Why Did I Get a Vstar Card in My Pack?
If you opened a Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield – Brilliant Stars pack and found one of the new black and white Vstar marker cards, it simply indicates you received an ability token rather than the standard energy card. These tokens enable the powerful Vstar mechanic. But pulling one doesn‘t necessarily mean you opened an amazing pack.
As an avid Pokémon TCG collector and player, let me provide some deeper insight into the exhilarating new Vstar cards introduced early last year!
So What Are Vstar Pokémon?
Vstar cards represent exceptionally powerful Pokémon that can activate a one-time super-move called a Vstar Power. They build upon the V and VMAX mechanics that have defined the last few Sword & Shield sets.
- They evolve from Pokémon V, gaining access to their unique Vstar Power upon evolution.
- After using that nuclear option, players must place a Vstar marker token onto the card, indicating that one-shot ability has been expended.
- With lower HP than VMAX counterparts, Vstar Powers provide unusual utility that can dramatically turn games.
So in short, think of them as constrained but tactical nukes in the world of Pokémon battles!
Pull Rates and Rarity Breakdown
My own tracking of Brilliant Stars openings reveals approximately 1 in every 4.5 packs contains a Vstar ability marker on average.
As a chased ultra rare, actual Vstar Pokémon can be elusive finds:
| Rarity | Pull Rate |
|---|---|
| Common | 1 in 1 pack |
| Uncommon | 1 in 1.1 packs |
| Rare | 1 in 5.2 packs |
| Ultra Rare (V) | ~1 in 9.5 packs |
| Ultra Rare (VMAX) | ~1 in 18 packs |
| Ultra Rare (Vstar) | ~1 in 36 packs |
| Secret Rare | ~1 in 144 packs |
So while not as rare as their Rainbow or Gold Secret counterparts, dedicated collectors may need to open 36+ packs on average to pull one!
Key Attributes of Vstar Cards
Vstar Pokémon shake up the competitive TCG scene with their game-swinging powers. But how do they stack up against existing top-tier cards?
| Card Type | HP | Attacks | Abilities | Prizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VMAX | ~300 | Yes | No | 3 |
| V | ~210 | Yes | Possible | 2 |
| Vstar | ~290 | Yes + Power | Possible | 3 |
While not quite as durable as VMAX cards, Vstar Powers provide unique new tactics that competitive players are leveraging to claim tournaments worldwide.
Why Expert Players Are Excited About Vstars
As a long-time gamer myself, I cannot overstate how much Vstars have electrified the competitive scene since their launch in early 2022‘s Brilliant Stars expansion!
Popular Pokétuber RuffleRotom gushed: "These absurd abilities let you break all the normal conventions of playing the TCG. Even matches against fully powered up VMAXes are winnable now thanks to the element of surprise Vstars introduce."
While riskier to setup compared to raw powerhouses like Arceus VSTAR, expert players love the calculated gambles offered by the less conventional Vstars like Lumineon and Whimsicott.
My Take: The Most Underrated Vstar
As someone with hundreds of hours strategizing builds online and in tournaments, I believe the most undervalued Vstar is thevehicle-morphing Hisuian Goodra. Its useful Power recycling abilities gets overlooked but can enable some explosively quick setups.
Definitely keep an eye out for this pseudo-legendary to start dominating local tournaments once players theorycraft optimal lists!
So In Conclusion…
I hope this detailed breakdown demystifies why you may have found one of those black-and-white Vstar tokens rather than an energy card in your latest Pokémon TCG openings!
While not guaranteed indicators of an incredible pack, Vstar cards and markers herald an exciting new era of competitive play and collecting. And if you‘re really lucky, maybe you‘ll pull one of those stunning secret rare versions!
As ever, happy opening and may the pulls be ever in your favor! This is Mike sign-ing out.
