Pokemon TCG: Shining Legends Set


Released (English)	6 October 2017
Released (Japanese)	15 July 2017
Cards (English)	78 (73 + 5 secret rares)
Cards (Japanese)	82 — Shining Legends (72 numbered), plus secret rares
Series	Sun & Moon (Generation VII)
Region focus	Alola
Previous expansion	Burning Shadows
Following expansion	Crimson Invasion
Associated decks	None (special set — sold via collections, not theme decks)
Japanese sets	Enhanced Expansion Pack Shining Legends (SM3+)

Shining Legends Elite Trainer Box

Shining Legends is one of those special sets that quietly punched well above its weight. Released in October 2017 as a compact 73-card “mini expansion,” it did two things at once: handed collectors a nostalgia bomb, and handed competitive players one of the defining cards of the entire Sun & Moon era.

The nostalgia came from the return of Shining Pokémon — the alternate-coloured, sparkle-treatment cards that hadn’t been seen since the Neo era back in 2001–2002. Shining Mew, Shining Rayquaza, Shining Jirachi, Shining Genesect, Shining Volcanion and Shining Arceus all show up here as rare, low-pull-rate chase cards, and they landed exactly the hit of childhood memory Pokémon was aiming for.

Like several of its special-set siblings, Shining Legends never got a standard booster box. Packs came only inside products — the Elite Trainer Box, a run of Pin Collections (Pikachu, Mewtwo, Zoroark, Marshadow) and the flagship Ho-Oh Super-Premium Collection — which made completing it a pricier, more deliberate affair.

The card that made everyone actually buy in, though, was Zoroark-GX. Its Trade ability turned it into the consistency engine of the 2017–18 Standard format, showing up in deck after deck after deck. For a set marketed on shiny legendaries, its most important legacy was a jet-black fox that quietly ran the metagame — while Mewtwo-GX, its full art illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita (the artist behind the original Base Set Charizard), crowned the collector side.

Blaze a Bright Trail with Shining Pokémon! In each region, a handful of Pokémon stand apart as creatures of heroic stories and wild adventures: Zekrom, Latios, Mewtwo-GX, Entei-GX. Others are just whispers and rumors: mysterious Pokémon such as Keldeo, Shining Jirachi, Shining Volcanion—and many more! See and collect these astounding Pokémon of myth and legend with the Pokémon TCG: Shining Legends expansion!

— Official Pokémon TCG: Shining Legends expansion description

Print Versions & Collectors Info

Shining Legends broke the usual rules of distribution. Its booster packs — a generous 11 cards with two guaranteed foils — were never sold in a standalone booster box. The only way to get them was inside a range of collector products.

Those included four Pin Collections (Pikachu, Mewtwo, Zoroark and Marshadow), Raichu-GX and Zoroark-GX special collections, a Shiny Darkrai-GX figure collection, a collector’s chest, mini tins and a mini-portfolio blister. The showpiece was the Shining Legends Super-Premium Collection built around Ho-Oh-GX, which bundled a foil Ho-Oh-GX, an oversized card, a playmat, pins and ten booster packs. As a modern set, there’s no “1st Edition” print.

A few of the Shining Legends booster wrappers — Mewtwo, Mew, Rayquaza and Genesect.

Shining Legends Ho-Oh-GX Super-Premium Collection

The set’s showpiece: the Ho-Oh-GX Shining Legends Super-Premium Collection (click for full size).

Full Set List

All 78 cards in Shining Legends, with card text. Secret rares (#74–78) are listed at the end.

