A deeper look into the mysterious stories and worlds hidden within the Pokemon TCG. Enjoy! Follow me on Twitter for reposts of Pokemon fan art I find: / deltaseekeryt Sources: pastebin.com/q...
Dang those aqua/magma grunts giving comments are cool, I wish unique dex entries were more common. Couple other cool things to add: -Around the celebrations expansion there were promo cards that called back to past card archetypes, including a delta Mimikyu. -There have been unique characters introduced in Temporal Forces, the supporters Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking and Explorer's Guidance.
This video is sooooo awesome I am so happy to hear someone finally talk about how epic the “Break” era is. I enjoyed this video so much. Really really amazing work. Well done
A truly fantastic video. I loved this walk through the history of the TCG. Thank you for putting this together. Mad respect for the amount of work this must’ve taken.
Also worth mentioning with Plasma Blast, that there is Elite Four Pokemon that show up in their rooms (Houndoom, Reuniclus, Golurk, Machamp) and Iris Pokemon as well as some Elite Four Pokemon are featured fighting back against Team Plasma and most have an orange glow (Aggron, Lapras, Musharna, Drifblim, Archeops, Sigilyph, Druddigon, and Haxorus)
I also think its a bit unfair to write off Sun & Moon as having no lore. Ultra Prism is a set based around the Sinnoh Region, and many cards feature Ultra Wormholes despite being in Sinnoh, implying some sort of crisis (Murkrow UPR, Manaphy UPR, Bastiodon UPR, Luxray UPR. Maybe something to correct in the next video
Delta species are probably my favorite concept because that was around the time i got into the series. Would love if they brought them back either in the cards or games and anime
I really enjoyed this sort of historic stroll of the tcg while following themes and storytelling motifs. It really makes you appreciate the card art and nuance that fills the TCG. Very well done vid!
I loved Holon as a kid. I think the lack of clarity makes it more fun. Legend Maker being inserted...did not help with that, but even just the facts as they are is fun. One thing I always noted - Castform, along with the Voltorb and Magnemite lines, are stated or implied to be artificial which definitley opens up some possibilites. My thought is that perhaps the Holon's variants of them are an attempt of imbuing the type-changing energy of Delta species in a more direct way. The unevolved pokemon can share this energy, but only weakly (1 colorless energy), while the fully evolved ones pull energy away from the ones they're helping, but can provide whatever they need (Double Rainbow, but have to return an energy first). Interesting... ...Of course, the rainbows could be a way of allowing more metal costs to be printed, especially in the first set, since we were limited to 4 metal (special) at the time, and giving something to Metal and not Dark could be unusual for a 4-set series. Who knows. EDIT: I SHOULD'VE WAITED FOR THE DUMP AReact Energy could be related, maybe though. I always thought that mechanic was wierd...Maybe the unevolved Holon's Pokemon were more related to that? =Y
Fantasic video! The Holon region was the setting for a number of fanfics I'd written years ago, and the mystery surrounding it and the hidden lore of gen 3's TCG holds a special place in my heart. There's a special magic to the older artstyles native to that period in pokemons history, and the desire to explore those hidden secrets. It was a blast to relive that feeling. Great job! Can't wait for the next one.
I would like to say, I think Chilling Reign is an example of a set that at the very least has a thematic tie, it's highly associated with winter, and a significant chunk of cards are devoted to showing Pokemon in the wintery enviroment: kind of funny for a summer set! I also think the SwSh era was pretty fun for the way it handled its Dynamax pokemon, and offers a point of diversion like the Plasma sets-Dynamax pokemon are not merely projections made from Galar particles, but physical creatures who can interact with their enviroments and exist outside of battle states, like a bizarre phenomenon that other people and pokemon experience with awe.
Yeah, but Chilling Reign and Battle Styles are moreso tie-in with the SWSH DLC. Fusion Strike was more in line with being the lore set of the series, but as the main gimmick was focused on the "battle styles" it's mostly an extended tie-in with the first DLC and Legends:Arceus to an extent.
