Summary
- The Pokémon TCG expansion will bring back ACE SPEC cards after over a decade, adding powerful mechanics to the game.
- Only one ACE SPEC card is allowed per deck due to their strength, but they can be combined with other cards for powerful moves.
- ACE SPEC cards were previously released for a short time in the Black & White expansions and will now return with new variations in the Temporal Forces set.
Helping to keep the game fresh and ever-evolving, the Pokémon Trading Card Game is frequently adding new game mechanics to the rules for players to equip in their decks. The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Temporal Forces expansion is set to bring back one of these mechanics that has not received new cards for over a decade. Trainer and Item cards classified as ACE SPEC are so powerful that there is a restriction on Trainers to only have one of these bright magenta cards in their deck, regardless of what type of ACE SPEC is held.
The return of ACE SPEC cards was announced during the 2023 Pokémon World Championships, and are going to be reintroduced with the Temporal Forces expansion coming on March 22, 2024. Some of the ACE SPEC cards will be reprints of the classic cards from a decade ago, while others will be completely new and modernized to fit with the new dynamic of the game. These cards will come alongside new Ancient and Future Pokémon and Trainer cards and more of the beautiful and unique type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex cards.
Pokémon TCG Temporal Forces - Release Date, New Cards, & Special Sets
An exciting new Pokémon TCG: Temporal Forces expansion is coming soon and will add a new dynamic, powerful cards, and more to the game.
What ACE SPEC Means In ThePokémon TCG
Only Available As Trainer & Special Energy Cards
For most cards in the Pokémon TCG, players are allowed up to four of any card of the same name in a deck. ACE SPEC cards, however, are much stronger than average, and, as such, there is a limit to only one ACE SPEC card per deck. Even if it is a different ACE SPEC card, only one ACE SPEC card overall is allowed. The high visibility of its vibrant magenta card design and large ACE SPEC label on the sides of the cards make them easy to spot to avoid accidentally including more than one.
While only one ACE SPEC card is allowed in a deck, with the right strategy, these can be paired with other Items or characters to create massively powered moves.
This limitation may appear a bit harsh at first glance, particularly when Trainers are eager to use the new mechanics being added to the TCG with Temporal Forces ACE SPEC cards. Each unique style of ACE SPEC is so effective and can be used in such powerful strategies, that the drawback of only allowing one per deck quickly becomes reasonable. These epic Trainer/Item cards are specifically designed to provide a huge advantage in a game, and when brought to the table can quickly turn the tide of battle.
Pokémon TCG: Everything In The Temporal Forces Elite Trainer Box
Pokémon Trainers can look forward to the new Elite Trainer Boxes for the Pokémon TCG: Temporal Forces set with lots of fun goodies inside.
Pokémon TCG: Temporal Forces ACE SPEC Cards
Every ACE SPEC Card Revealed So Far
At the time of writing, only two of the seven announced ACE SPEC Trainer and Special Energy cards have been revealed in English. As it gets closer it gets to the release of Pokémon TCG: Temporal Forces, more cards included in the set will be shown off to the eager community. The Pokémon Company did specifically announce there would be at least seven such cards, and with information gained from the Japanese releases, it is possible to have a pretty good idea regarding what six of them are.
ACE SPEC Card Name |
Known Information |
|---|---|
Master Ball |
Search your deck for a Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck. |
Prime Catcher |
Switch in one of your opponent's Benched Pokémon to the Active Spot. If you do, switch your Active Pokémon with one of your Benched Pokémon. |
Neo Upper Energy |
Revealed In Japanese Only |
Hero's Cape |
Revealed In Japanese Only |
Drum Of Awakening |
Revealed In Japanese Only |
Reboot Bot |
Revealed In Japanese Only |
Unknown Seventh Card |
N/A |
The Master Ball ACE SPEC card is a direct reprint from the Black & White: Plasma Blast set card of the same name. Naturally, there are many other cards in the Pokémon TCG that have similar features to this, allowing a Trainer to get a Pokémon out of their deck. All non-ACE SPEC varieties, however, come with drawbacks and limitations built into them, such as only allowing players to look at the top seven cards of their deck or only getting a certain type of Pokémon.
Meanwhile, the Prime Catcher is a new ACE SPEC card that seems to combine both the Pokémon Catcher and Counter Catcher cards. Used at the right time, this card could not only prevent the opponent's plans from being able to follow through but also quickly set up an easy attack. It can be the ultimate defensive clutch-move, or provide a surprise offensive attack on an unsuspecting foe.
The History Of ACE SPEC
Previously Only Seen In Pokémon TCG: Black & White Expansions
ACE SPEC cards were only released in the Pokémon TCG during a short year-long window over a decade ago, with only 13 types ever being available in English. They first appeared in the Black & White: Boundaries Crossed expansion in November 2012, and then the last time they were released was in the Black & White: Plasma Blast set in August 2013. Five of the original 13 ACE SPEC cards during that era were only usable on specific Pokémon but would give that Pokémon a new attack or ability.
As more information about ACE SPEC cards comes to light, it will be interesting to see if any of the new varieties are also limited to only working on one particular Pokémon. Hopefully, the returning mechanic will make a longer stay than it previously did, as it would be fun to see how much more could be accomplished with a larger variety of ACE SPEC cards. For now, at least seven of these powerful Items will be included in the Pokémon TCG: Temporal Forces set, which will launch in March 2024.
