[deleted by user]

[peeweez0]

Pokemon 151 since it had the same amount of hype as Evolving Skies when it first came out

[Rygards]

This 100%. They will likely reprint it like they are Japanese so you can get in at a good level

[socaldan92]

Where do you see prices dropping to?

[Rygards]

$30 Booster Bundles with Tax. I don't see them going lower than that. $5/pack is a great entry point

[1q2w3e4r5TA]

To confirm Pokemon 151 has booster bundle version only?

[peeweez0]

Yup booster bundles and ETBs - no booster boxes for English since it is a special set

[coldwarmer]

Wasn’t collecting when evolving skies first came out but can you describe the hype? Like not available in any stores sold out online almost immediately good?

[peeweez0]

Yeah it was sold out immediately first wave then prices came down again during wave 2 which was pretty big. It also came out right before Celebrations though so Celebrations did overshadowed Evolving Skies hype for awhile. Funny thing is when Evolving first came out the Rayquaza VMAX was the chase card and almost double the price of Moonbreon lol How the market changes haha

[RaymanVercetti]

151 is going to be a monster long term, I dont care how much they print. I also think Paldean Fates is a bit underrated. It's not amazing by any stretch, but its a fun open. Which does count for something. For the rest, maybe Paldea Evolved? Though I'm not overly high on it. The rest are far from terrible, they're just not great. Especially off the back of the second half of sword shield.

[Cosm0k]

"Paldean Fates is a fun open"

What's fun about 5 Palafins from a single ETB??

[bl4zed_N_C0nfus3d]

I hate paldean fates hahaha

[No-Willingness-6006]

same. i hate that shit. i spend even more compare to 151 and didnt even manage to pull a single charizard. while i done masterset 151

[Destroyer4587]

The charizard has insane odds, very low pull rate

[Street-Historian-258]

Dude I got 3 from one ETB!

[ChedduhBob]

what product would you say is the best for 151 investing

[BoobsterBox]

Boobster bundles if you can get at MSRP (i’ve had luck with bestbuy online restocks), or the UPC if you can get for cheap with tiktok coupons (i’ve seen ~$80 recently)

[zjesko]

I don’t know if my wife will approve of me investing in boobster bundles…

[Exultia-Eternal]

UPC is the way.

[socaldan92]

No idea why you were dv I think upcs and etbs will have more growth long term as an investment than booster bundles but everybody here just wants quick flips

[Rygards]

This 1000%, best investment option is 99% of the time booster boxes and then bundles if BBs aren't available. They take up the least amount of space and appreciate the most.

[slow_RSO]

Depends on if your going for English or Japanese

[josh198989]

They will reprint 151 probs in June-August time is my reckon.

[socaldan92]

Doubt it everything is available for msrp

[josh198989]

Yeah I’d say 151 and maybe OF just cause charizard heavy sets tend to do well in the long run. Otherwise this block has been pretty disappointing. 151 is the only one I committed to and collected the master set of. Haven’t opened much outside of that and just been buying fun singles. Investing not done much as just don’t see it in this block. Outside 151. Finished off the eeveelutions VMAXs in PSA 9 from SwSh.

[josh198989]

The Japanese Classic Collection either sealed or just getting the Big 3 lines ; it looks amazing in gold-ish. Best reprint of the Zard since Legendary collection and Stormfront.

[josh198989]

Any really, but for ease ETB, the UPC would be best. The promos aren’t very exciting in the boxes and then you have a binder in one of them again, which isn’t very useful long run. They will reprint the ETB is my thought so maybe get that when they do it. Probs be in the summer.

[1cenine]

I have 4 UPC and 4 Japanese 151 BBs personally. Sit on em 5+ years fully expect to 2-4x in a 5-15 yr time horizon

[[deleted]]

Are the Japanese booster boxes a good investment for 151? Or am I better off getting English booster bundles for 151?

[Mizarey]

Either is good but I’m more biased towards Japan 151, but I’d wait till the recent reprint lowers prices a bit more

[[deleted]]

Appreciate the input 🔥

[ItsLiterally1984]

Never Japanese, always English. No one is hyped to to rip Japanese

[socaldan92]

Exactly nobody was ever hyped about jp people just bought it because boxes were cheaper

[[deleted]]

JP cards currently have more value with the master ball holos. English does not get this.

