Capture the Original 151 Pokémon with the Scarlet & Violet — 151 Elite Trainer Box 

For decades, kids and kidults alike have lived by the phrase “Gotta catch ’em all!” The Pokémon trading card game (TCG) has captivated fans worldwide and inspired them to catch every last one of the original 151 Pokémon. With the Scarlet & Violet — 151 Elite Trainer Box from The Pokémon Co., both experienced collectors and new fans have the chance to grow their collection even further. 

Opening the Scarlet & Violet — 151 Elite Trainer Box can be a bit overwhelming just because of how many goodies lie inside. To put it simply, there are 11 Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — 151 booster packs, 65 card sleeves, 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards, six damage-counter dice, two plastic condition markers, a foil promo card featuring Snorlax with a Pokémon Center logo, a foil promo card featuring Snorlax, a competition-legal coin-flip die, a player’s guide to the Scarlet & Violet — 151 expansion, a code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live, and a box to hold everything. 

There are a lot of new features in this expansion pack. All 151 Pokémon have refreshed gameplay mechanics from the Scarlet & Violet Series, including 12 new Pokémon EX. In typical expansions Pokémon are usually grouped together by type, but in this version, all 151 Pokémon appear in the order listed in the original Kanto regional Pokédex from the first Pokémon video games. This expansion also could possibly have the Mew EX, who is believed to contain the DNA of all other species of Pokémon and has special abilities. Furthermore, this pack could contain a new trio of cards that can be evolved into the prehistoric Pokémon Kabuto, Omanyte, and Aerodactyl. Lastly, this expansion shows many Pokémon in the same Evolution chain depicted by a single illustrator. These awesome works of art would look great in a collection binder or even in a frame.

The player’s guide is a handy reference packet that comes with a list of the 207 possible cards you can get, ranging from common (such as Bulbasaur) to hyper rare (such as Mew EX). The player’s guide does not include the basic rules of the Pokémon TCG because it is assumed that fans know them. However, if this box is your first introduction to the world of Pokémon, visit pokemon.com for a helpful tutorial. The player’s guide also details how you can use special abilities on the cards to your advantage or create combos of multiple cards to give you a leg up on the competition. These strategies may be for more advanced TCG players, but with practice, even young Pokémon trainers can incorporate them into their game.

As someone who likes collecting items, the most fun part of this expansion pack was the unboxing experience because of the anticipation. With 11 packs, there are plenty of chances to get a rare Pokémon. Although I didn’t get a hyper rare Mew EX, I am more motivated than ever to try again! Another aspect I enjoyed was the high quality of the set. From the sleek and shiny box to the organization of the items within it, everything about this expansion pack is fresh. Plus, the 65 card sleeves help protect your cards when you’re not using them.

The Scarlet & Violet — 151 Elite Trainer Box is an exciting expansion pack for Pokémon fans full of adventures awaiting to be discovered.