As previously revealed, the next Japanese Pokémon Card Game expansion set is called Freeze Bolt and Cold Flare (フリーズボルト コールドフレア). It will be released in Japan on July 13th, 2012 and will feature 59 cards including Black Kyurem and White Kyurem. Booster packs will sell for 158yen. The official Japanese TCG blog and official card game site have now revealed the Black Kyurem and White Kyurem cards. They are also featured in a commercial which aired during this weeks premiere of Pocket Monsters Best Wishes Season 2. Below is the commercial.

Freeze Bolt and Cold Flare Commercial

Black Kyurem EX and White Kyurem EX

White Kyurem EX (ホワイトキュレムEX)
Dragon Type, 180HP, 041/059 BW6, Illustration: Eske Yoshinob, Retreat Cost: , Weakness: x2
ドラゴンストリーム - コインを一回投げオモテなら、自分のトラッシュにある基本エネルギーを一枚選び、このポケモンに付ける。 60 コールドフレア - このポケモンについている炎エネルギーを2個トラッシュし、相手のバトルポケモンをやけどにする。 150
Dragon Stream - Flip a coin. If heads, attach a Basic Energy card from the discard pile to this Pokémon. 60 Cold Flare - Discard 2 Energy cards attached to this Pokémon. The Defending Pokémon is now Burned. 150

Black Kyurem EX (ブラックキュレムEX)
Dragon Type, 180HP, 045/059 BW6, Illustration: Eske Yoshinob, Retreat Cost: , Weakness: x2
りゅうのキバ - コインを一回投げオモテなら、相手のバトルポケモンをマヒにする。 60 フリーズボルト - 次の自分の番、このポケモンはワザを使えない。 150
Dragon Fang - Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed. 60 Freeze Bolt - This Pokémon can’t attack on your next turn. 150

A new trading card game mechanic called ACE SPEC that can be used on Black Kyurem and White Kyurem has been revealed. Cards that have ACE SPEC have special rules that allow players to boost Pokémon stats but players are limited to only one card that has an ACE SPEC mechanic in their deck. The Crystal Wall and Crystal Edge Trainer Pokémon Tool cards both feature this new mechanic. When Crystal Wall is attached to Black Kyurem EX, its maximum HP increased to 300. When Crystal Edge is attached to White Kyurem EX, the attack damage is increased by 50 for its moves.


Sources: http://ptcg.creatures.co.jp/card/13220 and http://www.pokemon-card.com/products/bw/bw6.html

Full details about the TCG and VG National Championships has been announced by the official Pokémon website. The U.S. National Championships will be held at the Indiana Convention Center (100 South Capitol Avenue, 46225-1071) in Indianapolis, Indiana, from Friday, June 29th, through Sunday, July 1st with preregistration taking place on Thursday, June 28th. The Canada National Championships will be held on Canada Day (July 1st, 2012) at the Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Airport in Toronto, Ontario. Below are the full details for the events.

United States TCG National Championships

The Pokémon National Championships are the penultimate event on your way to the Pokémon World Championships. Winners can earn invitations and Travel Awards to the Pokémon World Championships in Waikoloa, Hawaii, as well as big points to top off their Championship Points!

To find out if you have earned enough Play! Points to participate in the 2012 Pokémon TCG U.S. National Championships, please log in to your Pokémon Trainer Club account, then visit the tournament details page.

Events at the Indiana Convention Center will begin on Friday, June 29th, at 9:00 A.M., with a variety of tournaments and league play going all day in addition to the U.S. National Championships.

The U.S. National Championships will take place on three consecutive days, with each day’s activities outlined below.

