Pokémon TCG - Sword & Shield - Matchless Fighter - Booster Box - (Japanese)

The Matchless Fighters expansion, released in Japan on March 19, 2021, is a subset in the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Sword & Shield series. This set builds upon the Single Strike and Rapid Strike mechanics that were introduced in Battle Styles, offering players more options for strategic deck-building. These two battle styles allow players to choose between powerful, heavy-hitting attacks (Single Strike) or fast, combo-based moves (Rapid Strike), adding more depth to the competitive metagame.

A standout feature of Matchless Fighters is the introduction of Galarian forms of the Legendary Bird trio—Galarian Articuno V, Galarian Zapdos V, and Galarian Moltres V—each with new typings and unique abilities. Galarian Moltres V became especially valuable in competitive play due to its ability to accelerate Darkness Energy, making it a staple in many Dark-type decks. Additionally, Blaziken VMAX and Galarian Slowking VMAX make their debut in this expansion, both featuring impressive Gigantamax artwork and strong in-game effects.

The expansion consists of 70 cards before Secret Rares, featuring a mix of Pokémon V, VMAX, and various Trainer cards. Many of these Trainer cards support the Single Strike and Rapid Strike mechanics, reinforcing synergy with decks built around those battle styles. The set also includes Full Art and Special Illustration Rare cards, which showcase stunning artwork of popular Pokémon, making them highly desirable for collectors.

Many of the cards from Matchless Fighters were later integrated into the Chilling Reign expansion for the international release, ensuring that players worldwide could access the unique cards and mechanics introduced in this set. Whether you're a competitive player looking to refine your strategy or a collector chasing beautifully illustrated Pokémon V and VMAX, Matchless Fighters delivers a dynamic and visually appealing addition to the Pokémon TCG.