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 Scarlet & Violet sets continue to release stunning cards, both visually and competitively, and unfortunately for our wallets, some of these boxes are actually 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 AmazonThis 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 bought two. With chase cards across the included sets (Pikachu ex, Terapagos, Raging Bolt, to name a few), the chances of pulling something exciting are quite good. Even though I'm not usually a fan of tins, I'd definitely consider grabbing 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 didn't have high expectations. I purchased it for the sticker sheets and the possibility of a Surging Sparks pack. And it didn't disappoint. You get three packs, one of which might contain something like Pikachu ex or Latias ex, and a tin that I now use to store... well, nothing. But I'm not complaining. There's a slight chance you might pull a Milotic ex or Ceruledge ex if you're lucky with the packs, and if you don't? You've spent twenty dollars 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 Amazon I got this box primarily for the sleeves, but Roaring Moon ex is what really sold me. It's the embodiment of a Pokémon that's done playing fair. If you aim to end games with one powerful move and look stylish while doing it, this is the card for you. Paradox Rift might not have as many chase cards, but the ones it does — like Iron Valiant ex and Groudon — feel like they were created by someone who knows we'll be marveling at 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 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 from the Scarlet & Violet era. This version emphasizes the ancient theme, and I bought it mainly to boost my chances of pulling Walking Wake ex. Is it competitive? That's up for debate. But its vibrant blues and prehistoric vibe make it seem like it stepped out of a dream induced by too much sushi. The sleeves are great, and I 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 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 manages to be both playable and beautifully illustrated. It looks like it's mid-leap out of a sci-fi anime, which is exactly the kind of energy I want from my pulls. Other key cards — like Iron Crown ex and Gouging Fire ex — either pack a punch or look like they're ready to. Raging Bolt ex, however, steals the spotlight. It's loud, dramatic, and perfectly balances being a meta staple with looking like 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 subtly introduces cards like Houndoom, whose artwork commands a hushed reverence, and Persian, which seems to be plotting something cinematic. The promos and sleeves are nice, but I was really after this box for the Illustration Rares that aren't just visually appealing — they tell a story. Fezandipiti ex, for example, is the ultimate support attacker, and Cassiopeia is pure 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
