Pokemon Trading Card Game: Platinum :: Review

Reviewed by Noa G. on Feb 15, 2009

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Prepare to face challenges that no Pokemon Trainer has ever before encountered!

Prepare to face challenges that no Pokemon Trainer has ever before encountered!

On February 11, 2009, Pokemon USA, Inc. released the all-new Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG): Platinum, featuring 130 cards.

Pokemon TCG: Platinum introduces you to Shaymin (look below for description) and the new form of the Renegade Pokemon Giratina-Origin Forme. Also, Platinum contains six new Pokemon LV.X, including Giratina and Shaymin, and three Shiny Pokemon, which are only available as parallel foil cards.

The first step in the next Pokemon TCG adventure, Platinum features theme decks for beginner and intermediate players and booster packs for collectors and players. The theme decks come in two 60-card theme decks - Rebellion and Flourish - and feature a cool holograph package.

Shaymin Pokemon

Shaymin is a Grass-type Legendary Pokemon. In February 2008 it was listed as a star of Giratina and the Sky Warrior. Then in June its Sky Forme was revealed, which takes on the Flying-type as a secondary type.

Shaymin is a small, hedgehog-like creature. Its body is pure white. Its back is covered with green fur and it has a pink flower on each side of its head. Its legs are short and its underside is plump. Shaymin is the smallest legendary Pokemon to date. It is also among the smallest Pokemon in existence.

Shaymin has two forms. The first (Land Forme) is the original form seen in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Versions. The second is the Sky Forme which debuted in Giratina and the Sky Warrior. Shaymin will change into Sky Forme and back if it touches a Gracidea. Shaymin can't be in this form at night or if it's Frozen. Shaymin's Sky Forme has a canine-like appearance. It has a small, slender body. The fur on its back turns into a mohawk; it has a red flower petal on the right side of its neck, looking like a scarf or cape, and flat wing-like ears. It has a small ruff on the front of its neck and a stumpy tail.

Shaymin has the ability to instantly purify any ruined land of all pollutants in the air and transform it into a lush field of flowers. It can take in polluted air, purify it inside its body, break it down into water and light, and release the purified substance in a violent, explosive burst. This ability is known as Seed Flare, its signature move. Its power varies on the type of pollution is absorbed. Shaymin can communicate with telepathy.

Shaymin has a habitual trait called "Flower Bearing." Each season, many Shaymin gather in a flower field somewhere and migrate from there. This behavior is called Flower Carrying because a new field of flowers grows where they land. Their personalities are almost opposite with each form: Land Forme is shy and easily scared, while Sky Forme is courageous and playful.

Shaymin lives in fields of flowers. Since a Shaymin camouflages by curling itself up, it can easily escape people's notice.

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