Get Early Access to the Next Major Pokémon TCG Set at a Discount!

It’s easy to overlook that while the Pokémon 30th Anniversary set is stealing the spotlight, the Pokémon Trading Card Game is gearing up for a new release in early November. The Rayquaza-themed Delta Reign set is packed with some of the year’s most impressive special illustration cards and introduces a two-card Stadium mechanic that promises to keep gameplay fresh and exciting. But the real highlight of this release is how you can get your hands on it.

You can go the traditional route, like waiting for a drop at the Pokémon Center or lining up at a major retailer on release day. However, the least stressful and often overlooked option is to participate in pre-release events. The Pokémon Company has just launched its Delta Reign events page, where players can find participating stores.

While these events do have an entry fee that varies by location, they offer some of the best pack-per-dollar deals available for upcoming releases. Plus, you can snag cards well before the official release date. For instance, one of my local card shops is hosting a pre-release event two weeks ahead of the official November 6 Delta Reign launch.

The catch is that you’ll need to learn how to play the Pokémon TCG. Your event ticket grants you a Build and Battle box, which includes a pre-built deck, a Delta Reign promo card, and three booster packs. If you stick around for a couple of matches, you can earn additional packs, and some shops even reward winners with extra packs. This means you could walk away with at least six packs and 40 exclusive cards for a reasonable price. At my local shop, which charges $39.99, that breaks down to about $6.60 per pack.

If the idea of learning the game feels daunting, don’t worry—these events are usually filled with newcomers. TCG players are generally patient and welcoming, and the format for these events is simplified compared to the full game. You won’t have to stress about deck-building, as each deck comes with a brief guide on how to use its mechanics.

For collectors, these events are particularly appealing because they offer exclusive promo cards that you can’t find anywhere else. In this set, you can look forward to promo cards for Masquerain, Magmortar, Enamorus, and Kommo-o. Delta Reign also introduces the talented artist Tayu, who has physically embroidered the Nidoran card in the set. This dark-type card is a must-have for fans of Yuka Morii and Asako Ito.

And if you do take the plunge and learn how to play, you can start attending regular TCG play events, which offer prize packs without the need to wake up at the crack of dawn.

The latest batch of Pokémon leaks contains early gameplay, maps, and character models.