Awesome video! So great to see this so well researched :D I'm really glad you found the internet archive lore article from Holon Research Tower! It makes me want to comb through my digital & physical collection trying to find more info!
Relic Hunter from Skyridge is actually based on a character named Yurika from Himeno's How I Became a Pokemon Card Manga. There are a lot of expansive lore connections between the cards and that manga if you ever seek to do a part two deep dive.
You did a fantastic job with this video, especially with setting the record straight on the Holon lore. Now, I'm hoping for a future sequel set that explores the mysterious island floating over the Holon region. Maybe one day.
This is why we love Pokémon. The Legends Arceus sets really stand out in the modern era. Paradigm Trigger being some lost island is really cool. Hope to see Pokemon invest more into these little details. Great video and very informative!
REALLY cool video! Finally, someone who cares about the same thing I care about in the pokemon tcg! I really enjoy seeing the pokemon's world through all the connected cards, it really instills a sense of wonder, and I wish they did it more! You're right, they do game locations some more now, but I would love more original locations, characters, and objects in the tcg! I'm a bit excited for the upcoming Kitakami set, Twilight Masquerade!
As a Pokémon fan who doesn't care at all about the TCG, you more than earned my sub. This is a really interesting deep dive into a fascinating aspect of the franchise and its history I never knew about.
i really hope that one of the inevitable upcoming Legends games dips into the TCG lore. i’d love a Legends: Mew or Legends: Deoxys that expands upon the Holon region
As a player that retired after Black and White I totally agree with the sentiment of fascination brought by the unique regions in the tcg The way merely looking at the cards and trying to figure what's happening in this expansion specifically since the aesthetics had a theme and how after B&W most of the charm disappeared However I am pleasantly surprised by that last XY gen plotline, objectively speaking it's exposition is way more heavy handed so I can't help but prefer good old Holon and Aquapolis but it's something
The Sandstorm EX cards are from the cancelled wizards of the coast set "Jamboree". When the WOTC lost the rights to distribute cards in america, a lot of the cards from the set were taken and used for Sandstorm EX.This explains why these cards were exclusive to the usa right away, as well as many cards from the set have wording more akin to magic the gathering cards.
The lore dump mentioning "power spots" is interesting, considering that that's a name used specifically in gen 8, and is Stonjourner's signature ability lmao
As a kid I used to think Crystal Guardians was based on the Lucario movie, which was out around the same time and also featured large crystals. I had even seen photos of japanese Lucario cards and thought they were in the set somewhere.
One thing I think is part of the Pokemon tcg lore is that trainers send out all 6 at once and the benched pokemon stand behind the battlefield. It would explain why you can attack benched pokemon with attacks, heavy Pokemon are harder to retreat, and there are cards that let you manipulate the placement of Pokemon. The most tell-tale sign comes in the first and third artworks of Pokemon reversal, which very clearly show the benched pokemon waiting in the wings during a stadium battle. That said, several versions of "switch" depict pokeballs, so it's debatable. We haven't seen a benched pokemon in card artwork in over a decade, so take that as you will. Another difference is that evolution seems to be a temporary thing, since there are items and attacks that can reverse it. Once again, this is debatable since SP, V, EX, and Radiant Pokemon start out in their evolved forms.
This video is masterpiece! Really dig vibe of e reader series, it has been little bit of black sheep in tcg community because of card layout but its so great!
the energies are lore too. in pokemon, the elemental types have a lot of terrain for the lore and the fact detached elemental energy exists isn't irrelevant, considering it exists in the videogame lore too but is produced directly by the pokemon
As someone who semi-frequently edits Bulbapedia, sorry the information on the Holon region is so inaccurate. I'll try to fix it if it hasn't been already.
Holon is deeply intwined with deoxys. The triangles, mutated dna, and the fact that in ORAS, the event in which you catch deoxys is called the DELTA episode. Idk. Probably alot more to it
Man, the Break series feels like somwthing I'd expect from Shin Megami Tensei. That kind of "two worlds collide, pick your side" type deal is right up their alley. I'd loved if we got a single player focused card game based on that city. Would even give Nintendo an actual excuse to do the two versions thing, as you could have it so the version you pick dictates which city you start in.
