Pokémon V (TCG)
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The contents of this article have been suggested to be split into Pokémon V, VMAX, V-UNION, VSTAR. Please discuss it on the talk page for this article. |
Pokémon V (Japanese: ポケモンV Pokémon V) are a type of Pokémon found in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. They were first introduced in the Sword & Shield expansion. Pokémon V have a stylized 
graphic on the card name.
In terms of gameplay, Pokémon V are similar to both the Pokémon-EX from the Black & White and XY Series and the Pokémon-GX from the Sun & Moon Series; they typically have more HP and stronger attacks than regular Pokémon. However, Pokémon V have the V rule, contained within a Rule Box, that says when a Pokémon V is Knocked Out, the opponent takes two Prize cards instead of one. All Pokémon V are Basic Pokémon.
Aesthetically, the artwork on Pokémon V covers most of the card, with the background illustration fading into the bottom-most area, while still having the Pokémon break the card's borders (following on previous Pokémon variant cards). As such, the card text presented across the artwork is outlined, resembling Full Art cards. Pokémon V cards feature a black border, black sections that highlight its HP and type, its Weakness, Resistance, and Retreat cost, its Rule Box, as well as a symbol in the top left corner. Pokémon V included in main expansions and subsets are usually accompanied by embossed Full Art prints. Some have an alternate version of the Pokémon's artwork. While they typically feature 3D illustrations like the preceding Pokémon-GX, they feature less generic background patterns. Starting with the Battle Styles expansion, select Pokémon V also began to receive a Special Full Art print and, as with the comparable TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX introduced in Team Up, feature traditionally-drawn illustrations.
Pokémon V is unique among the TCG mechanics in that there are a number of other evolutionary stages related to it. Two of them are Pokémon VMAX and Pokémon VSTAR, evolutions of Pokémon V. The last is Pokémon V-UNION, which are unrelated evolutionarily. Cards of those groups are considered to be Pokémon V in addition to their stage. As such, in the rare times where text exclusively refers to cards that are Pokémon V and not any of the other stages, it will use the phrase "Basic Pokémon V". All of these further groups have their own Rule Boxes, with their own separate rules.
Pokémon VMAX
Debuting alongside the Pokémon V in the Sword & Shield expansion were Pokémon VMAX, which represent the Dynamax, Gigantamax, and Eternamax mechanics of Pokémon Sword and Shield in the TCG. These cards are identified by a 
graphic on the card name. Pokémon VMAX evolve from its respective Pokémon V and feature boosted HP and more powerful attacks. Pokémon VMAX have the VMAX rule, contained in a Rule Box, that says when a Pokémon VMAX is Knocked Out, the opponent takes three Prize cards instead of one. When card text refers to Pokémon V, they also include Pokémon VMAX.
While keeping the same layout of Pokémon V, Pokémon VMAX cards are all printed in the etched Full Art style, often with a multi-colored background and multi-colored tinges to the graphics around it. Pokémon VMAX included in main expansions and subsets are typically accompanied by Secret Rainbow Rare (Hyper Rare in Japan) prints that utilize the same artwork. Select Pokémon VMAX also received Special Full Art prints starting with the Battle Styles expansion. The top left of all Pokémon VMAX cards feature a bar below the Pokémon's name, indicating whether it is a Dynamax, a Gigantamax, or an Eternamax Pokémon, although this label does nothing in terms of gameplay.
Boss Pokémon
- Main article: Raid Battle (TCG)#Boss Pokémon
Pokémon Trading Card Game Raid Battle has three Pokémon VMAX cards that are Boss Pokémon. These cards are only for use in this game, being featured as the opponent to a team of four players. Their layout is entirely non-standard, referencing the mechanics seen in Pokémon Trading Card Game Raid Battle such as Level and numbered attacks while lacking elements seen on normal cards like the Rule Box, Weakness, Resistance, attack costs, and even Stage.
