Mythical Pokémon Collection – Darkrai Box Review & Giveaway

The 20th anniversary, year-long celebration of the world-wide phenomena that is Pokémon continues into May with the release of the next Mythical Pokémon Collection promo box containing a Promo card of the ‘Pitch-Black’ Pokémon: Darkrai. Darkrai is a much loved, fan favourite legendary Pokémon despite its otherworldly, creepy appearance reflecting its darkness and nightmare design motifs. Its first appearance came in the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, ushering in the new age of the Pokémon video games on the Nintendo DS. I fondly remember this Pokémon as it appeared in episode 32 of Season 12 of the Pokémon television series, had a fierce battle with main character ‘Ash Ketchum’ and was portrayed in the movie ‘Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai’.

Many Darkrai cards have since been in the Pokémon TCG, and none in the game’s history may be more prolific than Darkrai EX – a card which was highly playable during its entire time in the standard format for its utility, damage output and compatibility with many supporting cards which released alongside it in the set ‘Dark Explorers’. The card saw Jason Klaczynski through to a third World Championship title, effectively demonstrating the strength of the card.

The Darkrai Pokémon Mythical Collection box contains the same items found in the preceding promo boxes, this time featuring Darkrai including:

• The promo box exclusive Darkrai XY-Promo
• A Darkrai Pin
• Two Booster packs from the anniversary set Generations
• A code card for the Pokémon Trading Card Game online to redeem for the Promo Card.

The box itself is shaped the same as the previous boxes with its contents positioned as expected. The black colour scheme of the box stands out to me, matching the featured Pokémon.

The Darkrai XY-Promo card, like the others in the series of promos is a ‘Full-Art’, with an artwork that spans the whole card face. It is in stark contrast to the previous three however, with a befitting illustration exemplifying Darkrai’s ghoulish air through its art-style and colouration. The card depicts Darkrai reaching out towards the viewer, a terrifying and awesome pose, all of which is tied together with a dream-like background.

Looking at the function of Darkrai XY-Promo within the card game, it features an excellent 110 HP for an un-evolving Basic Pokémon, an unfortunate fighting type weakness which may soon be exploited by numerous, new fighting type Pokémon in the most recent set release ‘Fates Collide’, and a handy resistance to Psychic type. The attacks are a mixed bag with the first doing a below average 30 damage for 1 Dark and 1 Colourless energy. The second – Abyssal Sleep – at a costly two Dark and one Colourless energy requirement does 80 damage, with an interesting effect which inflicts sleep, and forces the opponent to flip two coins in order to awaken.

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The second attack, ‘Abyssal Sleep’, is an interesting attack effect. It inflicts sleep with only a 25% chance of the opponent being able to break the status and wake up. There is potential for this effect to be used under various locks. Vileplume AOR may be an excellent partner, limiting the opponent’s options and creating a strategy reminiscent of item lock decks from the past which featured similar, disabling effects. While the disabling effect from Darkrai’s attack is not as strong as the one featured in those similar strategies, it’s important to consider the state of the metagame today and whether it could be strong enough to make an impact.

Being that Darkrai is a favourite of mine (for a variety of reasons), I am excited to see the release of this product and am keen to add the contents of this box to my collection.

Thanks to Banter Toys & Collectibles, we’d like to give you the chance to win this for your collection too! What do you have to do? In the comment section below, tell us what your favourite Pokémon is and why. Please be sure to use a legitimate email address so we can contact you if you win (Nobody can see your email but us). Good luck!

While we know we have (and we appreciate) a great many readers abroad, sadly this competition is for Australian Residents only.

The competition closes 9pm (EST) Sunday May 15th.  The winner will be notified via email.