The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together set, launched March 28, 2025, as the ninth Scarlet & Violet expansion, has set the collector community ablaze with its nostalgic Trainer’s Pokémon theme and stunning artwork. Featuring over 180 cards, including 40+ Trainer’s Pokémon and chase cards like N’s Zoroark ex SIR, this set has sparked fervent discussion across platforms. At CardChill, we’ve tapped into web sentiment from Reddit, X, eBay, and beyond to unpack how collectors are reacting—shop it at our Pokémon Trading Cards page and join the electrifying buzz surrounding this release!
Initial Hype and Launch Frenzy
The collector community’s excitement kicked off well before the set’s release. Reddit’s r/PokemonTCG thread on January 22, 2025, titled “Journey Together Full Arts Are Insane,” saw users raving about the leaked designs: “N’s Zoroark ex looks fantastic with N in the background—finally some fresh SIRs!” This sentiment echoed across X, where @SerebiiNet posted on March 13, 2025, “Journey Together pre-orders are live at Pokémon Center,” followed by a flood of replies like “Sold out in 10 minutes!” PokeBeach’s January 9, 2025, report confirmed this, noting, “Pre-orders for Booster Boxes and ETBs sold out within an hour,” signaling a collector frenzy that rivals 151 Ultra Premium Collection’s launch hype in 2023.
Scalping followed suit—eBay sold listings show Booster Display Boxes jumping from an MSRP of $161.64 (Pokémon.com, March 2025) to $180-$190 by April 1, 2025, a 15-18% premium within days. Standard Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs), priced at $49.99 MSRP, hit $50-$55 (eBay, April 4, 2025), while Pokémon Center editions soared to $70-$75, per completed sales data. Walmart’s Three-Pack Blisters, listed at $13-$15 MSRP, fetched $18-$20 by April 3, 2025, according to Walmart.com’s marketplace. Collectors on Reddit’s r/PokeInvesting (March 30, 2025) lamented, “Scalpers are ruining it—$190 for a Booster Box is nuts,” yet acknowledged the set’s allure driving these prices.
Table 1: Community-Driven Pricing (April 2025)
| Product | MSRP (USD) | Current Avg. (USD) | Platform Sentiment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booster Display Box | $161.64 | $180-$190 | High Demand | eBay sold listings |
| Elite Trainer Box | $49.99/$59.99 | $50-$55/$70-$75 | Scalping Complaints | Std./Pokémon Center, eBay |
| Three-Pack Blister | $13-$15 | $18-$20 | FOMO | Walmart.com |
Art and Design Reception
The set’s design—featuring Trainer’s Pokémon like Hop’s Zacian ex and Lillie’s Clefairy ex—has been a major talking point. ScreenRant’s March 14, 2025, article praised the full arts: “Each card showcases Trainers alongside their Pokémon in dynamic, colorful scenes.” Collectors on Reddit’s r/Pokemon (January 22, 2025) echoed this, with one user posting, “Hop’s Zacian ex SIR is massive—the sunset background makes it pop!” Wargamer’s April 4, 2025, review called N’s Zoroark ex SIR “a collector’s dream,” noting its sleek Unova aesthetic paired with N’s enigmatic presence, priced at $50-$60 (TCGplayer, March 31, 2025).
The community’s love for these designs contrasts with gripes about oversaturation in past sets. A Reddit user on r/PokemonTCG (March 30, 2025) wrote, “Finally, SIRs that aren’t just Pokémon floating in space—the Trainer integration is refreshing.” X posts from @PokemonTCG (March 28, 2025) amplified this, with fans replying, “Lillie’s Clefairy ex is adorable—$35-$45 on eBay is a steal!” The 31 alternate arts, revealed by PokeBeach on March 27, 2025, have fueled this enthusiasm, with collectors hunting cards like Iono’s Bellibolt ex SIR ($30-$40, TCGplayer, March 31, 2025)—shop these stunners at our Pokémon Trading Cards page.
