Four heavyweight cards have just been revealed from the upcoming 30th Celebration set, and they bring some serious nostalgia with them. Kyogre, Groudon, Zacian, and Zamazenta all feature as Basic Pokemon with chunky stats and flavourful attacks. According to reports, the set’s products will begin releasing worldwide on 16 September 2026.
The Hoenn Heavyweights Return
Kyogre arrives as a Water-type Basic with 140 HP and a single attack, Hydro Pump, which costs four Colourless Energy. The base damage sits at 60, but it scales up by 30 for each Water Energy attached, meaning a fully loaded Kyogre can hit some genuinely impressive numbers. That flexible Colourless cost opens the door for acceleration from cards like Irida or various Water-type support engines that can pile Energy on quickly. Lightning Weakness and a hefty retreat cost of four are the trade-offs, so you will want switching options on hand.
Groudon matches its legendary rival with 140 HP as a Fighting-type Basic, but takes a very different approach. Break Ground demands five Fighting Energy and delivers a thumping 250 damage, though it also deals 20 damage to each of your own Benched Pokemon. That self-damage is a real consideration in a format where bench management matters, but 250 from a single-prize Basic is no joke. Grass Weakness and a retreat cost of four keep it in line, but the raw power here is hard to ignore.
Galar’s Sword and Shield
Zacian checks in as a Metal-type Basic with 130 HP and two attacks. Hardened Blade costs a single Metal Energy for a base of 20, climbing to 60 if Zacian has a Pokemon Tool attached. That pairs naturally with cards like Defiance Band or any future Tool support in the 30th Celebration set itself. Its second attack, Slashing Strike, deals 120 for two Metal and one Colourless but locks itself out on the following turn, a classic tempo restriction. Fire Weakness and Grass Resistance round out a tidy card with genuine utility.
Zamazenta mirrors Zacian’s typing and HP but leans into a defensive identity. Fend Off costs one Metal Energy, deals 20 damage, and strips all Pokemon Tools from the opponent’s Active Pokemon before doing damage. That preemptive Tool removal could be surprisingly disruptive against decks relying on damage-boosting or utility Tools. Shield Press, at two Metal and one Colourless, hits for 100 and reduces incoming damage by 50 on the opponent’s next turn. With Fire Weakness, Grass Resistance, and a comfortable retreat cost of two, Zamazenta looks built to stall and frustrate.
All four cards lean into the celebration theme by spotlighting iconic legendaries as accessible, single-prize Basics. Whether any of them carve out competitive niches will depend on the wider set and what support tools arrive alongside them, but the designs feel right for a set marking 30 years of Pokemon. Keep an eye out as more reveals drop ahead of the 16 September release.
FAQ
What does Groudon's Break Ground attack do in the 30th Celebration set?
Break Ground costs five Fighting Energy and deals 250 damage, but also does 20 damage to each of your own Benched Pokemon. Weakness and Resistance are not applied to Benched Pokemon.
What are Zacian and Zamazenta's weaknesses in 30th Celebration?
Both Zacian and Zamazenta are Metal-type Basics with Fire Weakness (x2) and Grass Resistance (-30).
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