The Pokémon trading card game was first released in October 1996 with a set of 102 collectible cards, but it wasn’t until three years later that the game finally made its way over to the United States.
Despite the delay in migration, the trading card game quickly gained a massive following in the West, with players seeking to try out the video games and watch the animated series as well.
While many trends will fade, Pokémon has managed to endure both for its original fanbase, but also constantly bringing new lovers of the game on board with its ever-expanding universe of monsters and sets to collect.
With this in mind, it can be difficult to decide which expansion packs and boosters you want to invest in when there is simply so much out there. Whether you’re a die-hard collector, a superior gamer, or just love Pokémon, there will be a set out there for you.
If you are looking for a comprehensive and exciting booster pack that is going to recharge your Pokédeck, then you would be hard-pushed to find a better purchase than the Sword and Shield Fusion Strike Elite Trainer Box. As anyone with knowledge of the trading card game will tell you, the Elite Trainer Boxes are the ones to look out for when you want to inject a lot of new cards into your collection in one go. With the Sword and Shield box, you will receive 8 booster packs of cards from the Sword and Shield series VMAX and Pokémon V, giving you a total of 80 cards.
The collectors box the Fusion Strike set comes in has been designed to be a durable, long-term storage option for your new cards and accessories, with four dividers and matching card sleeves included. In addition to the cards includes, the trainer box also comes with 6 damage counter die, a competition-legal flip coin, two acrylic condition markers, and a code card for the online Pokémon game. These code cards can be found in many of the booster packs on the market and are extremely useful because each unique code will upload your new cards online, so you can play anytime, anywhere, with the exact deck you have at home.
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Key Features
- Includes 8 booster packs
- Matching card sleeve featuring Mew artwork
- Comes in a collectors box
- Comes with 6 damage counter dice
- An additional competition-legal flip-coin
Specifications
- Franchise: Pokémon
- Publisher: Pokémon
- Age Recommendation: 12+
Pros
- Includes a code card for the online game
- Collectors box comes with 4 dividers to keep your cards organized
- Includes Pokémon V and VMAX cards
- Has enough cards to form an independent deck
Cons
- Rare cards may not always be included
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Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield Fusion Strike Elite Trainer Box
Depending on what you are after as a collector or player, a booster set that just features cards can either be a pro or a con, but no matter what your intentions, it is hard to argue with the sheer size of the Sun and Moon Lost Thunder Booster Box from Pokémon. This set is purely cards and contains 36 of the standard-size booster packs, giving you a whopping count of 360 cards to add to your collection right away. The pack promises to include some of the power GX Pokémon, potentially including Blacephalon-GX, Lugia-GX, Tyranitar-GX, and Mythical Pokémon, Zeraora-GX, which are all exceptionally useful to both a reseller and a serious player. These GX Pokémon can be identified by a graphic at the top of the card stating if it is a GX variant or not; if so, these cards are considerably more powerful on the battlefield.
This is the perfect set for someone who wants to build the numbers of their collection up quickly without having to waste money on extras, perhaps making it most suited to someone who wants to build multiple decks.
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Key Features
- Include 36 booster packs
- Collection include multiple GX Pokémon cards
- Lost Thunder collection has 210 total cards for you to find and collection
- All cards factory sealed
Specifications
- Franchise: Pokémon
- Publisher: Pokémon
- Age Recommendation: 6+
Pros
- Comes with 36 booster packs each containing 10 cards each
- Part of one of Pokémon’s biggest expansion sets ever
- Chance to find cards such as Blacephalon-GX, Lugia-GX, Tyranitar-GX, and Mythical Pokemon, Zeraora-GX
- Perfect set to build sizable collection with
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Sun & Moon Lost Thunder Booster Box
If you are looking for the perfect, giftable set for a Pokémon lover or just fancy a little treat for your own collection, then the Brilliant Box from CCG Select is a great place to start. This box includes two sets of booster cards that can be from a range of different collections such as Astral Radiance, Lost Origins, XY, and Brilliant Stars, just to name a few, so if you are unsure what specific series of Pokémon cards someone might be after, this is a great pack to cover all bases.
The Brilliant Box is also a fantastic set specifically for collectors as it promises that each box will contain two rare cards on top of the booster packs. Considering this is a smaller box than most, the guarantee of two rare cards ensures you really are getting the most for your money.
One aspect that may make you hesitate with this item is, of course, that it is manufactured by CCG Select and does not come directly from Pokémon. While this is a valid concern, both the manufacturer and multiple online reviews confirm these are real Pokécards that will be fully compatible with your existing collection.
