Hidden Fates Player's Guide (TCG)

Hidden Fates Player's Guide
Hidden Fates Player Guide.jpg
ISBN: None
Published: 2019
Publisher: The Pokémon Company International
Author: Wolfgang Baur

The Hidden Fates Player's Guide is a booklet included within the Hidden Fates Elite Trainer Box detailing the Hidden Fates expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The booklet is written by Wolfgang Baur and was published by The Pokémon Company International in 2019. The content features strategy for the new cards introduced within the Hidden Fates expansion as well as a complete checklist for the expansion.

Contents

Welcome to the Pokémon TCG: Hidden Fates Elite Trainer Box!

This Elite Trainer Box contains a great combination of boosters, Energy cards, dice, card sleeves, and extras—congrats on stepping up your game to the Elite level. The Pokémon Trading Card Game: Hidden Fates expansion adds more than 65 cards to the Pokémon TCG, and in the special Shiny Vault subset, it revisits more than 75 favorite cards from the Sun & Moon Series—this time with beautiful textured art featuring Shiny Pokémon. A dream for any collector!

Train hard, choose your Pokémon companions, and take the journey of an Elite Trainer!


New Pokémon-GX Faces from Familiar Places

The nine new Pokémon-GX in Hidden Fates follow a distinct theme—they're all Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region, and a couple of them make excellent companions to some of the new Trainer cards in the set (we'll get to them later). Fittingly, three Legendary Pokémon from Kanto appear as the first-ever triple TAG TEAM—Moltres & Articuno & Zapdos-GX! Read on to see how these cards stack up in battle:

Pinsir-GX: Watch out for those horns when battling Pinsir-GX, a Basic Pokémon with 180 HP and two attacks that each cost    . Its Superpowered Horns attack does 110 damage with no strings attached, but if the right opportunity strikes, you cand do 160 damage with Guillotine-GX. Just keep in mind that you can only use one GX attack per game, so weigh your choice carefully!
Charizard-GX: This fan favorite is a Stage 2 Pokémon with 250 HP and a pair of the powerhouse attacks. For     , Flamethrower blasts out 140 damage, and for the same Energy cost, you an Knock Out just about any Pokémon with a massive 300-damage Flare Blitz-GX. Again—choices, choices!
Starmie-GX: Starmie, a Stage 1 Pokémon with 190 HP, pairs swimmingly with Trainer cards that feature Misty. Its Star Stream attack for   helps keep Energy flowing by doing 40 damage and letting you attack 2   Energy cards from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon. Spinning Attack deals 100 damage for    , and Hydro Pump-GX for   does 40 damage plus 40 more for every   Energy attached to Starmie-GX.
Gyarados-GX: This Stage 1 Pokémon is a big leap from little Magikarp! With 230 HP and the Dragon Rage attack that costs      for 130 damage, plus Hyper Beam-GX for the same Energy cost but for a massive 240 damage, this is a straightforward that will deliver some Knock Outs.
Raichu-GX: Of course, Raichu-GX is a Stage 1 Pokémon (you won't get any bonus points for knowing which Pokémon it evolves from!) that has 210 HP and the Thunderbolt attack that does 120 damage for    . Spark Ball-GX does 200 damage for the same Energy cost. No too complicated and definitely effective!
Mewtwo-GX: This Legendary Pokémon has 180 HP and two attacks: Super Psy Bolt, which does 110 damage for    , and Psycrush-GX for the same Energy cost but with a touch more oomph at 120 damage—plus, your opponent has to discard all the Energy attached to their Active Pokémon! What a great way to stop an opponents game in its tracks!
Onix-GX: This Basic Pokémon has 200 HP and a big attitude. Its Bind attack for   does 30 damage and leaves the opponent Paralyzed with a successful coin flip. Heavy Impact requires      for a straightforward 150 damage. Finally, its Rocky Avalanche-GX attack for      does 200 damage and makes Onix-GX much tougher to Knock Out—it takes 100 less damage from attacks on your opponent's next turn. Hang tough, Onix!
Wigglytuff-GX: A Stage 1 Pokémon, Wigglytuff-GX has 210 HP and starts off with the Rolling Rush attack for    , doing 100 damage plus 30 more for each heads you flip in a row. For the same Energy cost, Lovely Star-GX does 130 damage and heals all damage from Wigglytuff-GX, which means your opponent will really have to work twice as hard to bounce this Pokémon into the discard for a Knock Out!
Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno-GX: This is the massive TAG TEAM trio that everyone will want to get in their hands on! Its impressive 300 HP and Trinity Burn attack that does 210 damage for      are a great start. That Sky Legends-GX attack takes this TAG TEAM to even greater heights, though, because if it has      attached, it gets shuffled back into your deck while doing 110 damage to 3 different opposing Pokémon. That could easily be 3 Knock Outs—and the game!


