As a Pokémon card collector who’s turned a keen eye toward investing, I’ve watched the Scarlet & Violet era transform from a fresh release into a goldmine for savvy buyers. Over the past year, sets like Twilight Masquerade, Destined Rivals, and Surging Sparks have seen their values skyrocket, driven by hype around chase cards, competitive meta shifts, and the evergreen appeal of nostalgic themes. Released in 2024 and early 2025, these expansions aren’t just fun to collect—they’re smart plays for long-term growth. Sealed products like Booster Boxes have climbed 50-100% above MSRP, while top singles like Greninja ex SIR or Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex have doubled in price since launch. With the Pokémon TCG market booming in late 2025, these sets show no signs of slowing, potentially hitting 20-50% gains by 2026 as supply tightens and demand surges. I source my investments from reliable spots like Card Chill, where you can snag sealed products or singles before prices climb further. In this guide, I’ll break down each set’s investment potential, highlighting key cards, value trends, and why they’re primed for even higher returns—all in straightforward terms for fellow investors
Twilight Masquerade: Folklore Meets Fortune
Launched on May 24, 2024, Twilight Masquerade drew from Kitakami’s mystical lore in the Teal Mask DLC, packing 226 cards with a focus on masked legends like Ogerpon ex and Tera Pokémon ex. What started as a mid-tier set has evolved into a collector’s powerhouse, with overall market values up 30-40% year-over-year thanks to its stunning Special Illustration Rares (SIRs) and meta-relevant cards. Sealed Booster Boxes, originally around $140 MSRP, now fetch $200-250 on secondary markets, a solid 50% bump driven by scarcity and hype for Eevee-related cards amid the Prismatic Evolutions buzz. For investors, this set’s strength lies in its thematic cohesion—folklore-inspired art that appeals to both casual buyers and high-end graders.
The crown jewel is Greninja ex SIR (214/167), which hit a peak of $391 in March 2025 before settling at $276 in August, still a 20% rise from launch. Its ninja aesthetic and competitive viability in Water decks keep demand high, with PSA 10 grades projected to double in value by mid-2026. Perrin SIR (220/167) holds steady at $91, up from $80 earlier this year, while Carmine SIR (217/167) at $70 offers a budget entry with strong growth potential. Even secondary pulls like Eevee Illustration Rare surged to $100+ in January 2025 before a minor dip, tied to Eevee hype—now’s a dip-buy opportunity.
Why invest here? The set’s 11 SIRs and 12 ultra rares create a diverse portfolio, with lower-end cards like Sinistcha ex stabilizing at $20-30 after an initial drop, rewarding patient holders. As Scarlet & Violet rotates out of Standard format in 2026, expect a vintage bump similar to Sword & Shield’s post-rotation surge. I recommend grabbing ETBs from Card Chill’s Pokémon hub for under $50—they include promos that add 10-15% resale value. With values “on the way up” as of March 2025, this set could yield 40% returns by year’s end if you focus on SIRs and sealed.
Destined Rivals: Nostalgia’s High-Stakes Payoff
Destined Rivals, dropping May 30, 2025, as the tenth Scarlet & Violet expansion, channels Team Rocket rivalries with 244 cards blending Trainer-owned Pokémon and villainous vibes from the WOTC era. Just months in, it’s exploded: sealed products like Booster Bundles have jumped 150% above MSRP, from $30 to $75, making it one of 2025’s hottest sealed investments. Singles are even wilder—five cards over $100 already, with the set’s Gen 1 focus (highest since 151) fueling a 60% average value increase since June. This tribute to Rocket’s legacy taps into nostalgia, drawing investors who see parallels to the original Team Rocket set’s 10x gains over decades
Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex SIR leads at nearly $400, up 25% from July, its psychic menace and rarity making it a meta staple and chase card. Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Hyper Rare climbed to $150+ in August, while Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex holds $120, both benefiting from competitive play. Even mid-tier like Misty’s Psyduck rose 30% to $40 amid promo hype. Pull rates favor SIRs (top six most expensive), but expect downward trends on commons as hype cools—buy low now.
The investment edge? Over 45 special illustrations and Trainer cards create scarcity, with sealed ETBs at $60 reselling for $90-100. As a “superior set” to Journey Together for sealed, it’s ideal for stacking boxes via Card Chill’s TCG Sets page. With “rising market values” confirmed in October 2025, anticipate 50%+ growth by 2026 as rotation nostalgia kicks in.
Surging Sparks: Electric Returns with Shock Value
Unleashed November 8, 2024, Surging Sparks electrified the meta with 252 cards, starring Pikachu ex and Stellar Tera dragons in a tropical Terarium theme. Values have surged—Booster Boxes from $144 MSRP now hit $220, a 50% leap, while the set’s massive size (23 illustration rares, eight ACE SPECs) drives broad demand. Chase cards peaked at $477 for Pikachu ex SIR in January 2025 before stabilizing around $474 in February, still up 60% from release, with an $18 jump in September signaling renewed momentum. This set’s blend of icons and innovations positions it for explosive growth, especially as ACE SPECs like Megaton Blower become format staples
Pikachu ex SIR (238/191) dominates at $474, its Stellar Tera art a collector magnet, while Latias ex SIR (239/191) at $247 and Milotic ex SIR (237/191) at $148 offer tiered entry points—all up 10-20% monthly. Ceruledge doubled to $50 in early 2025, and gold hyper rares like Pikachu ex dipped temporarily but rebounded, rewarding dip-buyers. The set’s “surge in card values” in October 2025 underscores its staying power.
For investors, the tropical theme and dragon focus tap into DLC tie-ins, boosting resale. Three cards over $100 by June signal broad upside, with sealed blisters at $16-28 offering low-risk entries. I stock up on Booster Boxes from Card Chill for their 40% ROI potential by 2026. Despite some declines (e.g., Pikachu gold down $70 early on), the overall trend is upward, making this a high-voltage bet
Building Wealth with These Sets: Smart Strategies
These three sets exemplify Scarlet & Violet’s investment prowess—Twilight Masquerade for steady folklore gains, Destined Rivals for nostalgic explosions, and Surging Sparks for meta-driven surges. Diversify: 40% in sealed for appreciation, 60% in top SIRs for quick flips. Track via Card Chill’s Pokémon hub to catch dips, and grade high-potentials for 2-3x multipliers. With prices “rising across the board” and sealed “exploding,” now’s prime time to invest before 2026 rotation amplifies everything. Pokémon TCG isn’t just a game—it’s a portfolio booster, and these sets are your next big win.