Simplified Chinese Pokemon FAQ

Simplified Chinese Pokemon!

The newest language printing of Pokemon hit mainland China in 2022! [S] Chinese Pokemon hit the ground running by releasing unique, region-exclusive sets & cards starting all the way back in the Sun & Moon era.

[S] Chinese cards are printed in Japan

Pokemon cards in the Simplified Chinese TCG are printed in Japan; meaning they have the best quality of all cards in the Pokemon TCG (tied with Japanese!). Holographic [S] Chinese cards also feature a stamp/indentation of the Pokemon TCG logo in the bottom left corner to prevent counterfeiting.

The names can be difficult to translate into English

Because Chinese & English are very different languages; translating set names can be difficult or confusing. At Moxie Card Shop we use the naming translations from Bulbapedia; but you may see other translations for the same set, especially with the subtitle (Shining Synergy: "Mu", "Showers", "Blue", etc.)

A safe bet is to use the Set Code, such as "CSM1B" for Storming Emergence: Verdant. These are found in a black box on the bottom left of cards, or the top left of a booster pack.

The sets are HUGE & unique & start with the Sun & Moon era

Each [S] Chinese Pokemon set is HUGE compared to smaller versions like Japanese. This is because [S] Chinese sets include a TON of cards so that they can catch up with other language variants.

Chinese sets start with "Storming Emergence", 3 subsets based in the Sun & Moon era.

How to read Set Codes (CSM1B vs. CS3A)

  • Section 1:

    Section 1: "C"

  • Section 2:

    The Era. "SM" or "S" (Sun & Moon or Sword & Shield)

    Eventually, we will likely have "SV" (Scarlet & Violet) as well.

  • Section 3:

    Set Number (the 1st set of the era will be "1", the 2nd "2", etc.) Special sets known as Enhancement Sets will have a ".5" after this section, such as "CSM2.5"

  • Section 4:

    Subset identifier ("A", "B", or "C") This identifies which subset it is. Most [S] Chinese sets are released with 1 or 2 companion sets, and each subset is made of Pokemon of different types. For example, Storming Emergence: Radiant (CSM1A) has Fire, Psychic, and Steel types. Storming Emergence: Verdant (CSM1B) has Grass, Electric, & Dark; while Storming Emergence: Abundant (CSM1C) has Water, Fighting, and Fairy types.

  • Section 5:

    "C" (Disregard this)

  • Example:

    So let's use Dynamax Clash: Thunder as an example!

    Dynamax Clash: Thunder (CS1A)

    1: "C"
    2: "Sword & Shield"
    3: "Set 1"
    4: "Subset A"

Sword & Shield era set timeline

  • Raging Flame Enhancement Pack (CS3.5)

  • Ancient Martial Arts: Ji (CS3B)

  • Ancient Martial Arts: Mao (CS3A)

  • Brilliant Counterattack Enhancement Pack (CS2.5)

  • Vivid Portrayals: Indigo (CS2B)

  • Vivid Portrayals: Obsidian (CS2A)

  • Dynamax Tactics Enhancement Pack (CS1.5)

  • Dynamax Clash: Flame (CS1B)

  • Dynamax Clash: Thunder (CS1A)

Sun & Moon era set timeline

  • Striking Competition Enhancement Pack (CSM2.5)

  • Shining Synergy: Mu (CSM2C)

  • Shining Synergy: Kui (CSM2B)

  • Shining Synergy: Huan (CSM2A)

  • Battle Elite Enhancement Pack (CSM1.5)

  • Storming Emergence: Abundant (CSM1C)

  • Storming Emergence: Verdant (CSM1B)

  • Storming Emergence: Radiant (CSM1A)

[S] Chinese Set Info

  • Brilliant Counterattack (CS2.5)

    Sword & Shield: Brilliant Counterattack is the name given to the second Enhancement Pack of the Simplified Chinese Sword & Shield era.

  • Dynamax Clash (CS1A & CS1B)

    Sword & Shield: Dynamax Clash (Chinese: 剑 & 盾 极巨争锋 Sword & Shield Dynamax Clash) is the name given to the first Simplified Chinese Pokémon Trading Card Game set in the Sword and Shield Era, and third overall set.

  • Storming Emergence (CSM1A, CSM1B, & CSM1C)

    Sun & Moon: Storming Emergence (Chinese: 太阳 & 月亮 横空出世 Sun & Moon Storming Emergence) is the name given to the first Simplified Chinese Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion. The set was released on October 28, 2022 and consists of 3 subsets: Radiant (Chinese: 赫), Verdant (Chinese: 苍) and Abundant (Chinese: 泽), with each subset covering specific types of Pokémon cards.