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Key Features
- Includes 2 booster packs
- Promises 2 rare cards
- Fully compatible with the Pokémon TCG
- Includes cards from multiple collections
Specifications
- Franchise: Pokémon
- Publisher: CCG
- Age Recommendation: 6+
Pros
- 20 new cards included across two booster packs
- Great for collectors with 2 rare cards included with every purchase
- Can include cards from sereis such as Sun and Moon, Sword and Shield, and Lost Origins
- Perfect gift size for fellow Pokémon lovers
Cons
- Not affiliated with any one particular card series
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Even if you are new to the world of Pokémon, only a few minutes of researching will lead you to one of the most famous and popular expansion series in the trading card game: The Sword and Shield series. The Silver Tempest Booster box here is actually the final installment of boosters from this series and certainly one of the best-reviewed.
The Silver Tempest expansion box keeps things simple by purely focusing on providing you with as many cards as it can for your money from the whopping 190 out there to collect in this series. What is refreshing about this expansion pack is that the reviews are overwhelmingly positive on both the basics, such as making sure the cards are factory sealed on arrival, and the whole reason you invest, to pull rare and special cards.
The only downside of this bundle is that is it just cards you’re getting, but if your goal is to build your collection and reinvigorate your deck, then the extras that are included with some other sets, such as the Elite Trainer Boxes, may sacrifice what you actually want for gimmicks.
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Key Features
- Comprised of 6 booster packs
- Reviewed to have multiple rare pulls
- Part of the Sword and Shield: Silver Tempest series of cards
- Includes VSTAR and VMAX pulls
Specifications
- Franchise: Pokémon
- Publisher: Pokémon
- Age Recommendation: 6+
Pros
- Total of 60 cards to add to your collection and revamp your deck
- The final expansion pack of the Sword and Shield series
- May contain Alolan Vulpix, Serperior, Unown, and Mawile, and Regidrago in VSTAR forms
- Over 190 cards to collect in this expansion in total
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Sword & Shield Silver Tempest Booster Bundle
A booster pack that boasts great collectible extras and over 70 playable cards, the Pokémon Shining Fates Crobat VMAX Premium Collection is a must for serious players of the card game. The foundation of this box is seven booster packs of cards from the Shing Fates series, one of the biggest sets with the Sword and Shield set, with over 100 shiny cards to collect. What’s great about this collection is that it increases your chances of pulling a VMAX Pokémon. A VMAX Pokémon, if you are new to the game, is a card that has evolved even further than Pokémon V, bringing with it increased hit points and a powerful attack in the game.
In terms of collectibles, this premium collection doesn’t disappoint, with four extras that will add value to any collection. Firstly, there are the 2 promo cards from the Shining Fates collection which are fully playable. On top of this, you will get an oversized art card to either add to your collector’s binder or frame and display. Finally, this premium box also comes with a metallic coin which can only be found in certain booster and elite trainer boxes.
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Key Features
- Contains 7 booster card packs
- Includes an oversized art card for collectors
- 2 promotional cards
- Collectible Crobat coin
Specifications
- Franchise: Pokémon
- Publisher: Pokémon
- Age Recommendation: 6+
Pros
- Includes a total of 70 cards from the booster packs
- The two promotional cards included are playable in the TCG
- Comes with two collectible items
- Is a premium collection, part of the VMAX Pokémon
Cons
- No guaranteed a rare pull
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Shining Fates Crobat VMAX Premium Collection
When you are trying to expand and upgrade your collection of Pokémon cards, the extras that are included with many sets on the market can be more of a hindrance than a help, with your hard-earned money going towards die and memorabilia you already have. As such, if you are someone who is looking for a booster pack that are purely cards, then the Sword & Shield Astral Radiance Booster Display Box may well be the best choice for you.
This display box contains 36 booster packs, meaning over 360 new Pokémon cards are coming your way (nearly one for every day of the year)! Within, these booster packs can contain any number of the 180 new cards released under the Astral Radiance series, the new Radiant Pokémon that are upgrading from the previous Shiny Pokémon cards, and even the Hisuian Pokémon VSTAR. The Hisuian Pokémon VSTAR could include the Decidueye, Typhlosion, and Samurott VSTAR’s in their Hisuian forms with a whole new arsenal of powers at your disposal.
