Best Pokemon Cards to Collect in 2025
Updated January 2025 • 12 min read
The Pokemon TCG market in 2025 is more exciting than ever. With new sets releasing regularly and classic cards holding strong, knowing which cards are worth collecting—whether for your personal collection or long-term value—has never been more important.
This guide covers the most sought-after Pokemon cards and sets in 2025. Whether you're building a Perfect Pulls pool, hunting for graded cards, or just want to know what's hot in the hobby, we've got you covered.
The 2025 Pokemon Pack Landscape
2025 marks an exciting time for Pokemon TCG collectors. The Scarlet & Violet era continues strong with several standout sets, while some older sets remain surprisingly valuable. Here's what's shaping the current market:
- Premium chase cards — Special Art Rares (SARs) and Illustration Rares continue to command huge premiums, sometimes 10-50x the pack price
- Nostalgia factor — Sets featuring classic Pokemon like Charizard, Pikachu, and Eeveelutions consistently outperform
- Print run matters — Limited print runs on special sets create scarcity value
- Japanese vs English — English cards typically hold more long-term value in Western markets
Our Top 5 Pokemon Packs for 2025
Prismatic Evolutions
The undisputed king of 2025. Prismatic Evolutions features the most sought-after Eeveelution cards in years, with Special Art Rares of Umbreon, Sylveon, and the complete Eevee family commanding $100-$500+ each. The pull rates are reasonable, and nearly every hit has strong market demand.
Why It's #1
- Incredible Eeveelution chase cards
- Strong secondary market for all rarities
- Beautiful artwork across the set
- Good pull rates for premium cards
Watch Out For
- High demand = limited availability
- MSRP often inflated by resellers
- May see reprints affecting long-term value
Journey Together
Journey Together brings trainer-focused artwork that resonates with longtime fans. The set features stunning Special Art Rares showing Pokemon with their trainers, creating an emotional connection that drives collector demand. Pikachu & Red is the marquee chase card.
Destined Rivals
A solid all-around set with competitive playability and collector appeal. Destined Rivals offers a good balance of chase cards without the extreme price swings of other sets. Great for collectors who want consistent value without gambling on massive hits.
Surging Sparks
Don't sleep on this set. Surging Sparks has flown under the radar but contains several undervalued cards that collectors are starting to notice. The Electric-type focus appeals to Pikachu fans, and booster boxes can often be found below MSRP.
Paldean Fates (Special Set)
This "Shiny Treasure ex" equivalent for English markets delivers on the shiny Pokemon promise. Higher pack prices are offset by better pull rates on shiny cards. A premium option for collectors who appreciate alternate art versions.
Prismatic Evolutions: The Complete Breakdown
Given its dominance in the current market, Prismatic Evolutions deserves extra attention. Here's everything you need to know about this set:
Chase Cards & Current Values
| Card | Rarity | Current Value | Pull Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umbreon ex SAR | Special Art Rare | $350-500 | ~1/400 packs |
| Sylveon ex SAR | Special Art Rare | $200-300 | ~1/400 packs |
| Espeon ex SAR | Special Art Rare | $150-250 | ~1/400 packs |
| Vaporeon ex SAR | Special Art Rare | $100-175 | ~1/400 packs |
| Eevee IR (Full Art) | Illustration Rare | $50-80 | ~1/100 packs |
Is It Worth Opening?
At MSRP ($5.49/pack): Absolutely yes. The expected value exceeds the pack price, and the opening experience is top-tier with beautiful artwork at every rarity.
At $8-10/pack (inflated): Maybe. You're cutting into margins significantly. Consider buying singles instead unless you enjoy the opening experience.
At $15+/pack: No. At these prices, buy the singles you want directly. The math doesn't work in your favor.
Journey Together: Trainer Focus Appeals
Journey Together takes a different approach by highlighting the bond between trainers and their Pokemon. This nostalgia-driven theme has proven surprisingly popular:
- Pikachu & Red SAR — The flagship card, featuring the iconic duo. Currently $200-350.
- Trainer Gallery cards — Full art trainers have dedicated collectors who pay premium prices.
- Competitive staples — Several meta-relevant cards keep tournament players buying.
For collectors who value storytelling and emotional connection in their cards, Journey Together offers something unique that pure Pokemon-focused sets don't provide.
Best Budget-Friendly Packs
Not everyone wants to hunt the most expensive sets. If you're looking for fun opening experiences without breaking the bank, consider these options:
Temporal Forces
Often found at discount retailers for $3-4/pack. The ACE SPEC cards add excitement, and you might hit an Area Zero Underdepths that's worth $50+. Great value for casual collectors.
Obsidian Flames
The Charizard ex chase card keeps this set relevant, but prices have come down significantly. Available at or below MSRP at most retailers. A solid "warm-up" before opening premium sets.
Paradox Rift
Past and future Pokemon give this set a unique identity. Roaring Moon ex and Iron Valiant ex remain competitive, giving bulk packs potential beyond just collector value.
Packs to Avoid in 2025
Not every pack is worth your money. Here are sets we recommend skipping unless you find them significantly below MSRP:
- Scarlet & Violet Base Set — Heavily printed, values have cratered. Even chase cards struggle to hold value.
- Paldea Evolved — Similar issues to base set. Too much supply, not enough demand.
- Any resealed or tampered product — Stick to trusted retailers. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Heavily discounted mystery packs — These are almost always bulk that couldn't sell normally. The "chance at vintage" is typically worthless filler.
How We Rank Packs
Our rankings consider multiple factors to give you a complete picture:
- Expected Value (EV) — We calculate the mathematical expected value per pack based on documented pull rates and current market prices.
- Pull Rate Data — Aggregated from thousands of documented openings across YouTube, Reddit, and our own user reports.
- Market Liquidity — Can you actually sell what you pull? We consider how easy it is to move cards from each set.
- Long-term Outlook — Sets with nostalgia factor and limited prints tend to appreciate over time.
- Opening Experience — Sometimes the fun matters. Beautiful artwork and exciting reveals count for something.
Want These Cards in PSA-Graded Condition?
With Perfect Pulls, you can build a custom pool featuring your favorite cards from this list, then open digital packs to receive real PSA-graded cards shipped to your door. Pick exactly which cards you want a chance to pull.