The three sets released so far—Paldean Fates in January, Temporal Forces in March, and Twilight Masquerade in May—continue the trends set by the Scarlet & Violet Series in 2023. Each new set has introduced fresh Pokémon ex for players to base their decks on, while offering collectors a wide selection of full-art Illustration Rare cards to chase. These Illustration Rares primarily highlight Pokémon and characters from the DLC of the Scarlet & Violet video games, with a few nostalgic favorites sprinkled in.

Other than the reintroduction of ACE SPEC cards, there's not much that stands out in these sets. Nothing feels as significant as the shift from the Sword & Shield Series to the Scarlet & Violet Series in early 2023, nor as bold as the Scarlet & Violet—151 set from last summer. While "boring" might be an overstatement, the past few months have been relatively quiet when it comes to new releases.

However, you wouldn’t guess that by looking at card prices. Some of the most sought-after cards from this year have price points that match or even exceed those from 2023. Certain Generation IX Pokémon, which may not be immediately recognizable to casual fans, have sold for over $100. The top chase card currently available in packs is the most valuable Pokémon card we've seen from a new set since Evolving Skies.

It remains to be seen whether any of these cards will rise in popularity like the Moonbreon did three years ago, or if their value will fade as the year progresses.