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 AmazonThe latest Scarlet & Violet sets keep bringing the heat, both visually and competitively, and unfortunately for our wallets, some of these boxes are actually worth tearing into.
Pokémon TCG: Azure Legends Tin - 5 Packs
### Pokémon TCG: Azure Legends Tin - 5 Packs
0Contains 2 x Surging Spark Boosters$29.99 at AmazonThis tin is surprisingly solid. You get five booster packs from a fantastic mix of sets — Surging Sparks, Stellar Crown, Temporal Forces, and Obsidian Flames — plus a promo card featuring either Kyogre, Dialga, or Xerneas. It’s basically Pokémon’s take on a loot box, and yeah, I couldn’t resist grabbing two. With chase cards like Pikachu ex, Terapagos, and Raging Bolt spread 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 pick 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 PlayerPokémon 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 AmazonI wasn’t expecting much from this one. I bought it mainly for the sticker sheets and the hope of getting a Surging Sparks pack. It delivered. Three packs, one of which might yield a Pikachu ex or Latias ex, and a tin that I now use to store absolutely nothing. I can’t even be mad about it. There’s a slim chance you could pull a Milotic ex or Ceruledge ex if luck is on your side, and if not? You paid twenty bucks to roll the dice 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 PlayerPokémon 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 AmazonI picked up this box for the sleeves and stayed for Roaring Moon ex, which is essentially what happens when a Pokémon decides to stop playing by the rules. If your strategy involves ending games with a single, powerful strike and looking good while doing it, Roaring Moon ex is your Pokémon. 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 detail and flair that they feel like they could be admired for decades.
### 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 PlayerPokémon 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 AmazonThe Walking Wake Elite Trainer Box includes a full-art Flutter Mane and nine more Temporal Forces packs, giving you another shot at the best art of the Scarlet & Violet era. This set focuses on the ancient theme, and I bought it primarily to boost my chances of pulling a Walking Wake ex. Is it competitive? That's up for debate. But its design, with vibrant blues and a prehistoric vibe, feels like it stepped right out of a vivid dream. The sleeves are sleek, 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 PlayerPokémon 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 AmazonIron Leaves ex strikes a rare balance of being both playable and beautifully illustrated. It appears to be leaping out of a sci-fi anime, which is precisely the kind of energy I want from my card pulls. Other heavy hitters like Iron Crown ex and Gouging Fire ex either pack a punch or have an imposing presence. Raging Bolt ex, however, steals the spotlight with its loud, dramatic design, perfectly straddling the line 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 AmazonShrouded Fable quietly introduces cards like Houndoom, whose illustration commands a hushed reverence, and Persian, which seems to be plotting something cinematic. The promos and sleeves are nice, but what I really wanted from this box were the Illustration Rares that not only look stunning but also tell a story. Fezandipiti ex, for instance, is a versatile support attacker, while Cassiopeia brings character drama in a foil rectangle. The art direction in this set is ambitiously artistic, and I mean that in the best possible way.
### 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
