Overview
Paldea Evolved is the second main expansion in the Pokémon Trading Card Game's Scarlet & Violet Series, released on June 9, 2023. This set celebrates the evolution of the Paldean starter Pokémon—Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval—while introducing the fearsome Treasures of Ruin legendary Pokémon: Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, Chi-Yu, and Wo-Chien.
✨ 15 Special Illustration Rares • 36 Illustration Rares • Iconic Magikarp IR • Treasures of Ruin legendaries • Iono SIR chase card
The set's breakout star is the Magikarp Illustration Rare (#203), which defied expectations by becoming one of the most sought-after cards despite being "just" an Illustration Rare rather than a Special Illustration Rare. Combined with the highly playable and collectible Iono SIR (#269) and stunning artwork featuring fan-favorites like Tyranitar and Raichu, Paldea Evolved delivers exceptional depth for both competitive players and collectors seeking beautiful Illustration Rare cards.
Set Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | June 9, 2023 |
| Total Cards | 279 cards (193 Main Set + 86 Secret Rares) |
| Set Type | Main Expansion • Scarlet & Violet Series |
| Key Pokémon | Meowscarada ex • Skeledirge ex • Quaquaval ex • Chien-Pao ex • Ting-Lu ex • Chi-Yu ex • Wo-Chien ex |
| Card Rarities | Pokémon ex • Ultra Rares • Illustration Rares • Special Illustration Rares • Hyper Rares (Gold) |
| Key Features | 15 Special Illustration Rares • 36 Illustration Rares • Treasures of Ruin legendaries • Evolved Paldean starters |
| Theme | Evolution of Paldean starters and the introduction of Treasures of Ruin legendary Pokémon from Paldean mythology |
Rarity Distribution
Available Products
| Image | Product Name | Contents | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Booster Pack | 10 cards per pack • 1 guaranteed rare or higher | Jun 9, 2023 |
 |
Booster Box | 36 booster packs | Jun 9, 2023 |
 |
Half Booster Box | 18 booster packs | Jun 9, 2023 |
 |
Build & Battle Box | 4 booster packs • 40-card deck • 1 of 4 promos (Baxcalibur, Tinkaton, Murkrow, Pelipper) • Deck box | May 27, 2023 |
 |
Build & Battle Stadium | 2 Build & Battle Boxes • 3 extra packs (11 packs total) • Playmat • Tournament materials | May 27, 2023 |
 |
Elite Trainer Box | 9 booster packs • Pikachu promo (SVP027) • 65 card sleeves (Starter artwork) • Accessories | Jun 9, 2023 |
 |
Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box | 11 booster packs • 2 Pikachu promos (1 stamped, 1 standard) • 65 card sleeves • Exclusive coin | Jun 9, 2023 |
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Booster Bundle | 6 booster packs | Jun 9, 2023 |
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Three-Pack Blister | 3 booster packs • Promo card (Tinkatink or Varoom) | Jun 9, 2023 |
 |
Checklane Blister | 1 booster pack • Coin • Promo card (Growlithe or Smoliv) | Jun 9, 2023 |
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Collector's Album | 1 booster pack • 9-pocket album • Card storage | Jun 9, 2023 |
Special Illustration Rares
Paldea Evolved features 15 Special Illustration Rares showcasing the evolved Paldean starters, Treasures of Ruin legendaries, and key trainers from the Paldea region.
| Card Image | Card Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
Meowscarada ex 256/193 SIR | Grass-type starter evolution • Sprigatito's final form • Popular among collectors |
 |
Wo-Chien ex 257/193 SIR | Treasures of Ruin legendary • Grass/Dark-type snail of resentment |
 |
Skeledirge ex 258/193 SIR | Fire-type starter evolution • Fuecoco's final form • Ghost-type crocodilian |
 |
Chi-Yu ex 259/193 SIR | Treasures of Ruin legendary • Fire/Dark-type goldfish of envy |
 |
Quaquaval ex 260/193 SIR | Water-type starter evolution • Quaxly's final form • Fighting-type dancer |
 |
Chien-Pao ex 261/193 SIR | Treasures of Ruin legendary • Water/Dark-type leopard of hatred • Competitively viable |
 |
Tinkaton ex 262/193 SIR | Psychic-type • Fan-favorite Gen 9 Pokémon with massive hammer |
 |
Ting-Lu ex 263/193 SIR | Treasures of Ruin legendary • Ground/Dark-type elk of ruin |
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Squawkabilly ex 264/193 SIR | Colorless-type regional bird • Four different color forms |
 |
Boss's Orders (Ghetsis) 265/193 SIR | Team Plasma leader • Powerful gust effect supporter card |
 |
Dendra 266/193 SIR | Paldean Battle Studies teacher • Fighting-type specialist |
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Giacomo 267/193 SIR | Team Star boss • Segin Squad leader with DJ aesthetic |
 |
Grusha 268/193 SIR | Ice-type Gym Leader • Former professional snowboarder |
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Iono 269/193 SIR | The top waifu chase • Electric-type Gym Leader and influencer • Highly playable and collectible |
 |
Saguaro 270/193 SIR | Paldean Home Economics teacher • Culinary expert |
✨ Paldea Evolved's Special Illustration Rares are headlined by Iono (#269), which became the definitive "waifu" chase card of the era. However, the set's true breakout is Magikarp Illustration Rare (#203), which despite being "only" an IR rather than SIR, became one of the most expensive and sought-after cards due to its stunning shining artwork.