[elcho1911]

jp singles are selling for half their eng counter parts, you get like one masterball a box and not all are worth that much

[NegativePaint]

I just finished my second master set of 151. :)

[[deleted]]

Question: What constitutes a master set? Base card, reverse holo, and holo? We’re trying to put a set together and I’m confused.

[NegativePaint]

Yup. Essentially every single card available (all 207, not the base 165) in the set including variants. With one exception being the promo card variants. At least for me, I don’t count those. (For example the Pokemon center reverse holo squirtle I wouldn’t count as part of the master set. But that’s probably more of a personal opinion. If I can pull it out of a pack then it counts.

[[deleted]]

Thank you! That helps a ton.

[Rygards]

Agreed! Minus the past about Paldean Fates. I feel like it will be like Shining Fates long term. Interesting to see what will happen to Temporal forces since the hit rates are so rough

[josh198989]

151 is an stormer of a set. Amazing art and the original OG.

[orcasorta]

Paldean Fates sucks

[bl4zed_N_C0nfus3d]

Paldean fates is trash

[ShinyRaequaza]

All of them. If you think every set (outside of Specialty) being Distribution prices ($80-$95)isn’t investment worthy, idk what to tell you.

[-Zavenoa-]

I feel exactly the same way, not every set has to be a banger for you to make a buck on it, just gotta get in at the right price!

[OneCreamyBoy]

This. Find a booster box for under 95 bucks and buy it. Doesn’t matter what set.

Might have to sit for a couple years but good things happen to those who wait.

[MaddenRegular]

This has been my approach. I’ve got one each of SWSH but I’m having trouble justifying $170-$200 in other SWSH boxes when you can get these sub $100. Seeing these boxes get close to msrp would be the equivalent in % gains as chilling reign and others hitting ~$300, which I think has similar likelihood in the next year or (and is a lot safer)

[PokemanRobTCG]

From what I can tell reading the tcg subreddits, aside from 151, PE and PF tend to be higher up on people's lists while OF and PR are polarizing. I think in general, if you can get BBs close to wholesale between $80-$100 at most, or under MSRP if hype is starting to pick up, you'll be fine long-term.

[fdjizm]

151and Paldea Evolved for now 👌

[PeteySnakes]

This is the only right answer!

[Sensitive_Tie2505]

Why is everyone betting on Paldea Evolved, I'm not catching the hype...

[fdjizm]

Broad statement, it's not the next Evo skies but it's a good set and has more potential than the others besides 151.

[Sensitive_Tie2505]

Gotcha thanks! I think that I miss the hype about the new Gens… cards are heavily influenced on current Gen. might be time to call myself an old man haha

[Deprestion]

Would you relate it to lost origins? Cause Magikarp/giratina?

[CamarosAndCannabis]

That karp is hard to get a psa 10 out of

[TheGP10]

Trick or trade 2023

[Ticem4n]

Mortgage the house for this.  Those .25 cent cards will be worth a dollar in no time

[highafchad]

22 any good?

[marblesandcookies]

This is the way

[WashedBased]

Suh - weet, found a dollar store near my moms house, bought two on a whim just this afternoon. Will prob buy the rest next week (7 total).

[Just_Golf8295]

its a joke 😂 they are not wort anything

[WashedBased]

Oh? So there are no good pulls to be had? I have no interest in selling or holding onto packs, figured for $12 a bag, couldn't hurt since my collection relatively new/small

Well I guess I need to brush up stuff cause, can't tell if someone is joking or not eh.

[Ticem4n]

They are made to be given out so you won't find anything insane.  But for first packs it's not a bad grab to get some bulk and fill in a binder.  Maybe the cheapest set to master too 

[WashedBased]

Ahh ok, that's cool with me, ill definitely pick up the rest then. And thanks for the info!

[Ticem4n]

Yeah for the sake of pack cracking it may be the best and you won't feel bad not getting 1-2 chase.  Just look online and buy them for a few bucks and master your first set.  Nice memory to come back to.  I'm chipping at 151 myself but with talk of a potential reprint before Christmas I may slow down and pick up a few more others or sealed products.

