Pokemon TCG: The Best Scarlet & Violet: Paradox Rift Cards

Paradox Rift, the newest Pokemon Trading Card Game set, has a whole bunch of different kinds of cool. Do you like the look of the new Future and Ancient card frames? Or big Pokemon ex cards with strong attacks? Or hey, Pokemon #1000, Gholdengo, is in here too. But which are the best Paradox Rift cards? As always, it depends on your criteria.

The coolest Scarlet & Violet: Paradox Rift cards

First, let’s talk through the things The Pokemon Company probably wants to be the coolest. Is it the Ancient and Future cards? It could be for some, but with a limited card set and a background that makes the cards themselves a bit less legible, it won’t be for everyone.

Oh, or those Tera ex cards? Maybe. Since they’re stuck running their original energy types and often evolving from their old-type predecessors, they don’t offer quite the variety to gameplay that they could. (Also we’ve never been convinced that “shiny with a weird hat” was a particularly good look.)

So we’re led, once again, to the usual answer: Illustration Rares. They’re great and creative and we like ‘em a lot more than normal cards. We want to run an ice cream shop with Vanillish, or drop a synchronized fleet of Minior from the sky, or smirk like the full-art Gholdengo while playing the full-art Gholdengo. Of course, if we’re being honest, the coolest Paradox Rift card is Larry. Larry is the coolest character in Pokemon history.

The most interesting Scarlet & Violet: Paradox Rift cards

We definitely get a chuckle out of Minior. Its ability means that you can play it on your bench, attach an energy, move it to the active spot and attack all in one fell swoop, doing what could be a heck of a lot of damage to a foe with a high retreat cost. With a little more health or potential for damage, it could be fun?

And speaking of more health: Luxurious Cape turns a one-prize creature into a two-prize creature with 100 more HP. There aren’t a lot of Pokemon that would do well with that (though we have an eye on the new Scream Tail), but it’s a fascinating concept.

The most meta-relevant Scarlet & Violet: Paradox Rift cards

The Paradox Rift set adds a wealth of early-game utility options. In addition to the new energy ramp legendaries like Chi-Yu and Ting-Lu, the new Bombirdier ex can really get you rolling early. Its Fast Carrier attack requires that you go first to use on your first turn, but you can use it later if needed. It searches for three Basics and puts them on your bench, which should largely get your whole strategy in place. You can also use its Shadowy Wind attack and return it to your hand, meaning you won’t lose two prizes to a utility starter even if you can’t retreat.

We talked about the Technical Machines in our set review, but if there’s any one that feels like a meta standout, it’s Turbo Energize. It lets you search for two energy cards and attach them to your bench, and energy acceleration is just always useful.

The cutest Scarlet & Violet: Paradox Rift cards

This set does a good job of making cute cards out of Pokemon that some may not usually like. We’re fond of the Illustration Rare version of Magby with its adorable little sneeze! And Miltank, usually an imposing or off-putting presence, is just chilling and smiling.

And honestly… maybe Trubbish? It’s not exactly the cutest in concept, with it being a trash bag and all, but there’s something incredibly relatable about this one just worn thin by the world. If you’re looking for something more traditionally endearing, we suggest Tandemaus. They’re psyched about opening a ramune bottle, and that’s about as childlike as it gets.

The latest Pokemon Trading Card Game expansion set, Scarlet & Violet: Paradox Rift, launches November 3, 2023. For more Pokemon TCG coverage, including a full overview of the set, check out our archive.