Pokemon Unite is known for intense Pokemon battles and team cooperation. Until now, catching Pokemon wasn’t a feature in the game at all and no one expected it to be. With a new update, not only can you catch Pokemon, but you can play as wild Pokemon and even Legendary Pokemon such as Zapdos, Articuno, Regigigas, and more! This new game mode will be available to play from now until June 26, 2022. We’re not sure if this game mode will be available in the future but if players seem to enjoy this mode, developers will surely consider adding it again later. Here’s what we know about Catch Em Battles so far.
How To Play Catch ‘Em Battles
To catch a Pokemon in Pokemon Unite, start a Catch Em Battle and look for wild Pokemon that appear throughout the arena. Defeat one of these wild Pokemon on the map and you will automatically catch it! Once you’ve caught a Pokemon it will replace your item. Upon activating this, you’ll be able to play as the Pokemon you’ve caught! While playing as other Pokemon you’ll have access to powerful attacks and abilities. During this time, you won’t be able to score or teleport back to your base, so support your team as much as you can! Once you get knocked out, you’ll revert back to the Pokemon you were originally playing as. For full details on this new game mode visit the official Pokemon website here.
What do you think of the new Catch ‘Em Battles? Let us know in the comments below!
Bulk cards are the cards you don’t want. They might be duplicates or extra cards you don’t have a use for. When opening 10 card packs, you usually have the chance of pulling chase cards in the Holo and Reverse Holo slots. This means at least 8 cards in each booster pack are common and considered bulk. After opening several packs, you’ll notice your pile of bulk cards will quickly increase. Before you know it, you might have hundreds or thousands of common Pokemon cards that you’re not using. So, what should you do with bulk Pokemon cards?
Selling Bulk Pokemon Cards
Your first and easiest option is to just sell your bulk as a lot. This means you put 500 cards together, or however many you want, and put it up for sale as random bulk. This can be sold on websites like TCGPlayer, eBay, or anywhere else. To get an estimate on how much your bulk lot is worth, look at similar listings and determine a price off of them. If you decide to do this, keep in mind you won’t be getting a lot for your cards. Common cards aren’t very valuable in the first place and the buyer won’t know if they’re getting anything that’s worth it.
Your second option is to sort through the bulk and sell cards individually on websites such as TCGPlayer. This can be very time consuming and may not be worth it if you’re not looking to maximize profits. Look up the value of each card using TCG Player and list them as you go. A lot of cards will be worth less than $0.25 and might take a while to sell, so this is a long-term commitment. Keep in mind there are fees and shipping costs once the cards sell. On the surface this might not seem worth it but can be very profitable if done right. For example, if you sell 1,000 cards for 25 cents each, that’s $250 of revenue.
Get Creative
Another option is to do something fun with your cards. You can build weird decks and play the Pokemon TCG, cut up common cards and make some art, or give them away to other fans in the community! The options are endless and the fact that these cards are so cheap means you don’t have to worry about losing too much value. Let us know some of your ideas in the comments below!
If you’ve played Pokemon Unite, you may have noticed a decent amount of microtransactions. This is normal for free to play games and most microtransactions are purely cosmetic, so it doesn’t affect your competitive gameplay experience. If you’re someone that participates in buying Gems or other in game items, there is a new subscription just for you called Unite Club that costs $9.99 a month. What is Unite Club? Here’s a summary of what you’ll get with this new membership.
What You Get
The main thing you’ll get with the Unite Club membership is Aoes Gems. You’ll receive 40 Aoes Gems per day, which adds up to a total of ~1200 Aoes Gems per month. This many Aoes Gems would normally cost you about $20, which is double the cost of a Unite Club subscription. Here’s the full list of stuff you can get as a Unite Club Member.
40 Aoes Gems per day (1200/month)
Green-tier Holowear every month
Trial Holowear every month
Members only Portrait Frames
Custom Chat Speech Bubbles
10% discount on new items
Is It Worth It?
If you’re someone that spends a lot of time playing Pokemon Unite then this is something you might want to consider, especially if you’re into cosmetic items and Holowear, which you can buy with your new Aoes Gems. If you often find yourself buying Aoes Gems, this new subscription is a no brainer as you’ll get double the amount of Aoes Gems you’d usually get along with other benefits. Overall, it’s not necessary to get Unite Club because you can still play the full game without restrictions regardless. But It’s a good option for players who want to customize their Pokemon and Trainer more.
