The Best Cards from Crown Zenith set

What’s up PoTown readers? Have you been getting ready for all of the cards coming out in the newest Pokemon TCG set - Crown Zenith? This special release celebrates the entire Sword and Shield era of the Pokemon TCG and releases many popular cards with new special artwork. Some of the most anticipated cards are Alternate Art Pikachu, Full Art Friends in Sinnoh, and Gold Alternate Art Giratina VSTAR [Crown Zenith]. Those cards would definitely look great in any Pokemon TCG Live collection, but what if you’re looking for new cards? This set mainly features reprints but some new cards like Rotom VSTAR, Radiant Charjabug, and Zacian VSTAR [Crown Zenith]. In this article, I’ll share my top three new playable cards and honourable mentions of my favourite new artwork for previously existing cards. I have been testing these cards, thinking about these cards when powering through spreadsheets, and even dreaming of how these cards interact with each other. I’m getting ready to play in the 2023 Oceania International Championships in Melbourne, Australia, and I hope to make a big splash there as a player. If you need any of these cards for PTCG Live, be sure to pick up some Crown Zenith codes from PoTownStore.com. They have a great variety of PTCGL codes that you can purchase 24/7 and get instantly delivered to your email. That being said, let’s jump into this list!

You might think I’m talking about Zamazenta VSTAR, but I’m actually writing about Zamazenta [Crown Zenith]! This card seems like it will fit in existing Lost Zone Box decks as a replacement for Snorlax [Lost Origin] because it can hit for 220 damage instead of 180. While that doesn’t seem like a huge difference, it means you can OHKO Stoutland V [Battle Styles] without the need for a Choice Belt [Brilliant Stars], which allows you to have less combo pieces. It isn’t the craziest combo in the world, but it is a slight improvement to the deck in terms of a damage-to-energy cost ratio - it’s really the little things that count. For upcoming Regionals, like Orlando, I assume a few top players will test the waters with this deck, and maybe they’ll even win the event!

This is a new artwork reprint of Oricorio [Fusion Strike], and I’m sure the new Crown Zenith release of this card is gonna have some players itching to play Mew VMAX [Fusion Strike] again! This card is rarely an attacker, but it does count towards Genesect V’s [Fusion Strike] Fusion Strike System, which allows you to draw some extra cards! On top of that, all of your Fusion Strike Pokemon takes 20 less damage from attacks which can sometimes make a world of difference. I love the art of this Oricorio, and I hope I get a chance to pull one from my PTCG Live packs when the set releases!

It's not very often that a card surprises me, but Sky Seal Stone [Crown Zenith] has definitely surprised me. This card allows you to take an extra Prize Card if one of your Basic Pokemon V Knocks Out one of your opponent Pokemon VSTAR / VMAX. While I’m sure this card will play in some unique decks, I like how it pairs with Drapion V [Lost Origin]! For a minimal amount of Energy, which is usually zero, you can OHKO a Mew VMAX and take an extra Prize Card with Sky Seal Stone. Other opportunities that I’ve heard players playtesting are in Lost Zone Box decks so that a surprise Raikou V [Brilliant Stars] can OHKO a Lugia VSTAR [Silver Tempest]. I often hear players talk about losing games by “just one turn” and Sky Seal Stone might be that turn.

If you told me this version of the card was going to be released around Worlds 2022, I would have been going crazy because Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR [Astral Radiance] was all the rage back then. That deck is still played to some success now, but it isn’t the same as it was last season. I’m sure the release of this version of the card will have some players bringing back their Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR decks, and for all we know, this card might resurge in popularity once we have Rotation in April!

Here we have it, the most impactful card being released in Crown Zenith! This card can instantly summon up to two Pokemon VMAX from your deck into play with its Ability, and that is huge! Maybe we’ll see players attempt new takes on Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX [Chilling Reign] to get a bunch of Underworld Door going quickly! Or maybe we’ll see a bunch of Orbeetle VMAX [Vivid Voltage] hit the field and try to spread Damage Counters everywhere! For me, I really want to summon a Duraludon VMAX [Evolving Skies] and Flying Pikachu VMAX [Celebrations] to have a tanky army of attackers! I’m sure some of these Radiant Eternatus decks will use Comfey, Colress’s Experiment, and Mirage Gate [Lost Origin] to accelerate Energy to your various Pokemon VMAX! I can’t wait to see the amazing combos that the community pulls off with Radiant Eternatus!

Anytime a new set drops on Pokemon TCG Live, the whole community is ready to play the game again! As much as our Silver Tempest format has been super fun, who wouldn’t want to be one of the first people to play with Radiant Eternatus, Lost Zone Box with Zamazenta, and even Rotom VSTAR? I’m sure there are even more combinations hidden within this set so I’m excited to see what the community comes up with when playing at Orlando or even at Late Night Events online. If you are as hyped for this set as me, be sure to pick up some Crown Zenith codes right here at the PoTown store. Instant email delivery, a large stock of codes, plenty of variety, and more! I appreciate everyone for reading this article and for all of the support.

Zach Lesage is a contributing writer for PoTownStore.com. As a Toronto local, he has been playing the Pokemon Trading Card Game since 2005 and creates Pokemon content as his full time career. With multiple prestigious accomplishments in the game, such as 2020 Players Cup 2 Champion and 2020 Oceania International Championships Finalist, he has proven his success in the game. Outside of the game, he travels the world, enjoys the culture of designer streetwear, and is a professionally trained chef. You can catch him at most Pokemon events and follow him on Twitter @ZachLesagePTCG.