The Sword & Shield era was a golden age for alternate arts, competitive innovation, and collector hype. While some sets rose to the top instantly, others quietly built momentum. Here’s a breakdown of the five best sets from the era, factoring in pull rates, long-term value, and just how satisfying they are to open.
5. Lost Origin
Lost Origin earns its place with one of the most iconic chase cards of the modern era: the surreal, alternate art Giratina V. Backed by a strong Trainer Gallery and the Aerodactyl alt art, the set has staying power both competitively and visually. Pull rates are notoriously rough—alternate art Pokémon V cards show up in just 0.50% of packs, or roughly 1 in 201—but that only fuels its long-term prestige. As boxes remain somewhat affordable, it strikes a strong balance between value and upside.
4. Chilling Reign
Initially underrated due to tough pull rates, Chilling Reign has aged into a sleeper favorite. Its deep alt art lineup — featuring some of the era’s most striking top pulls — makes it a collector’s dream, and it remains one of the most undervalued sealed products from the era. With an average pull rate of around 0.65% for its biggest hits, it rewards patience and persistence. For those looking to pick up big cards at a discount, this set still flies under the radar.
3. Fusion Strike
The largest set in Pokémon TCG history, Fusion Strike was easy to overlook at launch. But with time, cards like Gengar VMAX and Espeon VMAX have cemented its importance. Pull rates for Alternate Art VMAX Secret Rares are rough — averaging just 0.40% — with some cards like Espeon VMAX barely cracking 0.10%. While that might reflect a touch of bad luck in sampling, the numbers reinforce just how elusive the biggest hits can be. Still, sealed product remains relatively cheap, and the payoff potential is massive. Fusion Strike represents one of the best value plays left from the Sword & Shield block.
2. Evolving Skies
No list would be complete without Evolving Skies. Fueled by the meteoric rise of the Moonbreon, this set has become the benchmark for premium Sword & Shield sealed product. Pull rates are punishing — alternate art VMAX cards appear in only about 0.30% of packs, with Umbreon VMAX sitting at a brutal 0.05%. Despite these odds, the potential payoff is enormous. Beyond Umbreon, the entire Eeveelution and Dragon-type alt art lineup has pushed this set into legendary territory. Expensive? Absolutely. But deservedly so.
1. Crown Zenith
Topping the list is Crown Zenith — a set that delivered on every front. It took the best parts of the Sword & Shield era and turned them into a celebration of art and collectability. The Galarian Gallery is packed with beautiful, accessible hits, and the pull rates are among the best of any modern set, with an estimated 1 in 7 packs containing a Galarian Gallery card and about 1 in 45 packs yielding a gold Legendary card. This incredible value per pack makes Crown Zenith not only rewarding to open, but also an inviting entry point for new collectors. With standout cards like the radiant Mewtwo VSTAR and the legendary gold trio, it closes the era on a high — and for many, it’s the most complete modern Pokémon set ever released.
Disclaimer: TCGplayer links on this page use a referral system that helps support the content—at no extra cost to you.