What do you think of the new Unite Club? Let us know in the comments below!
I think all Pokemon GO players can agree that there are a lot of features Pokemon GO is missing and would be better if they were added. Luckily, one of those highly anticipated features is coming soon. Pokemon Go Live has announced that the mobile game will soon be getting multiple new social features, including the ability to chat with your friends.
Pokemon GO Chat
A chat feature is pretty important for a game where you meet up with friends or invite them to raids. A lot of players up to this point have just used other messaging apps like Discord to message their Pokemon GO friends. With this update, you’ll be able to talk to players on your friends list that you might not have any other contact with and the ones you do, you won’t have to use another app to communicate with them anymore. Niantic stated that they’ve been working on these features for a while. This means they should be fully developed and functional when it’s released. As for the release date of this chat update, there isn’t a specific day yet but it should be available within the next couple months.
Other Social Features
There’s not much word on what other social features will come along with this update but we have a hint. In the announcement they mention they’re working on solutions for players to organize local events with their community. This could mean players can create and join groups in Pokemon GO to meet new people around them.
With the newest Pokemon TCG set Astral Radiance out, collectors and players of the Pokemon TCG alike are trying to pull the newest VSTAR cards. It feels like VSTAR is slowly replacing VMAX cards in the recent Pokemon TCG sets and there may be a reason for that. But when it comes to VMAX vs VSTAR, what’s the difference between the new VMAX and the older VSTAR cards?
VMAX vs VSTAR
VMAX cards are based on a gimmick from the Switch game Pokemon Sword and Shield called Gigantimax. This feature let players charge up their Pokemon during battle, making them physically gigantic and extremely powerful for 3 turns. In the trading card game, VMAX is used in a similar fashion by evolving your Pokemon into something more powerful. The VMAX cards feature a full art Pokemon in it’s Gigantimax form.
VSTAR may be based on a gimmick from the new upcoming Switch game, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. We can’t confirm this theory yet but there’s quite a bit of evidence pointing towards this being a possibility. In the TCG, VSTAR is now the most powerful card you can have in a deck. Unlike VMAX cards, VSTARs have special powerful abilities that can only be used once per game, sometimes less health than VMAX cards, and cost two prize cards instead of 3. Using these abilities can mean the difference between winning or losing a match. In terms of the art, VSTAR cards aren’t necessarily full art, but feature special CGI art of the Pokemon.
Which one do you prefer? VSTAR or VMAX? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’ve been into collecting Pokemon cards for a while you probably have a surplus of duplicate cards, cards that you don’t care to keep, or a really valuable card that you’re interested in selling. Whatever the reason may be, it’s important to know what your options are and what the best ways to sell your Pokemon cards are before you do it. Here’s where you should go for the best place to sell Pokemon cards.
eBay
Determining where to sell Pokemon cards depends on a few factors, but immediately, one of the best options for selling anything second hand is eBay. This is a great option especially if you’re selling graded slabs, sealed products, or anything that isn’t just a loose card. When selling Pokemon cards on eBay something you have to consider are eBay fees which can be up to 15% of the final sale. If you’re not careful, this will make you lose money. On the other hand, using eBay is beginner friendly and the process is very organized.
TCG Player
TCG Player is a great website to sell Pokemon cards, especially if you’re selling non-graded singles. TCG Player seller fees are slightly lower at up to 10.25%, saving you a little money once your cards sell. This is particularly a really good option if you’re into selling bulk or multiple cards. You’ll list the cards on the website or app individually, but buyers can choose to purchase more than one card from you, saving you some money on shipping as well.
Social Media
Twitter and Facebook marketplace. This is definitely the riskiest way to sell anything as you don’t have an official process or company to back you up if something goes wrong. For this reason, you’ll want to take extra precautions and make sure the buyer knows exactly what they’re getting so there’s no confusion. If this is something you plan on doing a lot, this is a great way to build reputation and it can be a lot of fun being more involved in a community. This can also be more profitable as there are no fees associated with this method. When you’re first starting out, you can check profiles to make sure the people you’re trading with are legit.
