Opening Fusion Strike for the first time!

Greetings! My name is Cr1ms0n Sl4y3r, and welcome to my official website, The Pokéstop! This is my eighth official post on the blog, and I'll be posting every so often, so make sure to stay tuned!

About five weeks ago, as a gift for being a good, hard-working son, my parents decided to give me a gift. Since they knew about my love for Pokémon and interest in collecting Pokémon cards, they decided to give me three booster packs of Pokémon cards, specifically Fusion Strike. I was hyped to open these up, and here was what I found.

NOTE: This all happened five weeks ago, so I can't provide very many images of the packs or the other cards (since I have traded of the cards during the past five weeks and I can't provide pictures of the pack art because I threw them away (I didn't really need them anyway). I do have pictures of the rare cards which I pulled (they were insane, trust me!), and some of the other cards which I love from the Fusion Strike set, so you can check those out. Back to the Fusion Strike booster packs...

Before opening the booster packs

I was genuinely excited before opening the booster packs because most of my cards were traded from other people, and these are some of the few card which I have opened from Pokémon booster packs. So, without further ado...

Wait, we already have a holographic??

When I opened the first booster pack, I wanted to pull at least a non-holographic rare. But my luck turned around when, on the first booster pack, I pulled a holographic Dragapult from the Fusion Strike set! I was genuinely happy at what I pulled.

No luck on this booster pack...

Opening this booster pack was nerve-racking as I could pull another rare-holographic card. Sadly, I didn't pull a rare-holographic card, instead I pulled a non-holographic rare Zeraora card. It isn't a bad card, to be honest - the artwork looks sick.

OMG!!! We pulled a VMAX card on the final booster pack!

The final booster pack was even more nerve-racking than the previous. If I didn't get a rare-holographic card, then I would be very disappointed with not pulling a crazy rare card (at least the holographic Dragapult which I pulled would keep my spirits up). But, we strived on to pull something even better - an ultra-rare Greedent VMAX!!! I was super happy with this incredible, ultra-rare pull!

My top 10 favourite cards of Fusion Strike so far

Now it is time to compile a list of some of the cards which I really enjoy from the Fusion Strike set. Some of these cards I have pulled from the three booster packs I was given as a gift (from my parents) and some of them I have traded with others. Without further ado, let us begin!

No. 10 - Pansear

Pansear is a cool Pokémon. Pansage and Panpour are just horrendous, but Pansear is a decent Pokémon, especially its evolved form, Simisear (which doesn't look as awkward as Simipour and Simisage). The artwork on his card is beautiful, showing a cute Pansear shaking a tree branch for Sitrus berries. Hats off to Misa Tsutsui, the artist behind this masterpiece!

No. 9 - Zeraora

I'm not a big fan of Zeraora. It isn't that I don't appreciate Zeraora, but it isn't in my top 100 favourite Pokémon (yes, I compiled 100 of my favourite Pokémon). What I do like about Zeraora is the contrast of skin and fur, generally and colour-wise. The yellow and black have a dazzling effect, and the way the fur is shaped like armour is satisfying. This artwork is epic, depicting a thunderstorm occurring behind Zeraora, possibly caused by Zeraora itself. Amazing work, Teeziro!

No. 8 - Growlithe

Growlithe is a classic Pokémon. If you didn't know, I play Pokémon GO and Arcanine is actually one of my most powerful Pokémon, which evolves from Growlithe. This artwork of Growlithe sitting on a set of stars with a bush and some floral decorations beside him is such a great scene, and with the traditional art effect, it really is a striking piece of art. Great work, Narumi Sato!

No. 7 - Falinks

The thick lines which emphasise Falink's presence on the card is just so satisfying to see. The scene is amazing too - a bunch of Falinks as a group just staring at the viewer. Even though I do not like Generation 8, this Pokémon is still a very nice design, one Pokémon which is in fact a group of the same Pokémon. Brilliant Akira Komayama!

No. 6 - Breloom

I appreciate Breloom as a Pokémon, it is so cool. Traditional art also captures my attention. This card is both of those combined, and I just LOVE it. It is quite powerful too, with Impact Blow doing 150 damage to the opponent. This is one of my favourite cards ever. Well done, Yukiko Baba!

No. 5 - Hariyama

Hariyama was my buddy and most powerful Pokémon in Pokémon GO. This artwork is dynamic, showing Hariyama punching the ground. It's Hammer In attack is powerful, dealing 100 damage to the opponent. The scenery is epic, showing how powerful Hariyamas really can be. Amazing, Hitoshi Ariga!

No. 4 - Turtonator

Turtonator is a great Pokémon. It was the only Dragon-type which I pulled from my three booster packs. It's power is at a sufficient level, Heat Crash doing 80 damage to the opponent. The upside is that you can use any energy after you top up the energy for Shell Trap. The scenery is intense, showing Turtonator at a volcano. Cool scenery really sparks my attention. Exception work, Ryuta Fuse!

No. 3 - Zoroark

The Zoroark artwork here is beautiful. The scenery shows Zoroark meditating in a snowy mountain at night. This is such a peaceful image that I just enjoy so much. Night Daze is an absolute beast, causing 100 damage to the opponent. Phenomenal work, Kouki Saitou.

No. 2 - Greedent

What an I say about Greedent? It isn't really artwork, it is more graphics. But it is the composition of graphics which make artwork. When Greedent goes Gigantamax, it really looks like it has been eating pizza for the last 50 years, but when it is captured on a card, it is looks exceptional. Great work, PLANETA Mochuziki!

No. 1 - Dragapult

Dragapult looks phenomenal in battle stance, aiming at the viewer - this scenery is intense, but awesome. The holographic pattern really encapsulates Dragapult, showing how fearsome it can be. I appreciate Dragapult as a Pokémon for being a Dragon-Ghost Pokémon, which is honestly one of my favourite typings ever! Terrific work, Souichiru Goujima!

I really enjoyed opening Fusion Strike, and it was amazing pulling my first VMAX from a booster pack. I really hope to open Fusion Strike again in the future, and get that super-expensive alternate-art Gengar VMAX!

Next blog post will be breaking down the brand-new Scarlet and Violet trailer. This is will take me ages to write, so you'll have to expect it in the next few weeks. I will mention the fact that I am on holiday, so things may be prolonged, since I am resting myself after posting regularly (or so). But, it shall be that my next blog post will be breaking down the brand-new Pokémon Scarlet and Violet trailer.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to email me at gengargaming.official094@gmail.com.