This article is about the English Sun & Moon expansion, and the Japanese equivalent Collection Sun and Collection Moon expansions. For Japanese Sun & Moon expansion, see Enhanced Expansion Pack Sun & Moon (TCG).
Sun & Moon コレクションサン • コレクションムーン
Cards in set
English: 163 Japanese: 146
Set number
English: 71 Japanese: 64
Release date
English: February 3, 2017 Japanese: December 9, 2016
Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon (Japanese: コレクションサンCollection Sun and コレクションムーンCollection Moon) is the name given to the first main expansion of cards from the Sun & Moon Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (the Sun & Moon Era in Japan). The set is the first to feature Generation VII Pokémon in the card game.
Blurb
Your Adventure in a New Region Starts Now!
Welcome to the tropical Alola region! Start your journey with Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio, then seek out the Legendary Pokémon Solgaleo-GX and Lunala-GX to witness the awesome power of a new kind of Pokémon: each Pokémon-GX brings an attack so devastating that you can use only one of them per game! Discover dozens of never-before-seen Pokémon, Alola forms of some familiar favorites, and new ways to battle in the Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon expansion!
Information
Collection Sun • Collection Moon logos
Sun & Moon is the name given to the first main expansion of the Sun & Moon Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan, it was released as the Collection Sun and Collection Moon dual expansions that make up the first expansion block in the Pokémon Card Game Sun & Moon Era. It is based on Pokémon Sun and Moon, featuring Generation VII Pokémon and the two game Legendary PokémonSolgaleo and Lunala. The English expansion was released on February 3, 2017, while the Japanese expansions were released on December 9, 2016.
Sun & Moon introduced Pokémon-GX, a type of Pokémon. Pokémon-GX are more powerful versions of Pokémon. When a Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, the opponent takes two Prize cards instead of one. Pokémon-GX have a GX attack which have more powerful damage or effects than usual attacks. Each player could only use one GX attack per game. Pokémon-GX generally came in three types of prints, Regular card, Full Art card, and Secret Rainbow Rare card (called Hyper Rare card in Japan). The card border was black. The card text was outlined. They lacked the Pokémon's Pokédex number, species, height, and weight. The GX attack's energy cost, name and damage were written in a blue and black bar with silver border. The Pokémon-GX rule box took the place of the Pokédex entry. Regular prints featured the artwork covering most of the card with the Pokémon out of the card border. The whole card was Holofoil and had a glossy finish. Full Art prints have a shard-like diamond background. Rainbow Rare prints have the exact same artwork as Full Art prints but were fully silver (including the Pokémon) and have a rainbow reflector finish.
Sun & Moon also introduced an updated card design, which included numerous changes. The Stage and Evolution area received new graphics. The curvy strips between the Pokémon's name and the HP were removed. The bar displaying the Pokémon's Pokédex number, species, height, and weight also received a new graphic. The background of the card text area featured a new design. The Weakness and Resistance were written in a white bar and retreat in a separate white bar beside the other two. The Pokédex entry was written without a frame. The illustrator's name, set symbol, card number, and card rarity were moved to the left, above the copyright information. The Sheen Holofoil was changed to Water Web Holofoil. The Reverse Holofoil also received a new design.
The booster pack size for English expansions were increased from 11 to 12 and included a Basic Energy card in every booster pack.
The Pokémon website featured some of the Pokémon-GX in the expansion as highlights for card collectors.[1]
These cards were featured on the Pokémon website at one point.[2]
Decidueye-GX: Take flight on the wings of Decidueye-GX, with its crafty Feather Arrow Ability and its useful Hollow Hunt-GX attack that lets you retrieve any three cards from your discard pile.
Incineroar-GX: The battle is sure to heat up when Incineroar-GX enters the fray. Its Burning Slam-GX attack can scorch its target for 200 damage—and if that's not enough for a Knock Out, the opponent also gets Burned for at least 2 more damage counters!
Primarina-GX: With aquatic grace, Primarina-GX can deliver big damage with its Roaring Seas or Bubble Beat attacks, and it can heal all the damage from your own Pokémon with the Grand Echo-GX attack.
Lunala-GX: Lunala-GX has the power to change the tide of battle in so many ways. What will really send your opponent into orbit is its Lunar Fall-GX attack, which will immediately Knock Out any of your opponent's Basic Pokémon, as long as it isn't a Pokémon-GX. With an attack like that, your opponent's chances of winning are clearly waning.
Alolan Persian: Persian has flirted with the dark side before, including a couple of appearances as a Darkness type in the EX Series. Now it's Alolan Persian's turn, lending a paw to your deck with two quick attacks.
Solgaleo-GX: Heat up your next battle with the brilliant Solgaleo-GX, a Pokémon that is sure to see plenty of daylight in upcoming tournaments. Its Ultra Road Ability alone is worth adding this powerful Pokémon to your deck. The 230-damage Sunsteel Strike and Energy-hunting Sol Burst-GX attack make this card out of this world.
