Paldea's starters reached their final forms in Paldea Evolved, released on June 9, 2023. With Meowscarada ex, Skeledirge ex and Quaquaval ex leading the way and a huge list of Illustration Rares, it's one of the deepest sets of the Scarlet & Violet era for binder collectors. Here's the collector's guide: the dates, the chase cards and what came in every box.
Paldea Evolved at a Glance
- Release date: June 9, 2023
- Set code: SV02
- Set size: 193 cards plus secret rares
- Headliners: Meowscarada ex, Skeledirge ex and Quaquaval ex
- Also featuring: the Treasures of Ruin, including Chien-Pao ex and Ting-Lu ex
The Starters Evolve
Each Paldea starter's final evolution became a Tera Pokémon ex, and Chien-Pao ex powered one of the strongest decks of its season. The set also introduced a long list of Illustration Rares, making it a favorite for collectors who love full-art Pokémon scenes.
The Chase Cards
Iono Special Illustration Rare. The streamer Gym Leader is the top card of the set and one of the most popular Trainer cards of the era.
Magikarp Illustration Rare. A surprise chase card, with Magikarp leaping through a stunning underwater scene.
Starter ex Special Illustration Rares. Meowscarada, Skeledirge and Quaquaval ex in top-tier art.
Chien-Pao ex. Special Illustration Rare and gold versions of the competitive favorite.
The Product Lineup
| Product | What's inside |
|---|---|
 Booster Pack
|
10 cards plus a basic Energy, in one of four pack artworks |
| Build and Battle Box | 4 packs and a ready-to-play 40-card deck with 1 of 4 promos |
| Elite Trainer Box | 9 packs, sleeves, Energy cards, dice and a storage box |
 Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box
|
More packs and extra promos, plus everything in the standard box |
 Booster Box
|
36 packs |
Our quick picks: The Booster Box is the best way to hunt Iono and the deep list of Illustration Rares. The Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box is the collector's pick, and single packs are an easy way in.
Tips for Collectors
- Don't skip the Illustration Rares. Paldea Evolved has one of the best IR lists of the era, and many are affordable.
- Check sold listings. Iono prices vary with condition, so compare recent eBay sold listings.
- Collect the starters together. The three starter ex make a great binder page.
Keep Collecting With Booster Pack Cards
Browse our Pokémon TCG Booster Boxes, Elite Trainer Boxes and Booster Packs, or shop the full Pokémon TCG collection. Next up: Tera Charizard in our Obsidian Flames collector's guide.