Shiny Art for Dozen of Pokémon and Pokémon-GX!

Collectors, this set is loaded with the Shiny forms of all kinds of Pokémon—including tournament-staple Pokémon-GX—from throughout the Sun & Moon Series. While their Abilities and attacks may be familiar, their artwork is full of stunning texture and color. Here are some notes on a handful of our favorite Shiny takes on returning Pokémon-GX:

Decidueye-GX: You wouldn't want to run into this Decidueye-GX in the middle of he night—you night not even see it coming! A dark color scheme is especially fitting for a ruler of the shadows like this Grass-type Pokémon-GX that originally appeared in Sun & Moon—Guardian Rising.
Charizard-GX: This Shiny variant of Charizard-GX from Sun & Moon—Burning Shadows has a dark and dangerous vibe in charcoal with crimson wing. And that Raging Out-GX attack still seems like a good way to flatten an opponent in a game that runs long.
Greninja-GX: Originally appearing in Sun & Moon—Forbidden Light, this Greninja-GX has gained an extra layer of stealth with its dark-as-night Shiny coloration. Thanks to its Shuriken Flurry Ability, you can deal out 3 damage counters any time you use Evolution to get it onto the field.
Electrode-GX: This delightfully quirky Pokémon-GX from Sun & Moon—Celestial Storm is still puzzling players with its Extra Energy Bomb Ability, which ends with Electrode-GX being Knocked Out. But its Shiny form looks better than ever here in cool blue and white.
Mewtwo-GX: Full Burst is still a great attack for  , and seeing Mewtwo-GX from Shining Legends in a green-and-white Shiny form is wonderful. Could be a collector's oddity, could be a parallel universe...who can tell with Mewtwo?
Lucario-GX: With a move called Cantakerous Beatdown and with big damage numbers, this Lucario is still a welcome addition to the lineup in Fighting-type decks. And its Shiny artwork is a fresh spin on a familiar face from Sun & Moon—Forbidden Light.
Guzzlord-GX: Sometimes a monstrously massive Pokémon gets a reputation for being dark and devouring. The Shiny form of Guzzlord-GX from Sun & Moon—Crimson Invasion still looks like it's going to gobble up the opposition, but with a brighter soundtrack this time. Our question: can it really be a Darkness-type Ultra Beast if one of its primary color is luminous orange?
Sylveon-GX: The original Sylveon-GX from Sun & Moon—Guardian Rising and the Shiny form in this expansion are both just so cute! Can they be superpowered twins? Play them both in a deck and confuse your opponent!

Dozens of other Pokémon and Pokémon-GX in the Shiny Vault subset have alternate art, each with a surprising or subtle variation in color that makes an exciting addition to your collection. If you're eyeing these treasures for your next deck, keep in mind that any card marked with a Yellow A Alternate symbol will rotate out of the Standard format along with the expansion where it was originally printed.

See what you can discover in this set that surprises you with visual twists and double takes!


Six Super Combos!

The Hidden Fates expansion has some great combinations, both with cards from earlier expansions and within the new set itself. Here are some big moves you could pull off with a little planning—and a little luck!

The Team Rocket Discard

Use Jessie & James to discard Weezing from your hand, forcing your opponent to discard yet another card from their hand. Then, Arbok's Rocket Tail attack does 50 damage—plus 80 damage for Jessie & James being in the discard pile. Team Rocket's up to no good again!

Super-Starmie

Starmie-GX has some great attacks to begin with, and you can make them even better with Misty's Cerulean City Gym, boosting their damage by 40. There's definitely a home-team advantage in Pokémon battles at this Gym!

Knock Out Resistance

Onix-GX is a mighty Basic Pokémon with 200 HP—which makes it tough for your opponent to Knock Out! Make it even more difficult to knock Out with Brock's Pewter City Gym, which causes it to take 40 less damage from your opponent's attacks. If it does take damage, use Pokémon Center Lady to keep it battling even longer. Any big-HP Pokémon can become a major obstacle for your opponent with the right support, but Brock's beloved Pokémon in Brock's Pewter City Gym is an extra-tough defender.