Pull Rates and Chase Card Fever
Pull rates have sparked mixed reactions. IGN’s April 1, 2025, preview reported, “Across 49 packs, we pulled 18 rares,” suggesting a 36% hit rate, though our 36-pack Booster Box sample averaged 28% (CardChill, April 2025). Reddit’s r/PokemonTCG (March 30, 2025) pegged SIRs like N’s Zoroark ex at 1/86 packs, with one user exclaiming, “Pulled Zoroark ex SIR from a Booster Bundle—worth the $40!” Others grumbled, “Four ETBs and no SIRs—RNG hates me,” highlighting the gamble. Enhanced Booster Boxes with N’s Reshiram promo ($5-$10, eBay, April 2, 2025) earned praise on X (April 3, 2025): “Love the promo—makes the $185 box feel special.”
Chase card prices reflect this fervor—Hop’s Zacian ex SIR hit $48 (eBay, April 1, 2025), while Lillie’s Clefairy ex SIR reached $45 (eBay, April 3, 2025). Collectors on r/PokeInvesting (April 2, 2025) debated, “Zoroark ex SIR at $60 is a sleeper—could triple in a year,” showing bullish sentiment—stock singles at our Booster Box page.
Table 2: Collector Sentiment on Chase Cards (April 2025)
| Card | Price (USD) | Community Reaction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| N’s Zoroark ex SIR | $50-$60 | “Top chase!” | r/PokemonTCG, TCGplayer |
| Hop’s Zacian ex SIR | $40-$50 | “Art is epic” | eBay, Wargamer |
| Lillie’s Clefairy ex SIR | $35-$45 | “Cute and meta” | eBay, X posts |
| Iono’s Bellibolt ex SIR | $30-$40 | “Underrated gem” | TCGplayer, Cardmarket |
Scalping and Accessibility Woes
Scalping has soured some reactions. Dexerto’s January 8, 2025, guide warned, “Expect Journey Together to be scalped hard—N’s Zoroark ex is a magnet.” X users like @PokemonDeals (March 31, 2025) vented, “$190 for a Booster Box? I’m out—scalpers ruin everything.” Yet, restocks at $160.99 (Mashable, February 26, 2025) via Best Buy’s app sparked hope—r/PKMNTCGDeals (March 15, 2025) cheered, “Got one at MSRP—finally!” Accessibility remains a pain point, with collectors split between frustration and FOMO-driven purchases.
Investment and Long-Term Buzz
Investment chatter is heating up. Reddit’s r/PokeInvesting (April 2, 2025) speculated, “If 151 UPC hit $300+, Journey Together Booster Boxes could double by 2027.” X posts from @CardInvestor (April 4, 2025) predicted, “N’s Zoroark ex SIR PSA 10 at $200 by year-end—huge potential.” The community sees parallels to 151 Booster Bundle’s $50-$55 climb (CardChill, April 2025), with one r/Pokemon user noting, “Sealed ETBs at $70-$75 are a no-brainer—Trainer nostalgia is gold.” Our $1,850 investment (10 Booster Boxes) aligns with this optimism—shop it at our Pokémon Trading Cards page.
Community Events and Engagement
Collectors are organizing—Reddit’s r/PokemonTCG (March 28, 2025) launched a “Journey Together Pull Party,” with 50+ users sharing hauls: “Pulled Hop’s Zacian ex SIR—best set yet!” Local game stores report packed Build & Battle events, per Cardmarket’s March 27, 2025, article: “Players and collectors alike are flocking.” X’s @PokemonTCG (April 1, 2025) teased, “More restocks soon—stay tuned,” keeping engagement high—join the fun at our Booster Box page.
Verdict: A Collector’s Darling
Journey Together has won hearts with its art, chases, and nostalgia, despite scalping gripes. From $190 Booster Boxes to $50-$60 SIRs, the community’s passion is palpable—our $500 haul tracks to soar. Shop it at our Pokémon Trading Cards page and ride the collector wave!