With over a dozen sets now released, the Scarlet & Violet era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game is shaping up to be one of the strongest lineups we’ve ever seen.
But if you’re looking to invest—not just collect for fun—it’s important to separate popular sets from those with long-term potential.
In this article, I’ll break down which Scarlet & Violet sets are worth your money in 2025, what makes them stand out, and what to look out for before buying.
What Makes a Pokémon Set “Investable”?
Before diving into the rankings, let’s clarify what we mean by “investable.” It’s not just about how fun a set is to open or how much you personally love the cards. We’re looking at:
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Print run size
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Chase card desirability
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Artwork quality
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Product variety (ETBs, promos, tins, etc.)
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Sealed box performance in the secondary market
Top-Tier Pokémon Sets for Investment in 2025
These are the sets leading the charge in long-term collector demand and sealed product value.
151
An instant classic. This Gen 1 love letter is small but mighty, and sealed products are already getting harder to find. It appeals to new collectors and nostalgic veterans alike—always a winning combination.
Prismatic Evolutions
With every Eeveelution included and some of the strongest Master Ball cards to date, this set is one of the most desirable of the modern era. Weak pull rates ironically help boost single prices, which benefits sealed investors in the long run.
See the Top 10 Cards in Prismatic Evolutions
Paldea Evolved
An all-around excellent set with strong variety and highly sought-after illustration rares like Magikarp and Tyranitar. Its wide appeal and consistent popularity make it a top choice for investors.
See the Top 10 Cards in Paldea Evolved
Paldea Evolved
Destined Rivals
Despite mixed initial opinions, the top 10 chase cards in this set are some of the best in the Scarlet & Violet era—Moltres, Ho-Oh, Mewtwo, and Garchomp among them. Add to that short-term scarcity and it’s shaping up to be a dark horse investment winner.
Surging Sparks
Don’t underestimate this one. The Pikachu EX, Latias, and Milotic cards give it standout SIR potential, and the sealed box has held firm on the secondary market. This could be the surprise hit of the year.
See the Top 10 Cards in Surging Sparks
Surging Sparks
Great Pokémon Sets With Investment Potential
Not every set has to be perfect to be profitable. These options offer solid long-term upside with a few key selling points.
Paldean Fates
Charizard tins, starter boxes, and some excellent baby shinies make this a product-rich set. It’s not the strongest for chase card values, but it ticks a lot of collector-friendly boxes.
See the Top 10 Cards in Paldean Fates
Twilight Masquerade
Greninja and Eevee carry this set hard, but print run scarcity could turn it into a sleeper hit if a reprint doesn’t appear. Worth keeping an eye on.
See the Top 10 Cards in Twilight Masquerade
Twilight Masquerade
Journey Together
This set is one of the few to feature both an enhanced and standard booster box. If either becomes scarce, sealed collectors will take notice. It’s got enough variety and uniqueness to warrant a “great” ranking.
See the Top 10 Cards in Journey Together
Blackbolt & White Flare (Tentative)
Still unreleased, but based on early reveals, this Gen 5-themed dual release could be massive. A huge number of SIRs and new full-art styles look promising. The only red flag is a potentially huge print run, especially with Pokémon Center ETBs staying in stock for hours.
Good Pokémon Sets (Solid, but Less Exceptional)
These sets have some bright spots, but not enough to warrant heavy investment unless you can find them at retail or below.
Scarlet & Violet Base Set
First English set with silver borders. Historically, base sets age well, but this one’s a slow burn.
See the Top 10 Cards in Scarlet & Violet Base
Obsidian Flames
Charizard fans will enjoy this one, and the ETB has proven popular. It’s far from a top-tier investment, but solid enough for collectors looking to diversify.
See the Top 10 Cards in Obsidian Flames
Temporal Forces
A few standout cards like Gastly, Litten, and Metagross help elevate this to mid-tier status, though it lacks a marquee chase card.
See the Top 10 Cards in Temporal Forces
Temporal Forces
Sets to Approach With Caution
These aren’t necessarily bad sets—they just don’t offer much from an investment standpoint, especially if heavily reprinted.
Stellar Crown
Despite a couple of nice illustration rares, it’s simply too small and lacks any real standout hits to justify holding sealed.
Shrouded Fable
Tiny set, uninspiring chase cards, and low collector hype. A miss for investors, even if it has a few artistic highlights.
Final Thoughts: Print Runs Still Rule
As always, print runs are the great unknown in any modern set’s performance. Twilight Masquerade may be short printed for now, but a reprint could flatten demand. Likewise, Prismatic Evolutions is riding high, but future restocks could dampen investor excitement.
Still, if you’re building a Pokémon sealed investment portfolio in 2025, focusing on sets with iconic chase cards, rich variety, and limited availability is your best strategy.
Tip for UK collectors: Keep an eye on online retailers like Magic Madhouse, Total Cards, and Chaos Cards for UK-exclusive products and pre-order pricing.
