The Most Valuable Sword & Shield Booster Boxes In The Pokemon TCG

The Pokemon TCG has witnessed a surge in popularity in recent years, with the Sword and Shield era sparking many newcomers to join the community. With such a massive increase in fellow collectors and battle pros, some of the sets that sparked their interest have increased in value over time.

With the Sword and Shield sets rotated out of print, the limited stock available at MSRP on the Pokemon Center site was the only thing keeping values steady. However, some Sword and Shield booster boxes are only available on the secondary market. These are the most valuable Sword and Shield booster boxes, based on their TCGPlayer values.

Special sets that do not have booster boxes and the base set are not included.

Boxes are ordered according to their market prices on TCGplayer.

Updated January 14, 2025, by Andrew Scariati: Following a huge run at the end of 2024, the best Sword & Shield sets have shifted massively in value, with two new additions joining the list. The expected most valuable Sword & Shield sets remain near the top, but there are some surprise shifts in the middle of the pack.

10

Darkness Ablaze – $179.83

Illuminating Its Value

Darkness Ablaze hovered around MSRP for much of its time in rotation, but following the massive gains the Sword & Shield generation experienced toward the end of 2024, it made a huge run up the list of valuable Sword & Shield sets.

This set barely flirted with the $130 mark during the early portion of 2024, but slowly began moving up in the latter stages of 2024, culminating in a giant leap toward the upper end of the $100s in 2025. While the TCGplayer market price is lagging, look for sales to exceed the $200 plateau when you’re reading this.

9

Astral Radiance – $209.84

The Champ Is Here

While you may never have imagined a set with a Machamp chase card, Astral Radiance features one as its top-valued alternate art. Like Silver Tempest, Astral Radiance also features a Trainer Gallery headlined by Misty and her beloved Starmie.

The Trainer Gallery subset of cards is found within the last five sets released in the Sword and Shield Era:

Crown Zenith, Silver Tempest, Lost Origin, Astral Radiance, and Brilliant Stars.

The art in this set features some adorable slice-of-life moments captured in bright scenes worth collecting. Whether your moment as a Machamp fan has finally come, or you can’t get enough Trainer Gallery, this set has some unusual gems.

8

Rebel Clash – $231.62

A Collection Of Trainers

While Trainer cards that include secondary characters like the Pokemon professors or villains don’t always command the most value in a set, that’s precisely the case with Rebel Clash. Several of the most valuable cards from this set include Trainers, like the other variants of Boss’s Orders in addition to Oleana and Sonia.

While this set hasn’t been the most popular of the era, it’s seen pretty consistent value for a good time and remains among the most valuable sets despite a dip in price.

7

Silver Tempest – $240.59

Breathtaking Lugia And Trainer Gallery Art

Whether you open it for the Lugia V alternate art or to collect popular trainer and Pokemon combination cards (Trainer Gallery), Silver Tempest offers some enticing chase cards. While it sits below some of the most valuable Sword and Shield sets, Silver Tempest has the potential to move up the list.

Lugia is an incredibly popular Pokemon and the Trainer Gallery offers dynamic combinations like May & Blaziken or Zinnia & Rayquaza. With so many options, there are plenty of worthwhile hits to find in Silver Tempest.

6

Brilliant Stars – $264.32

A Standout In Sheer Variety

While Brilliant Stars’ featured alternate art is the time-tested Charizard, its Trainer Gallery might offer the most variety in Pokemon and Trainer cards. Popular trainers like Blue and Karen have multiple versions featuring them with Eeveelutions like Flareon, Vaporeon, and Umbreon.

If you’re not interested in yet another Charizard to chase after, then you’ll still find plenty to love in Brilliant Stars. Many Trainer Gallery cards feature unique art and interactions that tell vivid stories; you won’t want to miss these.

5

Chilling Reign – $326.87

The First Of The Big Five

Chilling Reign is one of the most valuable Sword and Shield booster boxes, driven by the popularity and value of its chase card, the alternate art Blaziken VMAX. The Galarian Birds (Moltres, Articuno, Zapdos) also headline Chilling Reign as some of the most in-demand cards, led by the Galarian Moltres V.

Blaziken VMAX is among the five most popular alternate art cards from the Sword and Shield era, joining a few incredible cards still to come.

4

Sword & Shield Base Set – $331.98

Back To The Beginning

The Sword & Shield base set has long been one of the least talked about sets from the era, but its time in the spotlight is finally here. Initially, this set wasn’t even among the top eight sets of the generation in terms of value, but it has since skyrocketed into prominence thanks to its top chase card: Marnie.

This set started 2024 in a slight slump, barely clinging on to its $250 valuation, but over the year, it slowly rose until it passed the $300 mark around September 2024. The base set continued its momentum into 2025, and while there’s no telling where it may settle long-term, it has a lot of ground still to make up to catch Lost Origin.

3

Lost Origin – $374.98

A Giratina Like No Other

Lost Origin might have the most top-heavy set in the Sword and Shield era, with a noticeable gap in value between its two most valuable cards and the rest. The Giratina V is by far the biggest chasing card in the set, clocking in at around four times the price of the Aerodactyl V in second.

Unfortunately, the Trainer Gallery in Lost Origin is weaker in value than some of the other sets from this era and the art isn’t quite as bright. However, the Giratina V alternate art features an incredible mosaic-like background that is even more beautiful in person.

2

Fusion Strike – $486.56

Devour Our Wallets

Fusion Strike’s bright colors and outlandish style are reflected in its chase card, the Gengar VMAX alternate art. This set earns its spot as one of the most valuable Sword and Shield booster boxes, with their price driven by a trio of chase cards.

Aside from the Gengar, a sleeping Espeon VMAX and the whimsical Mew VMAX are incredible cards that stand out among their peers. Fellow mythical Celebi also boasts great alternate art in this set, giving Fusion Strike a fantastic roster of cards to hunt for.

1

Evolving Skies – $1,122.88

From The Skies To The Moon

Evolving Skies is the most iconic set from the Sword and Shield era, and easily the most valuable booster box. Whether you’re one of the many lovers of the iconic Umbreon Vmax, dubbed “Moonbreon”, or prefer the Rayquaza VMAX, this set has many cards to enjoy.

While there’s much debate about the value of modern cards relative to the most iconic vintage cards, there’s no doubt that “Moonbreon” will remain a sought-after grail for the future.

Evolving Skies features a collection of amazing alternate art cards that ignited renewed interest in Pokemon TCG products. While there’s no telling what the future holds for this set, the value may increase drastically at a moment’s notice, as it already has.