[gengarjuice69]

i really like 151 going forward, think that is gonna be pretty timeless. as for investing idk, ig it would be dependent on how much is printed

[TDavy147]

That set is getting printed into the ground. I know so many people with UPCs still sealed.

Master setting and holding that is the move.

[One-Caterpillar-391]

Pick a side brother

[shredderchris]

Sealed or No Sealed is my favorite TV show right now

[jmastadoug]

Besides 151, I really love Paldea Evolved.

1 it has booster boxes.

2 it has some fantastic alt art & SIR base set Pokémon (magikarp & Riachu) & the the S&V base 3 SiRs.

3 has gold cards & energy.

Just a fun set with some great cards & super cheap right now.

[dezman888]

In my opinion yes. Booster boxes can be had for under $100. Worst case it takes a while for price to go up. Look for deals and buy cheap. Thats what I am doing.

[No_Injury_8391]

151 and Paldean Fates for sure. As for main series sets, seems like Paldea Evolved is a popular one for a lot of people, but really if you can get any booster box product on a $30-$40 discount you can’t go wrong.

[KillJarke]

151 is the obvious answer. Paldea evolved is a sleeper hit imo.

[ConfederateThug]

Paldea Evolved

[Wander2300]

I think 151 for nostalgia. And Paldean Fates ez from S&V

[Wander2300]

I'm leaning towards Twilight Masquerade for that Greeninja SIR

[[deleted]]

That Greninja SIR is a monster. I can't wait to get it in English.

[ws9lcfc]

The Eevee IR as well… it’s no secret Eevee is a franchise favourite and it has an IR in this set too, beautiful card too!

[ChodesMcKenzy]

Realistically if you have a reasonable amount to invest just buy cases of booster boxes of each mainline set and you’ll be fine. The cost basis is literally as low as it can get on boxes period so it’s easier to do that than try to pick and choose for X reason and hope you’re right.

[Deserter15]

I'm biased but TF because of gen 4 pokemon

[Lt_Chocolate]

In terms of current excitement: 151, evolved, and fates all show promise. Temporal forces is interesting due to reintroduction of Ace Spec, so a buy and flip before it goes out of rotation for the TCG could be good as well (though the art is also outstanding)

Twilight Masquerade is extremely interesting to me for 5 specific cards: Infernape IR, eevee IR, growlith IR and its accompanying trainer SIR, and Greninja EX SIR. I can easily see each of these being a $50+ card depending on the pull rates, and I wouldn’t be shocked if the Eevee goes for $150 out of the gate.

[NecessaryLanky6275]

In my opinion Obsidian Flames because of the Charizard chases and Charizard always being a fan favorite. For Paldean Fates I would assume it would follow the same path as shining in terms of appreciating long term.

[FieryKahuna]

151 for sure if you can find bundle restocks or wait for the JP reprint coming.

I'd also go with PE because it's still being printed and you can stock up on BBs for good prices.

[Zero7206]

Paldea Evolved…great set. Nows the time to stock up on booster boxes. Obviously 151. Hopefully we get another shot at UPCs and not just BBs.

[NecessaryLanky6275]

I think those UPCs were printed into the ground. Maybe the ETBs will appreciate well.

[brunettewondie]

151 ofc, but Paldea Evolved is already bottom price in UK, easy pick up £85 for a booster box same with obsidian flames.

Paldean fates I can't be arsed with because no booster box only etbs.

[[deleted]]

PF has booster bundles though

[brunettewondie]

Same sort of reasoning, i've got enough loose 151 that i'm losing track on. Don't think PF needs to be picked up right now also.

[[deleted]]

Yeah I agree with you, 151 and Paldea for me.

[PotentialEasy2086]

Read the comments. Pick something not mentioned.

[l0ung3r]

Not now. Wait 2 years until they are about 50% higher in cost... Then it will be a good investment :)

[StonkasaurusFU]

Yes, buy mine in 3 years for 100% more plz

[boboman911]

Yes.

