Pokemon TCG: Champion’s Path Set

Released (English)	25 September 2020
Released (Japanese)	English-exclusive set
Cards (English)	80 (73 + 7 secret rares)
Cards (Japanese)	—
Series	Sword & Shield (Generation VIII)
Region focus	Galar
Previous expansion	Darkness Ablaze
Following expansion	Vivid Voltage
Associated decks	None (special collection set)
Japanese sets	Compiled from Infinity Zone, Explosive Walker & Legendary Heartbeat

Quick menu: Overview / Set Highlights / Print Versions / Set List / Most Valuable Cards / Most Powerful Cards / Images & Videos

The Champion’s Path expansion is a special Pokémon TCG set released in English on 25 September 2020, sitting between Darkness Ablaze and Vivid Voltage. Themed around the Galar Gym Challenge, its 80 cards (73 in the main set plus 7 secret rares) are wrapped in gym-badge styling and sold through Elite Trainer Boxes, collection boxes and gym Pin tins rather than sealed booster boxes.

It is an English-exclusive set with no single Japanese counterpart — its cards were compiled from several Japanese products, including Infinity Zone, the Explosive Walker and Legendary Heartbeat subsets, and the VMAX Starter Sets. New Pokémon V such as Venusaur V, Lucario V and Incineroar V appear alongside Gigantamax Drednaw VMAX, Gardevoir VMAX and Alcremie VMAX.

Champion’s Path is best known for a single card: the shiny Charizard VMAX (#74), a secret rare that became one of the most sought-after — and most valuable — cards of the entire Sword & Shield era.

Set Highlights: Heart of a Champion

Champion’s Path pairs a run of Gigantamax VMAX Pokémon and new Pokémon V with its legendary shiny Charizard VMAX secret:

Print Versions & Collectors Info

Champion’s Path was never sold as standalone booster boxes — its packs came only inside a range of collector products. The line-up included an Elite Trainer Box, V and VMAX collection boxes, Marnie Premium and Special collections, and a full set of gym-themed Pin Collection tins.

An English-exclusive set. Unlike the numbered main expansions, Champion’s Path has no single Japanese equivalent. Its 80 cards were assembled for the Western market from several Japanese sources — Infinity Zone, the Explosive Walker and Legendary Heartbeat subsets, and the VMAX Starter Sets — making it a compilation rather than a straight localisation.

Four booster artworks were printed — Gardevoir, Galarian Obstagoon, Gigantamax Alcremie and Gigantamax Drednaw:

And the packs were sold inside a wide range of collector products — the Elite Trainer Box, V collection boxes, Marnie Premium and Special collections, and gym Pin Collection tins:

Set List

The full 80-card Champion’s Path set (73 cards in the main set, numbered x/73, plus 7 secret rares numbered 74—80). Each card image is clickable — click to open the full high-resolution version. Each entry also shows the card’s abilities and attacks.

