If you collect Pokémon cards, you know how much a good Elite Trainer Box (ETB) can matter. Not just for opening packs, but above all as an investment or a showpiece in your collection. Some boxes have climbed a long way in value over the years.
In this blog we give you a complete overview of every ETB ever released. Names, series, contents, release prices, and which boxes are the most interesting to keep sealed.
What exactly is an Elite Trainer Box?
As you probably know, an Elite Trainer Box is designed as a starter kit for players. There are always several boosters inside, along with sleeves, energies, dice, markers and usually a promo card. Ideal if you want to play, and perfect for collectors too.
That said, plenty of collectors – us included – choose to keep these boxes sealed. With sets that have popular chase cards, like the Moonbreon from Evolving Skies or the Shiny Charizard from Hidden Fates, you can see sealed ETBs becoming more and more valuable.
Our tip? If you collect sealed, use an acrylic display box. That keeps your box tidy and protected from sunlight, dust and damage.
Why does the original price matter?
What a lot of people forget is that every ETB was once sold at a fixed recommended retail price. That price was usually somewhere between €39.99 and €49.99, depending on the series and the contents. Knowing that original price makes it far easier to judge whether a current market price is reasonable.
It stops you overpaying – something we fell for ourselves early on. So compare properly and check all the offers.
Overview of every Elite Trainer Box (with release prices)
Below you will find all the ETBs in one place, split by series, with their original retail price, release date and roughly what was inside.
Black & White Series (2013)
The first generation of ETBs, aimed at players. Original retail price: €39.99.
- Plasma Storm
- Plasma Freeze
- Plasma Blast
Contents: 7 boosters, sleeves, energies, dice, markers.
XY Series (2014–2016)
Original retail price: €39.99 per box. Known above all for the Evolutions ETB, with Base Set reprints that are still popular.
- XY Base Set
- Flashfire
- Furious Fists
- Phantom Forces
- Primal Clash
- Roaring Skies
- Ancient Origins
- BREAKthrough
- BREAKpoint
- Fates Collide
- Steam Siege
- Evolutions
8 boosters, sleeves, energies, markers, dice and a booklet.
Sun & Moon Series (2017–2019)
Original retail price: €39.99 per ETB. Burning Shadows and Cosmic Eclipse stand out in particular.
- Sun & Moon Base Set
- Guardians Rising
- Burning Shadows – because of the Rainbow Charizard GX
- Crimson Invasion
- Ultra Prism
- Forbidden Light
- Celestial Storm
- Lost Thunder
- Team Up
- Unbroken Bonds
- Unified Minds
- Cosmic Eclipse
Sword & Shield Series (2020–2022)
This is where Pokémon started building more variety into the ETBs. The original retail price usually stayed at €39.99, but Crown Zenith came out at €49.99.
- Sword & Shield Base
- Rebel Clash
- Darkness Ablaze
- Vivid Voltage
- Battle Styles
- Chilling Reign
- Evolving Skies – one of the most expensive sealed ETBs, thanks to Moonbreon
- Fusion Strike
- Brilliant Stars
- Astral Radiance
- Lost Origin
- Silver Tempest
- Crown Zenith – including the Lucario VSTAR promo
Scarlet & Violet Series (2023–2025)
With a standard 9 boosters and a promo card. Original retail price: €49.99.
- Scarlet & Violet Base
- Paldea Evolved
- Obsidian Flames
- Paradox Rift
- Paldean Fates – Shiny Pokémon, always popular
- Temporal Forces
Specials and limited editions
With specials such as the Pokémon Center exclusives, the price ran a little higher. Standard €49.99, exclusive versions €59.99.
- Hidden Fates – Shiny Vault with Charizard GX
- Shining Legends – Shiny Ho-Oh promo
- Champion's Path – Rainbow Charizard VMAX
- Celebrations – 25th Anniversary
- Crown Zenith Pokémon Center Exclusive – extra contents, higher price
Which ETBs are the best to keep sealed?
Not every ETB goes up in value. It comes down to popularity, print run and chase cards. From our experience, these are the boxes with the best odds of holding their value or climbing:
- Evolving Skies – thanks to the Eeveelutions, and the Moonbreon above all
- Hidden Fates – Shiny Vault sets stay a top favourite
- Crown Zenith Pokémon Center Exclusive – because of the limited print run
- Shining Legends – harder and harder to find sealed
- Paldean Fates (early print) – Shiny sets have historically always done well
Do not forget, though: collecting sealed is always a bit of a gamble. Above all, pick what you actually like. That is what keeps collecting fun and keeps you at it.
Our advice as collectors
An Elite Trainer Box is far more than a box of cards. It is a piece of Pokémon history. The older boxes especially tell a story, from the first Black & White releases through to the newest Scarlet & Violet series.
Want to buy smart? Always look at:
- The original retail price (so you know where you started)
- The current market price
- The popularity of the set (how wanted are the chase cards?)
And our most important tip: collect what you think is great. The enjoyment you get out of your collection is worth the most in the end.
