Pokémon ☆ (TCG)
- If you were looking for the "shiny" Pokémon found in the Pokémon games, see Shiny Pokémon.
Pokémon are a type of Pokémon found in the Pokémon Trading Card Game that depict the Template:Shiny2 variation of a Pokémon.
First introduced in EX Team Rocket Returns, Pokémon saw the return of Shining/Alternate Color Pokémon after they briefly appeared back in the Neo Revelation and Neo Destiny sets. While they were still bound by the 1-per deck rule, they no longer featured multiple energy-type attacks (with the exception of Latias, Latios and Rayquaza from EX Deoxys) and often had very beneficial attacks, making them much more playable.
Their card design, like that of Pokémon-ex is also unique. The character art depicts the Pokémon with portions of their body protruding outside of the character window, almost as if they are "jumping out" of the card. Various areas of the card design have golden tinges added to it, such as the corners of the attack text box and character window; the shadows of these graphics are also holographic.
Like their predecessors, these cards were still difficult to obtain, the odds of finding one roughly 1 in 2 Booster Boxes, sending their prices soaring. By far the most valuable Pokémon are the Japanese versions of the Eeveelutions, which were originally available only through gaining EXP Points in the Pokémon Players Club. Collectors were paying upwards of $300 for each card. Their subsequent English release (and Japanese reprint) in EX Power Keepers saw the demand for Vaporeon, Jolteon and Flareon decline.
δ Delta Species Pokémon are always the type that their alternate-colored form takes on the color of. For example, Gyarados ☆ δ is a Fire-type because shiny Gyarados are red.
All Pokémon that are not fully evolved have the attack Spring Back.
In Diamond & Pearl, Pokémon were essentially replaced by Pokémon LV.X, though shiny Pokémon were again reintroduced into the TCG with the release of Stormfront. However, they received no special rules, multi-Energy attacks or visual enhancements. Their only difference from regular cards this time around was a special "starry" foil reminiscent of early English foil treatments (in Japan), or a unique collection number with the prefix "SH" (outside Japan). This change perhaps reflects that in the Pokémon games, shiny Pokémon are no different to normal Pokémon, other than that they are a different color.