Lost Origin and depicts Hisui’s Crimson Mirelands in the background. The card also has the special design for Dragon-type cards in Generation 8.
Tuesday, Sept. 22nd, 2026
Slaking V Pokémon GO 58/78
Slaking V is a clever inclusion into the Pokémon GO set that shows the card game developers did their research. Slaking is relevant to Pokémon GO since, at the time of the set’s release, it could achieve the highest Combat Power of any Pokémon.
Aside from Pokémon GO, Slaking V is a fairly strong card. Kinda Lazy does a terrific job of emulating Slaking’s Truant Ability from the video games - Slaking will only be able to Knock Out a Pokémon V every second turn. Since Heavy Impact does 260 damage, this is very achievable. With the help of Choice Belt, even VSTARs are possible.
Even better is the fact that Spiritomb could be played to turn Kinda Lazy off, allowing Slaking to attack every turn. Slaking V was high-maintenance, but made a decent deck.
Wednesday, Sept. 23rd, 2026
Landorus EX Boundaries Crossed 89/149
Landorus EX is the first ever card of Landorus’ Therian Forme, introduced in Black and White 2. There would only ever be one more, released as a Black and White Promo.
It was a very strong card in the metagame upon its release in Boundaries Crossed thanks to its Hammerhead attack. Hammerhead dealt 30 damage to 2 Pokémon for one Energy. This attack could be used to eliminate two 30HP Tynamo on your first turn. Tynamo was a very strong card that, when evolved in Eelektrik, could stream Energy from your opponent’s Discard Pile. By using Hammerhead early, you could severely derail your opponent’s game plan.
Unlike Landorus cards today, Landorus EX is weak to Water. This makes more sense than Grass, as Landorus is Ground-Flying and takes neutral damage from Grass-type attacks.
Thursday, Sept. 24th, 2026
Gardevoir Ruby and Sapphire 7/109
Gardevoir’s very first card is quite similar to the more recent Gardevoir ex. Both cards place damage counters on your own Pokémon in order to attach Psychic Energy. The difference is that this card searches for Energy once a turn instead of unlimited attachments from the Discard Pile.
Although Psy Shadow is far weaker than Gardevoir ex’s Psychic Embrace, this card only gives up one Prize Card when Knocked Out.
I think that using Ken Sugimori stock artwork feels lazy most of the time, but it’s okay for a Pokémon’s introduction. The special effects in the back are well done and really highlight the brand new design.
Friday, Sept. 25th, 2026
Pikachu Black and White 115/114
Black and White was an interesting Generation as it served as a soft reboot to the Pokémon series, only featuring brand new Pokémon in a region far away from the past four. The Pokémon Trading Card Game matched this theme, dropping all 2-prize cards and only printing cards of brand new Pokémon.
This Secret Rare Pikachu is the only exception in Black and White’s Base Set. The series’ mascot was snuck into the set without ruining the feeling of a reboot. This card’s design is interesting, featuring a holo effect on every symbol of the card as well as on Pikachu’s body. The Lightning Energy symbol is also unique.
The card’s info box doesn’t contain a Pokédex entry, but a note congratulating you on finding the card.
Saturday, Sept. 26th, 2026
Deoxys VMAX Promo SWSH267
Deoxys VMAX was included with Deoxys V and VSTAR in a deck, alongside a corresponding deck for Zeraora. At this point, VMAX Pokémon were becoming rare, so it’s strange that they were included in random decks.
As VSTAR cards became more common, their huge attack power, but less HP, made it clear that VMAXs were the defensive V evolution. Therefore, Deoxys VMAX features Deoxys’ Defense Forme and has a supportive Ability. Deoxys VSTAR is the main attacker and features Deoxys’ Attack Forme. Deoxys V has Deoxys in its Normal Forme.
It’s neat to see how VMAX card design changed in 2022 so that they could coexist, albeit in a smaller role, alongside VSTAR Pokémon.
Sunday, Sept. 27th, 2026
Bisharp Plasma Freeze 73/116
Released in its debut generation, this Bisharp card is from when it was still a fully-evolved Pokémon. Being a Team Plasma’s Pokémon, it features the Team Plasma logo as well as a dark blue card border.
The card artwork contains the Plasma Frigate in the background, which, in the Black and White 2 games, attempts to freeze the Unova region. Plasma Freeze focuses on this, including ice in most card artworks. Bisharp has made the ice appear more like water after using Slash.
Bisharp’s second attack, Dragon Slayer, interacts with the, at the time, brand-new Dragon type, dealing extra damage to those Pokémon. This makes sense thematically as Bisharp is also Steel type, resisting Dragon.
Monday, Sept. 28th, 2026
Lapras ex Ruby and Sapphire 99/109
Lapras ex, one of the first ex cards from Ruby and Sapphire, is in reference to the first Lapras from Fossil. The first expansion’s ex cards were all like this to help introduce the mechanic.
Lapras’ HP is upgraded from 80 HP to 110 to justify the 2 Prize card Rule Box, but the first attack is exactly the same. I’m not sure why it is called Energy Ball instead of Water Gun, as Energy Ball is a Grass-type attack. Confuse Ray has been upgraded significantly, dealing 20 more damage and not requiring a coin flip for Confusion.
This card’s artwork features Lapras surrounded by bubbles. This works really well with the speckled holo effect on Generation 3 ex cards, making it seem like the bubbles are sparkling.
Tuesday, Sept. 29th, 2026
Clawitzer BREAK Steam Seige 35/114
Clawitzer BREAK is one of the most bizarre BREAK cards released at the end of the XY era. Like most BREAK cards, Clawitzer BREAK could be placed on Clawitzer, gaining the HP and extra attack of the BREAK.
Clawitzer’s new attack doesn’t deal a huge amount of damage but is a set-up move. For one of any Energy, Lock-On prevents the Defending Pokémon from escaping. Secondly, it makes your attacks deal 120 extra damage to that Pokémon next turn.
It sounds like a really strong effect, but none of the Clawitzer cards at the time were particularly strong. You could retreat into a stronger Pokémon to benefit from the attack boost, but every Clawitzer card ever has had a Retreat Cost of 2. Your opponent could even use Switch to get their Pokémon out of the Active Spot and negate Lock-On entirely. Clawitzer BREAK has a neat effect but isn’t very strong.
Wednesday, Sept. 30th, 2026
Lugia Promo HGSS02
Generation 4’s HeartGold and SoulSilver series brought the focus back onto Lugia and Ho-Oh, being the Legendary Pokémon of their respective games. This is one of many Lugia cards printed during 2010. When I first saw this card, I had to do a double take. Lugia is a Water type!
I think printing Lugia as a Water type makes perfect sense. Although technically, Lugia lives underwater out of choice, it should still be Water–type in the games. The fact that Xatu has the same typing as Lugia is just bizarre to think about.
Although it’s technically incorrect, giving Lugia the Water type helps it stand out and match up better with its Fire-type counterpart, Ho-Oh.
Card Artwork from Pokémon TCG Card Database, used for review purposes.