Card Image	No.	Card name	Rarity	Card type
	1/73	Venusaur V
	Card text Pollen Bomb 80 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep and Poisoned. Solar Typhoon 220 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t use Solar Typhoon.
	2/73	Weedle
	Card text Call for Family — Search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.
	3/73	Kakuna
	Card text Bug Bite 30
	4/73	Beedrill
	Card text Poison Jab 80 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Poisoned.
	5/73	Eldegoss V
	Card text Ability — Happy Match: When you play this Pokémon from your hand onto your Bench during your turn, you may put a Supporter card from your discard pile into your hand. Float Up 50 — You may shuffle this Pokémon and all attached cards into your deck.
	6/73	Vulpix
	Card text Gnaw 10 Singe — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned.
	7/73	Victini
	Card text Quick Draw — Draw a card. Combustion 30
	8/73	Incineroar V
	Card text Grand Flame 90 — Attach up to 2 Fire Energy cards from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. Flare Blitzer 220 — This Pokémon also does 30 damage to itself.
	9/73	Sizzlipede
	Card text Bite 10 Combustion 50
	10/73	Centiskorch
	Card text Searing Flame 50 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Burned. Heat Crawler 140
	11/73	Carvanha
	Card text Bite 10
	12/73	Sharpedo
	Card text Aqua Jet 50 — This attack also does 20 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
	13/73	Wailord V
	Card text Draw Up — Attach up to 3 Water Energy cards from your discard pile to this Pokémon. Ocean Waves 120× — Flip 3 coins. This attack does 120 damage for each heads.
	14/73	Drednaw V
	Card text Ability — Solid Shell: This Pokémon takes 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance). Powerful Bite 130 — During your opponent’s next turn, the Defending Pokémon can’t retreat.
	15/73	Drednaw VMAX
	Card text Ability — Solid Shell: This Pokémon takes 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance). G-Max Headbutt 160+ — Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 80 more damage.
	16/73	Gardevoir V
	Card text Magical Shot 30 Swelling Pulse 120+ — If this Pokémon was healed during this turn, this attack does 80 more damage.
	17/73	Gardevoir VMAX
	Card text Max Cure 180 — Heal 50 damage from this Pokémon.
	18/73	Hatenna
	Card text Stampede 10 Magical Shot 30
	19/73	Hattrem
	Card text Beat 20 Super Psy Bolt 40
	20/73	Hatterene
	Card text Ability — Hazard Sensor: If this Pokémon is in the Active Spot and is damaged by an attack from your opponent’s Pokémon (even if this Pokémon is Knocked Out), the Attacking Pokémon is now Confused. Life Sucker 100 — Heal 30 damage from this Pokémon.
	21/73	Galarian Cursola V
	Card text Ability — Gnawing Aura: As long as this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, whenever your opponent attaches an Energy card from their hand to 1 of their Pokémon, put 3 damage counters on that Pokémon. Hollow Missile 60 — Put 3 damage counters on your opponent’s Benched Pokémon in any way you like.
	22/73	Alcremie V
	Card text Sugary Sprinkles — Heal 30 damage from each of your Benched Pokémon. Sweet Splash 100 — If the Defending Pokémon is a Basic Pokémon, it can’t attack during your opponent’s next turn.
	23/73	Alcremie VMAX
	Card text Adornment — For each of your Benched Pokémon, search your deck for a Psychic Energy card and attach it to that Pokémon. Then, shuffle your deck. G-Max Whisk 60× — Discard any amount of Energy from your Pokémon. This attack does 60 damage for each card you discarded in this way.
	24/73	Machop
	Card text Low Kick 10 Steady Punch 20+ — Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 40 more damage.
	25/73	Machoke
	Card text Low Kick 30 Pummel 50+ — Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 70 more damage.
	26/73	Machamp
	Card text Macho Revenge 20× — This attack does 20 damage for each Fighting Pokémon in your discard pile. Dynamite Punch 200 — This Pokémon also does 50 damage to itself.
	27/73	Lucario V
	Card text Aura Sphere 40 — This attack also does 20 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) Beatdown Smash 180 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t use Beatdown Smash.
	28/73	Zygarde
	Card text Bite 30 Power Blast 130 — Discard a Fighting Energy from this Pokémon.
	29/73	Rockruff
	Card text Collect — Draw a card. Bite 20
	30/73	Lycanroc
	Card text Rock Throw 30 Slashing Strike 150 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t use Slashing Strike.
	31/73	Rolycoly
	Card text Ram 10
	32/73	Grapploct V
	Card text Tie Up 20 — If the Defending Pokémon is a Basic Pokémon, it can’t attack during your opponent’s next turn. Moonsault Press 120+ — Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 100 more damage.
	33/73	Ekans
	Card text Ram 10 Tail Snap 30
	34/73	Arbok
	Card text Sharp Fang 30 Tail Snap 70
	35/73	Galarian Zigzagoon
	Card text Pin Missile 10× — Flip 4 coins. This attack does 10 damage for each heads.
	36/73	Galarian Linoone
	Card text Double-Edge 60 — This Pokémon also does 20 damage to itself.
	37/73	Galarian Obstagoon
	Card text Ability — Wicked Ruler: Once during your turn, you may have your opponent discard cards from their hand until they have 4 cards in their hand. Knuckle Impact 180 — During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack.
	38/73	Absol
	Card text Dark Cutter 70
	39/73	Purrloin
	Card text Dig Claws 10 Fake Out 20 — Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
	40/73	Liepard
	Card text Ability — Limber: This Pokémon can’t be Paralyzed. Slashing Claw 90
	41/73	Scraggy
	Card text Stampede 10 Ram 20
	42/73	Scrafty
