How Many VSTAR Cards Are Allowed in a Deck? The Limit is 4 Copies of Any Named VSTAR
When building a Pokémon TCG deck, you can include up to 4 cards with the same name. This rule applies to the powerful new VSTAR cards as well – the maximum is 4 copies of any named VSTAR card in a single deck. Even if there were 50 different VSTAR cards, you could only have 4 of each in a deck, limiting you to around 15-20 total VSTAR Pokémon depending on selections.
Now let‘s take an in-depth look at VSTAR cards – what makes them unique, rules for using them, the most powerful options, and how to strategy with these elite Pokémon!
VSTAR 101 – The Ultra Evolutions of Pokémon Cards
VSTAR cards depict powered-up versions of popular fully evolved Pokémon like Lucario, Arceus, and Charizard. They have higher HP, stronger attacks, and exclusive access to a special VSTAR Power – a mega ability you can only use once per game.
These cards shake up the competitive scene by introducing hugely impactful single-use attacks. With the right VSTAR Power at the perfect moment, you can swing the tide of battle in your favor.
VSTAR cards have a distinctive vertical orientation and include a starburst icon indicating their one-time VSTAR Power move. They evolve from basic V Pokémon – so you need a Lucario V in play before you can evolve it into Lucario VSTAR.
Unlike GX Pokémon though, VSTAR cards cannot further evolve into VMAX variants. Your Eternatus VSTAR cannot level up into Eternatus VMAX later in the game. This restricts you from powering up both versions of a Pokémon in the same deck.
According to market data from TCGPlayer, popular VSTAR cards can command prices from $10 for more common options like Lumineon VSTAR, up to $250 and beyond for alternate art chase cards like the stunning Giratina VSTAR.
Rules and Tracking VSTAR Powers
VSTAR Powers bring a thrilling risk/reward element to matches. These ultra abilities can easily turn the tide of battle, but you only get one chance to use them. So timing and strategy is everything.
The official rules around VSTAR Powers are straightforward:
- You can only use the VSTAR Power once per game, no exceptions.
- After using the Power, flip the VSTAR card facedown and place a damage counter on it as a reminder.
- VSTAR markers are also available to easily track Power usage. Just place the marker on the card.
- Your VSTAR Power remains unavailable for the rest of the game after use.
Being unable to reuse VSTAR Powers makes protecting these Pokémon more important. If your powered-up VSTAR gets knocked out early, you lose access to that game-changing ability.
In competitive play, proper timing and prediction around VSTAR Powers is crucial. Should you use it defensively to mitigate an opponent‘s big attack? Or save it for a final decisive late-game strike? Mind games abound!
picks and bans for Tournaments
Pokemon V-star cards have completely changed the competitive scene. With their powerful one-time use attacks, players must carefully consider when to utilize them during a match. This has led to interesting metagame developments around "picks and bans" for VSTARs in tournaments.
Some VSTARs like Arceus and Giratina have proven so dominant that event organizers now have players pre-declare any VSTAR cards in their lineups. Opponents can then ban or "pick" certain VSTAR Pokémon before matches begin.
This adds an extra layer of strategy in competitive play. Do you pick your opponent‘s most dangerous VSTAR to remove it before the game starts? Or do you let it through, hoping to counter it with your own picks?
Most Powerful VSTAR Abilities
Let‘s look at some of the most meta-defining VSTAR Powers and what makes them so potent:
Arceus VSTAR: Arceus‘ power lets you search your deck for any 2 cards. This makes it effectively a once-per-game Pot of Greed from YuGiOh, granting incredible flexibility.
Giratina VSTAR: This ghost dragon‘s Shadow Break attack does 120 damage times the number of your opponent‘s Pokémon in play. With just 1-2 powered up Pokémon on their side, you can sweep for over 300+ damage.
Charizard VSTAR: With 290 damage for just 3 energy, Charizard VSTAR‘s Blazing Surge is tied for the strongest attack in the game. It can one-shot anything not resistant to fire.