• Thursday, June 28th - Onsite preregistration for all players will take place 4:00 P.M.–6:00 P.M. outside of Exhibit Hall I
• Friday, June 29th - Open registration 8:00 A.M.–8:30 A.M. - We will complete approximately half of the total Swiss rounds, based on total attendance. Unregistered players not in line for final registration by 8:30 A.M. may not be entered into the tournament. All players must be in their assigned seats with completed deck lists by 9:30 A.M. for the start of the players’ meeting. Players not seated at this time risk being dropped from the tournament.
• Saturday, June 30th - Remaining Swiss rounds will be completed. Players not in their seats by 9:00 A.M. will receive a game loss for that round and be dropped from the event if they have not reported by the end of that round. Single Elimination Finals played down to Top 16
• Sunday, July 1st - Remaining single elimination rounds (Top 16) for all age groups. Players must be checked in and ready to play by 8:30 A.M., or they will forfeit their first game. Players not in their seats by 8:40 A.M. will forfeit their second game, and thereby, the match

United States VG National Championships

Players from across the United States will gather in Indianapolis for the 2012 U.S. National Championships this June. Pack your bags and join the best from across North America to compete for an invitation and Travel Award to the World Championships in Waikoloa, Hawaii, this August!

Events at the Indiana Convention Center will begin on Friday, June 29th, at 9:00 A.M., with a variety of side tournaments and league play going all day in addition to the start of U.S. TCG National Championships. Video game competitors also have the option to preregister for the U.S. National Championships Friday evening from 4:00 P.M.–6:00 P.M. The U.S. Video Game National Championships will start the following day on Saturday, June 30th, and will conclude on Sunday, July 1st.

U.S. TCG National Championships Registration and Competition Times

• Friday, June 29th—Competitor Preregistration All Divisions: 4:00 P.M.–6:00 P.M.
• Saturday, June 30th—Competitor General Registration - Masters: 8:00 A.M.– 8:30 A.M. - Junior/Senior: 2:00 P.M.–2:30 P.M.
• Saturday, June 30th—Player Meeting - Masters: 9:00 A.M. - Junior/Senior: 3:00 P.M.

Players who wish to compete in a Pokémon VGC event, like the U.S. National Championships, must adhere to the Tournament Rules. When you show up at a Pokémon Video Game tournament, there are some things you must have with you. We’ve provided this handy checklist so that you can show up to the event prepared!

• A copy of Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version for the Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo DS system - Players at United States events may only use North American versions
• A Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo DS system - Players are strongly encouraged to bring a charger for their systems, as tournament staff will not have chargers available for loan
• A team of legal Pokémon per the Tournament Rules
• Should a player’s eligibility to participate in an age division be questioned, proof of age may be requested. Failure to provide proof of age may result in the player being denied participation in the tournament, at the organizer’s discretion

2012 Pokémon Video Game Canada National Championships Details

Players from across the Canada will gather in Toronto for the 2012 Canada National Championships in June. Pack your bags and join the best from across the country to compete for an invitation and Travel Award to the World Championships in Waikoloa, Hawaii, in August! The Canada National Championships are being held on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at the Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Airport in Toronto, Ontario. All Players must begin registration at 10:00 A.M and players not in line by 10:30 A.M. will be treated as late.

Press Release

Fans and Players Gather for Largest Competitive Pokémon Event of the Year

Bellevue, WA - June 21, 2012 - With the 2012 Summer Olympics rapidly approaching, thousands of Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and video game players will compete for a chance to represent the U.S. in another world-class event this August. The 2012 Pokémon U.S. National Championships takes place June 29th- July 1st in Indianapolis, Indiana with invitations to the 2012 Pokémon World Championships in Hawaii on the line. At the Pokémon World Championships, top U.S. players will be representing the red, white, and blue against some of the best Pokémon TCG and video game players from over 25 countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.

Like their Pokémon TCG playing counterparts, this is the first year The Pokémon Company International has opened competition at the U.S. National Championships to all U.S. Pokémon video game players in good standing. They will be joining video game competitors who earned top finishes at the 2011 Pokémon Autumn Regionals and 2012 Pokémon Spring Regionals. These top players from regional events across the country have already earned Travel Awards to Indianapolis and first round byes at the U.S. National Championships.

The national competition, being held at the Indiana Convention Center, is expected to draw the largest attendance of Pokémon players, family, friends, and fans of any Play! Pokémon competitive event this year.