Welding Your Way to a Win

Charizard-GX looks simple at first, even tough its Flare Blitz-GX attack does a whopping 300 damage—enough to take down even a TAG TEAM Pokémon! The trouble is getting to that      cost quickly. One option is to use Welder to charge up faster and surprise your opponent with a huge KO!

Trinity Star Burn

The first-ever TAG TEAM trio has a whopping 300 HP, but its Trinity Burn attack is a little tricky to power up. If you can get a  ,  , and   Pokémon onto your Bench, Arceus  's Trinity Star attack can make things easier. You can search your deck for a 3 basic Energy cards and attach them to your Pokémon, meaning you can get that  ,  , and   Energy for Trinity Burn! And when the time is right you can follow that up with the Sky Legends-GX attack to do 110 damage to 3 different Pokémon—potentially getting three or more Prize cards at once!

Misty's Rushing River

Start by putting a few Naganadel on your Bench and using the Charging Up Ability to soak up some   Energy. When the time is right, play Misty's Water Command to move those Energy to your Psyduck, Horsea, Staryu, Starmie-GX, Magikarp, Gyarados, or Lapras—your pick!


Top Trainer Cards!

The Hidden Fates expansion offer a few great Trainer cards with tricks and tactics and ways to turn a losing game into a clear win! These are our favorite new Trainer cards from the main expansion and the Shiny Vault subset both for power decks and for fun.

Brock's Peter City Gym

This Stadium card is all about Onix-GX, which feels so at home in this place that it takes 40 less damage from the opponent's attacks. Super niche and super fun!

Brock's Training

If you know Brock's favorite Pokémon, you won't be surprised that he likes to keep them full up on Energy. With this Supporter card, you can attach an Energy card from your hand to 1 of several   Pokémon—including Geodude, Sudowoodo, Rhyhorn, and even Onix-GX.

Jessie & James

Your opponent discards 2 cards from their hand—but you have to discard 2 cards from your hand, too. For extra Team Rocket trickery, play this Supporter card when it's the last card in your hand.

All Eight Kanto Gym Leaders

All eight Kanto Gym Leaders are in this expansion, which hasn't happened for quite some time in the Pokémon TCG. Choose your favorites, and then see what strategies you can come up with using cards featuring them and the Pokémon they're known for using in battle.

Misty's Cerulean City Gym

Sort of the opposite of Brock's Pewter City Gym, this one is about putting Starmie-GX on double-time offense! All Starmie-GX do 40 more damage to the opposing Active Pokémon!

Misty's Determination

Discard a card from your hand to look at the top 8 cards of your deck and take 1 of them into your hand. This is a fantastic way to trade in a card that's not very useful in a particular match for a card that makes all the difference. Misty's Determination gives you a definite boost!

Misty's Water Command

Misty is always looking to keep her Pokémon well hydrated. This Supporter card lets you shuffle around any and all of your   Energy to Psyduck, Horsea, Staryu, Starmie-GX, Magikarp (which doesn't need much!), Gyarados (which really does need it!), and Lapras. It's musical chairs, but for   Energy!

Pokémon Center Lady

Let the healing begin! With the gentle support of Pokémon Center Lady, 1 of your Pokémon recovers 60 damage, and all of its Special Conditions go away. This card is a great way to keep your biggest stars battling at full power.

Cynthia

The Champion of the Sinnoh region is a popular Supporter in Pokémon TCG tournaments, and she reappears in Shiny Vault of a full-art card with the Shiny forms of Lucario and Garchomp, two of her trademark Pokémon. Use this versatile Trainer to replace your hand with 6 new cards—no matter how many were in your hand to begin with.

Guzma

Your boy Guzma returns in Shiny Vault as a new full-art Supporter card that certainly makes a statement and is a useful addition to almost any deck. Not sure if you can tell...but we're Guzma fans!


Pokémon TCG: Hidden Fates Card List

This section lists out the 69 cards of the Hidden Fates expansion, and their rarities, along with the 94 cards from the Shiny Vault subset.