The sheer size of this expansion pack means that it is one of the best bets if you are wanting to collect rare cards, putting the odds firmly in your favor. It is however, as with many Pokémon packs, not guaranteed that you will get rare cards, but what the manufacturer can promise is that the entire set will arrive to you in its original factory seal.
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Key Features
- Inclues 36 packs of booster cards
- Includes the new Hisuian Pokémon VSTAR cards
- All cards are guaranteed to be factory sealed
- Shiny Pokémon are upgraded to Radiant Pokémon cards
Specifications
- Franchise: Pokémon
- Publisher: Pokémon
- Age Recommendation: 6+
Pros
- Highest chance of collecting rare cards
- Astral Radiance series has 180 brand-new cards which could be included
- Factory sealed to ensure no card tampering
- An ideal set for collection expansion
Cons
- Only includes cards, no extras
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Pokemon TCG: Sword & Shield Astral Radiance Booster Display Box
If you have been a fan of Pokémon since its inception in 1996, then what better way to celebrate your love of the game than with their 25th Anniversary Celebrations Elite Trainer Box? Both a nostalgic collectible and a smart choice for the booster pack contained, this is a card-focused box that packs a punch.
This Elite Trainer box contains a total of 15 packs of booster cards, with 10 of these being special celebration packs. It is important to remember that the special packs of boosters only come with 4 cards in each (rather than the usual 10). However, what you sacrifice in sheer numbers can be made up for in rare or special pulls, plus the box compensates you with 45 additional energy cards included.
For the collectors out there, the 25th Anniversary box comes with a special foil card of Greninja, the dark water, and the final evolution of Froakie. This can be either displayed in a custom folder you already own or kept from damage in one of the card sleeves included within the set. Each of the 65 card sleeves is designed with the 25th-anniversary logo and lightning tail artwork, making them a striking addition to any collection.
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Key Features
- Includes 10x celebration booster packs each containing 4 cards each
- 5 additional standard booster packs containing 10 cards each
- 65 commemorative card sleeves with the 25th anniversary logo on
- Gorgeous storage box
Specifications
- Franchise: Pokémon
- Publisher: Pokémon
- Age Recommendation: 6+
Pros
- Elite trainer box includes total of 40 celebration booster cards
- 45 energy cards to reinvigorate your current deck
- Includes a special foil card featuring Greninja artwork for your collection
- All card sleeves are designed with the 25th anniversary logo and lightening tail design
Cons
- Not enough card sleeves for all of the cards included
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.Pokemon 25th Anniversary Celebrations Elite Trainer Box
From the Pokémon Sun and Moon series of cards comes the Shining Legends Special Collection Box that promises both a great number of cards and lots of fun extras. The box contains five booster packs from the series, totaling 50 cards in general, out of the possible 73 new cards available. While these numbers do give you a good chance at getting a rare pull, what is great about this set is that you are guaranteed something special in the form of the additional cards included.
The first additional, playable card is the Pikachu Promo card, but this box also contains one full-art foil promo card and a full-art foil oversized card of Raichu-GX. Raichu is one of the final evolutions of Pikachu when using the Thunder Stone outside Alola and is a powerful, Electric Pokémon. Also featuring Raichu is an exclusive metallic coin that many collectors will store and display with just as much reverence as their cards.
The GX suffix refers to a specific type of card design which includes a stylized graphic “GX” at the top of the card. They are useful in play because they have a stronger attack than their non-GX counterparts and a higher HP (the only downside being that if your opponent knocks you out, they get two prize cards instead of one).
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Key Features
- Includes 5 booster packs from the Shining Legends series
- Collectors oversized art card and pin
- Will contain 1 Rare Foil Raichu-GX Card
- Comes with a foil promotional card of everyone’s favorite Pokémon- Pikachu
Specifications
- Franchise: Pokémon
- Publisher: Pokémon
- Age Recommendation: 6+
Pros
- Includes collecable items such as a metallic coin featuring Raichu
- Total of 50 cards from the Shining Legends series
- Includes a code card so you can carry on playing online
- Perfect for those who want to expand their collection with Lightning Type Pokémon
Cons
- The oversized card and art card are not playable (foil Pikachu is, however)
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Shining Legends Special Collection Box Trading Card Set
This Elite Trainer Box as part of the Sword and Shield series is unique in that it features the rare Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta in both the cover art of the collectible box and on the 65 card sleeves included in the set. Zacian or Zamazenta are both Mascot Legendries in the Sword and Shield collection and are collectively known as The Heroes of Many Battles. Zacian is a fairy/ steel type Pokémon whereas Zamazenta is a fighting type, making them a fearsome pair of warriors when played.