Card Image	No.	Card name	Rarity	Card type
	1/73	Bulbasaur	Common	Grass
	Card text Razor Leaf 30
	2/73	Ivysaur	Common	Grass
	Card text Razor Leaf 30 Toxic Whip 50 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused and Poisoned.
	3/73	Venusaur	Uncommon	Grass
	Card text Ability — Jungle Totem: Each basic Grass Energy attached to your Pokémon provides GrassGrass Energy. You can’t apply more than 1 Jungle Totem Ability at a time. Solar Beam 90
	4/73	Shroomish	Common	Grass
	Card text Absorb 20 — Heal 20 damage from this Pokémon.
	5/73	Breloom	Common	Grass
	Card text Hibernation Spore — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep. Your opponent flips 2 coins instead of 1 between turns. If either of them is tails, that Pokémon is still Asleep. Magnum Punch 80
	6/73	Carnivine	Uncommon	Grass
	Card text Flick Poison — Switch 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon with their Active Pokémon. The new Active Pokémon is now Poisoned. Crunch 30 — Discard an Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
	7/73	Shaymin	Rare Holo	Grass
	Card text Flippity Flap — Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 6 cards. Rally Back 30+ — If any of your Pokémon were Knocked Out by damage from an opponent’s attack during their last turn, this attack does 90 more damage.
	8/73	Virizion	Rare Holo	Grass
	Card text Wrapped in Wind 30 — You may attach a basic Energy card from your hand to this Pokémon. Pike 90 — This attack does 30 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
	9/73	Shining Genesect	Rare Shining	Grass
	Card text Ability — Energy Reload: Once during your turn (before your attack), you may move a Grass Energy from 1 of your other Pokémon to this Pokémon. Gaia Blaster 50+ — This attack does 20 more damage times the amount of Grass Energy attached to this Pokémon.
	10/73	Entei-GX	Rare Holo GX	Fire
	Card text Combustion 50 Fire Fang 100 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned. Brave Burn-GX — This attack does 150 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) (You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.) Pokémon-GX rule: When your Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	11/73	Torkoal	Common	Fire
	Card text High-Pressure Heat 30 — During your next turn, this Pokémon’s High-Pressure Heat attack does 50 more damage (before applying Weakness and Resistance). Flamethrower 90 — Discard an Energy from this Pokémon.
	12/73	Larvesta	Common	Fire
	Card text Flare 30
	13/73	Volcarona	Uncommon	Fire
	Card text Ability — Heat Cyclone: Once during your turn (before your attack), you may have your opponent switch their Active Pokémon with 1 of their Benched Pokémon. Heat Blast 60
	14/73	Reshiram	Rare Holo	Fire
	Card text Outrage 20+ — This attack does 10 more damage for each damage counter on this Pokémon. Scorching Breath 130 — This Pokémon can’t attack during your next turn.
	15/73	Litten	Common	Fire
	Card text Live Coal 20
	16/73	Torracat	Common	Fire
	Card text Swagger — Flip a coin. If heads, discard an Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Fire Claws 30
	17/73	Incineroar	Uncommon	Fire
	Card text Profane Punch 50+ — If your Benched Pokémon have any damage counters on them, this attack does 80 more damage. Flare Blitz 180 — Discard all Fire Energy from this Pokémon.
	18/73	Totodile	Common	Water
	Card text Water Gun 10 Bite 20
	19/73	Croconaw	Common	Water
	Card text Ability — Plunge: Once during your turn (before your attack), if this Pokémon is on your Bench, you may move all Energy from your Active Pokémon to this Pokémon. If you do, switch it with your Active Pokémon. Bite 60
	20/73	Feraligatr	Uncommon	Water
	Card text Crunch 80 — Discard an Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Hydro Splash 130
	21/73	Qwilfish	Common	Water
	Card text Poison Sting — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Poisoned. Shocking Sting 20+ — If your opponent’s Active Pokémon is affected by a Special Condition, this attack does 50 more damage.
	22/73	Buizel	Common	Water
	Card text Razor Fin 10 Water Gun 40
	23/73	Floatzel	Uncommon	Water
	Card text Razor Fin 20 Aqua Bomb 120 — This Pokémon does 30 damage to itself.
	24/73	Palkia	Rare Holo	Water
	Card text Spiral Drain 30 — Heal 30 damage from this Pokémon. Aqua Blade 100
	25/73	Manaphy	Rare Holo	Water
	Card text Ability — Blessings of the Deep: Once during your turn (before your attack), you may heal 20 damage from 1 of your Pokémon that has any Water Energy attached to it. Wave Splash 30
	26/73	Keldeo	Rare Holo	Water
	Card text Bail Out — Put a Water Pokémon from your discard pile into your hand. Resolute Blade 20+ — This attack does 20 more damage for each of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon.
	27/73	Shining Volcanion	Rare Shining	Water
	Card text Dual Pump — This attack does 50 damage to 2 of your opponent’s Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) Quad Smash 50× — Flip 4 coins. This attack does 50 damage for each heads.
	28/73	Pikachu	Common	Lightning
	Card text Iron Tail 20× — Flip a coin until you get tails. This attack does 20 damage for each heads.
	29/73	Raichu-GX	Rare Holo GX	Lightning
	Card text Powerful Spark 20+ — This attack does 20 more damage times the amount of Lightning Energy attached to your Pokémon. Thunder 160 — This Pokémon does 30 damage to itself. Voltail-GX 120 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed. (You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.) Pokémon-GX rule: When your Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	30/73	Voltorb	Common	Lightning