	Card text Corner 30 — During your opponent’s next turn, the Defending Pokémon can’t retreat. Bad Brawl 90+ — If you played Piers from your hand during this turn, this attack does 90 more damage.
	43/73	Trubbish
	Card text Venoshock 20+ — If your opponent’s Active Pokémon is Poisoned, this attack does 50 more damage.
	44/73	Inkay
	Card text Tackle 10 Attack from Behind 20+ — If your opponent’s Active Pokémon is Confused, this attack does 50 more damage.
	45/73	Malamar
	Card text Eerie Wave 50 — Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused. Random Peck 80+ — Flip 2 coins. This attack does 40 more damage for each heads.
	46/73	Nickit
	Card text Filch — Draw a card. Tail Smack 30
	47/73	Duraludon V
	Card text Ability — Hard Coat: This Pokémon takes 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance). Gatling Slug 10+ — This attack does 40 more damage for each Metal Energy attached to this Pokémon.
	48/73	Swablu
	Card text Peck 20
	49/73	Altaria
	Card text Ability — Miraculous Charm: Prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks from your opponent’s Pokémon V and Pokémon-GX. Speed Dive 60
	50/73	Bede		T
	Card text Attach a basic Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
	51/73	Full Heal		T
	Card text Your Active Pokémon recovers from all Special Conditions.
	52/73	Great Ball		T
	Card text Look at the top 7 cards of your deck. You may reveal a Pokémon you find there and put it into your hand. Shuffle the other cards back into your deck.
	53/73	Hop		T
	Card text Draw 3 cards.
	54/73	Hyper Potion		T
	Card text Heal 120 damage from 1 of your Pokémon that has at least 2 Energy attached. If you healed any damage in this way, discard 2 Energy from it.
	55/73	Kabu		T
	Card text Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 4 cards. If your Active Pokémon is your only Pokémon in play, draw 8 cards instead.
	56/73	Marnie		T
	Card text Each player shuffles their hand and puts it on the bottom of their deck. If either player put any cards on the bottom of their deck in this way, you draw 5 cards, and your opponent draws 4 cards.
	57/73	Milo		T
	Card text Discard up to 2 cards from your hand, and draw 2 cards for each card you discarded in this way.
	58/73	Piers		T
	Card text Search your deck for an Energy card and a Darkness Pokémon, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
	59/73	Poké Ball		T
	Card text Flip a coin. If heads, search your deck for a Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
	60/73	Pokémon Center Lady		T
	Card text Heal 60 damage from 1 of your Pokémon, and it recovers from all Special Conditions.
	61/73	Potion		T
	Card text Heal 30 damage from 1 of your Pokémon.
	62/73	Professor’s Research (Professor Magnolia)		T
	Card text Discard your hand and draw 7 cards.
	63/73	Rotom Bike		T
	Card text Draw cards until you have 6 cards in your hand. Your turn ends.
	64/73	Rotom Phone		T
	Card text Look at the top 5 cards of your deck, choose 1 of them, and shuffle the other cards back into your deck. Then, put the card you chose on top of your deck.
	65/73	Sonia		T
	Card text Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Pokémon or up to 2 basic Energy cards, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
	66/73	Suspicious Food Tin		T
	Card text Heal 80 damage from 1 of your Pokémon that has at least 1 Psychic Energy attached. If you healed any damage in this way, discard a Psychic Energy from it.
	67/73	Team Yell Grunt		T
	Card text Put an Energy attached to 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon into their hand.
	68/73	Turffield Stadium		T
	Card text Once during each player’s turn, that player may search their deck for an Evolution Grass Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into their hand. Then, that player shuffles their deck.
	69/73	Drednaw V
	Card text Ability — Solid Shell: This Pokémon takes 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance). Powerful Bite 130 — During your opponent’s next turn, the Defending Pokémon can’t retreat.
	70/73	Gardevoir V
	Card text Magical Shot 30 Swelling Pulse 120+ — If this Pokémon was healed during this turn, this attack does 80 more damage.
	71/73	Galarian Cursola V
	Card text Ability — Gnawing Aura: As long as this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, whenever your opponent attaches an Energy card from their hand to 1 of their Pokémon, put 3 damage counters on that Pokémon. Hollow Missile 60 — Put 3 damage counters on your opponent’s Benched Pokémon in any way you like.
	72/73	Grapploct V
	Card text Tie Up 20 — If the Defending Pokémon is a Basic Pokémon, it can’t attack during your opponent’s next turn. Moonsault Press 120+ — Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 100 more damage.
	73/73	Hop		T
	Card text Draw 3 cards.
	74/73	Charizard VMAX
	Card text Claw Slash 100 G-Max Wildfire 300 — Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon.
	75/73	Drednaw VMAX
	Card text Ability — Solid Shell: This Pokémon takes 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance). G-Max Headbutt 160+ — Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 80 more damage.
	76/73	Gardevoir VMAX
	Card text Max Cure 180 — Heal 50 damage from this Pokémon.
	77/73	Kabu		T
	Card text Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 4 cards. If your Active Pokémon is your only Pokémon in play, draw 8 cards instead.
	78/73	Piers		T
	Card text Search your deck for an Energy card and a Darkness Pokémon, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
	79/73	Charizard V
	Card text Claw Slash 80 Fire Spin 220 — Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon.
	80/73	Suspicious Food Tin		T
	Card text Heal 80 damage from 1 of your Pokémon that has at least 1 Psychic Energy attached. If you healed any damage in this way, discard a Psychic Energy from it.

