The Sky Forme of Shaymin (Platinum, 15/127) enters the battle with 80 Hit Points and two attacks. Shaymin's Growth attack allows you to attach a Grass Energy card from your hand to Shaymin. It doesn't inflict any damage, but it also doesn't require any Energy to execute. Attach 2 Energy cards of any type to Shaymin, and it can perform Air Slash to deliver a quick 40 damage. You'll have to flip a coin after the attack is complete, and if you get tails, discard an Energy attached to Shaymin. But this isn't so bad, since you can just replace the Energy on the next turn. This newly discovered Pokémon is a welcome addition to the Pokémon Trading Card Game!

The Gratitude Pokémon Shaymin (Platinum, 14/127) premiers in the Pokémon TCG with 2 fantastic attacks. Don't let its cute demeanor fool you—this Grass-type Pokémon plays for keeps! Shaymin's Flower Aroma attack delivers only 10 damage, but it causes the Defending Pokémon to be Asleep—no coin flip required. It also removes 2 damage counters from Shaymin, which is important since it has a relatively low 70 Hit Points. Its Damage Aid attack has the ability to hit the Defending Pokémon for 80 damage, and it requires only 2 Energy to execute. The attack lands for an immediate 30, and if the Defending Pokémon is affected by a Special Condition (which it could be, thanks to Flower Aroma), the attack does 30 damage plus 50 more damage. Special Conditions are then removed from the Defending Pokémon, unless of course it is already Knocked Out!

Finalized Lucario Card - Available at Pokemon Centers Starting January 17th

Appearing in the Pokémon TCG for the first time in its Origin Forme, Giratina (Platinum, 10/127) is a hefty Basic Pokémon with 100 Hit Points and 3 attacks. For 2 Colorless Energy, Giratina's Over Slash attack does 10 damage to each of your opponent's Pokémon. This is a great way to spread around damage, allowing you to pick off a Pokémon seeking refuge on the Bench. Dark Wing Flaps does 20 damage, and then allows you to choose a card from your opponent's hand without looking. Once you've checked to see what card it is, your opponent must then shuffle that card into his or her deck. The damage from Dark Wing Flaps isn't massive, but if you pick the right card, you can disrupt your opponent's game plan. If you need to pack a bigger punch, Giratina's Wrack Down attack does 60 damage—no strings attached!

http://go-pokemon.com/tcg/cards/featured/pl1/

Pokémon TCG: Platinum introduces new Pokémon owned by members of the sinister Team Galactic. While Honchkrow is normally a Stage 1 Pokémon, Honchkrow [G] (Platinum, 77/127), owned by Cyrus, enters the game as a Basic Pokémon. For no Energy, the Honcho's Command attack allows you to search your deck for up to 2 Stadium cards or Trainer cards that has Team Galactic's Invention in its name. This is a great way to fill out your hand with some cool new cards—stay tuned to Go-Pokemon.com for more information on what Team Galactic's Invention cards can do. Honchkrow [G]'s Target Attack allows you to put 2 damage counters on 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon. If that Pokémon already has any damage counters on it, the attack does 20 damage plus 20 more damage. Honchkrow [G] proves that Team Galactic enters the battle with some tough new Pokémon in its collection!

So, my boyfriend and I just picked up about $500 of TFG merchandise from the local hobby store for $150.

Is this awesome, Y/N?

From Pokemon Sunday 217

Platinum set logo

TCG Checklist