8 Best Pokémon TCG Packs to Buy in 2023

Scarlet & Violet Base Pack

This new base set, which released in March 2023, is a must-buy. The first set of the Pokémon Scarlet/ Violet run, the base pack introduces some must-have Paldean Pokémon to the Pokemon Trading Card Game.

This is the first outing for these new Pokémon in the TCG, so these cards have been highly anticipated by fans!

The Pokémon Scarlet and Violet base set can be found in single booster packs, too, so you won’t need to break the bank shelling out for expensive collector’s sets, huge booster boxes, or even Elite Trainer Boxes.

Pokémon Scarlet/Violet reintroduces ‘ex’ cards which show off the terastal phenomenon in the TCG so they’re a great option for anyone looking to update their decks with new cards.

With more than 190 cards, 10 brand-new Pokémon ex, new Tera Pokémon, and dozens of cards with special illustrations, this pack is an excellent choice for any fan of the Pokémon trading card game whether you're looking for collectible cards or cards for play.

The best bang for your buck here is probably the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Booster Box. Pokemon Booster Boxes come with 36 packs. This gives a nice selection of cards without having to buy the pricier collector’s editions. Since it’s the flagship new series, it should be available in normal retailers too meaning you won't need to buy packs from resellers!

But if you really want to, you can buy the Elite Trainer Box which comes with damage counter dice, a great selection of Pokémon cards, card sleeves, and eight booster packs. These are some of the best Pokemon card packs to buy if you're looking to dip your toes in.

Scarlet & Violet: Paldea Evolved

This pack comes with a bunch of cool bonuses to your collection or TCG gameplay. Paldea Evolved adds some powerful new Abilities such as Squawkabilly ex’s Squawk and Seize Ability which allows you to discard your hand and draw six cards.

Not only that, the Paldea Evolved set comes with magnificent Chien-Pao and Ting-Lu ex cards with unique art and devastating in-game effects.

With fantastic new artwork and powerful effects, the Paldea Evolved pack is a sure-fire way to up your TCG game and grab some of the best Pokemon cards!

Available in single packs, larger booster boxes, and larger collector’s items, this pack is a great choice whether you’re in it for the art, the competitive play – or both!

Scarlet & Violet – 151

For fans of the original 151 Pokémon, the Pokemon Company has you covered. This release offers 160+ cards, 12 new Pokémon ex, and all 151 Kanto Pokémon! All the cards in this pack are fantastic, making this an excellent choice for fans of the Pokémon TCG.

This set is great for fans who want to reconnect with their favorite Pokémon, and features illustrations of entire evolutionary chains! As many collectors love the first generation of Pokémon this set has the nostalgia factor.

If you’re interested in the original 151, this is one of the best Pokemon card packs to buy!

Available as booster packs, booster boxes, and more, this is a great Pokémon card pack to buy.

Sword & Shield – Crown Zenith

Although from the older Sword and Shield series, the Crown Zenith pack is still a great choice, especially for anyone looking for VSTAR cards! With Pokémon like Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR and Radiant Eternatus it can add depth to any deck.

But the Crown Zenith set has some truly brilliant illustrations which really make the Pokémon pop. Including fan-favorites like Mareep, Turtwig, and Pikachu!

With its Secret Rare alternative art cards this set is one of the best Pokemon card packs to buy.

The Sword & Shield Crown Zenith set is available in tins, mini tins, and collector’s editions, so it can be a more expensive option - especially if you were only looking for Pokemon booster packs.

But the set features some of the best artwork in the Pokémon TCG’s history, and as the Sword & Shield era’s last hurrah, it’s a solid choice for anyone who wants some new collectible cards.

Especially fans of the Trainer Gallery Cards! The Crown Zenith set has 30 new Trainer Gallery Cards showing Pokémon with their trainer alongside as well as 3 new Radiant Pokémon.

Fans of shiny Pokémon may enjoy this list of the best shiny Pokémon!

The trainer cards are a really nice addition and the artwork really pops.

The Crown Zenith pack includes 70 Special Art cards, too, so for fans of the Pokémon TCG Pokemon card artwork, this really is a must-buy in whatever packs you can find.

Sword & Shield – Lost Origin

This pack is a must-have for any fans of video game Pokémon Legend Arceus’s Hisuian Pokémon. Featuring Hisuian Goodra, Hisuian Zoroark and 14 powerful Pokémon V, this set has something for everyone.

Fans of Zoroark might enjoy this list of the best fox Pokémon!

With over 190 new cards, 3 brand-new Radiant Pokémon, and 6 Pokémon VSTAR cards, the Lost Origin set is has beautiful artwork and powerful cards.

Smaller booster packs should be available from various Pokémon card retailers, so this is a good choice for anyone wanting to avoid resellers.

In 2023 this is still one of the best Pokemon packs to buy especially if what you want is some of the best artwork in the Pokemon TCG. A must have for all Pokemon fans!

Sword & Shield - Evolving Skies

The Evolving Skies set is a great choice for anyone wanting to grab super cool VMAX cards. Featuring great cards such as VMAX Duraldon and VMAX Rayquaza, Evolving Skies is a great choice for fans of the Sword/Shield era series of cards.

With all eight of Eevee's evolutions the Evolving Skies set is one of the best Pokemon card packs for many Pokemon fans!

If you're a big fan of Eevee and its evolutions check out this list of the best Pokémon of all time to see where it lands!

Evolving Skies Elite Trainer Boxes include eight booster packs, so they can be a real pleasure to open! If you don't fancy an Elite Trainer Box, though, you can buy the regular Pokemon Booster Box. These are still some of the best Pokemon booster boxes to buy!

Fans of alternative art cards will be super happy with this pack too, as it includes some of the best alternative art in the entire TCG series! These incredibly unique cards are a surefire way to spice up your collection with new cards!

Sword & Shield - Astral Radiance

Although a Sword/Shield era pack, Astral Radiance includes many Pokémon from other games in the video game franchise, making it an excellent choice for many collectors.

Introducing new mechanics for Radiant Pokémon along with a whole host of new cards, the Astral Radiance pack is a solid choice. Featuring fantastic artwork of Hisuian Pokémon, this addition to the Pokemon TCG is a great choice over previous sets.

Fans of the Elite Trainer Boxes will be happy to know this set is available as an Elite Trainer Box, meaning you can pick up card sleeves, damage counter dice, and a whole load of Pokémon cards with your purchase!

Sword & Shield - Shining Fates

Another entry in the rock-solid Sword/Shield series, Shining Fates has a whole load of great Pokémon cards for fans of the series to collect! With new VMAX cards, Trainer Gallery Cards, and fabulous artwork, Shining Fates is one of the best Pokemon card packs to buy - even in 2023!

These are all the most solid choices for fans of the Pokémon TCG in 2023. These sets offer a combination of great artwork, gameplay utility, and price.

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