What Exactly is Inside a Pokemon Elite Trainer Box (ETB)?
An Elite Trainer Box (ETB) is a sealed box containing booster packs, accessories, and collectibles for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. A typical modern ETB includes:
- 8-10 booster packs
- A players guide/rulebook
- Damage counter dice
- A coin-flip die
- Acrylic condition markers
- A set of card sleeves
- Dividers for organizing
- Basic energy cards
- A playable promo card
- A code for the online TCG
The exact contents can vary between special sets, but this gives you a general idea of what to expect inside an Elite Trainer Box. Now let‘s explore each component in more detail!
Booster Packs
The booster packs are the main draw of Elite Trainer Boxes. You‘ll get 8-10 packs from the corresponding TCG expansion. This gives you a nice selection to open without going overboard.
According to Pokemon.com, the typical pack breakdown in an ETB aims to provide artwork variety:
"The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze Elite Trainer Box includes 10 Darkness Ablaze booster packs, featuring: 3 Houndoom packs, 2 Salamence packs, 2 Centiskorch packs, 1 Gardevoir pack, 1 Butterfree pack, and 1 Turbo pack."
So rather than all Centiskorch packs for example, you get a mix highlighting different Pokémon. This keeps things fresh and exciting.
While 10 packs may not seem like a lot compared to the 36 packs in a booster box, they still give you a legitimate shot at great pulls. Let‘s break down the estimated pull rates:
Expected Hits in 10 ETB Packs
Ultra Rares: 3-5
Secret Rares: 0-1
Full Arts: 1-3
Amazing Rares: 0-1
Rainbow Rares: 0-1
You aren‘t guaranteed hits at these rates, but it demonstrates the potential value from opening just 10 packs. One secret rare alone can make the entire box worth it!
Promo Cards
One of the best perks of buying an Elite Trainer Box is getting an exclusive promo card included inside. These are special foil cards that complement the overall set:
| Set Name | Promo Card |
|---|---|
| Chilling Reign | Calyrex VMAX |
| Evolving Skies | Rayquaza VMAX |
| Brilliant Stars | Arceus VSTAR |
| Astral Radiance | Tapu Koko V |
As you can see, the promo cards tend to feature legendary Pokémon or special VSTAR cards. They drive interest for each Elite Trainer Box release. This adds to the overall value proposition.
Supplies & Accessories
In addition to packs and promo cards, ETBs include a variety of supplies:
- Players Guide: A mini rulebook/guide to help learn the TCG
- Dice & Counters: Useful for tracking damage, coins flips, etc.
- Card Sleeves: Protect your cards right out of the pack
- Dividers: Sort your new cards by type or set
- Basic Energies: Start building your energy collection
These components provide a lot of value, especially for new TCG fans. You get everything you need to start playing the trading card game, right in one convenient package.
Storage & Display
The actual Elite Trainer Box serves as nice durable storage after opening all the contents. They are made from sturdy cardboard and feature beautiful artwork.
Many collectors use ETBs to store their rarest hits or complete sets. The included dividers help keep your cards organized. Others keep their ETBs sealed to display as part of their sealed collection.
Either way, the boxes look great on a shelf and protect your cards from damage. Just keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heat/moisture.
Crown Zenith ETB
The Pokémon TCG: Crown Zenith was an ultra premium set focused on Shiny Pokémon and Gold Cards. As a result, its Elite Trainer Box is highly coveted:
According to Pokémon TCG Database, this holiday 2022 ETB included:
- 10 Crown Zenith booster packs
- 1 of 3 vintage Remix Bout gold promos
- A metal dice (gold, rose gold or silver)
At the $50 retail price, these were an incredible value and almost impossible to find in stock. Now the secondary market prices are $200 and up!
Best ETBs for Investment Potential
For investing and sealed collection purposes, some ETBs gain significant value over time. Here are some of the top modern sets:
| Elite Trainer Box | Current Value |
|---|---|
| Hidden Fates | $350+ |
| Shining Fates | $200+ |
| Champion‘s Path | $250+ |
| Evolving Skies | $180+ |
These ETBs have proven to increase exponentially in value, especially long-term. Even current sets like Astral Radiance have started climbing already.
Should You Keep ETBs Sealed?
For investors, keeping Elite Trainer Boxes factory sealed can prove very profitable if you hold for years.
According to reputable Pokémon investor @pokeshopper:
"I recommend holding ETBs sealed for at least 5 years, and ideally 10+ years for maximum growth. For example, a Roaring Skies ETB sells for $1000+ now but was $50 in 2015. The sealed market will continue growing."
Obviously this requires patience. But the Pokémon hobby is still young and collectors increasingly value sealed products.
Even if you don‘t keep them sealed forever, waiting 1-2 years can make a big difference. Just don‘t store sealed ETBs somewhere extremely hot or humid.
Pull Rates and Odds
While ETBs give you a legitimate chance at great rare cards, the hit rates are lower compared to opening a booster box. Here are realistic expectations:
Average Pulls from 8 Packs
Ultra Rares: 3
Full Arts: 1
Amazing Rares: 0
Secret Rares: 0
Rainbow Rares: 0-1
Of course variance happens, so you could get unlucky or beat the odds with an incredible box full of secret rares! But these averages help set realistic expectations when opening a smaller quantity of packs.
Card Conditions from ETBs
When buying single cards, condition is everything. So how do cards pulled from Elite Trainer Boxes tend to grade?
According to grading expert @readysetgrade:
"The card quality in ETBs is generally excellent. Pack fresh cards should grade PSA 9 or PSA 10 more often than not, unless the box itself was damaged. The promos also have a great shot at 10s."
This makes ETBs a safer opening experience than say loose booster packs. Just take care not to ding the edges while extracting your hits!
Displaying Your Collection
One of the most satisfying parts of collecting is displaying your best cards. Here are some great ways to show off cards from your Elite Trainer Box openings:
- Display stand to highlight your top pulls
- Wall frames to exhibit your rarest cards
- Binder with ETB promos and hits
- ETB shelves to show off sealed collection
With the right display setup, your collection will look amazing while keeping your hits protected. Just make sure to avoid direct sun exposure which can damage and fade cards.
Bottom Line
Elite Trainer Boxes offer tremendous value for new Pokémon TCG fans and experienced collectors alike. You get supplies to play the trading card game, a shot at rare hits from booster packs, and a coveted promo card.
While ETBs have lower pull rates than booster boxes, they provide an affordable way to rip packs from your favorite sets. Keeping them sealed can also prove extremely profitable depending on the set.
For both opening and collecting, Elite Trainer Boxes are almost always a smart buy in the world of Pokémon cards!