Sources: http://www.pokemon.com/us/content/2012_canada_vg_nationals_faq, http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/championship-series/vg-national-championships/ and http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/championship-series/tcg-national-championships/

The official press release for the upcoming Pokémon TCG: Black and White Dragons Exalted was released today which included a first look at three of the upcoming cards as well as the theme decks and booster card packaging. The expansion will be released in North American on August 15th, 2012. Below are pictures from the press kit and the press release.

Garchomp	Giratina EX	Rayquaza EX
TCG DB Link: Click Here	TCG DB Link: Click Here	TCG DB Link: Click Here

Booster Packs and Theme Decks

Press Release

Dragon Type Is the First New Pokémon Type Introduced in Over a Decade - Control the might of dragons in a way that can change your game forever when the brand-new Dragon-type Pokémon make their debut in Pokémon TCG: Black & White-Dragons Exalted! The new Dragon-type, the first new Pokémon type introduced to Pokémon TCG in over a decade, features a fierce lineup of more than 15 Dragon-type Pokémon, including Rayquaza-EX, Giratina-EX, Garchomp, and Hydreigon. With a mix of new Pokémon-EX and a powerful group of Dragon-type Pokémon, Trainers will be ready for the roar of dragons and the glory of battle!

Dragon-type Pokémon reflect the unique power of Dragon Pokémon and come equipped with multi-type Energy attacks. Joining Dragon-type Pokémon in the Black & White - Dragons Exalted expansion, which features more than 120 cards, are two versions of six different Pokémon-EX and a host of Pokémon from outside the Unova region like Mew, Ninetales, and Honchkrow. Four new Trainer cards and two Special Energy cards round out this incredibly powerful expansion.

Key features of the new Pokémon TCG: Black & White-Dragons Exalted expansion includes:

• Brand-new Dragon-type Pokémon
• Two versions of six more Pokémon-EX cards, including full-art Rare Ultra cards
• More than 120 cards, including more Pokémon from outside the Unova region
• Parallel foil card in each booster pack

Each new Pokémon TCG: Black & White-Dragons Exalted theme deck and booster pack includes an in-pack code card that unlocks virtual cards for play in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Expand your personal deck and battle against others from around the world! Battles are taking place now at www.pokemon.com/tcgo.

The latest English Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion has been announced as Dragons Exalted and it will be released in North America on August 15th, 2012. The set will include over 120 cards and it features the brand new Energy type: Dragon!

Press Release

The Time of Dragons Is Now! Can You Command Them?

The might of dragons is yours to control in a way that can change your game forever - as a brand-new Energy type! Rayquaza. Giratina. Hydreigon. Few Pokémon inspire awe and wonder like Dragon-type Pokémon and in the Dragons Exalted expansion, they come ready to rule the game! And with a grand mix of all-new Pokémon EX and a horde of Dragon-type Pokémon to take to the skies and take the battlefield by storm, plus new Trainer cards and new Special Energy cards, you’ll be ready for the roar of dragons and the glory of battle!

• Brand-new Energy type: Dragon!
• 15 Dragon-type Pokémon!
• A dozen Pokémon EX, including 6 full card art Pokémon!
• Over 120 cards in all!

McDonald's has announced that their Happy Meal toys in both the United States and Australia will feature Pokémon figures and a Pokémon TCG card starting in June of 2012. In Australia, Pikachu, Servine, Dewott and Pignite will be distributed and each toy comes with 1 of 12 random TCG cards.


In the United States, Dewott, Servine, Pignite, Pikachu, Woobat and Axew will be distributed and a random TCG card will also be distributed.


Sources: http://www.happymeal.com/en_US/index.html#/Toys and http://www.happymeal.com.au/en_AU/index.html#/Toys

Press Release

al Pokémon Black and White-themed Happy Meals arrive in participating McDonald's(R) restaurants across North America beginning June 15, 2012, as one of the world's most popular entertainment properties kicks off its second annual Happy Meal promotion with the leading foodservice provider. Pokémon fans visiting North American McDonald's locations June 15--July 5 can purchase a Happy Meal featuring one of twelve al Pokémon Trading Card Game cards, each featuring a special McDonald's "M" foil stamp on the card. The Happy Meal will also include one of six Pokémon figures, including Pikachu and five Unova region Pokémon: Axew, Dewott, Pignite, Servine, and Woobat.(1) The Pokémon Company International continues its McDonald's Pokémon Black and White Happy Meal promotion in major markets around the world later in 2012.

