Summary
With anotherPokémon Trading Card Gameexpansion comes a new Elite Trainer Box.Surging Sparksis set for release in November 2024, and alongside it is theScarlet & Violet—Surging SparksPokémon Center Elite Trainer Box, a collection of products designed to enhance playing with the latest set expansion.Surging Sparksis the lastPokémon TCGset releasing in 2024, so this will likewise be the final Elite Trainer Box sold by the Pokémon Center until next year.
This Elite Trainer Box will likely be especially popular considering it’s headlined by thePokémonfranchise’s eternally popular mascot, Pikachu. Of particular interest will be the chance to find the Pikachu ex card representedy by the collection’s cover art – Pikachu with a Tera crown surrounded by floating gems. This Pikachu ex bears the relatively new Stellar type, introduced to thePokémon TCGwith theStellar Crownexpansionearlier this year. Stellar-type Pokémon is the tabletop game’s version of Terastallization, the unique battle mechanic introduced by theScarlet and Violetvideo games.
Every Item Included In The Pokémon TCG Surging Sparks Elite Trainer Box
Four ex Cards, Two Promo Cards, & Much More
The entire contents of thePokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Surging SparksPokémon Center Elite Trainer Box, per thePokémon Centerwebsite, is as follows:
11
2
Full-art foil promo Magneton cards
65
Card sleeves
45
Energy cards
1
6
Damage-counter dice
Competition-legal coin-flip die
Condition markers
Storage box with dividers
Pokémon TCG Livecode card
One of the full-art foil promo Magneton cards features a Pokémon Center logo, the other does not. Their artwork otherwise appears identical.
For those keenly interested in acquiring cards from the newSurging Sparksexpansion, it will be a relief to know that all 11 booster packs in the Elite Trainer Box come from that set. This is typical of Elite Trainer Boxes, but is a notable change from other collections like theTerapagos ex Ultra-Premium Collection, which does not belong to a specific set, and therefore features a variety of boosters.
The Pokémon Center listing also seems to confirm that the headline Stellar Tera Pikachu ex card will not be included. While the two Magneton promo cards may be some consolation, the new Pikachu ex card is likely going to become a very valuable card, both monetarily because of its new Pikachu artwork, and competitively thanks to its powerful Stellar-type attacks. The listing also teases prospective buyers with a few other ex cards that are not guaranteed to be found in the 11 booster packs: Alolan Exeggutor ex, Archaludon ex, and Latias ex.
Also of specific note is thePokémon TCG’s returning ACE SPEC cards, which were reintroduced after a long absence in theTemporal Forcesexpansion. While ACE SPEC cards are likewise not guaranteed to be a part of theSurging SparksElite Trainer Box, the rest of its contents will be of similar interest to those who actively play the trading card game, as opposed to those who prefer the collecting side. The included card sleeves may be enticing for collectors to keep their cards in good condition, but purchasing theSurging SparksElite Trainer Box is likely not of great monetary value if the rest of the practical items won’t be put to use in-game.
Pokémon TCG: Surging Sparks Elite Trainer Box Price & Shipping Info
No Guaranteed Shipping Date
ThePokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Surging SparksPokémon Center Elite Trainer Box has a retail price of $59.99, and is currently available to preorder from the Pokémon Center website itself. DespiteSurging Sparksreleasing on November 8, there’s no exact date for when the Elite Trainer Box will be shipped to purchasers; the listing merely says the Pokémon Center “[expects] to ship this product in early November 2024.” Those who preorder will not be charged until the collection actually ships, and preorders can be canceled any time before shipment takes place.
However, those on the fence may want to hold off, as theSurging SparksElite Trainer Box is considered a “final sale item,” meaning there are no returns. Considering one of the product’s primary draws is the 11 booster packs, there’s no guarantee that players will feel they get their money’s worth unless the play items (damage-counter dice, condition markers, etc.) will be put to use. For players who actively participate in tournaments or otherPokémon Trading Card Gamecompetitions, though, theSurging SparksElite Trainer Box is a great package deal of cards and accessories.