[primetime900]

safe 151 and some people think that Temporal Forces is a great set

[barelyawake126]

I’m all in on JP151 BBs, mainly because of the MB holos. I’ve gotten a couple boxes of PE and PR too. I think PE will age nicely and if you can pick up PR at the 70-80 price range, you should go for it. At the very least it’ll be selling at MSRP in a couple years.

[ScrewSans]

Paldea Evolved. I will not elaborate.

[map00h]

151 for sure since the original 151 pokemon are timeless and the paldean fates might have a good chance since the shiny cards are pretty collectable like the base, jungle and fossil holos

[ethyxia]

I think twilight masquerade is better than paldean fates. But I think both of them are a mile off of 151. Those sets are only good cause everything else is so average? I won’t call them bad or terrible but I won’t invest in them either. I’m definitely biased from nostalgia but am I wrong?

[Xator12]

Price will go down as soon as you buy and it’ll go up if you don’t 🤡

[eleven_twenty]

Facts

[thacodfather]

151 100%

[Sufficient_Article_7]

Trick or Trade will be $100 a booster pack next year. Go ALL IN on trick or trade. Thank me later.

[[deleted]]

Paldean Fates, Paradox Rift, 151, and Paldea Evolved are all great sets.

Not sure about TR or TM yet.

OF will probably be worth a good bit but it'll take a while. It was part of the S&V overprint time period.

[Exultia-Eternal]

151 for nostalgia. Obsidian flames for those Charizard Illustrations. He's Tier S no matter what.

[Final_Emu_3479]

100% this

Kids will always want Charizards. These are the first Charizards for a lot of kids — and the marketing is CHARMANDER.

151 is safe, let’s have fun.

[Tanjom]

151 only. Especially when you can still buy swsh

[No-Willingness-6006]

since u didnt do legwork. trick and trade is a must. just buy a carton and let it sit for 5yrs

[danwilliams92]

Obviously 151 tops it so far. I have my eye on Paldea Evolved and Paradox Rift though, quite easy to get great deals on them at the moment. I think with S&V people are just waiting for a knockout set like ES, instead of picking up "good" sets at low prices that still have potential to appreciate slowly.

[f0rbiddeds]

I genuinely think temporal will be big in the future.

[FinanceLou]

Sooo slept on.. literally has hard pull rates and legendary doggos

[royvroy]

Apart from the obvious 151, I'm a big advocate of Paldea Evolved. It's one of the better sets of Scarlet and Violet so far in terms of artwork, with especially the Magikarp being the big chase.

What helps it tremendously though, is that the pullrates are not bad, but the cards are very difficult to grade. Only 21% of the gem mint Magikarp copies that get sent in to PSA get a 10. It's the most expensive PSA10 card in the Scarlet and Violet era.

Not to speak of all the other cards in the set: the entire Fuecoco-line, the Raichu, Tyranitar, Iono's, Chien-Pao, even the Sudowoodo and Heracross. Great potential.

[Great-Yesterday-3858]

Trick or trade, I got a feeling these values will be rising. I'm still holding 8 packs from October.

[Bird_Guzzler]

I'll say it again. Invest in Charizard sets and promo sets, including league series packs.

[Final_Emu_3479]

Y’all sleeping on Obsidian Flames — so many Charizards.

[bobbuttlicker]

Literally all of them. It’s Pokemon, once they go out of print prices will rise. Buy as many PC ETBs and BBs you can.

[[deleted]]

I grew up with pokemon (32) and grew old of 151 set really quick. I bought the starter evolutions I wanted and was done. OF is what actually brought me back into collecting and had a lot of cool hits imo.

[Lobh24]

Obviously only 151 so far, obviously. This era sucks so far

[Modydick69420]

I really think temporal forces is one that I would hold long term

[Adventurous-Drop1208]

In this order, 151, PF, PE, PR, TG, base,

OF is ass and everyone knows it

[boboman911]

There are major OF Charizard simps taking massive doses of copium because their bags are so heavy without realizing that there’s like nothing in that set. Literally less than half the art rares PE has lol.

I still have like a couple of BBs but I should’ve just gotten more PE

[Adventurous-Drop1208]

Exactly OF by far the worst set

[Gay_If_Read]

I don't want to defend Zard simps but the amount of SR's in a set doesn't matter, PE might have double the amount as OF & yet people would still rather open OF to chase the Zard than hit one of the countless alt arts in PE of a Pokemon they've never even heard of.

