Champion's Path is the Sword & Shield era's first special set, and it became one of the most hunted products of 2020. Released on September 25, 2020, it follows the player's journey through the Galar Gym Challenge and hides a rainbow Charizard VMAX among its secret rares. Here's the collector's guide: the dates, the chase cards and what came in every product.
Champion's Path at a Glance
- Release date: September 25, 2020
- Set type: special expansion, so there's no booster box
- Set size: 73 cards plus secret rares
- Theme: the Galar Gym Challenge and its Gym Leaders
- Headliners: Charizard V and Charizard VMAX, plus Venusaur V, Lucario V, Incineroar V, Drednaw VMAX and Alcremie VMAX
The Gym Challenge
The set is built around Galar's Gym Leaders, with cards and products themed to each Gym. That theme carries into the sealed lineup too, with pin collections for six of the Gyms.
The Chase Cards
Rainbow Charizard VMAX. The defining pull of the set and one of the most famous cards of the Sword & Shield era. Champion's Path has a small card list, so it showed up more often than chase cards in bigger sets, but demand has always outpaced supply.
Charizard V. Found as a secret rare in packs and as the full-art promo in the Elite Trainer Box.
Gym Leader Trainers. Full art and rainbow Supporters featuring the Galar Gym Leaders.
The Product Lineup
| Product | What's inside |
|---|---|
| Booster Pack | 10 cards plus a basic Energy |
| Pin Collection | Booster packs plus a Gym pin, in six Gym versions |
| Collection Boxes | Booster packs plus a foil promo, including Hatterene V and Dubwool V |
| Elite Trainer Box | 10 packs, full-art Charizard V promo, Gigantamax Charizard sleeves, 45 Energy cards, dice and a storage box |
Our take: The Elite Trainer Box is the iconic Champion's Path product, thanks to the Charizard V promo and the Gigantamax Charizard sleeves. It's become a centerpiece sealed item for Charizard collectors.
Tips for Collectors
- Watch for resealed product. Champion's Path is a common target for tampered and resealed packs. Buy sealed product from sellers you trust.
- Check sold listings. Elite Trainer Box prices move with Charizard demand, so check recent eBay sold listings before you buy.
- Collect the Gyms. The six pin collections make a fun display set on their own.
Keep Collecting With Booster Pack Cards
Browse our Pokémon TCG Elite Trainer Boxes, Collection Boxes and Booster Packs, or shop the full Pokémon TCG collection. Next up: Pikachu goes Gigantamax in our Vivid Voltage collector's guide.
