Earlier this week we reported on the Sinnoh starter cards revealed in the Trading Card Game. The confusing part is that the set is an expansion pack for the Sun and Moon series, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The official Japanese Pokémon Twitter account has since kept up with the Sinnoh focus, garnering much fan interest.

拡張パック「ウルトラサン」よりカットロトムを紹介！自分のトラッシュにポケモンのどうぐが9枚以上あれば、特性「ロトモーター」でワザをエネルギーなしで使える！ #ポケカ pic.twitter.com/zMmUOeBlPg

— ポケモン公式 (@Pokemon_cojp) November 14, 2017

What’s the big deal about this? Historically, the TCG set have been tied to the main game releases. This makes marketing sense, and saw Kanto cards in generation one and Johto cards in generation two. Midway in generation three, a massive Kanto set (EX Fire Red and Leaf Green) was released, which served as promotion for the Pokémon Red and Blue remakes. Following this, a set called Deoxys, which alluded to Pokémon Emerald and the different forms of Deoxys, was released.

This has continued throughout. Whereas most sets generally promote Pokémon from the most recent games or those in the very near future, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon seem to be focused on Sinnoh, which is not the focus of the games of the same name. Therefore, this Sinnoh focus is prompting speculation that something Sinnoh-themed is coming. Do note that this is not confirmation of a new game such as a Sinnoh remake or new game in the region after Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, but it is unusual and worth noting.

The Grass-type Rotom form has a useful Ability; if you have over 8 Tool cards in your discard pile, its attack costs no energy. Speaking of its attack, it has the side-effect of removing a Special Energy from your opponent’s active Pokémon.

拡張パック「ウルトラムーン」よりデンジとレントラーを紹介！ 組み合わせて使うことで、雷デッキ改造のアイデアがたくさん浮かんでくる!? #ポケカ pic.twitter.com/7iIvXn7WXv

— ポケモン公式 (@Pokemon_cojp) November 13, 2017

Here a Sinnoh Gym Leader and his main Pokémon were revealed. The Volkner card allows you to search your deck for a lightning energy and an item card. It’s akin to the Korrina card from the Furious Fists set, just for lightning types.

The Luxray card has a powerful attack which deals 150 damage to one of your opponents Pokémon, and does not apply weaknesses or resistances for Benched Pokémon, at the cost of discarding all lightning energy. Its Ability reduces the damage of opponent attacks by 30 if Luxray is your active Pokémon. It does not appear that its ability only reduces damage to your active. If it can indeed protect Pokémon on the Bench, it’ll be rather useful.

What do you think of the new cards, and for that matter the Sinnoh focus?

Thanks to Hands for the tip and information.
Edited by ddrox13.