Chien-Pao 57/182 Pokémon Paradox Rift

Paradox Rift and the Japanese Ancient Roar and Future Flash feature Paradox Pokémon, which have previously only appeared in the Scarlet & Violet and Obsidian Flames expansions. The set was first previewed on August 11, 2023, when the Canadian Pokémon Center website briefly showed off one of the Elite Trainer Boxes for the set featuring Iron Valiant. More information about the set was revealed during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Pokémon World Championships on August 13, 2023.

Two new variants of cards are introduced in this expansion: Ancient and Future, which are both available as Pokémon and Trainer cards. Both card variants feature unique text icons on the top right corner of the artwork, and unique backgrounds adorning the right half of the cards: Ancient cards have a layered strata background, while Future cards have a pixelated background. Ancient Pokémon cards tend to have direct attacks that deal a large amount of damage, while being difficult to Knock Out. Future Pokémon cards tend to have Abilities and attacks with extra effects, allowing for craftier strategies. Ancient and Future Trainer cards have effects that tend to assist their respective Pokémon counterparts.

Paradox Rift also includes Technical Machine cards, first reintroduced in the Japanese Raging Surf subset after being last seen in the Rising Rivals expansion. Technical Machine cards as of this set are categorized as Pokémon Tool cards.

Paradox Rift includes cards from the Japanese Ancient Roar and Future Flash expansions, the Raging Surf subset, and the Terastal Starter Sets. Paradox Rift contains 13 Pokémon ex, seven Tera Pokémon ex, 34 illustration rare Pokémon, 15 special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, 28 ultra rare full-art etched Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, and seven hyper rare gold etched cards.

There are no Lightning-type or Metal-type Pokémon in Ancient Roar. Likewise, there are no Darkness-type Pokémon in Future Flash.

Paradox Rift is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Ancient Roar and Future Flash were released in Japanese on October 27, 2023, followed by localized releases in Traditional Chinese on November 10, 2023, and in Thai on December 15, 2023. The Indonesian set equivalent, Paradox Encounters, also released on December 15, 2023.