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.
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 release stunning and competitive cards, and unfortunately for our wallets, some of these boxes are definitely 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 diverse mix of sets — Surging Sparks, Stellar Crown, Temporal Forces, and Obsidian Flames — along with one promo featuring either Kyogre, Dialga, or Xerneas. It's essentially Pokémon's take on a loot box, and yes, I ended up buying two. With chase cards from the included sets like Pikachu ex, Terapagos, and Raging Bolt, the chances of pulling something exciting are quite good. Even though I'm not usually a fan of tins, I'd definitely consider picking up 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 expect much from this tin, but I bought it for the sticker sheets and the promise of a Surging Sparks pack. It didn't disappoint. You get three packs, one of which might include a Pikachu ex or Latias ex, and a tin that's now serving as storage for nothing in particular. I can’t even be upset about it. There's a slim chance you might pull a Milotic ex or Ceruledge ex if you're lucky with the packs, and if not? You've spent twenty dollars to take a chance and got some mildly 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 ended up staying for Roaring Moon ex, which embodies the spirit of a Pokémon that's done playing by the rules. If your goal is to end games quickly and stylishly, this is the card for you. Paradox Rift might not have as many chase cards, but the ones it does have, like Iron Valiant ex and Groudon, are drawn with such flair that they feel like they'll be admired for decades to come.
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 comes with a full-art Flutter Mane and nine additional Temporal Forces packs, offering another chance to pull some of the best art from the Scarlet & Violet era. This version taps into the ancient theme, and I got it mainly to increase my chances of pulling Walking Wake ex. Is it competitive? That's up for debate. But its vibrant blues and prehistoric vibe make it look like it stepped out of a dream inspired by too much sushi. The sleeves are stylish, and I like to think I care about those.
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 is a rare find that combines playability with stunning artwork. It looks like it's leaping out of a sci-fi anime, which is exactly the kind of energy I want from my pulls. Other heavy hitters like Iron Crown ex and Gouging Fire ex either hit hard or look like they're about to. However, Raging Bolt ex steals the spotlight with its dramatic and powerful design, balancing between 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 quietly introduces cards like Houndoom, whose artwork commands reverence, and Persian, which seems to be plotting something cinematic. The promos and sleeves are nice, but I was drawn to 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 offers character drama in a foil rectangle. The art direction in this set is almost pretentious, and I mean that as a compliment.
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