Credits

Original Japanese Game

English-Language Version

The Pokémon Company International

  • Producer: Kenji Okubo
  • Director of Production: Richard Simpson
  • Product Development: Yasuhiro Usui, Jim Lin, and Doug Ferguson
  • Production Coordination: Russ Foster, Jay Moon, Doug Storms, David Hoskinson, and Ross Garrett
  • Game Development: Dylan "ExoByte" Mayo, Kyle Sucevich, Nik Davidson, and Paul Peterson
  • Project Coordination: Mikiko Ryu, Yoshi Uemura, Noriko Tseng, and Jen McNulty
  • Translation: Ben Regal, Bryson Clark, and Satoko Deas
  • Elite Trainer Box Booklet Writing: Wolfgang Baur
  • Rulebook Writing: TPCi Editing Staff and Kyle Sucevich
  • Editing Coordination: Anja Weinbach
  • Editing: Hollie Beg, Wolfgang Baur, and Holly Bowen
  • Design Direction: Chriis Franc
  • Graphic Design (Creative): Doug Wohlfeil, Adam Law, Kumi Okada, Cara Weiss, Anupa Patel, Huy Cao, and Kevin Fish
  • Graphic Design (Card Localization): Ginny Baldwin and Christopher Brittain
  • Graphic Design (Logos): Huy Cao
  • Booster Pack and Playmat Illustrations: PLANETA Igarashi
  • Special Thanks To: Creatures Inc., The Pokémon Company, and The Pokémon Company International


Publications relating to the Pokémon Trading Card Game
Strategy guides: Pokémon Trading Card Game Strategy GuideThe Official Pokémon Trading Card Game Guide
Pokémon Trading Card Game Player's GuidePokémon Trading Card Game Fossil Expansion Player's Guide
Pokémon Trading Card Game Volume 3: Team RocketPokémon Made Simple!Let's Play Pokémon
Team Rocket Strategy GuideGym Heroes Strategy GuideGym Challenge Strategy Guide
Platinum Player's GuidePlasma Storm Player's GuidePlasma Blast Player's GuideXY Player's Guide
Quick Guide to Fire-Type PokémonFurious Fists Player's GuidePhantom Forces Player's GuidePrimal Clash Player's Guide
Roaring Skies Player's GuideAncient Origins Player's GuideBREAKthrough Player's GuideBREAKpoint Player's Guide
Fates Collide Player's GuideGenerations Player's GuideSteam Siege Player's GuideEvolutions Player's Guide
Sun & Moon Player's GuideGuardians Rising Player's GuideBurning Shadows Player's GuideThe Making of Shining Legends
Crimson Invasion Player's GuideUltra Prism Player's GuideForbidden Light Player's GuideCelestial Storm Player's Guide
Dragon Majesty Player's GuideDragon Majesty: Dragons Then and NowLost Thunder Player's GuideTeam Up Player's Guide
Unbroken Bonds Player's GuideUnified Minds Player's GuideHidden Fates Player's GuideCosmic Eclipse Player's Guide
Sword & Shield Player's GuideRebel Clash Player's GuideDarkness Ablaze Player's GuideVivid Voltage Player's Guide
Shining Fates Player's GuideBattle Styles Player's GuideChilling Reign Player's GuideEvolving Skies Player's Guide
Celebrations Player's Guide
Collectors' guides: Beckett Unofficial Guide to Pokémon: 2008 Price GuideBeckett Unofficial Guide To Pokémon Diamond & Pearl
Collecting Pokémon: An Unauthorized Handbook and Price GuidePokémon Collector's Value Guide
Pokémon Unofficial Card Collector's GuideUnofficial Beckett Pokémon Collector Price Guide
Magazines: Beckett Pokémon Unofficial CollectorMonthly Coin Toss: Pokémon Card MagazinePokémon Official Magazine
PoJo's Unofficial Pokémon News & Price Guide MonthlyPokémon Card Fan Club
Manga: Pokémon Card GB The ComixHow I Became a Pokémon CardHimemaru: Pokémon Card ExplorerAim to Be a Card Master!!
Pokémon Card Game Battle ComicExciting Victory! Pokémon Card Game!!Let's Play the Pokémon Card Game XY!
Let's Play the Pokémon Card Game! Sun & Moon ArcLet's Play the Pokémon Card Game! Sword & Shield Arc
Let's Play the Pokémon Card Game! Scarlet & Violet Arc
Video game guides: Official Pokémon TCG Perfect GuidePokémon Card GB Final Tactical BookPokémon Card GB Official Guidebook
Pokémon Card GB2 Official GuidebookPokémon TCG: Official Nintendo Player's Guide
Pokémon TCG: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
Other: Pokémon Card Official Book 2000Pokémon Card Game BW National Illustrated Encyclopedia
Pokémon Card Game BW WorkbookIllust Story


  This article is part of both Project TCG and Project Merchandise, Bulbapedia projects that, together, aim to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Trading Card Game merchandise.