The Official Pokémon TCG: Paldean Fates Release Date Schedule And 5 Must-Pull Shiny Cards

Contents

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) is kicking off 2024 with a bang, officially confirming the release of the highly anticipated *Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates* expansion. This special set, which mimics the excitement of fan-favorite expansions like *Hidden Fates* and *Shining Fates*, features a massive collection of Shiny Pokémon and is set to roll out in a staggered schedule across January and February 2024, starting with a main launch date of January 26, 2024.

Collectors and players worldwide are buzzing about the chance to pull over 130 different Shiny Pokémon, including popular characters from the Paldea region and new, high-rarity cards like Special Illustration Rares. Understanding the multi-wave product release schedule is crucial for anyone looking to secure the best products from this exciting new era of the TCG.

The Complete Paldean Fates Product Release Date Schedule (January-February 2024)

Unlike standard expansions, *Paldean Fates* is a special set, meaning its booster packs are not sold individually in traditional booster boxes. Instead, the packs are distributed exclusively through a variety of unique collection boxes, tins, and bundles, which are being released in distinct waves.

Here is the official breakdown of the release dates for all confirmed *Paldean Fates* products:

Wave 1: Friday, January 26, 2024

The first wave marks the official launch of the expansion, focusing on the core collection items that offer the first chance to crack open those coveted Shiny cards.

  • Elite Trainer Box (ETB): The standard ETB is the flagship product for the set launch, offering 9 booster packs, a full-art foil promo card, and various accessories.
  • Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box: An exclusive version of the ETB, typically containing more booster packs (often 11) and an additional exclusive promo card, making it a must-have for serious collectors.
  • Tech Sticker Collection: These collections feature a promo card of a specific Pokémon (e.g., Fidough, Maschiff, or Shroodle) along with three booster packs and a large tech sticker.
  • Three-Pack Blister (with a promo card): A smaller product offering three booster packs and a guaranteed foil promo card.

Wave 2: Friday, February 9, 2024

The second wave introduces the first wave of larger tins and smaller, more portable products, perfect for on-the-go collecting.

  • Paldean Fates Tins: These tins typically feature a special Tera Pokémon ex promo card (e.g., Tera Charizard ex, Tera Great Tusk ex, or Tera Iron Treads ex) and five booster packs.
  • Mini Tins: Smaller, collectible tins that each contain two *Paldean Fates* booster packs and a sticker sheet.

Wave 3: Friday, February 23, 2024

The final scheduled wave rounds out the initial release with a product designed for those looking for a solid pack count without the extra accessories.

  • Booster Bundle: This product contains six *Paldean Fates* booster packs, offering a straightforward way to get a bulk number of packs.

Key Entities and Topical Authority in Paldean Fates

The *Paldean Fates* set is a direct successor to the popular "Shiny Vault" sets, drawing its core appeal from the introduction of Shiny Pokémon to the *Scarlet & Violet* era. The set is comprised of over 245 cards, with a massive secret rare section dedicated to these alternately colored creatures.

The set introduces several key card types that collectors should be aware of:

  • Shiny Rare (S): These are the basic Shiny Pokémon, featuring a unique holographic pattern and texture.
  • Shiny Ultra Rare (SU): These cards feature Shiny Pokémon in their evolved forms or as popular characters, often with full-art treatment.
  • Special Illustration Rare (SIR): The most sought-after rarity, featuring full-art, textured cards with unique, beautiful artwork that often tells a story.
  • Hyper Rare (HR): Full-art cards with a gold-colored border and texture.
  • Tera Pokémon ex: Powerful Pokémon ex cards that change their type when they Terastallize, adding a strategic element to gameplay.

The set draws heavily from the Paldea region, featuring popular Pokémon like the new starter evolutions (Skeledirge, Meowscarada, Quaquaval) and legendary beasts (Koraidon and Miraidon), all of which have a chance to appear in their elusive Shiny forms.