	Card text Electro Ball 10
	31/73	Electrode	Uncommon	Lightning
	Card text Swift 60 — This attack’s damage isn’t affected by Weakness, Resistance, or any other effects on your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
	32/73	Raikou	Rare Holo	Lightning
	Card text Booming Thunder 30 — Attach a Lightning Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. Electric Ball 90
	33/73	Plusle	Common	Lightning
	Card text Tag Team Boost 10+ — If Minun is on your Bench, this attack does 50 more damage.
	34/73	Minun	Common	Lightning
	Card text Collect — Draw a card. Spark 20 — This attack does 20 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
	35/73	Zekrom	Rare Holo	Lightning
	Card text Outrage 20+ — This attack does 10 more damage for each damage counter on this Pokémon. Storm Blade 130 — Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon.
	36/73	Ekans	Common	Psychic
	Card text Poison Sting 10 — Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Poisoned.
	37/73	Arbok	Uncommon	Psychic
	Card text Ability — Intimidating Pattern: As long as this Pokémon is your Active Pokémon, your opponent’s Active Pokémon’s attacks do 30 less damage (before applying Weakness and Resistance). Venomous Fang 70 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Poisoned.
	38/73	Jynx	Common	Psychic
	Card text Whiny Voice — Choose a random card from your opponent’s hand. Your opponent reveals that card and shuffles it into their deck. Feverish Kiss 30 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused.
	39/73	Mewtwo-GX	Rare Holo GX	Psychic
	Card text Full Burst 30× — This attack does 30 damage times the amount of Energy attached to this Pokémon. Super Absorption 60 — Heal 30 damage from this Pokémon. Psystrike-GX 200 — This attack’s damage isn’t affected by any effects on your opponent’s Active Pokémon. (You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.) Pokémon-GX rule: When your Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	40/73	Shining Mew	Rare Shining	Psychic
	Card text Legendary Guidance — Search your deck for up to 2 Energy cards and attach them to your Pokémon in any way you like. Then, shuffle your deck. Beam 10
	41/73	Latios	Rare Holo	Psychic
	Card text Break Through 30 — This attack does 30 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) Lagoon Flight 70
	42/73	Shining Jirachi	Rare Shining	Psychic
	Card text Stellar Reign 10 — If your opponent’s Active Pokémon is an evolved Pokémon, devolve it by putting all of the Evolution cards on it into your opponent’s hand.
	43/73	Golett	Common	Psychic
	Card text Mega Punch 60
	44/73	Golurk	Uncommon	Psychic
	Card text Triple Smash 10+ — Flip 3 coins. This attack does 60 more damage for each heads. Golurk Hammer 120
	45/73	Marshadow	Rare Holo	Psychic
	Card text Ability — Let Loose: When you play this Pokémon from your hand onto your Bench during your turn, you may have each player shuffle their hand into their deck and draw 4 cards. Shadow Punch 30 — This attack’s damage isn’t affected by Resistance.
	46/73	Stunfisk	Common	Fighting
	Card text Thunder Shock 30 — Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed. Head Bolt 70
	47/73	Spiritomb	Uncommon	Darkness
	Card text Ability — Cursed Whirlpool: As long as this Pokémon is your Active Pokémon, your opponent’s Active Pokémon can’t retreat. Cursed Drop — Put 3 damage counters on your opponent’s Pokémon in any way you like.
	48/73	Purrloin	Common	Darkness
	Card text Scratch 10 Tail Rap 20× — Flip 2 coins. This attack does 20 damage for each heads.
	49/73	Liepard	Uncommon	Darkness
	Card text Torment 30 — Choose 1 of your opponent’s Active Pokémon’s attacks. That Pokémon can’t use that attack during your opponent’s next turn. Slash 60
	50/73	Scraggy	Common	Darkness
	Card text Call for Family — Search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck. Headbutt 20
	51/73	Scrafty	Uncommon	Darkness
	Card text Dangerous Head 20+ — If your opponent’s Active Pokémon is a Basic Pokémon, this attack does 50 more damage. Hammer In 90
	52/73	Zorua	Common	Darkness
	Card text Stampede 10 Ram 20
	53/73	Zoroark-GX	Rare Holo GX	Darkness
	Card text Ability — Trade: Once during your turn (before your attack), you may discard a card from your hand. If you do, draw 2 cards. Riotous Beating 20× — This attack does 20 damage for each of your Pokémon in play. Trickster-GX — Choose 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon’s attacks and use it as this attack. (You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.) Pokémon-GX rule: When your Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	54/73	Yveltal	Rare Holo	Darkness
	Card text Strafe 30 — You may switch this Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon. Oblivion Wing 90 — Attach a Darkness Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
	55/73	Hoopa	Rare Holo	Darkness
	Card text Ability — Scoundrel Guard: Prevent all effects of attacks, including damage, done to this Pokémon by your opponent’s Pokémon-GX or Pokémon-EX. Super Psy Bolt 80
	56/73	Shining Rayquaza	Rare Shining	Dragon
	Card text Dragon Pulse 40 — Discard the top 2 cards of your deck. Sky Judgment 190 — Discard 3 Energy from this Pokémon.
	57/73	Shining Arceus	Rare Shining	Colorless
	Card text Ability — Fabled Defense: As long as this Pokémon is your Active Pokémon, prevent all damage done to your Benched Pokémon by your opponent’s attacks. Ultimate Arrow — This attack does 30 damage to each of your opponent’s Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