Gumshoos-GX: Stay on the lookout for Gumshoos-GX, whose powers of observation will serve you well in battle. Its Search the Premises Ability lets you peek at your opponent's hand each turn, and its Gumshoe Chance-GX attack will take note of the Energy attached to your opponent's Active Pokémon and use it for major damage.
Oranguru: The steady gaze of Oranguru surveys the battle as you choose the perfect time for it to hop into action. Will you use its Instruct Ability to draw more cards, or its shrewd Psychic attack? Or perhaps both? Make the right decision—Oranguru is watching.
Nest Ball: The Nest Ball is pretty basic...er, Basic. Search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it right onto your Bench. Doesn't get more basic than that.
Professor Kukui: Professor Kukui might be dressed for a day at the beach, but in battle he's all business. He lets you draw two cards and increases your Pokémon's attack damage. Now if only he could find his shirt…
In addition, these cards were featured on the expansion website.[3]
Lurantis-GX: Lurantis-GX bursts with color as it takes its place in battle. Your opponent might not feel quite so rosy after this Pokémon wields its Chloroscythe-GX attack, capable of plucking even the most sturdy Pokémon up by their roots.
Lapras-GX: Lapras-GX gives you two ways to put the opposing Pokémon on ice: its Blizzard Burn attack and its Ice Beam-GX attack both do triple-digit damage. Now that's cold.
Espeon-GX: The cerebral Espeon-GX plays mind games with your opponent. Its Divide-GX attack is especially maddening, letting you distribute 10 damage counters among your opponent's Pokémon as you see fit.
Umbreon-GX: Throw some shade with Umbreon-GX and its three ways to bring darkness onto your opponent: hit and run with Strafe, spread damage around with Shadow Bullet, or knock off Energy with Dark Call-GX.
Tauros-GX: Your opponents will be the ones seeing red when Tauros-GX goes into action. It can turn damage against it into big hits, either with its Rage attack or its Mad Bull-GX attack, both of which cost only two Colorless Energy to use.
Shiinotic: Capture the brilliance of Shiinotic with its Illuminate Ability to help accelerate your Grass-type decks. Then turn out the lights on your opponent's Active Pokémon with the sleep-inducing Flickering Spores attack.
Tsareena: Tsareena's reign begins when it comes into play, letting you see your opponent's hand and discard any card you'd like. The regal Pokémon can also deliver significant damage while healing itself with its Trop Kick attack.
Pyukumuku: Pyukumuku can eject its internal organs, which is icky. But its Innards Out Ability is worth it, making your opponent think twice about landing a Knock Out blow lest the Attacking Pokémon take a decent chunk of damage!
Vikavolt: Vikavolt can easily help out its teammates with its Energy-retrieving Strong Charge Ability. But this Ability might be best served in powering up Vikavolt's shocking Electro Cannon attack.
Passimian: Either by itself or among a group, Passimian can thrust itself into any battle. Plus it's a Basic Pokémon that can hold its ground with 110 HP.
Palossand: With 130 HP and an Ability that reduces the damage it takes, Palossand is a Pokémon with real grit. Even its Absorb Vitality attack keeps Palossand healthy enough to prevent it from getting washed away.
Alolan Dugtrio: Sporting not one but three delightful new hairdos, Alolan Dugtrio brings a bit of underground elegance to your battle. It also shows off a different side with its nasty Dig Under attack, capable of delivering 50 damage to any of your opponent's Pokémon.
Ribombee: Little Ribombee might not seem like the heavyweight choice for your next deck. But its Curative Pollen Ability might be just what you need when one of your Pokémon is on the ropes.
Dragonite: From the looks of it, Dragonite is happy just to soar among the clouds. But you should have bigger plans for this powerful Dragon-type Pokémon thanks to its savage Dragon Wave attack, able to do 130 damage for just two Energy!
Timer Ball: It's called a Timer Ball, but it can help you save time! Instead of waiting for the right Evolution Pokémon to appear, the Timer Ball can quickly grab up to two of them from your deck.
Strategy
The Pokémon website featured a strategy article describing a deck featuring Solgaleo-GX and Lunala-GX, two highlight cards from the expansion.[4]
The deck focused on using Solgaleo-GX's Sol Burst attack to accelerate Rainbow Energy and Psychic Energy onto the player's Pokémon, following up by using Lunala-GX's Moongeist Beam.
Solgaleo-GX's Sunsteel Strike could also be used to KO higher-HP Pokémon.
With Lunala-GX's Psychic Transfer Ability, the player could move Energy off a Pokémon that had taken damage, heal it with Max Potion, then move the Energy back to it.
This article mainly served to demonstrate the new cards in this expansion, and this strategy did not see success in tournaments.
Gallery
The Sun & Moon logo was designed by Doug Wohlfeil.[5]
The Collection Sun and Collection Moon sets are released in Japanese and Korean, both only available in unlimited edition. Since the Sun & Moon era, Japanese 1st edition cards are no longer printed. The Sun & Moon set is released in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, with cards also available as Reverse Holos.
This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions and releases Bold indicates a main expansion. Italics indicate a special set. Releases that are entirely composed of prints from other releases are small.
