As a Pokémon card collector with an eye for smart investments, I’m always on the hunt for sets that offer big returns without breaking the bank. In the Scarlet & Violet era, Journey Together, Shrouded Fable, and Temporal Forces stand out as budget-friendly expansions with surprising upside. Released between March 2024 and March 2025, these sets have seen modest price increases of 20-30% for sealed products and select singles, yet they remain accessible compared to high-flying sets like Destined Rivals. With Booster Boxes still available near MSRP at places like Card Chill, and key cards climbing steadily, these sets are hidden gems for investors looking to maximize ROI. In this guide, I’ll share why these affordable sets are worth your attention, break down their investment potential, and highlight strategies to capitalize on their growth—all from my perspective as a collector turned investor.
Journey Together: Nostalgia on a Budget
Released on March 28, 2025, Journey Together is the ninth Scarlet & Violet expansion, packing 333 cards (190 main set, 143 secret rares) and drawing from the Japanese Super Electric Guidance set. It’s a love letter to iconic Trainers like N, Iono, Lillie, and Hop, with Trainer-owned Pokémon ex stealing the spotlight. Booster Boxes, initially priced at $140, now hover around $170-180, a modest 20-25% bump that’s low compared to sets like Surging Sparks. Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) are a steal at $40-50 from Card Chill’s TCG Sets page, often including promos like Lillie’s Clefairy that add 10-15% resale value.
The investment draw? Nostalgia for Trainer cards drives steady demand. N’s Zoroark ex SIR, peaking at $120 in June 2025, now sits at $90, making it a dip-buy opportunity for a card with meta relevance. Iono’s Bellibolt ex at $60 and Hop’s Zacian ex at $75 have climbed 15-20% since release, fueled by competitive play. The set’s 11 Illustration Rares and three hyper rare gold-etched cards, like Lillie’s Clefairy ex, are sleeper hits—my own pull from a Booster Bundle at Card Chill is already up 30%. With Trainer-focused sets historically gaining value post-rotation (think Sun & Moon’s Lillie), I expect 30-40% growth for sealed products by 2026 as supply dwindles. For budget investors, this set’s affordability and nostalgic pull make it a low-risk, high-reward play.
Shrouded Fable: Small Set, Big Potential
Shrouded Fable, launched August 2, 2024, is a compact Scarlet & Violet expansion with just 95 cards (68 main set, 27 secret rares), rooted in Kitakami’s eerie myths from The Teal Mask DLC. Despite its size, it’s gained traction for its sinister vibe and chase cards like Pecharunt ex. Booster Boxes have risen from $100 to $130-140, a 30-40% increase, while ETBs at $35-45 from Card Chill’s Pokémon hub are a budget-friendly entry with promos like Fezandipiti that boost resale. This set’s affordability makes it perfect for stacking sealed products.
Key cards are where the value lies. Pecharunt ex SIR, now at $80 after a 25% jump from $64, is a dark horse in competitive decks, with PSA 10 grades projected to hit $150 by mid-2026. The Loyal Three—Okidogi ex, Munkidori ex, and Fezandipiti ex—range from $30-50, with steady 10-15% monthly gains due to their “Adrena” Abilities. I snagged a Munkidori ex Illustration Rare from a Booster Bundle at Card Chill, and its $40 value has held firm. The set’s 30+ special illustrations, including Revavroom ex’s Lightning Tera form, add collector appeal. As a smaller set, Shrouded Fable faces tighter supply, which could push sealed values up 50% post-rotation in 2026. For investors on a budget, its low entry cost and rising singles make it a smart bet.
Temporal Forces: Ancient vs. Future Value
Temporal Forces, released March 22, 2024, brings 218 cards (162 main set, 56 secret rares) with a time-bending clash of Ancient and Future Pokémon from Paradox Ambush. Booster Boxes, starting at $140, now fetch $180-200, a 25-30% rise, while three-pack blisters at $12-15 offer cheap exposure to chase cards. Available at Card Chill’s TCG Sets page, this set’s affordability and broad appeal make it a staple for budget investors.
The standout is Raging Bolt ex SIR, which climbed to $100 from $70 in early 2025, a 40% gain driven by its Electric-type dominance. Walking Wake ex ($60) and Iron Leaves ex ($50) have seen 15-20% increases, with ACE SPEC cards like the six Trainers (e.g., Prime Catcher at $30) adding meta value. My Iron Crown ex pull from a Booster Box at Card Chill is a keeper, up 20% since March. With dozens of special illustrations and a focus on Paradox Pokémon, this set taps into DLC hype, ensuring steady demand. As Standard format rotates in 2026, expect a 30-50% bump for sealed products, mirroring Sword & Shield trends. Its diverse card pool and low-cost singles make it a no-brainer for building a portfolio.
Smart Investing with Budget Sets
Journey Together, Shrouded Fable, and Temporal Forces prove you don’t need deep pockets to score big in Pokémon TCG investing. Their 20-40% price increases since release show momentum, yet they remain affordable compared to sets like Surging Sparks. My strategy? Allocate 50% to sealed Booster Boxes and ETBs from Card Chill for long-term holds, and 50% to singles like N’s Zoroark ex or Pecharunt ex for quick flips. Grade high-value SIRs for 2-3x returns, and track prices via Card Chill’s Pokémon hub to buy dips. With rotation looming in 2026, these sets could see 50%+ gains as nostalgia and scarcity kick in. For investors like me, they’re the perfect mix of low cost and high potential, ready to level up any portfolio.