	58/73	Damage Mover	Uncommon	Item
	Card text Move 3 damage counters from 1 of your Pokémon to another of your Pokémon. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	59/73	Energy Retrieval	Uncommon	Item
	Card text Put 2 basic Energy cards from your discard pile into your hand. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	60/73	Great Ball	Uncommon	Item
	Card text Look at the top 7 cards of your deck. You may reveal a Pokémon you find there and put it into your hand. Shuffle the other cards back into your deck. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	61/73	Hau	Uncommon	Supporter
	Card text Draw 3 cards. You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
	62/73	Lillie	Uncommon	Supporter
	Card text Draw cards until you have 6 cards in your hand. If it’s your first turn, draw cards until you have 8 cards in your hand. You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
	63/73	Pokémon Breeder	Uncommon	Supporter
	Card text Draw 2 cards and heal 20 damage from your Active Pokémon. If you have no cards in your deck, you can’t play this card. You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
	64/73	Pokémon Catcher	Uncommon	Item
	Card text Flip a coin. If heads, switch 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon with their Active Pokémon. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	65/73	Sophocles	Uncommon	Supporter
	Card text Discard 2 cards from your hand. If you do, draw 4 cards. You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
	66/73	Super Scoop Up	Uncommon	Item
	Card text Flip a coin. If heads, put 1 of your Pokémon and all cards attached to it into your hand. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	67/73	Switch	Uncommon	Item
	Card text Switch your Active Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	68/73	Ultra Ball	Uncommon	Item
	Card text Discard 2 cards from your hand. If you do, search your deck for a Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	69/73	Double Colorless Energy	Uncommon	Special Energy
	Card text Double Colorless Energy provides ColorlessColorless Energy.
	70/73	Warp Energy	Uncommon	Special Energy
	Card text This card provides Colorless Energy. When you attach this card from your hand to your Active Pokémon, switch that Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
	71/73	Entei-GX	Rare Ultra	Fire
	Card text Combustion 50 Fire Fang 100 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned. Brave Burn-GX — This attack does 150 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) (You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.) Pokémon-GX rule: When your Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	72/73	Mewtwo-GX	Rare Ultra	Psychic
	Card text Full Burst 30× — This attack does 30 damage times the amount of Energy attached to this Pokémon. Super Absorption 60 — Heal 30 damage from this Pokémon. Psystrike-GX 200 — This attack’s damage isn’t affected by any effects on your opponent’s Active Pokémon. (You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.) Pokémon-GX rule: When your Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	73/73	Pokémon Breeder	Rare Ultra	Supporter
	Card text Draw 2 cards and heal 20 damage from your Active Pokémon. If you have no cards in your deck, you can’t play this card. You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
	74/73	Entei-GX	Rare Rainbow	Fire
	Card text Combustion 50 Fire Fang 100 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned. Brave Burn-GX — This attack does 150 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) (You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.) Pokémon-GX rule: When your Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	75/73	Raichu-GX	Rare Rainbow	Lightning
	Card text Powerful Spark 20+ — This attack does 20 more damage times the amount of Lightning Energy attached to your Pokémon. Thunder 160 — This Pokémon does 30 damage to itself. Voltail-GX 120 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed. (You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.) Pokémon-GX rule: When your Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	76/73	Mewtwo-GX	Rare Rainbow	Psychic
	Card text Full Burst 30× — This attack does 30 damage times the amount of Energy attached to this Pokémon. Super Absorption 60 — Heal 30 damage from this Pokémon. Psystrike-GX 200 — This attack’s damage isn’t affected by any effects on your opponent’s Active Pokémon. (You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.) Pokémon-GX rule: When your Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	77/73	Zoroark-GX	Rare Rainbow	Darkness
	Card text Ability — Trade: Once during your turn (before your attack), you may discard a card from your hand. If you do, draw 2 cards. Riotous Beating 20× — This attack does 20 damage for each of your Pokémon in play. Trickster-GX — Choose 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon’s attacks and use it as this attack. (You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.) Pokémon-GX rule: When your Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	78/73	Mewtwo-GX	Rare Secret	Psychic
	Card text Full Burst 30× — This attack does 30 damage times the amount of Energy attached to this Pokémon. Super Absorption 60 — Heal 30 damage from this Pokémon. Psystrike-GX 200 — This attack’s damage isn’t affected by any effects on your opponent’s Active Pokémon. (You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.) Pokémon-GX rule: When your Pokémon-GX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.