No matter what method you decide to use, always remember to communicate. Make sure both parties know what is up for sale and its condition. No one likes surprises when trading collectables.
If you haven’t heard already, Pokemon GO is getting its own TCG expansion set. Fans of both Pokemon GO and the Pokemon TCG have been waiting for this collab set for years and we’re finally getting it. This announcement alone has created some hype in the Pokemon community but something else related to this upcoming set has everyone’s attention. Some of these unreleased Pokemon GO cards are being found in Astral Radiance and other packs and boxes!
Candela Trainer
It started with Leonhart’s new video where he showcases a box a fan sent him. These Arceus figure boxes are usually supposed to have an Arceus V promo card, but this was an error box. Somehow an unreleased Pokemon GO card was put into this box in place of the promo card. The card features the Team Valor Trainer, Candela. Leonhart opened the box to make sure it was real and verified that it looked real but had quite a bit of damage. It makes you wonder how this card got there in the first place.
Radiant Blastoise
The Pokemon Go TCG leaks don’t end there, however. Another unreleased, never before seen Pokemon Go card was posted on Facebook claiming they pulled it from a new Astral Radiance booster pack. This card is a Radiant Blastoise, which immediately caught the community’s attention. This looks real and if it is, it could mean we will see a Shiny Radiant Charizard in the Pokemon Go TCG set as well!
— PokeDexSTX #PokedexSTX (@YourpokedexSTX) May 26, 2022
Mewtwo V
Another potentially leaked Pokemon GO card is this Mewtwo V. This particular card looks like an alternate art card. Sadly, we can’t find much more information on this card, but we’ve seen it floating around social media quite a bit lately.
Buying, selling, and trading Pokemon cards is a huge part of the Pokemon card hobby. It’s fun to get into and can even be profitable if done correctly but many people don’t realize it’s not easy. Properly shipping your cards is just as important as protecting them while you’re collecting. If you’re not careful, you can end up with damaged cards or lost packages. Here’s how to avoid that with the best ways to ship your Pokemon cards.
PWE vs BMWT
There are two types of shipping methods that are popular in Pokemon card trading, PWE and BMWT. To determine which method of shipping is right for you, you’ll need to take a couple things into consideration. Things such as weight, thickness, tracking, value, and more. Here’s the difference between PWE and BMWT and how to choose the right one.
What is PWE?
PWE stands for Plain White Envelope. This means you’ll be shipping your cards in a thin envelope with a stamp. The good thing about using this shipping method is it’s quick and cheap. But there are many things you should be aware of before shipping useing PWE. These envelopes are required to be less than 3 oz and less than 1/4in thick. If you meet these requirements, then you may use this method but there are other cons to this as well. This form of shipping has no tracking, meaning you nor the buyer will be able to track this package. These are also susceptible to damage because there’s no protection around the card. If you’re sending some cards only worth a couple bucks, this shouldn’t be a problem but if it’s something valuable, you should consider other options.
What is BMWT?
BMWT stands for Bubble Mailer with Tracking. This is thicker than a PWE because it has a protective layer of bubble wrap or padding. This layer will protect the cards or whatever you put inside it. This also has the advantage of a tracking number, so you know exactly where your package is, and it won’t easily get lost. This can be used for all sorts of things as long as you package the contents well. Here’s some tips on how you can do that.
Packaging Pokemon Cards
Packaging and shipping Pokemon cards are a little different than normal packaging. There are specific materials that are great for this. Card savers particularly are great for packaging cards because they can be sealed and prevent the card from moving around. Top loaders are another good alternative but aren’t as ideal because cards can move around inside top loaders and sometimes cause damage. You can also cut up some extra cardboard boxes you have lying around and sandwich the cards between two pieces of flat cardboard for extra protection. Wrap it in a rubber band or bubble wrap, but make sure it’s not wrapped too tight, so the cards aren’t being crushed. This will ensure your cards are properly protected from the mailman tossing your package around but there are endless possibilities. If you have any recommendations you want to share, let us know in the comments below!
