Pokémon’s Official Board Game Expands with New Gengar, Metagross and Lucario Starter Sets
Image by Charlotte DavisPokémon’s recently revived official board game is expanding with three new starter sets, adding Gengar, Metagross and Lucario as complete ready-to-play options for the tabletop battle game.
The game is officially known as “Plakoro,” a dice-based Pokémon battle system that Bandai brought back earlier this year as part of the franchise’s 30th anniversary celebrations and the launch of its new BANDAI TABLETOP GAMES brand.
Originally released in 1997, Plakoro has been updated for its modern return while retaining the basic idea of battling with dice-shaped Pokémon, combining an element of luck with decisions surrounding attacks, energy, and customization.
The revived version launched with six Starter Sets featuring Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, Eevee and Mew, giving players a selection of classic Pokémon to choose from when building their first team.
An accompanying Adventure Box 01 also expanded the launch lineup with collectible Character Dice for Muk, Onix, Pinsir, Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres, each available across different poses and rarities.
Bandai has now expanded the Starter Set range to nine with three considerably different Pokémon drawn from later generations and one of the franchise’s original fan favorites.
Starter Set Gengar 07 introduces the iconic Ghost and Poison-type Pokémon, giving players a complete Gengar-centered setup without requiring any of the earlier releases to begin playing.
Starter Set Metagross 08 brings the Steel and Psychic-type Pokémon from the Hoenn region into Plakoro, while Starter Set Lucario 09 adds the popular Fighting and Steel-type first introduced during the fourth generation of Pokémon games.
Each of the three sets follows the same ready-to-play format as the original six, including one Character Dice representing the featured Pokémon and three Energy Dice used during battles.
Players also receive 18 Custom Chips, one Character Card, seven Move Cards, a Life Counter, and a combined play sheet and instruction manual, providing everything needed to begin a match straight from a single Starter Set.
Some components require simple assembly after being removed from their runners, carrying over the model-kit influence that Bandai has incorporated into the revived tabletop range.
The growing selection means players can now build around Pokémon ranging from the original Kanto starters and Pikachu through to Gengar, Metagross and Lucario, while the Adventure Box system provides additional characters for expanding teams beyond the main Starter Sets.
Bandai has also released several accessories alongside the latest wave, including a dedicated green Plakoro carrying case for storing battle components and a foldable dice tray decorated with Pikachu and Eevee.
The new Gengar 07, Metagross 08, and Lucario 09 Plakoro Starter Sets are priced at ¥990 each (approximately $6 USD / £5 GBP).
All three sets are now available to order through reputable hobby goods retailers including HobbyLink Japan, following their Japanese release on September 12, 2026.
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