Pokémon V-UNION
Introduced in the Sword & Shield Series as SWSH Black Star Promotional cards, Pokémon V-UNION are a variation of Pokémon V. These cards are identified by a 
graphic on the card name, and a single Pokémon V-UNION consists of four different cards with the same name. (Since each card has the same name, this means only a single V-UNION of each species can be played total, since even one full set means the deck is already at "at capacity" for that card name.) Each Pokémon V-UNION can only be played once per game per Pokémon name. For example, Pikachu V-UNION and Morpeko V-UNION can both be played in the same game, but Pikachu V-UNION cannot be played a second time. In order to play a Pokémon V-UNION, the four cards that make up the V-UNION must first be in the discard pile. Then, all four cards are put onto the Bench as a single Pokémon card that has all of the attacks and other attributes of each part. The cards are arranged in a 2 by 2 square.
Pokémon V-UNION have a unique legality rule. All four cards that are part of the same V-UNION in a deck must be from the same set and drawn by the same artist.[1] In other words, mixing and matching different illustrations is not allowed.
Pokemon V-UNION use V-UNION as their evolutionary stage, so they are considered to be neither Basic Pokémon nor Evolution Pokémon. The V-UNION rule, contained within a Rule Box, says when a Pokémon V-UNION is Knocked Out, the opponent takes three Prize cards instead of one. When card text refers to Pokémon V, they also include Pokémon V-UNION. All Pokémon V-UNION cards that have been released feature the Union Gain attack.
While a Pokémon V-UNION's cards are not in play, the only characteristics that can be referenced on them by other cards are their name, Stage, card type, and Energy type. (All of these happen to be printed on each individual card in a V-UNION.) (The most common examples of effects that would attempt to reference characteristics in this manner are effects that search for cards in the deck.) Part of this clause means that V-UNION cards do not have their Rule Box while they are not in play.[2]
A combined Pokémon V UNION card looks very similar overall to a Pokémon V, just with the artwork and characteristics spread across each portion. While not officially labeled as Full Art cards, the artwork covers the entire card in the same fashion as Pokémon VMAX cards, although only the collective border of the card is embossed to look like shattered stone. Directly below the name of the card in the top left corner is a "How to play a Pokémon V-UNION" field, which describes how to play a Pokémon V-UNION. However, the nature of a card made up of other cards means there are new elements on each of the component cards. Each one uses its border to display the name, stage, and Energy type of the card if that card would not otherwise have that information. The non-top left cards also include the "How to play a Pokémon V-UNION" field in smaller font. Lastly, the set symbol, collector number, regulation mark, and illustration credit, are all seen on the borders of the individual cards and not where they would otherwise be on the combined card.
Pokémon VSTAR
The fourth variant of Pokémon V is Pokémon VSTAR, which debuted in the Brilliant Stars expansion. These cards are identified by a 
graphic on the card name. Pokémon VSTAR evolve from a Pokémon V depicting the same species of Pokémon, and Pokémon VSTAR have the unique stage of VSTAR instead of being Stage 1 Pokémon. They feature increased Hit Points and more powerful attacks, as well as an exclusive mechanic called VSTAR Power. VSTAR Powers can be either a powerful attack or potent Ability. However, a player is limited to using one VSTAR Power per game. To track if a player has used a VSTAR Power during a game, each player has a VSTAR marker. Players flip their VSTAR marker to its reverse face after using a VSTAR Power, which is a physical reminder that that player cannot use a second VSTAR Power. Pokémon VSTAR have the VSTAR rule, contained within a Rule Box, that says when a Pokémon VSTAR is Knocked Out, the opponent takes two Prize cards instead of one. When card text refers to Pokémon V, they also include Pokémon VSTAR.
While keeping the same layout of Pokémon V, Pokémon VSTAR cards have a white, pearlescent border with gold accents, in contrast to Pokémon V's black border and white accents. All Pokémon VSTAR cards are etched, including the Regular prints. All Regular prints of Pokémon VSTAR depict the Pokémon surrounded by a golden aura. The bottom third of every Pokémon VSTAR card contains the card's VSTAR Power, which is displayed against a dark background with a bright spherical star in the center. All VSTAR Powers, whether they are attacks or Abilities, have the word "Star" in their names.
VSTAR Powers are also present in three Pokémon Tool cards: Earthen Seal Stone, Forest Seal Stone, and Sky Seal Stone. These Pokémon Tool cards can be attached to a Pokémon V in order to access their VSTAR Powers.
Pokémon VSTAR are Pokémon V that have been blessed with celestial power from Arceus VSTAR.[3][4]
Pokémon that have appeared as Pokémon V
Each list is ordered by the English release date of each card, or their Japanese release date if the English release date is unavailable.
