Here’s What’s To Look Out For In The Pokemon Trading Card Game ‘Steam Siege’ Expansion
Steam Siege, the latest Pokemon Trading Card Game expansion, marks the TCG debut of Volcanion, the last Mythical Pokemon from the latest generation of games. While it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Steam Pokemon would be the face of the new set, Volcanion isn’t the only monster to take center stage this time around. With the debut of the first Sun and Moon Pokemon in card form, new Break and EX monsters to supercharge our decks, and a larger emphasis on the dual type mechanic that debuted many sets ago, here’s what to look out for when you’re tearing open those booster packs.
Serving as the star of the set, Volcanion looks to power up its fire type teammates courtesy of its Steam Up ability. By discarding a Fire Energy, all fire type attacks will do an extra 30 damage. That boosts its own Volcanic Heat attack from an already massive 130 HP of damage to 160. Its dual typing gives it the ability to do double damage to most other fire types thanks to its water typing, meaning it can make using a different fire deck against it a nightmare. Its biggest drawback is that it can’t attack during the turn after it attacks, which leaves it wide open to take more damage. Being that it’s an EX Pokemon, getting it KO’d means the opponent gets two prize cards compared to one, bringing them that much closer to victory. As a high risk, high reward monster, play Volcanion EX with caution.
Perhaps even more important than Volcanion is Magearna, the first Sun and Moon Pokemon to make its TCG debut. As a pure Steel type, Magearna EX needs a special type of Energy Card to be able to attack. Thankfully, two of the three it needs are colorless, meaning any other energy type will work. Perfect for a steel focused deck, Soul Blaster does 120 damage, with the following turn leading to a 60 HP reduction in power. While its regaining its strength, its Mystic Heart ability prevents all status ailments to any Pokemon on your team with a Steel Energy attached. Made with defense in mind, Magearna finds itself being able to constantly attack, which is a step up from Volcanion.
The EX cards are great, but the new Break Cards might outshine them, especially when it comes to the new Yveltal Break. Evolving from the standard Yveltal, the Break form deals 120 damage with three Dark Energy cards. If that wasn’t strong enough, this Baleful Night attack does 30 damage to every Pokemon on your opponents bench. Depending on which version of the base card you used for the evolution, it can also gain additional abilities that it doesn’t normally have. This goes for cards like Talonflame Break too, which can deal 150 damage with only two Fire Energy cards. Even if you have to discard the energies attached to it, it’s a great way to pull out a clutch win.
The above monsters are complimented by a host of great cards, including Gardevoir EX, Professor Sycamore, (which lets you draw 7 cards after discarding your hand), Ninja Boy, (a highlight from the recently released Theme Decks, allowing you to replace one basic Pokemon on your field with another in your deck), and Pokemon Ranger, (which removes all attack effects).
If you want more information on the newest theme decks, check out our review here! Do you have any other cards from Steam Siege that you’re particularly fond of? Let us know in the comments, and keep checking back for more Pokemon news and impressions as they become available!