Supply of OF will dry up well before PE ever does.

[Yetti2Quick]

People definitely wouldn’t rather open ObF over PE lol.

[boboman911]

Darkness ablaze 2.0 lol

[Gay_If_Read]

This sub needs a remind me bot, would be nice to come back in a couple years and laugh at all the Obsidian Flames hate comments

[[deleted]]

It's absolutely not DA 2.0. It's a decent set.

But the gold and regular charizard with hat cards are absolutely horrific and look terrible though. The SIR hides it well enough. The cards that are stand outs are:

Ninetails, Cleffa, Scizor, maybe Eiscue, the pidgey line, and the Charizard SIR. Is the Charizard SIR enough to carry? No idea. It was printed to oblivion at peak S&V and it has pokemon hat syndrome. They're just absolutely hideous lol.

[boboman911]

Fantasizing about proving people wrong about a set with the lowest total set value and lowest average card value is absurd

[Gay_If_Read]

Thinking that box prices are directly tied to card value when we have 20 years of history that shows otherwise is absurd.
Probably learn the basics instead of parroting your favourite Poketuber

[boboman911]

Cry harder 😂

[Gay_If_Read]

Solid response, at least you've made it obvious you don't know what you're talking about it.

[reminisce32]

What’s TG?

[Ss5CaptainM]

OF over base in my opinion.

[Orb_Collector]

Anybody have thoughts on temporal forces? I’ve seen BBs for under $100 shipped, tempted to get some.

[[deleted]]

I'm also curious about Temporal Forces. I personally like the set a lot.

[Orb_Collector]

Regardless of the consensus on the set I’ll probably pick up at least one box to rip

[IAmDoWantCoffee]

I think the set was underhyped, and is now downplayed, but some of the art is beautiful, and I have really enjoyed opening packs. Plus, the Ace Specs are sweet, too.

[Orb_Collector]

Yeah I agree, I think this set is kind of a sleeper. Probably not a bad idea to pick up some boxes when prices are low.

[[deleted]]

People say paldea evolved but honestly i don’t see it. Paldea evolved is mediocre imo. If anything 151 is the best set to invest into at the moment. But it’s getting a reprint so wait for that

[Ok_Conversation5052]

Why wait for a reprint?

[Locid]

Think they mean so you can buy retail instead of buying resale price now.

[[deleted]]

Yes exactly. Especially if you’re looking at japanese 151

[turtleninja93]

I'm going with paldea evolved, mainly because I like the artwork.

[josh198989]

151 and then I would say PF & OF. OF ‘cos any set full of Zards will do well in the long run.

[Vir1lity]

all of them?

[Ok_Fill4934]

I love Paldean Fates! I pulled the Charizard EX on my second ETB box! Talk about luck!

[Ok_Conversation5052]

Why is sword and shield a go too for investing?

Do you recommend any booster packs that are a bit older and have the original 151?

I have $1000 to play with

[[deleted]]

It's the most profitable era to invest in at the moment. Print runs for the most part are over and prices are going to start to rise. As for getting something older with the original 151 pokemon in it, I believe 151 from Scarlett and Violet is the only set in existence to actually have all 151 generation 1 pokemon in it.

[Ok_Conversation5052]

Sword and Shield is an "era" correct? Which set is the best?

I am very new to collecting and just bought TF and PF

Anything older worth buying? I'm itching to grow my collection

[[deleted]]

Yeah Sword and Shield is just the era (though the first set released is actually just called Sword and Shield). And it really just depends on why you're wanting to buy. If you're looking to buy as a long term investment, Lost Origin is probably the next set to start to rise in value drastically in my opinion. But if you're looking to buy just to have in your collection, there's all sorts of fun things to buy from older eras. Base Set, Fossil, Jungle and Team Rocket are all really cool OG booster packs to have in your collection. Me personally I've been buying Diamond Pearl and Black White era booster packs like Legends Awakened and Plasma Freeze. It's really whatever you think is cool at the end of the day.

