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 competitively strong cards, unfortunately putting a strain on our wallets. Some of these boxes are truly 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. It includes five booster packs from a diverse mix of sets — Surging Sparks, Stellar Crown, Temporal Forces, and Obsidian Flames — along with a promo card featuring either Kyogre, Dialga, or Xerneas. It's essentially Pokémon's version of a loot box, and yes, I couldn't resist buying two. With chase cards like Pikachu ex, Terapagos, and Raging Bolt across the included sets, the chances of pulling something exciting are quite 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 promise of a Surging Sparks pack. But it exceeded my expectations. You get three packs, one of which could yield a Pikachu ex or Latias ex, and a tin that's now perfect for storing... well, nothing. I can't even be upset about it. There's a slight chance you might pull a Milotic ex or Ceruledge ex if luck is on your side with the packs, and if not? You spent twenty dollars to take a chance and got some vaguely useful storage. 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 initially bought this box for the sleeves, but Roaring Moon ex is the real star here. It's like a Pokémon that decided it’s done playing fair. If your goal is to end games with one powerful move and look good doing it, 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 — feel like they were crafted by someone who knows we’ll be admiring them like ancient art 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 comes with a full-art Flutter Mane and nine additional Temporal Forces packs to try your luck again on some of the best artwork of the Scarlet & Violet era. This version leans into the ancient aesthetic, and I picked it up hoping to pull a Walking Wake ex. Is it playable? That's debatable. But its design looks like it wandered out of a dream fueled by too much sushi. With vibrant blues and a prehistoric vibe, the aesthetic alone justifies the cost. Plus, the sleeves are stylish, and I like to pretend 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 manages to be both playable and visually stunning. It looks like it's mid-leap from a sci-fi anime, capturing 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 ready to do so. However, Raging Bolt ex steals the show with its loud, dramatic flair, perfectly balancing 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 quietly introduces cards like Houndoom, with art so compelling it commands reverence, and Persian, which seems to be plotting something cinematic. While the promos and sleeves are nice, I was really after 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 brings 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