Great video! Pokemon has to have some sort of loose cross "canon" across its various forms of media lol. Power Spots, like in Gala.. Maybe after Eternatuas was defeated its leftover particles scattered in Holon, like they did in galar, which led to their power spots. Holon Crytals and terastallization phenomenon(maybe terastallization is temporay because its farther from Holon?) Lost Zone being an in-between area or even Ultra Space itself.
So Imposter Oak shows up in the manga, and I think the chapter he shows up in came out in early to mid 1998 (cant quite pin down what month) Between that and the card game and Pokemon 2 getting delayed its fun to see how two Pokemon mediums both had the idea to cameo evil professor oak and didnt have anywhere to go with it but knew not to make a huge deal out it because it seems unclear where the game may be going with the idea
49:46 what about the radiant/pokekyun collection? :( the unique blurbs replacing the dex entries were my favorite part aside from the unique holofoil prints
From those 4 sets which had the most mystrious theme, could you do a top 10 cards from each set that show/resemble the theme? If there aren't 10, do 5 for each one.
Dang, I knew pokemon TCG was intricate, but I didn't know it's had so much unique lore! wild. Also, can't help but laugh at how this video open's by singing the praises for Magic, a game whose current lore is... "What if we put everyone in cowboy hat?"
the best lore we have in scarlet and violet are just better call saul references, look no further than at the "Chuck" attack, randomly referencing Chuck McGill on the Garbador art rare. its sad, really.
Wouldn't you say that Paradigm Trigger is its own little world with lore?? Between Stonjourner, Stunfisk, Claydol, the Regis, Lugia, Arcehops, Armaldo, etc...
39:34 These cards are the battle frontier from hgss. You can tell by the flags. Why the Pokemon are battling in the middle of the street is anyone's guess
fr they could make paradox sets after they sorted out teal mask within the ancient and future timelines, or show early stages of area zero where sada and turo were still working together
The fact that Holon lore was never brought back when terastalized pokemon were introduced was such a missed opportunity
The fact the Level X didn't come back for megas and dynamax seemed like a miss too.
Especially considering the crystal theme.
I definitely think that the Tower in legends z-a will be Holon tower.
@@CrocodileRay I hope so
This is what makes Pokemon so interesting. You can be 15 years removed from when these cards were released and still discover new things about them.
Dad came back from the store with the milk
The MooMoo Milk😅
i said the same thing when Matthias (dope or nope) came back
@@shikabaneconga haha XD
But I'm lactose intolerant :(
No
@@ChicaneryBearcould you just try tolerating it? For miltank? Pleaaaaaase 🙏😂
Dang those aqua/magma grunts giving comments are cool, I wish unique dex entries were more common.
Couple other cool things to add:
-Around the celebrations expansion there were promo cards that called back to past card archetypes, including a delta Mimikyu.
-There have been unique characters introduced in Temporal Forces, the supporters Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking and Explorer's Guidance.
Cipher Maniac my beloved
This video is sooooo awesome I am so happy to hear someone finally talk about how epic the “Break” era is. I enjoyed this video so much. Really really amazing work. Well done
Really looking forward to part 2
100% the non game, mysterious setting places not depicted in wider content is way more appealing. This video rocks.
A truly fantastic video. I loved this walk through the history of the TCG. Thank you for putting this together. Mad respect for the amount of work this must’ve taken.
I always thought even Yu-Gi-Oh cards had more lore, but I never expected something like this.
Also worth mentioning with Plasma Blast, that there is Elite Four Pokemon that show up in their rooms (Houndoom, Reuniclus, Golurk, Machamp) and Iris Pokemon as well as some Elite Four Pokemon are featured fighting back against Team Plasma and most have an orange glow (Aggron, Lapras, Musharna, Drifblim, Archeops, Sigilyph, Druddigon, and Haxorus)
No idea what the orange glow implies other than that its opposite of Blue
I also think its a bit unfair to write off Sun & Moon as having no lore. Ultra Prism is a set based around the Sinnoh Region, and many cards feature Ultra Wormholes despite being in Sinnoh, implying some sort of crisis (Murkrow UPR, Manaphy UPR, Bastiodon UPR, Luxray UPR. Maybe something to correct in the next video
Immediately clicked when I recognized the card art
Well well look who's back
Delta species are probably my favorite concept because that was around the time i got into the series. Would love if they brought them back either in the cards or games and anime
I really enjoyed this sort of historic stroll of the tcg while following themes and storytelling motifs. It really makes you appreciate the card art and nuance that fills the TCG. Very well done vid!
I loved Holon as a kid. I think the lack of clarity makes it more fun. Legend Maker being inserted...did not help with that, but even just the facts as they are is fun.
One thing I always noted - Castform, along with the Voltorb and Magnemite lines, are stated or implied to be artificial which definitley opens up some possibilites. My thought is that perhaps the Holon's variants of them are an attempt of imbuing the type-changing energy of Delta species in a more direct way. The unevolved pokemon can share this energy, but only weakly (1 colorless energy), while the fully evolved ones pull energy away from the ones they're helping, but can provide whatever they need (Double Rainbow, but have to return an energy first). Interesting...
...Of course, the rainbows could be a way of allowing more metal costs to be printed, especially in the first set, since we were limited to 4 metal (special) at the time, and giving something to Metal and not Dark could be unusual for a 4-set series. Who knows.
EDIT: I SHOULD'VE WAITED FOR THE DUMP AReact Energy could be related, maybe though. I always thought that mechanic was wierd...Maybe the unevolved Holon's Pokemon were more related to that? =Y
This was a very interesting peek in to a side of the franchise I don’t interact with very often, thanks for making this.
Fantasic video! The Holon region was the setting for a number of fanfics I'd written years ago, and the mystery surrounding it and the hidden lore of gen 3's TCG holds a special place in my heart. There's a special magic to the older artstyles native to that period in pokemons history, and the desire to explore those hidden secrets. It was a blast to relive that feeling. Great job! Can't wait for the next one.
I would like to say, I think Chilling Reign is an example of a set that at the very least has a thematic tie, it's highly associated with winter, and a significant chunk of cards are devoted to showing Pokemon in the wintery enviroment: kind of funny for a summer set! I also think the SwSh era was pretty fun for the way it handled its Dynamax pokemon, and offers a point of diversion like the Plasma sets-Dynamax pokemon are not merely projections made from Galar particles, but physical creatures who can interact with their enviroments and exist outside of battle states, like a bizarre phenomenon that other people and pokemon experience with awe.
Yeah, but Chilling Reign and Battle Styles are moreso tie-in with the SWSH DLC. Fusion Strike was more in line with being the lore set of the series, but as the main gimmick was focused on the "battle styles" it's mostly an extended tie-in with the first DLC and Legends:Arceus to an extent.
This channel is really high quality. Dont give up on it! You got it!
Dude this series is amazing! The lore is spot on and you go into so much depth!
Awesome video, I love the cool and unique art we get from the TCG, so hearing the lore of them is fantastic.
The smile on my face when I saw Holon Lake
Awesome video! So great to see this so well researched :D I'm really glad you found the internet archive lore article from Holon Research Tower! It makes me want to comb through my digital & physical collection trying to find more info!
Relic Hunter from Skyridge is actually based on a character named Yurika from Himeno's How I Became a Pokemon Card Manga. There are a lot of expansive lore connections between the cards and that manga if you ever seek to do a part two deep dive.
You did a fantastic job with this video, especially with setting the record straight on the Holon lore. Now, I'm hoping for a future sequel set that explores the mysterious island floating over the Holon region. Maybe one day.
This is why we love Pokémon. The Legends Arceus sets really stand out in the modern era. Paradigm Trigger being some lost island is really cool. Hope to see Pokemon invest more into these little details. Great video and very informative!
REALLY cool video! Finally, someone who cares about the same thing I care about in the pokemon tcg! I really enjoy seeing the pokemon's world through all the connected cards, it really instills a sense of wonder, and I wish they did it more! You're right, they do game locations some more now, but I would love more original locations, characters, and objects in the tcg! I'm a bit excited for the upcoming Kitakami set, Twilight Masquerade!
As a Pokémon fan who doesn't care at all about the TCG, you more than earned my sub. This is a really interesting deep dive into a fascinating aspect of the franchise and its history I never knew about.
good to see you back!
LET'S GO SO EXCITED 🔥
i really hope that one of the inevitable upcoming Legends games dips into the TCG lore. i’d love a Legends: Mew or Legends: Deoxys that expands upon the Holon region
Fantastic video subject as always, one of my favorite yt channel ❤
This was an absolutely fantastic video with great background and lore to the whole pokemong tcg. Thank you!
As a player that retired after Black and White I totally agree with the sentiment of fascination brought by the unique regions in the tcg
The way merely looking at the cards and trying to figure what's happening in this expansion specifically since the aesthetics had a theme and how after B&W most of the charm disappeared
However I am pleasantly surprised by that last XY gen plotline, objectively speaking it's exposition is way more heavy handed so I can't help but prefer good old Holon and Aquapolis but it's something
wait this video is fire how do u only have 16k rn, see you at 100k ur like that
Great video! I never knew Pokémon cards has their own lore! It was enthralling listening to you talking about it 💜
The Sandstorm EX cards are from the cancelled wizards of the coast set "Jamboree". When the WOTC lost the rights to distribute cards in america, a lot of the cards from the set were taken and used for Sandstorm EX.This explains why these cards were exclusive to the usa right away, as well as many cards from the set have wording more akin to magic the gathering cards.
This is not true lol
@@DeltaSeeker ua-cam.com/video/HC1e0e-0a2U/v-deo.htmlsi=c57WnIS1gqegko4N
@@DeltaSeeker According to the interview with a designer at wotc it is.
@@DeltaSeeker Check out the video by Matoba Design about the Jamboree set.
1 hour video on card lore is crazy
The lore dump mentioning "power spots" is interesting, considering that that's a name used specifically in gen 8, and is Stonjourner's signature ability lmao
the imposter professor oak thing was a question i always had lol
As a kid I used to think Crystal Guardians was based on the Lucario movie, which was out around the same time and also featured large crystals. I had even seen photos of japanese Lucario cards and thought they were in the set somewhere.
One thing I think is part of the Pokemon tcg lore is that trainers send out all 6 at once and the benched pokemon stand behind the battlefield. It would explain why you can attack benched pokemon with attacks, heavy Pokemon are harder to retreat, and there are cards that let you manipulate the placement of Pokemon. The most tell-tale sign comes in the first and third artworks of Pokemon reversal, which very clearly show the benched pokemon waiting in the wings during a stadium battle. That said, several versions of "switch" depict pokeballs, so it's debatable. We haven't seen a benched pokemon in card artwork in over a decade, so take that as you will.
Another difference is that evolution seems to be a temporary thing, since there are items and attacks that can reverse it. Once again, this is debatable since SP, V, EX, and Radiant Pokemon start out in their evolved forms.
Return of the king
I much prefer your explanation of the Holon lore and how it's NOT connected to Mirage Forest
I miss Pokemon TCGO. I transferred my collection, but Live just sucks to interact with.
This video is masterpiece! Really dig vibe of e reader series, it has been little bit of black sheep in tcg community because of card layout but its so great!
Woah! A part 2?!? Who knew there was more to learn!?!
New Delta upload? Let me get on my suit and tie.
Based
And fire type pilled
the energies are lore too. in pokemon, the elemental types have a lot of terrain for the lore and the fact detached elemental energy exists isn't irrelevant, considering it exists in the videogame lore too but is produced directly by the pokemon
I genuinely am so fascinated by Holon
Imposter Oak was actually a character in the Pokemon Card ni Natta Wake manga.
As someone who semi-frequently edits Bulbapedia, sorry the information on the Holon region is so inaccurate. I'll try to fix it if it hasn't been already.
Fantastic video! So much incredible detail
Just got back into playing. Really surprised it was still going. This was a great roll up of everything I missed since (neo).
I Absolutely adore holon and the delta species
I cry that theres no more of this. Its the coolest part of tcg xd
Holon is deeply intwined with deoxys. The triangles, mutated dna, and the fact that in ORAS, the event in which you catch deoxys is called the DELTA episode. Idk. Probably alot more to it
the 3d graphics of those old sky ridge commercials are better than s/v imo lol
Man, the Break series feels like somwthing I'd expect from Shin Megami Tensei. That kind of "two worlds collide, pick your side" type deal is right up their alley. I'd loved if we got a single player focused card game based on that city. Would even give Nintendo an actual excuse to do the two versions thing, as you could have it so the version you pick dictates which city you start in.
Great video! Pokemon has to have some sort of loose cross "canon" across its various forms of media lol. Power Spots, like in Gala.. Maybe after Eternatuas was defeated its leftover particles scattered in Holon, like they did in galar, which led to their power spots. Holon Crytals and terastallization phenomenon(maybe terastallization is temporay because its farther from Holon?) Lost Zone being an in-between area or even Ultra Space itself.
So Imposter Oak shows up in the manga, and I think the chapter he shows up in came out in early to mid 1998 (cant quite pin down what month)
Between that and the card game and Pokemon 2 getting delayed
its fun to see how two Pokemon mediums both had the idea to cameo evil professor oak and didnt have anywhere to go with it but knew not to make a huge deal out it because it seems unclear where the game may be going with the idea
49:46 what about the radiant/pokekyun collection? :( the unique blurbs replacing the dex entries were my favorite part aside from the unique holofoil prints
The Bomberman64 music in the intro takes me back man
Love you man. Thanks for doing what you do!
From those 4 sets which had the most mystrious theme, could you do a top 10 cards from each set that show/resemble the theme? If there aren't 10, do 5 for each one.
I feel like Hisuian Typhlosion is kind of a throwback to the Delta Typhlosion in some way.
epic video, can't wait for more of this sort of content!
Dang, I knew pokemon TCG was intricate, but I didn't know it's had so much unique lore! wild. Also, can't help but laugh at how this video open's by singing the praises for Magic, a game whose current lore is... "What if we put everyone in cowboy hat?"
It'd be interesting to see Delta species as Deoxys (an alien VIRUS) incorporating itself into DNA of these pokemon. Turning Delta into Deoxys Alter
Oooh I love me some BomberMan 64 background music
What's the name of the song at 3:05
This video is insane
the best lore we have in scarlet and violet are just better call saul references, look no further than at the "Chuck" attack, randomly referencing Chuck McGill on the Garbador art rare. its sad, really.
Wouldn't you say that Paradigm Trigger is its own little world with lore?? Between Stonjourner, Stunfisk, Claydol, the Regis, Lugia, Arcehops, Armaldo, etc...
I hope this video will inspire rom hacks
Surprised no one’s mentioned the card in the thumbnail; Seeker
Long form, AND POKEMON RELATED! take my like and shares friend.
Amazing video as always
i love trading cards too man
Just about to click off and then man, when that snowboard kid hits, that's the good shit.
This was a very good. Video earned a subscribe
Nice video, a lot of research
I knew there was a reason I subbed like 6 months ago
THE GOAT IS BACK
Bomberman 64 and Snowboard Kids music 😊
Putting a theorist cap, did the Holon Tower cause Pokemon's primary type to become their tera type?
This was an amazing video
what's the music at 6:30 called I'v been looking for it my entire life
I never expected lore for the card game.
Great vid !
39:34 These cards are the battle frontier from hgss. You can tell by the flags.
Why the Pokemon are battling in the middle of the street is anyone's guess
I still find the other kinds of lore very interesting, if you would want to make videos for that!
fr they could make paradox sets after they sorted out teal mask within the ancient and future timelines, or show early stages of area zero where sada and turo were still working together
What's the music used for this video?
Wonder if the legends ZA game will have inspiration from breakthrough
What's the name of the card in the thumbnail?
Boyfriend sent me here. Love it! Just subscribed!
Really good video
14:56 wait a minute.... this looks like the contiguous US
Very nice video bro