If you’re reading this, you’ve probably told yourself this would be the month you wouldn’t buy more Pokémon cards. Same here. Yet, here we are, eyeing another lineup of Elite Trainer Boxes and tins, feeling the familiar pull of temptation.
Pokémon TCG: Azure Legends Tin - 5 Packs
0$29.99 at Amazon
Pokémon TCG: Stacking Tin (Q1 2025) - 3 Packs, Stickers (Random Design)
0$19.99 at Amazon
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet: Paradox Rift: Elite Trainer Box - Roaring Moon
0$56.77 at Amazon
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet: Temporal Forces: Elite Trainer Box: Walking Wake
0$53.64 at Amazon
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet: Temporal Forces: Elite Trainer Box: Iron Leaves
0$55.24 at Amazon
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box
0$57.98 at Amazon
The Scarlet & Violet sets continue to impress, both visually and competitively, and unfortunately for our wallets, some of these boxes are genuinely worth opening.
Pokémon TCG: Azure Legends Tin - 5 Packs
Pokémon TCG: Azure Legends Tin - 5 Packs
0Contains 2 x Surging Spark Boosters$29.99 at Amazon
This tin is surprisingly solid. You get five booster packs from a great 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 yes, I bought two. With chase cards like Pikachu ex, Terapagos, and Raging Bolt across the included sets, your chances of pulling something exciting are actually pretty good. I'm not usually a fan of tins, but I'd definitely consider getting another one.
Pikachu ex - 238/191
0$399.99 at TCG Player
Milotic ex - 237/191
0$140.00 at TCG Player
Pikachu ex - 247/191
0$95.97 at TCG Player
Hydreigon ex - 240/191
0$79.99 at TCG Player
Alolan Exeggutor ex - 242/191
0$55.99 at TCG Player
Pokémon TCG: Stacking Tin (Q1 2025) - 3 Packs, Stickers (Random Design)
Pokémon TCG: Stacking Tin (Q1 2025) - 3 Packs, Stickers (Random Design)
0Contains 1 x Surging Sparks Booster$19.99 at Amazon
I didn't have high expectations for this tin. I bought it mainly for the sticker sheets and the hope of getting a Surging Sparks pack. And it delivered. You get three packs, one of which might contain a card like Pikachu ex or Latias ex, along with a tin that I now use to store absolutely nothing. But I'm not complaining. There's a slim chance you'll pull a Milotic ex or Ceruledge ex if you're lucky with your packs, and if not? You spent twenty bucks to roll the dice and got some useful storage in return. That's more than I can say for half the cereal I've bought this year.
Alolan Exeggutor ex - 242/191
0$55.99 at TCG Player
Lisia's Appeal - 246/191
0$54.99 at TCG Player
Jasmine's Gaze - 245/191
0$54.94 at TCG Player
Latios - 203/191
0$36.79 at TCG Player
Archaludon ex - 241/191
0$34.99 at TCG Player
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet: Paradox Rift: Elite Trainer Box - Roaring Moon
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet: Paradox Rift: Elite Trainer Box - Roaring Moon
0$56.77 at Amazon
I picked up this box mainly for the sleeves, but stayed because Roaring Moon ex is the kind of Pokémon that doesn't play fair. If you're looking to end games swiftly and stylishly, this is the card for you. Paradox Rift may not have as many chase cards, but the ones it does have — like Iron Valiant ex and Groudon — are drawn with such artistry that they'll likely be admired like cave paintings in the future.
Groudon - 199/182
0See it at TCG Player
Altaria ex - 253/182
0$65.99 at TCG Player
Roaring Moon ex - 251/182
0$59.99 at TCG Player
Garchomp ex - 245/182
0$39.49 at TCG Player
Steelix - 208/182
0$34.99 at TCG Player
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet: Temporal Forces: Elite Trainer Box: Walking Wake
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet: Temporal Forces: Elite Trainer Box: Walking Wake
0$53.64 at Amazon
The Walking Wake Elite Trainer Box includes a full-art Flutter Mane and nine more Temporal Forces packs, giving you another chance to pull the best art from the Scarlet & Violet era. This version embraces the ancient theme, and I bought it primarily to boost my chances of getting Walking Wake ex. Is it competitive? That's debatable. But it looks like it stepped out of a dream inspired by too much sushi. The vibrant blues and prehistoric drama alone justify the cost. Plus, the sleeves are stylish, and I like to pretend they matter.
Raging Bolt ex - 208/162
0$112.94 at TCG Player
Iron Crown ex - 206/162
0$65.11 at TCG Player
Walking Wake ex - 205/162
0$149.95 at TCG Player
Gouging Fire ex - 204/162
0$56.88 at TCG Player
Gastly - 177/162
0$50.36 at TCG Player
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet: Temporal Forces: Elite Trainer Box: Iron Leaves
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet: Temporal Forces: Elite Trainer Box: Iron Leaves
0$55.24 at Amazon
Iron Leaves ex combines playability with stunning artwork. It looks like it's leaping straight out of a sci-fi anime, which is the kind of energy I want from my pulls. Other heavy hitters like Iron Crown ex and Gouging Fire ex either pack a punch or look like they're about to. However, Raging Bolt ex steals the spotlight. It's loud, dramatic, and strikes a perfect balance between being a meta staple and a thunder god cosplayer.
Morty's Conviction - 211/162
0$69.99 at TCG Player
Iron Leaves ex - 203/162
0$38.01 at TCG Player
Bianca's Devotion - 209/162
0$35.87 at TCG Player
Sawsbuck - 166/162
0$32.07 at TCG Player
Metagross - 178/162
0$29.95 at TCG Player
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box
0$57.98 at Amazon
Shrouded Fable subtly introduces cards like Houndoom, with illustrations so captivating they command a hushed reverence, and Persian, which seems to be plotting something cinematic. While the promos and sleeves are nice, I really wanted this box for the Illustration Rares that don't just look cool — they tell a story. Fezandipiti ex, for instance, is a versatile support attacker, and Cassiopeia embodies character drama in a foil rectangle. The art direction in this set is almost pretentious, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Persian - 078/064 - SV: Shrouded Fable
1$67.61 at TCGPlayer
Cassiopeia - 094/064 - SV: Shrouded Fable
0$59.98 at TCGPlayer
Fezandipiti ex - 092/064 - SV: Shrouded Fable
0See it at TCGPlayer
Houndoom - 066/064 - SV: Shrouded Fable
2$49.99 at TCGPlayer
Duskull - 068/064 - SV: Shrouded Fable
0$49.88 at TCGPlayer
