Special Report: What's Going On With Pokémon Cards

So I'm well-embroiled in my exam period (which is why you haven't been hearing much from me, sorry about that!), but, as everyone in an exam period will tell you, distractions become more valuable than ever. This is why I got one of my friends to do a research report for us, checking out what's going on in the world of the Pokémon TCG because I've kind of been ignoring it in the last few months. So here is our first VDB special report by one Stefan Irwin!

What's New With Pokémon Cards

Disclaimer: To be honest this probably isn't exactly all what's new but more of an overview of what has been new for a while but by the end it gets some newer things.

The new Diamond and Pearl Pokémon have arrived! The Pokémon Trading Card Game has once again opened its doors allowing all the new Pokémon from the DS games to enter the arena. The first expansion aptly named Diamond & Pearl brings with it 130 more cards and even new strategic elements to the game, Pokémon LV.X. Level X Pokémon allow you to play the Pokémon on top of its original card adding new poke-powers and attacks while keeping the old attacks as well. The cards also come with a new contemporary look giving room for bigger illustrations and more background information on the Pokémon. The newer expansions in the Diamond and Pearl collection, Mysterious Treasures, Secret Wonders and Great Encounters all bring new Pokémon as well as attacks, and the best treat of all, new Pokémon LV. X. Everything will force players to battle with more strategy. All the expansions include powerful legendary Pokémon giving each battle an air of prominence. For all the true avid Pokémon players out there the newest expansion Majestic Dawn is coming out nationwide on May 21, 2008. An insider with the company has stated that one of the new Pokémon in the expansion will be Glaceon, one of the new Eevee evolutions and that it will boost an arsenal of impressive attacks including Snow Cloak which will deal 30 damage as well as allow Glaceon to be protected from all attacks during the next turn on a successful flip of a coin and Speed Slide which can hit for 60 damage and be completely unhindered by all effects on the defending Pokémon. Sources also indicate that Legendary Pokémon Darkrai and rare Pokémon Cresselia will be a part of the new expansion. Leafeon, the second new evolution of Eevee also will be added to the game. Two new LV.X Pokémon are also expected to be included in the game, Garchomp and Porygon. With the release of Majestic Dawn quickly racing towards the Pokémon world it appears that battles will only become more and more strategic, chaotic and fierce!

Thanks so much Stefan! Now I feel out of touch--all these new Pokémon are making me feel disoriented and confused. (Mad Pawn hurt himself in his confusion.)