There continues to be a huge demand for Pokemon cards this year after having an explosive increase in popularity the past couple years. The Pokémon Company knows this and is happy to supply retail stores with more products to ensure they make money. Reprints and stores restocking recent Pokemon TCG sets is very common and expected this time of year, but some people have noticed a wave of an older set on the shelves lately. The Hidden Fates set came out in August of 2019. More than 2 years later, were seeing these boxes on retail shelves. Is this just left over product that got lost or is Hidden Fates being reprinted?
Hidden Fates Pokemon Center Restock
On May 24th, 2022, the Pokemon Center website quietly restocked a bunch of Hidden Fates ETBs. Despite not making an announcement for this restock, they sold out extremely fast. It’s not a surprise they sold out so quickly because Hidden Fates are becoming harder to find and more expensive lately. Hopefully this online restock means they’re planning on bringing it back into physical stores temperarily. This also could’ve been the Pokemon Center getting rid of some old stock they had lying around.
A post on a TCG Facebook group shows a major restock of 50+ Hidden Fates boxes at a Walmart in Indiana. These boxes feature a big Pokemon card of Raichu GX, Gyrados GX or Charizard GX and 4 HF packs. There are also rumors of these boxes only costing $9 but we’re unable to confirm this price, it’s more realistic to expect these around $20 MSRP, which is still a great price for 4 Hidden Fates packs. We know this post is legit because were starting to see a lot of people listing the item on Ebay from the same area today and multiple people on Twitter confirming this is real.
A Twitter user shared a video this week of a Pokemon card vending machine having a Hidden Fates Elite Trainer Box. Apparently, this restock has been spotted in vending machines at multiple locations.
We don’t know if Hidden Fates is being reprinted but we at least have evidence it’s being restocked for MSRP at multiple locations. These products will most likely fly off the shelves and go by really fast so act quick if you see them and always try to leave some for others. Keep an eye out for any Hidden Fates products in stores and reply below where to find them to help others!
Brilliant Stars came out in Feburary and has since been known as one of the best sets in the Sword and Shield generation. The Alternate art cards in Brilliant Stars are a part of the reason why it’s so popular, along with the introduction of VSTAR cards and the pull rates. Here’s a list of all Alt Art cards in Brilliant Stars.
What are Alt Art Cards?
Alternate Art cards, Alt Art for short, shows an alternative art style to the usual one we see on Pokemon cards. These usually present themselves as Full Art cards and can be V or VMAX. Alt Arts often times become the best cards in the set and are chase cards that everyone wants. They’re also some of the rarest modern Pokemon cards out there, which is why they’re so expensive.
154 Charizard V Alt Art
Charizard has and always will be a fan favorite and usually takes the spotlight when certain cards like this come out. This Charizard Alt Art is no exception. The card shows a fierce battle between it and Venusaur that was inspired by the Pokemon anime. It’s also one of the most valuable cards in Brilliant Stars.
156 Lumineon V Alt Art
Full Art cards of Lumineon are usually vibrant just like this Lumineon Alt Art. The attention to detail of the water and sun rays are beautiful and it’s easy to see why this card is one that many fans want in their collection.
162 Honchkrow V Alt Art
Honchkrow is another Pokemon that doesn’t get enough love in general and we’re happy to see it get such a great illustration in this new set. Honchkrow hasn’t received this much popularity since the Sun and Moon expansions and this Honchkrow Alt Art gives it justice.
166 Arceus V Alt Art
The Arceus Alt Art may be the last on the list but definetly not the least favorite of the bunch. Although, many fans prefer Charizard by default, this set has shaken some expectations and made Arceus a fan favorite of the entire set list. Arceus was the focus of Pokemon Legends Arceus and subsequently became a huge focus in Brilliant Stars. This card could arguably be the best chase card in the set for that reason.
Compared to other sets there isn’t a huge selection in Brilliant Stars when it comes to Alt Arts but they’re all really strong illustrations. The Charizard and Arceus cards especially carry most of the popularity between them, but Honchkrow and Lumineon look amazing as well and should be chase cards for everyone opening Brilliant Stars packs.
Where to Buy Brilliant Stars Packs
After seeing those Brilliant Stars Alt Arts and you’re looking to get your hands on some Brilliant Stars booster packs or boxes, a great and reliable source for Pokemon cards is GameStop. Not only will you be getting it from a trusted source for a good price, but PokePatch also earns a commission from some orders, and you’ll be helping our website stay up. Thank you!
