Pokémon TCG Elite Trainer Boxes, affectionately known as ETBs, are released alongside select sets, such as Shrouded Fable. They contain everything a budding Pokémon TCG collector or competitive player could need.
Although not definitive, Pokémon TCG Elite Trainer Boxes typically include:
-8-9 packs of Pokémon cards
-65 card sleeves adorned with a feature Pokémon from that set
-1 full-art foil promo card featuring a Pokémon from that set
-45 Energy cards
-A player’s guide to help you further explore rules and strategies
-6 damage-counter dice
-1 competition-legal flip-coin die
-2 condition markers
-A collector’s box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organised
With these items, you have a sure-fire way to bolster and expand your collection, ripping packs in search of those latest chase cards. Or you can keep it sealed for those looking to the long term. That’s up to the trainer!
Elite Trainer Box Buying Guide
When buying an Elite Trainer Box, you’ll want to look beyond the box art – even if it contains your favourite Pokémon.
Look at what an Elite Trainer Box does or doesn’t contain, and consider if it is the Pokémon product you need. Wanting the promo card? Chasing full arts from the set? Do you need some competitive markers, dice and cards? Then this is for you. However, if you want a ready-made deck you can roll out into competitive play, then Battle Decks may be better. It’s always worth consideration.
You may also want to consider if you are just looking to chase cards from the set. If so, Booster Boxes could be a better option. However, to round out your Pokémon merch from the TCG with sleeves and competitive items, then Elite Trainer Boxes are a well-trodden path for trainers.
Top Picks for 2024
For those looking at these products in 2024, there are a few standouts. For those in hot pursuit of shiny Pokémon, Paldean Fates was the one. For collectors, this set, based on Japan's Shiny Treasure ex set, was likely one of many notches on the TCG calendar year.
The much-loved release teased trainer with a shiny illustration of Mimikyu's rare promo card, before opening up like Pandora's box, introducing a swathe of incredible pulls to the TCG. These shot to the upper echelons of trainer’s chase list, and have primarily stayed there since. Among the notable names are shiny Mew ex, shiny Gardevoir ex, and obviously a shiny terastalised Charizard ex for good measure.
The introduction of Stellar Crown is another notable moment, bringing fresh verve around the Terastal phenomenon, and introducing Stellar Form Terapagos to the Pokémon. It is not one to miss for collectors and competitive players alike, with special illustration and rare art cards that truly encapsulate the generation nine favourites in their terastalised types.
You needn’t look much further than Stellar Crown’s Hydrapple ex, which appears in a glorious mural-like form, and Lapras ex, which explodes with a crystalline colour. Though Terapagos, with its rainbow borders and mosaic background, sits on the pedestal of this new, exciting Elite Trainer Box release.
