"Set Of The Decade": Pokémon TCG Heat Wave Arena Set Revealed And Fans Are Hoping For One Specific SAR
This Pokémon could finally get a signature new card!
A new Pokémon Trading Card Game set is coming to Japan and players are hoping that one specific Pokémon gets a special art treatment. 2025 marked the return of Trainer's Pokémon to the Pokémon TCG, with numerous fan-favorite trainers from the Pokémon games appearing alongside their signature Pokémon. Although Trainer's Pokémon cards haven't gotten an international release yet, a new set was just announced in Japan that will bring even more Trainer's Pokémon cards to the game. One card in particular has fans excited, as it will mark the first time the Pokémon could get the special art treatment.
This week, The Pokémon Company announced Heat Wave Arena, a new set that will be released on March 14th in Japan. The set will feature four new Trainer's Pokémon, with Misty, Cynthia, Arven, and Ethan all having their Pokémon appear in the new set. Ethan, the protagonist of Pokémon Gold & Silver, has mostly Fire-type Pokémon, including a brand-new Ho-Oh ex card. Based on the comments at PokeBeach, fans are particularly hoping that Ho-Oh gets a new special art card.
Heat Wave Arena Could Totally Change The Pokémon TCGNew Pokémon Cards Should Provide New Decks To Use
The new set has the prospect of adding several new chase cards that Pokémon TCG fans have wanted for years. Not only will the new set likely include a special art version of Ho-Oh, but we'll almost certainly get a special art card of Gyarados as well. Plus, the new set contains a brand-new Pichu card that deals 30 damage and has a card draw effect, all for no energy cost. Pichu hasn't gotten an English translation in quite some time, so this card could also become an unexpectedly popular Pokémon.
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More importantly, the new set introduces several potentially powerful new synergies. Ethan's Pokémon in particular has an intriguing Fire Energy acceleration that could quickly ramp up. Meanwhile, Misty's Gyarados has an attack that can deal nearly 500 damage in a single turn, which can knock out every Pokémon in the game. However, we'll have to wait and see for the whole set to be released until we can determine which decks and cards are the strongest in the new set.
Our Take: We Can't Wait To See Ho-Oh's New Art TreatmentThis Could Be One Of Ho-Oh's Best Cards Yet
While alternate art cards have been part of the Pokémon TCG for years, Ho-Oh has never gotten a standout special art card. The prospect of seeing this classic Pokémon get an amazing new art card is very exciting. Given Misty and Cynthia's popularity, I wouldn't be surprised if several cards from this new set became very popular. With the recent surge in interest, Heat Wave Arena and its international equivalent could become one of the most popular sets released by the Pokémon TCG this year.
Source: PokeBeach
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