Being reintroduced into the Pokemon TCG with the Temporal Forces expansion set, ACE SPECs are punchy Pokemon cards that have the potential to swing the tides of a match in the user’s favor.
They’re incredibly limited, with Pokemon players only being allowed to have one of them per deck. The card also usually indicates a restriction of some kind. They’re still exceptionally strong, though, and Shrouded Fable has some particularly intriguing additions to the roster.
Here’s a breakdown of every ACE SPEC card in Pokemon TCG Shrouded Fable, looking at how these cards work, how similar they are to their Night Wanderer counterparts, and how they can be used in a match.
Poke Vital A (062/064)
While some ACE SPEC cards are inherently ground-breaking, others are more simplistic. Poke Vital A isn’t the most exciting ACE SPEC, but with the right deck, it could prove to be useful.
Poke Vital A allows you to heal 150 damage from 1 of your Pokemon. It cannot be recycled, meaning you can’t use an Ability or Supporter to move it from the Discard Pile to your hand or deck.
This is a situational card. 150 damage is a significant chunk to heal up, especially during the early game, and it’s important to note that the card does not specify that the target is your Active Pokemon – meaning that you can use it to top up Benched ‘mons.
While this card might not be enough to save a dying Pokemon ex during the later stages of a match, it’s still worth experimenting with if you manage to pull it.
Neutralization Zone (060/064)
Neutralization Zone is the first Stadium ACE SPEC card, meaning that it’ll likely be snapped up by collectors alongside competitive players as the season progresses. It has a slightly different name to its Night Wanderer counterpart but is the same in practice.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
When you play Neutralization Zone, Attack damage from Pokemon ex and Pokemon V to Pokemon without Rule Boxes is blocked.
Blocks and walls are useful to have on hand when playing Pokemon, and this card could prove to be a lifesaver if you’re playing against an opponent who relies heavily on Pokemon ex and Pokemon V. For example, opponents who favor Paradox Pokemon would struggle with this card.
It’s important to note that this Stadium affects both players and it also cannot be recycled. It’s a risky card to use if you also rely on the affected card types, but if you’ve got solid Pokemon without Rule Boxes, it could set you up for an easy win.
Dangerous Laser (058/064)
Dangerous Laser is simple yet effective, and will likely be popular with art collectors based on its vibrant color scheme and sci-fi aesthetic.
Dangerous Laser inflicts a Burn and Confusion on the opponent’s Active Pokemon. A double Special Condition can be a nightmare to deal with, and this card has no recycling limit, meaning it could be theoretically snapped up from the Discard Pile.
Burns inflict consistent Damage Counters over time, and Confusion can lead to self-injuring Pokemon and missed Attacks. Dealing with this combination at any stage would be frustrating, but it would be especially nightmarish for an opponent during the late stages of a match.
Despite the small card list, Shrouded Fable has been met with a mostly positive response from fans so far. To keep yourself in the loop with the latest Pokemon TCG releases, make sure to check out our guide to Paradise Dragona while you wait for your Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Boxes to arrive in the post.