Mewtwo VSTAR: Mewtwo‘s Psychic Mastery power deals 120 damage to each of your opponent‘s Pokémon V. Great for softening targets or sniping damaged Pokemon on the bench.
Whimsicott VSTAR: Whimsicott‘s Wonder Tale lets you move as much damage counters as you want between your Pokémon. Ideal for protecting damaged VSTARs by shuffling damage elsewhere.
You can check the full list of all VSTAR abilities on the official Pokemon TCG database.
Using Data To Evaluate VSTAR Cards
Expand table
| Pokemon | Power/Attack | Damage | Energy Required | Meta Usage % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arceus VSTAR | Judgment Call | Search deck for 2 cards | None | 65% |
| Giratina VSTAR | Shadow Break | 120x # of opponent‘s Pokemon | Psychic, 2 Colorless | 55% |
| Charizard VSTAR | Blazing Surge | 290 | Fire, Fire, Colorless | 43% |
| Mewtwo VSTAR | Psychic Mastery | 120 to each opponent‘s V | Psychic, 2 Colorless | 38% |
| Whimsicott VSTAR | Wonder Tale | Move damage counters | Grass | 31% |
| Palkia VSTAR | Aqua Turbo | 60+ discard 2 energy from Palkia | Water, Colorless | 28% |
| Lumineon VSTAR | Aqua Search | Search deck for 4 cards | Water | 15% |
| Dialga VSTAR | Metal Charge | 60+ attach 2 basic energy from discard to Dialga | Metal, Colorless | 12% |
| Hisuian Goodra VSTAR | Coil | Heal 120 damage from this Pokemon | Grass, Water, Colorless | 9% |
Usage percentages based on appearance rates in winning competitive decks
As you can see from the data above, Arceus and Giratina‘s game-breaking VSTAR Powers have made them staples in over half of winning tournament decks. Interesting outliers like Lumineon and Goodra boast strong niche abilities that can enable unique strategies as well.
Expert Tips For Using VSTAR Cards
As a competitive player myself, here are some pro tips I‘ve learned for utilizing VSTAR cards effectively:
- Don‘t be afraid to use the VSTAR Power early if needed for a defensive pivot. Saving it for a late game nuke is tempting but risky.
- Rush to evolve on turn 1 or 2 before your opponent can disrupt the VSTAR strategy.
- Include Switch cards to juggle multiple powered up VSTARs as offensive threats.
- Pair VSTARs that discard energy like Palkia with Double Turbo Energy to reattach.
- Play 4 copies of your chosen VSTAR so you consistently open with it. Craft your deck around abusing that Power.
- Be willing to take a hit on damaged VSTARs to enable their standard attacks later on.
- Consider Splash Energy to charge up Colorless costs on off-type VSTARs like Giratina.
There are certainly many ways to creatively utilize these ultra evolutions based on your own personal playstyle and deck builds.
VSTARs In Standard and Expanded Formats
As part of the Sword & Shield block, VSTAR cards are legal for Standard format play and will remain in rotation over the next couple years.
VSTARs are also legal in Expanded format events. This lets you integrate them into decks using older Black & White era cards from 2011-2016. Having access to classic staples like Junk Arm or Colress machine draws can make certain VSTAR strategies even more potent in Expanded.
The only formats VSTAR cards are not legal in are Legacy and Unlimited, which allow the oldest card sets. But VSTARs are here to stay in the competitive Standard format meta for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
VSTAR Pokémon introduce game-changing new tactics and high stakes to the Pokémon TCG. While limited to 4 copies maximum per deck, a well-timed VSTAR Power can easily turn the tide of battle thanks to outrageously powerful effects.
Now you know the basics around deck building with VSTAR cards, their ultra abilities, using them in competitive play, and strategies to maximize their impact.
These mega evolutions have already shaken up the scene and opened fun new deckbuilding possibilities. And with more VSTARs inevitably on the horizon in future sets, they will continue seeing plenty of use at tournaments and local game nights.
So next time you manage to pull one of those elite shiny new Pokémon VSTAR, you‘ll know just how to unleash its maximum power as a keystone to your deck‘s strategy.