If you’re reading this, you’ve probably also told yourself this would be the month you don’t buy more Pokémon cards. Same. And yet here we are, staring down another lineup of Elite Trainer Boxes and tins like they’re life choices we already regret but will definitely make again.
0$29.99 at Amazon
0$19.99 at Amazon
0$56.77 at Amazon
0$53.64 at Amazon
0$55.24 at Amazon
0$57.98 at Amazon
Scarlet & Violet sets keep dropping bangers, both visually and competitively, and unfortunately for our wallets, some of these boxes are actually worth ripping open.
0Contains 2 x Surging Spark Boosters $29.99 at Amazon
This tin is surprisingly solid. You get five booster packs from a diverse mix of sets — Surging Sparks, Stellar Crown, Temporal Forces, and Obsidian Flames — plus a promo card featuring either Kyogre, Dialga, or Xerneas. It’s essentially Pokémon’s version of a loot box, and yeah, I bought two. With chase cards like Pikachu ex, Terapagos, and Raging Bolt across the included sets, your chances of pulling something exciting are pretty good. I'm not usually a fan of tins, but I'd definitely grab another one.
0$399.99 at TCG Player
0$140.00 at TCG Player
0$95.97 at TCG Player
0$79.99 at TCG Player
0$55.99 at TCG Player
0Contains 1 x Surging Sparks Booster $19.99 at Amazon
I wasn't expecting much from this tin. I bought it mainly for the sticker sheets and the promise of a Surging Sparks pack. And it delivered. You get three packs, one of which might contain something like Pikachu ex or Latias ex, plus a tin that I now use to hold... well, nothing. But I can’t even be upset about it. There's a slim chance you could pull a Milotic ex or Ceruledge ex if luck is on your side. If not, you've still got a twenty-dollar gamble and some handy storage to show for it — more than I can say for half the cereal I've bought this year.
0$55.99 at TCG Player
0$54.99 at TCG Player
0$54.94 at TCG Player
0$36.79 at TCG Player
0$34.99 at TCG Player
0$56.77 at Amazon
I picked up this box mainly for the sleeves but stayed because Roaring Moon ex is a powerhouse that can end games in one swift move. Paradox Rift may not have as many chase cards, but the ones it does have — like Iron Valiant ex and Groudon — are stunning. They feel like artwork that will be admired for decades to come.
0See it at TCG Player
0$65.99 at TCG Player
0$59.99 at TCG Player
0$39.49 at TCG Player
0$34.99 at TCG Player
0$53.64 at Amazon
The Walking Wake Elite Trainer Box includes a full-art Flutter Mane and nine additional Temporal Forces packs, giving you more chances to pull some of the best art from the Scarlet & Violet era. This box focuses on the ancient theme, and I got it to boost my odds of getting Walking Wake ex. Is it competitive? That’s debatable, but its vibrant blues and prehistoric vibe make it worth the price. Plus, the sleeves are sleek — and I like to pretend I care about those.
0$112.94 at TCG Player
0$65.11 at TCG Player
0$149.95 at TCG Player
0$56.88 at TCG Player
0$50.36 at TCG Player
0$55.24 at Amazon
Iron Leaves ex is both playable and beautifully illustrated, capturing the essence of a sci-fi anime. Other strong cards like Iron Crown ex and Gouging Fire ex either pack a punch or look the part. But Raging Bolt ex truly stands out with its dramatic, thunder god-inspired design, balancing between being a meta staple and a visual spectacle.
0$69.99 at TCG Player
0$38.01 at TCG Player
0$35.87 at TCG Player
0$32.07 at TCG Player
0$29.95 at TCG Player
0$57.98 at Amazon
Shrouded Fable quietly introduces cards like Houndoom and Persian, which are so beautifully illustrated they command reverence. The promos and sleeves are great, but I was really after the Illustration Rares that not only look stunning but also tell a story. Fezandipiti ex, for instance, is a versatile support attacker, and Cassiopeia brings character drama in a foil rectangle. The art direction in this set is ambitiously bold, and I mean that in the best way possible.
1$67.61 at TCGPlayer
0$59.98 at TCGPlayer
0See it at TCGPlayer
2$49.99 at TCGPlayer
0$49.88 at TCGPlayer