"Last year's Pokémon Happy Meal promotion was a huge hit, and we're certain Pokémon fans will love what's in store this summer," said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pokémon Company International. "It's been fun partnering with McDonald's to once again provide something special to our fans."

The Pokémon Black and White Happy Meal promotion will be supported by McDonald's through a fully integrated marketing campaign that includes television advertising, in-store POP, and online activities at McWorld.com and HappyMeal.com.

The official Japanese YouTube page has updated and has uploaded the 'How to Play the Pokémon Card Game DVD' to their list of available videos to watch. The video is in Japanese and is approximately a half an hour. The clip is a good introduction to the game.


Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSN8IMQC_vg

Japanese retailers have announced the next Japanese Pokémon Card Game expansion set and it is called Freeze Bolt and Cold Flare (フリーズボルト コールドフレア). The set will be released in Japan on July 13th, 2012 and will feature 59 cards including Black Kyurem and White Kyurem. Booster packs will sell for 158yen.

The official Pokémon website has announced the locations for the upcoming North American 2012 Pokémon Video Game and TCG Spring Regional Championships. All Regional Championship events take place on the weekend of April 14th and 15th. Below is the information from the official site.

The 2012 Pokémon Video Game and TCG Spring Regional Championships are about to begin!

This April, head to one of eight locations around North America to compete in the Spring Regional Championships! Top finishers earn travel awards to the National Championships this summer!

Pokémon Trading Card game battles begin on Saturday, April 14th and some larger events may hold the single elimination portion of the event on Sunday, April 15th. The Pokémon Video Game Regional Championships will be held in their entirety on Sunday, April 15th. Some larger Regional Championships may hold the single-elimination finals portion of the tournament on Sunday, April 15th.

Location Name	City	Link to map
Metro Toronto Convention Centre	Toronto, Ontario, CA	Map
Central City Shopping Center	Surrey, British Columbia, CA	Map
Alameda County Fairgrounds	Pleasanton, California, USA	Map
Crowne Plaza Hotel	Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA	Map
Classic Center	Athens, Georgia, USA	Map
Pennsylvania Convention Center	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA	Map
Hilton Houston North	Houston, Texas, USA	Map
Monona Terrace	Madison, Wisconsin, USA	Map

Sources: http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/championship-series/vg-spring-regional-championships/ and http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/championship-series/tcg-spring-regional-championships/

Press Release

POKÉMON PLAYERS TO CHOOSE THEIR SPRING REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS DESTINATION

Advancing to the Pokémon National Championships Is the Main Goal for Thousands of North American Pokémon Competitors North American Pokémon video game players are joining Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) players for a weekend of intense battling at the Pokémon Spring Regional Championships, taking place April 14th and 15th. Thousands of players in eight cities across the United States and Canada—Surrey, BC; Pleasanton, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Athens, GA; Toronto, ON; Philadelphia, PA; Houston, TX; and Madison, WI—will have one goal in mind: becoming a Pokémon Spring Regional Champion and winning a coveted Travel Award to this summer’s Pokémon U.S. National Championships or Pokémon Canadian National Championships.

Coming off the successful Pokémon Autumn Regional Championships in November, Pokémon video game and TCG players will once again battle under the same roof in a two-day event showcasing some of the best Pokémon competition on the continent. TCG competition begins on Saturday, April 14th, and the video game competition will kick off on Sunday, April 15th. Video game players who did not attend or earn a Travel Award at the Pokémon Autumn Regional Championships are encouraged to compete at the Spring Regional Championships because it will be the last chance to earn a trip to the U.S. or Canadian National Championships. Players who advance to the Pokémon National Championships will be one step closer to earning an invitation to the 2012 Pokémon World Championships held in Waikoloa, Hawaii, this August.

