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 keep dropping bangers, both visually and competitively, and unfortunately for our wallets, some of these boxes are actually worth ripping open.
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 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 take on a loot box, and yeah, I couldn’t resist buying two. With the chase cards across the included sets (Pikachu ex, Terapagos, Raging Bolt, take your pick), the odds of pulling something exciting are actually pretty good. I’m not usually a fan of tins, but I’d still grab 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 bought it mainly for the sticker sheets and the hope of a Surging Sparks pack. And it delivered. You get three packs, one of which might yield something like Pikachu ex or Latias ex, plus a tin that now holds nothing important. But hey, I’m not complaining. There’s a small chance you could pull a Milotic ex or Ceruledge ex if luck is on your side with the packs, and if not? Well, you spent twenty bucks to take a chance and got some handy 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 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 picked this one up for the sleeves and stayed because Roaring Moon ex is the epitome of a Pokémon that plays to win. If you want to end games quickly and stylishly, this is your card. Paradox Rift may not have as many chase cards, but the ones it does have—like Iron Valiant ex and Groudon—feel like timeless treasures, destined to be admired for years 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 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 stunning full-art Flutter Mane and nine more Temporal Forces packs to try your luck at the best art of the Scarlet & Violet era. This box embraces the ancient theme, and I bought it hoping to pull a Walking Wake ex. Is it a game-changer? Maybe not, but its design is captivating—like it stepped out of a dream inspired by too much sushi. With its vibrant blues and prehistoric flair, the aesthetics alone justify the cost. Plus, 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 the perfect balance of being both playable and visually stunning. It looks like it's leaping 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. But Raging Bolt ex steals the spotlight with its loud, dramatic design, perfectly blending "meta staple" with "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, which commands such awe with its illustration that you almost whisper when discussing it, and Persian, plotting something cinematic. The promos and sleeves are great, but I really wanted this box for the Illustration Rares that not only look cool but also 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