Pokémon V (TCG)

Also debuting in the Sword & Shield expansion were Pokémon VMAX, which represent the Dynamax, Gigantamax, and Eternamax mechanics of Pokémon Sword and Shield in the TCG. These cards are identified by a graphic on the card name. Pokémon VMAX evolve from its respective Pokémon V and feature boosted Hit Points (among the highest on legally playable cards) and more powerful attacks. When a VMAX Pokémon is Knocked Out, the opponent takes three Prize cards instead of one. Pokémon VMAX are still considered Pokémon V when interacting with certain card effects.

While keeping the same layout of Pokémon V, Pokémon VMAX cards often have a multi-colored background and multi-colored tinges to the graphics around it. While not officially labeled as Full Art cards, the artwork covers the entire card and all are printed with an embossed pattern. Pokémon VMAX included in main expansions and subsets are typically accompanied by Secret Rainbow Rare (Hyper Rare in Japan) prints that utilize the same artwork. Select Pokémon VMAX also began to receive Special Full Art prints from the Battle Styles expansion.

Introduced in the Sword & Shield Series as SWSH Black Star Promotional cards, Pokémon V-UNION are a new variant of Pokémon V. These cards are identified by a graphic on the card name, and consist of four cards with the same name. Pokémon V-UNION can only be played once per game, by assembling the four different cards from the discard pile into the Bench as a single Pokémon with all attacks and other attributes of each part, as well counting as a separate evolutionary stage. When a V-UNION Pokémon is Knocked Out, the opponent takes three Prize cards instead of one. Pokémon V-UNION are still considered Pokémon V when interacting with certain card effects, and all also feature the Union Gain attack.

While keeping the same layout of Pokémon V, Pokémon V-UNION cards split their artwork and some attributes across each part; because of this, all attributes except card type, name, Pokémon type and stage (which are included in each part) do not exist while the Pokémon isn't in play for effects such as card search. While not officially labeled as Full Art cards, the artwork covers the entire card in the same fashion as Pokémon VMAX cards, although only the collective border of the card is embossed to look like shattered stone.

The fourth variant of Pokémon V is the Pokémon VSTAR, which debuted in the Brilliant Stars expanion. These cards are identified by a graphic on the card name. Pokémon VSTAR evolve from its respective Pokémon V and feature increased Hit Points and more powerful attacks, as well as an exclusive mechanic called VSTAR Power that can be either a powerful attack or Ability, but the player is limited to using one VSTAR Power per game. When a Pokémon VSTAR is Knocked Out, the opponent takes two Prize cards instead of one. Pokémon VSTAR are still considered Pokémon V when interacting with certain card effects.