The Magikarp Exception: When Rarity Doesn't Define Value
Magikarp #203 — Illustration Rare
Magikarp Illustration Rare shattered conventional TCG wisdom by becoming Paldea Evolved's most valuable card despite being "just" an Illustration Rare. While Special Illustration Rares typically command the highest prices due to their lower pull rates and premium textured foiling, Magikarp's breathtaking artwork featuring a shining, luminescent Magikarp captured collector hearts in a way that transcended rarity classifications.
Current Market Value: $90-130
Surpassing even Iono SIR ($70-90), Magikarp holds the crown as the set's most expensive single card.
Why Magikarp Defied Expectations
1. Stunning Artwork: The shimmering, almost holographic appearance of the artwork creates a visual effect unlike any other Illustration Rare in the set. The artist captured Magikarp in a way that celebrates its often-overlooked beauty.
2. Nostalgia Factor: Magikarp is one of the most iconic Pokémon from Generation 1, beloved for its meme status and eventual evolution into the powerful Gyarados. This card taps into decades of nostalgia.
3. Collector Psychology: The card became a status symbol precisely because it broke the rules. Owning the set's most expensive card that "isn't supposed to be" the chase card became a collector flex.
4. Worse Pull Odds Than SIRs: With 36 different Illustration Rares in the set and IRs pulling at roughly 1 in 15 packs, the odds of pulling this specific Magikarp are approximately 1 in 540 packs—significantly worse than pulling a specific SIR (~1 in 750-900 packs), but with far more IR "misses" along the way.
🐟 Lesson Learned: Paldea Evolved proved that artwork quality and collector demand can override traditional rarity hierarchies. The set redefined chase cards for the modern era, showing that an Illustration Rare with the right combination of nostalgia, artistry, and scarcity can outvalue even the rarest Special Illustration Rares.
Collecting Strategy
Paldea Evolved presents a unique collecting challenge: the set's most expensive card isn't even a Special Illustration Rare. Understanding the dynamics between Illustration Rares and SIRs is crucial to approaching this set intelligently.
🐟 The Magikarp Phenomenon
The Reality: Magikarp IR (#203) is the true chase card of this set, officially overtaking Iono SIR.
Despite being "only" an Illustration Rare, Magikarp's stunning shining artwork propelled it to become the most expensive card in Paldea Evolved. This card broke the conventional wisdom that SIRs are always more valuable than IRs. Current market value sits around $90-130, surpassing even the top "waifu" card in the set.
💡 Pro Tip: Illustration Rares pull at roughly 1 in 15 packs, making them more common than SIRs (~1 in 50-60 packs). However, with 36 different IRs in the set, pulling the specific Magikarp is approximately 1 in 540 packs—worse odds than most SIRs!
👩 The Iono Question
Current Market Value: Iono SIR (#269) has settled around $70-90 after initial hype.
As the definitive "waifu" chase card of the Scarlet & Violet era, Iono combines high playability with collector appeal. However, Magikarp has now overtaken Iono as the set's most valuable single. At approximately 1 in 50-60 packs for any SIR and 15 total SIRs in the set, you're looking at roughly 1 in 750-900 packs for the specific Iono SIR. Buying the single is always more economical than chasing through sealed product.
🎯 Know Your Pull Rates
Understanding Paldea Evolved's pull structure:
- ✨ Illustration Rare: Approximately 1 in 15 packs
- 🌟 Any SIR: Roughly 1 in 50-60 packs
- 🐟 Specific Magikarp IR: ~1 in 540 packs (36 IRs total)
- 👩 Specific Iono SIR: ~1 in 750-900 packs (15 SIRs total)
- 💎 Ultra Rare: About 1 in 10-12 packs
🎁 Booster Box Strategy
Best for: Collectors who enjoy opening sealed and want multiple hits
A booster box (36 packs) typically yields 2-3 Illustration Rares and might hit one SIR (not guaranteed). You'll complete most of the common/uncommon/rare set and get several ultra rares. However, your odds of hitting either Magikarp or Iono in a single box are extremely low. This approach works if you value the journey and aren't targeting specific chase cards.
💰 Singles Strategy (Strongly Recommended)
Best for: Collectors targeting specific chase cards
For high-value cards like Magikarp IR ($90-130) and Iono SIR ($70-90), buying singles is mathematically superior. Even "affordable" IRs like Tyranitar (#222) or Raichu (#211) are $15-30 each—far cheaper than the sealed product needed to pull them statistically.
🏆 Competitive Player's Path
Best for: Tournament players
Chien-Pao ex and Iono are the competitive staples from this set. Buy regular art versions for budget decks, or spring for the SIRs if you want max rarity. The Treasures of Ruin legendaries saw significant tournament play, making their regular art versions solid pickups.
📈 Hidden Gems
Don't overlook these Illustration Rares:
Beyond Magikarp, several IRs have appreciated significantly: Tyranitar (#222), Raichu (#211), Maushold (#219), and Gardevoir (#217) all feature exceptional artwork and trade at $15-40 each. These are more achievable chase cards that still deliver that "wow factor" without the Magikarp price tag.
✨ Bottom Line: Paldea Evolved is defined by Illustration Rares, not Special Illustration Rares. Magikarp IR has officially overtaken Iono SIR as the most valuable card in the set ($90-130 vs $70-90), breaking conventional chase card hierarchy. Pull rates are standard for modern sets, meaning singles buying is the intelligent path for high-value chase cards. However, the set offers exceptional depth with 36 IRs, many featuring beautiful artwork at accessible price points ($5-15 each).
Where to Buy
🇺🇸 United States
Paldea Evolved is available at major retailers and the Pokémon Center.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
UK collectors can find Paldea Evolved at official retailers and major game stores.