This trainer box comes with eight booster packs, giving you a total of 80-card pull, but what makes the set so special is all the extras that you get alongside this. As mentioned above, the Zacian and Zamazenta artwork features both on the collectible storage box and the card sleeves included in the set, but this also contains an additional 45 energy cards to recharge your deck alongside six damage counter dice that are player-approved.
The only downside of this box is that, unlike some of the other elite trainer boxes on the market, it does not contain any dividers to keep the inside of the box organized once opened, but this can of course be remedied with either using dividers from a different set or storing your cards in a Pokémon binder for easier access.
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Key Features
- Comes complete with 8, factory sealed booster packs
- Includes 65 card sleeves to protect your favorites
- An additional 45 energy cards
- 6 Damage counter dice
Specifications
- Franchise: Pokémon
- Publisher: Pokémon
- Age Recommendation: 6+
Pros
- Comes with a players guide to the Sword and Shield expansion pack
- A total of 125 playable cards to add to your collection
- Card sleeves featuring Zacian or Zamazenta artwork
- All presented in gorgeour collectors box
Cons
- Doesn’t contain dividers to keep the box organized
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Sword & Shield Zacian Elite Trainer Box
While all trainer boxes are an exciting purchase with numerous cards and collectible extras, sometimes an extra special set comes along to surprise you, and this definitely describes the Sword and Shield Rebel Clash Elite Trainer Box. The unique box design is reminiscent of ancient Mayan artwork and features a depiction of one of the most unique Pokémon out there: Copperajah. Copperajah is an elephant-type Pokémon defined by its dark green, almost cube-shaped body and is the next evolutionary step up from Cufantsuggest.
This trainer box contains eight packs o booster cards from the Rebel Clash series from Sword and Shield and additionally comes with a guidebook that will walk players new and old through the expansion, what cards you might get, and how best to combine them in gameplay. Alongside these, as is seemingly standard with trainer boxes, are 45 energy cards and 65 card sleeves.
Separate from the card, the Rebel Clash set also includes 2 acrylic condition markers, a competition legal flip die, and four dividers to go inside your collectible box for increased organization and neat presentation.
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Key Features
- Includes 8 booster card packs
- Collectors box and card sleeves featuring Copperajah artwork
- Contains a competition legal flip die
- Comers with 2 acrylic condition markers
Specifications
- Franchise: Pokémon
- Publisher: Pokémon
- Age Recommendation: 6+
Pros
- Collectors box comes with dividers for an oragnized storage solution
- Includes condition markers and damage-counter die for gameplay
- A rule book for new players to help understand the Rebel Clash series
- Complete with 45 energy cards
Cons
- Not enough card sleeves for all the cards included in the set
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Sword & Shield-Rebel Clash Elite Trainer Box
The Pokémon universe is an ever-expanding menagerie of new creatures and collectibles that have kept fans coming back for nearly 30 years. The key to this success is, in part, due to the franchise always being able to give players new cards to collect through new collections. Within each new series are normally over 100 new collectible cards (the biggest we’ve encountered here being 210) with variations including shiny cards, foil, Pokémon V, VMAX, and GX just to name a few.
What Is a Booster Pack?
As with any game as complex as Pokémon, there are a lot of terms being thrown around that may well be confusing to a new player; between trainer boxes and expansion packs, it can be hard to see the wood through the trees.
A booster pack refers to a pack of typically 10 cards that can include any combination of trainer or creature cards inside. They come as part of the trainer boxes and extension packs alongside other goodies that can be included such as collectible coins and art cards.
The type of cards you will get in each pack will depend on the series you are buying. With each new set, such as Sword and Shield or Sun and Moon, there will be a number of new cards developed for you to collect across multiple boxes.
Why Are Booster Packs Useful?
Booster packs are useful to both those who collect the cards and those who want to play the games. For collectors, these packs and how they are divided into different collections can help you to better your chances of securing specific cards for your personal collection. Furthermore, by buying bigger packages of booster cards, you increase your chances of finding duplicates of rare cards you already own which you can then sell in order to make your money back, sometimes with a small profit.
As a player, buying booster packs alone will not build you a deck, but once you have compiled your first deck these boosters will be invaluable in leveling up your trainer status and improving your hand. One of the brilliant things about Pokémon is that, just like the creatures in the game, your deck can be continuously evolving, too. Booster packs will give you more options when it comes to building a deck for tournaments and creating more powerful combinations.