5 Most Valuable and Must-Pull Shiny Cards to Chase

The true draw of any "Fates" set is the chase for the most valuable cards, which are often the Special Illustration Rares and the most iconic Shiny Pokémon. Based on early market data and collector demand, these are the top five cards to look out for in your *Paldean Fates* packs:

1. Mew ex (Special Illustration Rare)

Often nicknamed "Bubble Mew" due to its distinctive artwork, the Mew ex SIR is widely considered the best and most valuable card in the entire set. Its combination of the iconic Mew Pokémon, the highest rarity treatment (SIR), and stunning, unique artwork makes it a centerpiece for any collection.

2. Iono (Special Illustration Rare)

As one of the most popular human characters (or "Waifu" cards) in the *Scarlet & Violet* series, the Iono SIR is an extremely high-demand card. Iono's Trainer card is also highly sought after for competitive play, pushing its value even higher.

3. Charizard ex (Shiny Ultra Rare)

No special set is complete without a high-value Charizard. The Shiny Ultra Rare version of Charizard ex, featuring the fan-favorite Pokémon in its distinct Shiny form, is a guaranteed valuable pull. Its consistent popularity among collectors ensures it remains one of the most expensive cards in the set.

4. Chien-Pao ex (Hyper Rare)

Chien-Pao ex, one of the legendary Treasures of Ruin Pokémon, is a powerful card both in terms of gameplay and market value. Its Hyper Rare version, featuring a highly textured gold border, is a rare pull that has consistently edged out other legendary ex cards in value.

5. Shiny Pikachu (Shiny Rare)

Pikachu, the face of the franchise, is a mandatory chase card in its Shiny form. The Shiny Rare Pikachu is a classic pull that appeals to all levels of collectors. Though not as rare as an SIR, its universal appeal keeps its demand and value consistently high.

Is Paldean Fates a Good Investment?

Special sets like *Paldean Fates* have a strong track record of becoming long-term collector favorites. Sets like *Hidden Fates* and *Shining Fates* have seen significant value appreciation years after their release due to the inclusion of Shiny Pokémon and the limited availability of sealed products.

Because *Paldean Fates* booster packs are only available through specific products (Elite Trainer Boxes, Tins, Bundles) and not in high-volume booster boxes, the sealed product supply is naturally more constrained. This scarcity, combined with the presence of high-demand cards like the Mew ex SIR and Shiny Charizard ex, makes sealed *Paldean Fates* products a strong contender for a positive long-term investment. Collectors should focus on the Elite Trainer Boxes and Booster Bundles for the best pack-to-price ratio.

The Official Pokémon TCG: Paldean Fates Release Date Schedule and 5 Must-Pull Shiny Cards
paldean fates release date
paldean fates release date

Detail Author:

  • Name : Felicity Hirthe
  • Username : barry.torphy
  • Email : lemke.phyllis@pagac.org
  • Birthdate : 1995-08-21
  • Address : 3176 Stacy Lakes Apt. 703 South Webster, CA 51519
  • Phone : +1-959-313-3945
  • Company : Stracke LLC
  • Job : Team Assembler
  • Bio : Quisquam est nisi consectetur sunt facere enim. Saepe distinctio voluptatem quisquam. Voluptas a molestiae adipisci omnis rerum. Facilis nam dolor soluta aut accusantium explicabo quod.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/dannie2071
  • username : dannie2071
  • bio : Odio dolorem illo quia. Doloremque numquam autem ducimus et aut vitae hic. Repudiandae aut officiis incidunt quaerat rerum pariatur expedita.
  • followers : 3511
  • following : 1576

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/dannie_mayert
  • username : dannie_mayert
  • bio : Assumenda quae officia culpa rerum quos eveniet. Illum sunt laborum nam in. In sunt natus sit quas.
  • followers : 558
  • following : 2267

linkedin:

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@dannie3753
  • username : dannie3753
  • bio : Ut voluptas sit omnis. Eos ut neque excepturi libero qui nobis est saepe.
  • followers : 1031
  • following : 2396

facebook: