The end of August will mark the release of the seventh Sword and Shield expansion Evolving Skies within the Pokemon Trading Card Game. However, if two weeks is still too far away, then bagging the four pre-release promotional cards will be at the top of your list.

With the expansion’s Elite Trainer Boxes, booster boxes and blister packs selling faster than Deoxys’ headbutt, pre-orders are becoming harder and harder to come by, and no doubt these promotional cards will follow suit.

How to Get the Evolving Skies Pre-Release Promotional Cards

In the lead up to Evolving Skies’ full release on August 27, 2021, official stores will begin selling Build and Battle Boxes on August 14. Some stores will also be hosting tournaments designed as pre-release events, however these events could be limited with the pandemic still lurking.

Build and Battle Boxes include four Pokémon TCG: Sword & Sheild – Evolving Skies booster packs and non-holographic exclusives, including Zoroark, Eldegoss, and Regieleki. However, the main draw of these Build and Battle Boxes is the inclusion of one of four promotional cards. Stores may also offer a selection of bonus booster packs if purchased with the Build and Battle Boxes.

The four cards include Galarian forms of Zapdos, Articuno and Moltres, along with a Flaffy promo. These cards are alternative reprints from Evolving Skies and have not debuted in Japan yet.

In order to get your hands on one of these four promotional cards, all you have to do is purchase a Build and Battle Box ahead of the expansion’s full release. If you miss out on the boxes, the promotional cards will also be included in the September 10 release of the Build and Battle Stadium Box.

Evolving-Skies-Prerelease-Promos

The Pokemon Company

Evolving Skies Delays in UK and Europe

While players and collectors in the United States will be enjoying the full release of Evolving Skies on August 27, some other parts of the world will have to wait. It was reported a week ago that the UK and other parts of Europe will suffer a two-week delay on receiving Evolving Skies Elite Trainer Boxes and Mini Portfolios, due to a shipment delay.

The UK distributor Asmodee explained how the shipment had been delayed in transit due to missing an important sea freight connection. The statement specified the aforementioned two products that would be affected and confirmed that it would be around two weeks before the UK sees these products in stock.