Exploring Together: ETBs and Booster Bundles

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together Elite Trainer Box

2

This one’s loaded: nine Journey Together booster packs, a full-art foil N’s Zorua, card sleeves, energy, dice, condition markers, and a code card for Live. You also get the little booklet that tells you all about what you probably won’t pull, which is always a comforting touch. I like this as a shelf piece and a slow-open project. Rip one pack a night like a tiny cardboard advent calendar of hope.

As for singles, the ETB exclusive card N’s Zorua isn’t bad, but the bigger chase cards are finally landing where they probably should have started. Lillie’s Clefairy ex SIR is still pricey at $180, though that’s less than half of its pre-order peak. N’s Zoroark ex is now around $13, and even the stamped version is cheaper than a movie ticket. I think if you’re going to open sealed product, now is the time when the math doesn’t feel like a straight-up scam.

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together Booster Bundle

0

Six booster packs, no fluff. This is the set I grab when I just want to rip packs and pretend I’m still chasing something spicy. It’s cheaper than the ETB, and you’re not paying extra for sleeves or dividers you already have too many of.

The card market around this set has basically been a free fall, which makes this a way more interesting buy now. Salamence ex SIR dropped from $250 to about $106, and I think it’ll settle closer to $100. Iono’s Bellibolt ex, which I was convinced was going to be a banger, is chilling around $8. That’s not great news if you bought in early, but it’s fantastic if you’re just now joining the party with a Booster Bundle in hand.

Pokémon TCG – Scarlet & Violet: Journey Together Sleeved Booster

0

I picked up one of these mostly because I had $10 of Amazon credit I forgot about, but honestly, it wasn’t a bad gamble. One pack, random blister artwork, ten cards, and either a sense of joy or quiet resignation.

I picked up one of these mostly because I had $10 of Amazon credit I forgot about, but honestly, it wasn’t a bad gamble. One pack, random blister artwork, ten cards, and either a sense of joy or quiet resignation

Pokémon TCG: Iono’s Bellibolt ex Premium Collection

0

Includes 2 x Journey Together Packs

I got this because I’m a sucker for dumb little acrylic standees and mildly chaotic Pokémon. Six booster packs, a full-art Bellibolt ex, a foil Tadbulb, and some fun extras like a sticker and a display backdrop. Is any of that necessary? No. Did I want it anyway? Absolutely.

Bellibolt’s cards are doing what most of this set’s full arts have done: falling like a rock. The standard full-art Bellibolt ex is now $7 to $8, and the Special Illustration Rare is around $80. That’s still expensive, but it’s a far cry from the early days when people were pricing it like it was a lost Iono alt-art. I think this is a fun pick for fans of the character, and I don’t mind paying for charm when the market has stopped pretending it’s gold.

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.