Nothing like some casual price speculation on sealed product. Plus, a new UPC, a possible scalping of the Trick or Trade set, and

We're frugal collectors, so when it comes to buying Pokemon cards as long-term holds for future payouts, we need to be decisive. Buying every collection box that releases doesn't make financial sense, but in today's cluttered market filled with so many products launching with limited availability, where should your hard-earned money go?

Remember, in today's Pokemon TCG market, there's no "waiting for MSRP." All the products I discuss must be purchased at current market value.

Pro tip: Hunt on Facebook Marketplace for sellers with zero history of selling Pokemon products before 2025. They're looking to cash out and may give you better deals if you negotiate friendly.

The sets I've included here feature products that remain relatively affordable, mostly because they're priced against per-pack value rather than the additional "stuff" in the product. You won't see ETBs, UPCs, or other collection boxes here—I generally avoid buying those at market value and prefer purchasing the promos separately when needed.

Here are the three sets I recommend as buy-now opportunities for future returns: Twilight Masquerade, Pokemon 151, and Surging Sparks.

Current TCG Player lowest listed*: ~$290

Twilight Masquerade earned S-tier status from me the moment it released. Not just because the Greninja ex SIR was the first true chase card of the Scarlet and Violet era, but because this set delivers incredible balance in desirable cards:

This set introduced markedly lower pull rates for Special Illustration Rares, and with a large number of IRs and SIRs, pulling top chases became significantly more difficult. This means singles prices will likely climb as the set becomes scarcer, until it exits the "reprint window."

The main reason this set is a buy: Booster boxes are priced excellently under $300. Twilight Masquerade is a main series expansion that released just before the hype train fully departed, meaning most attention was overshadowed by overwhelming demand for Prismatic Evolutions and Surging Sparks.

Pokemon has focused restocks on other sets while only restocking Twilight Masquerade ETBs repeatedly. Given the low current demand and the slow upward trend of the Greninja ex SIR PSA 10, you should hunt for Twilight Masquerade booster boxes under $300.

Current TCG Player lowest listed: ~$130

Pokemon 151 ranks among the best collector's Pokemon TCG sets of all time—hardly a hot take. The population of collectors who returned to Pokemon because of 151 continues growing, with completed master sets likely growing faster in population than PSA 10 Charizard ex SIRs.

With Pokemon Center ETBs reaching ridiculous prices (even regular ETBs are performing incredibly well) and the UPC skyrocketing in value after sitting on wholesale websites for weeks, appetite for 151 products remains at all-time highs.

Literally the product people fought over, Blooming Waters is listed everywhere by anyone with Costco access. At this point, most collectors who wanted one probably have it, and given the box's weird dimensions, sellers prefer local buyers over eBay or TCG Player.

Strategy: Look for Blooming Waters locally, find sellers with multiple boxes, and negotiate deals. Even better, find someone who bought from Costco's website—they have boxes that fit two Blooming Waters perfectly for easy shipping later.

Current TCG Player lowest listed: ~$240

The powder keg set that ignited this current market bull run. Surging Sparks was the first set people genuinely couldn't obtain, with countless collectors unable to open even a single pack due to scalpers. It featured the first $1K PSA 10 sales on a chase card for initial releases (now around $890).

While I have zero proof, this is definitely one of the most commonly restocked sets in 2025 (alongside Stellar Crown).

Surging Sparks offers excellent value at current prices. While not as well-rounded as Twilight Masquerade in terms of hits, the Pikachu ex SIR holds its own as a top Scarlet and Violet chase card.

Booster boxes remain relatively affordable at $240 each, and with limited availability and infrequent restocks, I can't imagine many more coming into stock before late 2026.

Hot take: This box isn't expensive enough.

If all else fails, jump on the current hype train and grab as many Prismatic Evolutions SPCs as your budget allows. Especially watch for wholesale retailers offering slightly discounted rates.

Given the market performance of Premium Collection boxes like Celebrations and 151 Ultra Premium Collections, you'd be missing out not having at least a couple safely stored away.

Currently around $200, keep watching Facebook Marketplace for deals and stay connected to urgent Pokemon news sources.

As risk-averse as I am, I constantly hunt for the above products and aim to buy at least one of each (ideally two of each) before year's end.

Remember: Focus on products priced for pack value rather than premium packaging, negotiate with new sellers on Facebook Marketplace, and prioritize sets with strong chase cards and limited reprint potential.

Huge Disclaimer: There's no such thing as a sure-fire investment, especially with collectibles. Nothing here guarantees value appreciation. Always invest responsibly within your means.

*Lowest listed = lowest price from trusted sellers on TCGPlayer.com

Trivia: Pikachu Wasn’t Supposed to Be the Mascot ⚡️🐭

When Pokémon was first being developed in the 1990s, the franchise’s intended mascot wasn’t Pikachu — it was actually Clefairy. In the early days, Clefairy was considered more “mascot-worthy” because of its cute, rounded design, and it was even the main character alongside Ash in the Pokémon manga Pokémon Pocket Monsters.

But when the anime was being produced, the creators noticed that Pikachu’s yellow color stood out better on television screens (compared to Clefairy’s pale pink) and appealed equally to both boys and girls. Pikachu’s design also struck the perfect balance between cute and energetic. With that, Pikachu was chosen as the face of the franchise — a decision that forever shaped Pokémon’s global identity.

So while Clefairy was once destined to be the star, Pikachu stole the spotlight… and never gave it back.

Catch deals. Pull grails.