For Collectors: Most Valuable Cards

Mewtwo-GX — #78/73 (Secret Rare)

The crown jewel. Mewtwo-GX headlines Shining Legends in several versions — the Full Art (72/73), the Rainbow Rare (76/73) and, top of the pile, this #78/73 Secret Rare: a striking full-art alternate illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, the artist behind the original Base Set Charizard. It’s the Mewtwo collectors most associate with the set, and a fitting flex for a set built on legends. The artwork is also a loving nod to Pokémon: The First Movie — Mewtwo is shown curled inside a laboratory containment tank, a reference to its origin as a clone grown from Mew’s DNA in Dr. Fuji’s lab.

The Shining Pokémon

Shining Mew (40), Shining Rayquaza (56), Shining Jirachi (42), Shining Genesect (9), Shining Volcanion (27) and Shining Arceus (57) revive a mechanic dormant since 2002. Their scarce pull rates made them the true chase of the set for nostalgic collectors.

Zoroark-GX — #77/73 (Rainbow Rare)

The set’s competitive superstar in textured hyper-rare finish. Desirable on looks alone, doubly so given how dominant the card was on the table.

Most Powerful Cards (Competitive Play)

Zoroark-GX — #53/73

One of the defining cards of the 2017–18 Standard format. Its Trade ability (discard a card, draw two) gave decks absurd consistency, while Riotous Beating scaled cheap damage with your board. It anchored a huge share of the era’s top decks.

Mewtwo-GX — #39/73

A splashable Psychic attacker whose Psychic Infinity scaled with attached Energy; it slotted into several decks as a flexible tech and closer.

Raichu-GX — #29/73

A fast Lightning attacker whose damage grew with Energy spread across your bench, supporting aggressive Lightning builds.

Trivia & Pop Culture

A 15-year revival. “Shining” Pokémon last appeared in the Neo era (Neo Revelation 2001 / Neo Destiny 2002, home of the legendary Shining Charizard). Shining Legends resurrected the concept for the modern game.
Arita’s nostalgia strike. The Mewtwo-GX full art was drawn by Mitsuhiro Arita, illustrator of the original Base Set Charizard — a deliberate wink to the game’s roots.
Built entirely on legends. The whole set is themed around Legendary and Mythical Pokémon; the Japanese title translates literally to “Shining Legend.”
Marshadow’s moment. The Mythical Marshadow was a marquee feature with its own Pin Collection and blister, riding its 2017 movie-era promotion.
No booster box, on purpose. Like a handful of other specials, Shining Legends was never sold as a standard booster box — a quirk that makes sealed product a distinctive collector niche.