Market Snapshot 8/29/25: Scarlet & Violet Era Booster Boxes
- Black Swan Collectibles
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
The Scarlet & Violet era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game began in March 2023 and dramatically reshaped the way fans collect booster boxes. Silver-bordered cards replaced yellow borders, Pokémon ex returned and subsequent sets introduced novel mechanics (Ancient/Future Pokémon, ACE SPEC cards) and region‑specific creatures. Two years later, collectors often ask which booster boxes hold value and how later sets compare to the original release. To answer this, I browsed TCGplayer – one of the largest marketplaces for sealed TCG products – and compiled current market prices for every Scarlet & Violet‑era booster box.
Each section below highlights the release date, unique features of the set and a photo of the sealed booster box. Current market prices are from TCGplayer’s price‑points section (market price for a near‑mint unopened box). Because market values fluctuate daily, these numbers represent a snapshot of prices on 29 Aug 2025.
SV01: Scarlet & Violet Base Set (31 Mar 2023)
The inaugural set of the era introduced silver borders, new rarity symbols and the return of Pokémon ex. Collectors could pull Koraidon and Miraidon ex along with illustration rare cards of the Paldea starters. The market price of a sealed booster box sits around $225.74tcgplayer.com, making it the most affordable Scarlet & Violet-era product.
SV02: Paldea Evolved (6 Jun 2023)
Paldea Evolved built on the base set by featuring evolved forms of Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly and introducing the Ruinous Quartet (Chien‑Pao ex, Wo‑Chien ex, Ting‑Lu ex and Chi‑Yu ex). It also offered highly sought‑after illustration rares of Iono. Despite being only the second release, boxes command a high price; TCGplayer lists the market price at $387.63tcgplayer.com – more than one and a half times the base set.
SV03: Obsidian Flames (11 Aug 2023)
Obsidian Flames took collectors by surprise with a Dark‑type Charizard ex and the debut of Terastallized Pokémon with different types than usual (e.g., Tyranitar ex). The market price for a sealed box is about $285.76tcgplayer.com, reflecting continued demand for Charizard cards without surpassing Paldea Evolved’s premium.
SV04: Paradox Rift (3 Nov 2023)
Paradox Rift introduced the Ancient and Future mechanics inspired by the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet video games. Pokémon like Roaring Moon ex (Ancient) and Iron Valiant ex (Future) opened new deck‑building possibilities. Despite the new gimmick, the market price has normalized to around $239.74tcgplayer.com per box.
SV05: Temporal Forces (22 Mar 2024)
Temporal Forces continued the Ancient/Future storyline and revived the ACE SPEC mechanic – powerful one‑per‑deck Trainer cards last seen in the Black & White era. This innovation kept collector interest high, but market prices are relatively moderate at $239.42tcgplayer.com for a sealed box.
SV06: Twilight Masquerade (24 May 2024)
Set in the Kitakami region (seen in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero), Twilight Masquerade focuses on Pokémon like Ogerpon and introduces more Mask‑themed ex cards. The box currently commands a market price around $290.88tcgplayer.com, likely due to a combination of low supply and appealing illustration rares.
SV07: Stellar Crown (13 Sep 2024)
Stellar Crown centers on Terastallized Pokémon ex and characters from the Indigo Disk DLC. Collectors can chase cards like Terapagos ex and Archaludon ex. Released less than a year ago, the market price hovers around $235.78tcgplayer.com, making it one of the more budget‑friendly late‑era boxes.
SV08: Surging Sparks (8 Nov 2024)
Surging Sparks continues the Stellar Terastal theme and is set in the Terarium. It showcases Pokémon ex like Arctibax ex and introduces electric‑themed Terastal forms. Market data show an average price of $239.33tcgplayer.com for a sealed box.
SV09: Journey Together (28 Mar 2025)
Journey Together marks a thematic shift by pairing Trainers with their signature Pokémon, delivering cards that depict both Trainer and partner together. This unique concept has kept demand high; the market price for a box is approximately $253.85tcgplayer.com despite being a newer release.
SV10: Destined Rivals (30 May 2025)
The most recent set continues the Trainer’s Pokémon concept but focuses on rivalries between iconic pairs. Early demand is strong and supply is limited, pushing the market price to $328.40tcgplayer.com per booster box.
Comparison of Market Prices
Below is a quick reference table summarizing release dates and current market prices for each Scarlet & Violet‑era booster box. Note that prices are approximate and based on near‑mint unopened listings on TCGplayer:
*Market prices represent near‑mint, unopened booster boxes on TCGplayer as of 29 Aug 2025; actual sale prices may vary.
Final Thoughts
The Scarlet & Violet era offered collectors a variety of mechanics and themes—from the return of Pokémon ex to region‑specific stories and Trainer–Pokémon pairings. Paldea Evolved remains the priciest booster box, perhaps due to its powerful Chien‑Pao ex decks and Iono illustration rare. Conversely, sets like Stellar Crown and Paradox Rift are affordable entry points for sealed collectors. As the era nears its conclusion, newer releases like Destined Rivals have attracted high prices because of limited supply and unique card concepts. Collectors should consider their budget, desired chase cards and the set’s historical significance when deciding which booster box to invest in.
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