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 impress, 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. It includes five booster packs from a great 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 take on a loot box, and yes, I ended up buying two. With the chase cards across the included sets (like Pikachu ex, Terapagos, and Raging Bolt), the chances of pulling something exciting are pretty good. I'm not even a fan of tins, yet I'd still 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 expect much from this tin. I bought it primarily for the sticker sheets and the promise of a Surging Sparks pack. And it delivered. You get three packs, one of which might include something like Pikachu ex or Latias ex, along with a tin that's now just holding space. I can't even be upset about it. There's a small chance you'll pull a Milotic ex or Ceruledge ex if you're lucky with the packs, and if you don't? Well, 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 picked up this box mainly for the sleeves but stayed because Roaring Moon ex is the embodiment of a Pokémon that plays by its own rules. If your strategy is to end games quickly and stylishly, this is your choice. Paradox Rift might not have as many chase cards, but the ones it does have—like Iron Valiant ex and Groudon—seem destined to be admired 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 comes with a stunning full-art Flutter Mane and nine additional Temporal Forces packs to try your luck at pulling some of the best art from the Scarlet & Violet era. This box focuses on the ancient theme, and I bought it hoping to pull Walking Wake ex. Is it competitive? That's up for debate. But its design, with vibrant blues and prehistoric drama, feels like a dream inspired by too much sushi. The sleeves are sleek, and I pretend they matter to me.

### 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 is a rare blend of playability and stunning artwork. It looks like it's leaping straight out of a sci-fi anime, which is exactly the vibe I want from my pulls. Other standout cards 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 show with its loud, dramatic design, perfectly balancing "meta staple" and "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 artwork commands a reverent hush, 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 not only look amazing but also tell a story. Fezandipiti ex, for instance, is a versatile support attacker, while Cassiopeia offers straight-up 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