“With invitations to the Pokémon U.S. and Canadian National Championships on the line, the Pokémon Spring Regional Championships promise to feature some of the most exciting competition of the year,” said J.C. Smith, marketing director for The Pokémon Company International. “The Spring Regional Championships are not only premiere events for our new and veteran players, but destinations for our entire Pokémon community to meet and have fun.”

Video game players who wish to compete in the Pokémon Spring Regional Championships will need to bring their own Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo DS system and a copy of the Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version video game. They must also have a Pokémon Trainer Club account, which can be obtained for free at www.pokemon.com. Competitors are encouraged to visit www.pokemon.com/organized-play to learn more about the event, including rules, regulations, age divisions, prizes, tournament locations, and registration and event dates and times.

The official Pokémon website has announced details about the upcoming English TCG expansion Dark Explorers. The expansion will be released on May 9th, 2012 and will consist of over 100 cards. Below are the details.

Pokémon TCG: Black and White — Dark Explorers

As you explore the darkness, the Pokémon TCG: Black and White — Dark Explorers expansion ushers in the return of the immensely powerful Darkrai-EX and a lineup of Darkness-type Pokémon, like Zoroark, Umbreon, and Sableye, to knock your opponent’s lights out! Playing with Trainer cards like Dark Patch, included in the expansion to help give Darkness-type decks an edge you’ll not only navigate the darkness, you’ll rule it!

The fifth Pokémon TCG: Black and White expansion also continues an impressive run of featuring Unova and non-Unova region Pokémon-EX cards, more powerful Pokémon that deliver devastating attacks to your opponents. Darkrai-EX is joined by Tornadus-EX, Kyogre-EX, Raikou-EX, and Groudon-EX, all featured as Pokémon-EX cards and rare Ultra full-art Pokémon-EX cards!

Key features of the new Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Dark Explorers expansion includes:

• Six more Pokémon-EX from the Unova region and beyond
• New strategies for Darkness-type Pokémon
• More than 100 cards, including three Shiny Secret rare cards
• More Restored Pokémon options
• First Eevee cards since the Pokémon TCG: HS—Undaunted
• Parallel foil card guaranteed in each booster pack

Each new theme deck and booster pack includes an in-pack code card that unlocks virtual cards for play in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Expand your personal deck and battle against others from around the world!

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-trading-card-game/bw_series/bw5/

Theme Decks

Two theme decks were also revealed but not too much information was revealed about them. One appears to be based on Zoroark while the other is based off of Cofagrigus.



Yahoo Kids has revealed the first three Dark Explorers cards. The cards have been added to our TCG dex. Click on the card images for more information.

The official Japanese Pokémon Card Game Blog has revealed two new cards that will debut in the upcoming expansion sets Dragon Blast and Dragon Blade (リューズブラスト・リューノブレード) which will be released on March 16th, 2012. Below are the details.

Garbodor (ダストダス)
Psychic Type, 100HP, 028/050 BW5, Illustration: kawayoo, Stage 1 - Evolves from Yabukuron, Retreat Cost: , Weakness: x2
特性 - ダストオキシン - このポケモンに「ポケモンの道具」がついているなら、お互いの場・手札・トラッシュのカードに書かれている特性（ダストオキシンを除く）は、すべてなくなる。 ヘドロなげ 60
Ability - Dust Toxin - As long as this Pokémon has a Pokémon Tool attached, all abilities (except Dust Toxin) that remove cards from the playing field, hand or the discard pile, no longer work. Sludge Toss 60

Nukenin (ヌケニン)
Psychic Type, 60HP, 018/050 BW5, Illustration: Masakazu Fukuda, Stage 1 - Evolves from Tutinin
特性 - ぬけがら - このポケモンがきぜつしても、相手はサイドを取れない。 のろいのしずく - ダメカンを3個、相手のポケモンに好きなようにのせる。
Ability - Empty Shell - When this Pokémon is Knocked Out, your opponent doesn't take any Prize cards. Cursed Drop - Put 3 damage counters on your opponent's Pokémon in any way you like.

Source: http://pcgn.pokemon-card.com/blog/