For Collectors: Most Valuable Cards

Champion’s Path is a collector’s set through and through, and its shiny Charizard cards are among the most valuable of the era.

Charizard VMAX (shiny secret rare) — #74/73

The crown jewel of the set and one of the most valuable modern Pokémon cards. This shiny Charizard VMAX — originally a Japanese tournament prize — drove enormous demand for Champion’s Path products and remains a grail card for collectors.

Charizard V (shiny secret rare) — #79/73

The shiny Charizard V that partners the famous VMAX. A beautiful secret rare in its own right and a high-value chase card.

Gardevoir VMAX (secret rare) — #76/73

The rainbow-style secret Gardevoir VMAX is one of the set’s most eye-catching pulls beyond the Charizards.

Drednaw VMAX (secret rare) — #75/73

A striking secret-rare Drednaw VMAX, completing the set’s trio of hyper-rare VMAX chase cards.

Gardevoir VMAX — #17/73

Even the standard Gardevoir VMAX holds value — a popular card that saw competitive play and remains a collector favourite.

Most Powerful Cards (Competitive Play)

As a special collector set, Champion’s Path leaned more toward chase cards than tournament staples — but it did reprint several of the era’s most important Trainers and offered one strong VMAX attacker.

Gardevoir VMAX — #17/73

The set’s most competitively relevant Pokémon. G-Max Cuddle hits hard and can leave the opponent’s Active Pokémon in love, and Gardevoir VMAX saw real Standard play in Psychic decks.

Marnie — #56/73

A reprint of the era’s premier disruption Supporter — both players shuffle their hands to the bottom of the deck and draw fresh, hitting the opponent’s setup while refilling your own. Champion’s Path kept this four-of staple in circulation.

Professor’s Research — #62/73

A reprint of the raw draw-7 Supporter (Professor Magnolia). Discard your hand and draw seven — the card-advantage engine behind the aggressive decks of the era.

Drednaw VMAX — #15/73

A budget-friendly Water VMAX attacker with high HP and a hard-hitting G-Max Wave, giving newer players a capable big-basic evolution to build around.

Trivia & Pop Culture

• The grail Charizard. The shiny Charizard VMAX (#74) — originally a Japanese Limited-format tournament prize — is one of the most valuable and recognisable modern Pokémon cards, and the single reason many people chased Champion’s Path.
• An English-exclusive set. Champion’s Path has no direct Japanese counterpart. It was assembled for the Western market from several Japanese products rather than localising one set.
• Gym Challenge theme. The set is built around Galar’s Gyms — its Pin Collections each came with a metal gym badge pin (Turffield, Hulbury, Motostoke, Hammerlocke, Ballonlea, Spikemuth and more).
• No booster boxes. Champion’s Path packs were never sold in sealed booster boxes — only inside Elite Trainer Boxes, collections and Pin tins — which pushed single-pack prices unusually high.
• Marnie mania. The fan-favourite rival Marnie headlined both a Premium Collection and a Special Collection, among the set’s most popular products.
• SWSH3.5. Champion’s Path slots between Darkness Ablaze and Vivid Voltage as a special “half” set in the Sword & Shield series.

Images & Videos

A gallery of Champion’s Path artwork — the four booster packs and the set’s many collector products, from the Elite Trainer Box and V collections to the Marnie premium boxes and gym Pin tins — plus official key art and community opening videos.