All the strengths and weaknesses of the Pokemon Trading Card Game are on display in the game’s upcoming Lost Origin expansion. Due for release next month, Lost Origin is a behemoth-sized expansion to the Pokemon Trading Card Game that adds over 240 cards to the game with an ever-expanding list of rare “chase” cards and new mechanics. This particular set re-introduces the Lost Zone, a mechanic that acts as a sort of “double secret” discard pile that cards rarely escape from. Not only can this be used to exile an opponent’s key cards permanently, several cards have abilities triggered when a certain number of cards hit the Lost Zone itself. Unlike the Battle Styles mechanic that added synergies to a number of common, uncommon, and rare cards throughout multiple sets, the Lost Zone will likely only appear in Lost Origin and whatever new sets are due to be released later this year, as the card game will functionally reset with the release of the first Scarlet & Violet card sets in early 2023.
