Buying guides
Pokémon set buying guides
A short guide to each set: what it is, the cards collectors want most, and what you get in its booster boxes, Elite Trainer Boxes, bundles and tins.
Pokémon's 30th anniversary
30th Celebration buying guide
Pokémon's 30th anniversary set, released everywhere on the same day — 16 September 2026. Every card in a pack is foil, and there's no booster box.
Release calendar and what's in each boxIn the spotlight
The newest sets, what's out next and a few favourites.
New releasePitch BlackMega Evolution · 2026Pitch Black, from July 2026, is based on Pokémon Legends: Z-A's Mega Dimension. Mega Darkrai ex and Mega Zeraora ex make their TCG debuts.Read guide 
New releaseJapanese Storm EmeraldaJapanese · 2026Storm Emeralda (M6) came out in Japan on 31 July 2026, with Mega Rayquaza ex as its star. It comes to English as Delta Reign.Read guide 
Collector favouriteScarlet & Violet 151Scarlet & Violet · 2023All 151 original Pokémon in modern cards, from 2023. Charizard ex, Mew ex and the Special Illustration Rares of Kanto favourites are the big pulls.Read guide 
Collector favouritePrismatic EvolutionsScarlet & Violet · 2025A special set from January 2025 built around Eevee and all eight of its evolutions, with the Umbreon ex Special Illustration Rare as the top chase.Read guide 
Collector favouriteAscended HeroesMega Evolution · 2026Ascended Heroes is a huge special set from January 2026, based on Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Mega Dragonite ex headlines, with Mega Meganium ex and Mega Feraligatr ex among its new Megas.Read guide 
Out 6 Nov 2026Delta ReignMega Evolution · 2026Delta Reign is the next Mega Evolution set, due 6 November 2026, with Mega Rayquaza ex as its headline card.Read guide
Popular set guides
Much-loved sets, from Base Set to today.
Chaos RisingMega Evolution · 2026Chaos Rising, from May 2026, is built around Mega Greninja ex — its art joins Froakie and Frogadier in a three-card panorama. Mega Gallade and Mega Floette feature too.Read guide 
Perfect OrderMega Evolution · 2026Perfect Order, from March 2026, is led by Mega Zygarde ex, with Mega Starmie ex, Mega Clefable ex and Mega Skarmory ex alongside it.Read guide 
Base SetBase · 1999Where it all began — the first English set, from 1999. The holo Charizard is the most famous Pokémon card there is, with Blastoise and Venusaur beside it.Read guide 
Phantasmal FlamesMega Evolution · 2025Phantasmal Flames is the second Mega Evolution set, from November 2025, and the home of Mega Charizard X ex — its Special Illustration Rare is the card everyone wants.Read guide 
Destined RivalsScarlet & Violet · 2025Destined Rivals, from May 2025, adds Team Rocket's Pokémon to the Trainer's Pokémon line — Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex is the big chase, with Cynthia's Garchomp ex close behind.Read guide 
Crown ZenithSword & Shield · 2023Crown Zenith, from January 2023, closed out Sword & Shield. Its Galarian Gallery of full-art Pokémon — led by Giratina VSTAR — is what collectors chase.Read guide 
CelebrationsSword & Shield · 2021Celebrations marked the Pokémon TCG's 25th anniversary in 2021 — a small set plus a Classic Collection of famous cards reprinted, including the Base Set Charizard.Read guide 
Mega EvolutionMega Evolution · 2025Mega Evolution brought Mega Pokémon back to the TCG in September 2025 as Mega Pokémon ex. Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex lead the set.Read guide 
Surging SparksScarlet & Violet · 2024Surging Sparks, from November 2024, is the Pikachu ex set — its Special Illustration Rare is one of the era's best-known cards.Read guide 
Evolving SkiesSword & Shield · 2021Evolving Skies, from 2021, is the Eeveelution set — the alternate-art Umbreon VMAX ("Moonbreon") is one of the most wanted modern cards, with Rayquaza VMAX close behind.Read guide 
Journey TogetherScarlet & Violet · 2025Journey Together, from March 2025, brought back Trainer's Pokémon — cards like N's Zoroark ex, Lillie's Clefairy ex and Iono's Bellibolt ex.Read guide 
EvolutionsXY · 2016Evolutions, from 2016, remade the original Base Set with modern card frames, alongside new cards of Kanto favourites.Read guide 
Paldean FatesScarlet & Violet · 2024A shiny special set from January 2024 — dozens of shiny Pokémon, with the shiny Charizard ex the card most collectors chase.Read guide 
Japanese Mega Dream exJapanese · 2025Japanese Mega Dream ex is a Japanese set from 2025.Read guide 
Lost OriginSword & Shield · 2022Lost Origin, from 2022, is built around Giratina and the Lost Zone. The alternate-art Giratina V and the Trainer Gallery subset are what collectors go for.Read guide