Battle Styles

Pokémon Battle Styles

Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Battle Styles (swsh05) is the fifth expansion of the Sword & Shield series, released on 19 March 2021. The set introduced a brand-new strategic mechanic by dividing cards into two distinct styles: hard-hitting Single Strike and technical, multi-hit Rapid Strike, with Urshifu in both its Gigantamax forms as the headline Pokémon. Collectors chase it for its stunning alternate-art secret rares, which set a new standard for chase card design in the Sword & Shield era.

Which Pokémon cards are in Battle Styles?

Battle Styles contains 163 standard cards plus 20 secret rares, totalling 183 cards. The marquee Pokémon are Single Strike Urshifu VMAX and Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX, both available as jaw-dropping alternate-art secret rares that rank among the most coveted cards of the Sword & Shield era. Other notable V and VMAX cards include Tyranitar V (alternate art), Empoleon V (alternate art), Mimikyu V, Tapu Koko V, and Corviknight V. The set also features rainbow rare and full-art versions of key Trainers and Pokémon, rounding out a deep and rewarding pull list for collectors.

Buying Battle Styles cards

Battle Styles was released in a wide range of products to suit every budget and play style:

Booster Pack — A single pack of 10 cards; the entry-level way to collect the set.
Booster Box — 36 booster packs, the go-to for collectors hunting multiple chase cards.
Elite Trainer Box (ETB) — 8 booster packs plus accessories (card sleeves, dice, condition markers, and energy cards), available in a Single Strike or Rapid Strike edition.
Build & Battle Box — A prerelease product containing 4 booster packs and a 23-card deck; available from 6 March 2021, two weeks before the main release.
Single Strike Urshifu V Box / Rapid Strike Urshifu V Box — Special collections featuring a foil promo card and booster packs.
Blister Packs — Smaller retail blisters with 1–3 booster packs and a promo card.
Spring 2021 Collector Chest — A seasonal gift tin released alongside the Battle Styles era.