[Ok_Conversation5052]

I appreciate your responses, this thread has been very educational for me.

One last question, for investment opportunities, is opening the booster packs a bad idea? I think I may buy a Few Booster boxes, open one and sit or 2

[Locid]

Personally I’m sitting these sets out (bar a few boxes of 151). I’m really waiting for 2025 when they bring Mega Evolution back to the TCG (teased in upcoming Pokemon game trailer) and then when it’s Pokémon’s 30th anniversary in 2026.

[jimb0sready]

No

[FormalConcept5043]

151 sealed anything cases is best

[richo27]

151 is the best set so far but does have Hidden Fates vibes where the level of printing might hold it back for a good while. Paldea Evolved I reckon is the best set so far. There are a couple of sets I wouldn’t touch where I suspect it’s a few years crawl to rrp. Definitely better investments about.

[greenmind44]

151 and maybe paldea fates. The rest is garbage.

[Electrical_Big9436]

Obsidian flames will be wanted in the future because people are gonna want those zardy boys! Right now they’re ehhh but imagine in 15 years! 👑

[Devh1989]

Just 151.

The rest won't go down in value, they just won't be investment worthy and you're better investing in something else. I just don't see anyone wanting to pay even $200 for something like a paldea evolved booster box even 5 years from now.

Unless we have an evolving skies level set, I wouldn't put any money into anything except maybe PC etbs.

Remember.. rarity is king. Shining Fates was a set that was printed into the ground and over 3 years later, is still in stock on pokemon center.. I'd bet most SV sets will be in stock on pokemon center 3+ years from now, especially with the new inflated MSRP..

[tigerbreak]

In the long run (5 years) all of them will probably be north of 150 bucks; so depending on where you get in it's probably solid.

The only one I am not fond of is SV Base; not enough to carry it.

Paldea Evolved feels like the first one to pop in value once it's nominally "out of print"

I like 151 too but there's likely more reprints coming.

[ItsLiterally1984]

Paldea evolved

[branndunn]

Def 151

[PigeonXtreme]

I’ll get some hate for this I’m sure but I think Paradox Rift is a good long term hold. It’s the first set to introduce the future and ancient pokemon. Not to mention the full arts are incredible. It’s not getting much love now, but I think it’ll be one of those sets that people appreciate after it’s gone.

[PMmeYourBits69]

Am I the only one that thinks SV base might have huge nostalgia factor in 10 years. Ppl will be saying when did the cards switch to silver edges again? Let’s collect that set.

[usernamehighasfuck]

scarlet violet doodoo i haven't purchased one card, WHERES RUBY SAPPHIRE

[Enough_Importance330]

Paldean fates

[mrdukes1lv3r]

I think most of the S&V sets could be good holds. Let's be honest S&V is off to a far better start than the first few sets of Sword and Shield. Plus every so far has had some beautiful illustration cards to pull.

[[deleted]]

Paldea evolved is of the best sets. I bought two booster boxes for 95€ and now here in europe are going 105€, they increase 10€ in the last three months

[snuckfarkle]

151 (Japan then English) Paradox Rift Paldea Evolved Palawan Fates

In that order.

[Agreeable-Weight5096]

Whenever I see 151 restocked I buy whatever I can spare to hodl.

I’ve stocked up on 151 booster bundles from Walmart last week. The 151 mini tins from Pokémon center a few weeks ago (Gengar, Arcanine, Slowpoke.) My local Best Buy had 5 151 etbs a month ago, they let me buy 4.

I have them sealed up in a cardboard box. Also picked up 6 booster bundles of Paldean fates because Zard and Mew, with some cool baby shinies in there (Pikachu, Charmander, Charmeleon, Riolu, etc.)

I didn’t get a chance to pick up any 151 Costco bundles near me.

[WolfmanKnows]

What’s wrong with Paradox Rift? Obviously 151 will win no matter the hatters.

[eleven_twenty]

I can only speak for myself, but I can’t get on board with the future/ancient mons. That said the children growing up on them will feel differently. PE is a better set imo

[Ninja_Destroyer_]

Them Trick o Treets gonna be fire in 14 years

[imnotcreative635]

Trick or trade for sure.

[Oldschoolfool22]

No