Overview
Temporal Forces is the fifth main expansion in the Pokémon Trading Card Game's Scarlet & Violet Series, released on March 22, 2024. This groundbreaking set explores the mysteries of time travel through Ancient and Future Paradox Pokémon, featuring powerful new ex cards like Walking Wake ex and Iron Leaves ex that bend the rules of temporal existence.
🎯 Six new Paradox Pokémon ex cards • 10 Special Illustration Rares with stunning temporal artwork • ACE SPEC Rare cards • 18 Illustration Rares
With stunning Special Illustration Rare cards featuring temporal artwork, Temporal Forces captures the awe and mystery of Pokémon that exist outside the normal flow of time. From prehistoric fury to futuristic technology, this set delivers some of the most visually striking and competitively powerful cards in the Scarlet & Violet era.
Set Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | March 22, 2024 |
| Total Cards | 218 cards |
| Set Type | Main Expansion • Scarlet & Violet Series |
| Key Pokémon | Walking Wake ex • Iron Leaves ex • Gouging Fire ex • Iron Crown ex • Raging Bolt ex • Iron Boulder ex |
| Card Rarities | Pokémon ex • Ultra Rares • Full Art Trainers • Illustration Rares • SIR • Hyper Rares • ACE SPEC |
| Key Features | Ancient & Future Paradox Pokémon • 10 Special Illustration Rares • 18 Illustration Rares • ACE SPEC cards |
| Theme | Time-displaced Paradox Pokémon from ancient past and distant future, exploring temporal mechanics and time travel |
Rarity Distribution
Available Products
| Image | Product Name | Contents | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Booster Pack | 10 cards per pack • 1 guaranteed rare or higher | Mar 22, 2024 |
 |
Booster Box | 36 booster packs | Mar 22, 2024 |
 |
Build & Battle Box | 4 booster packs • 40-card deck • Promo card • Deck box | Mar 9, 2024 |
 |
Elite Trainer Box - Walking Wake | 9 booster packs • 65 card sleeves • Player's guide • Dice • Damage counters • Coin | Mar 22, 2024 |
 |
Elite Trainer Box - Iron Leaves | 9 booster packs • 65 card sleeves • Player's guide • Dice • Damage counters • Coin | Mar 22, 2024 |
 |
Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box - Walking Wake | 9 booster packs • 65 card sleeves • Player's guide • Dice • Damage counters • Exclusive coin • Promo card | Mar 22, 2024 |
 |
Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box - Iron Leaves | 9 booster packs • 65 card sleeves • Player's guide • Dice • Damage counters • Exclusive coin • Promo card | Mar 22, 2024 |
 |
Booster Bundle | 6 booster packs • Promo card | Mar 22, 2024 |
 |
Three-Pack Blister | 3 booster packs • Promo card | Mar 22, 2024 |
 |
Checklane Blister | 1 booster pack • Promo card | Mar 22, 2024 |
 |
Premium Checklane Blister | 2 booster packs • Promo card | Mar 22, 2024 |
 |
Fun Pack | 2 booster packs • Sticker sheet • Activity booklet | Mar 22, 2024 |
Special Illustration Rares
Temporal Forces features 10 stunning Special Illustration Rares that capture the temporal nature of Ancient and Future Paradox Pokémon.
| Card Image | Card Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
Walking Wake ex 205/162 | Ancient Paradox Pokémon • Special Illustration Rare featuring the Water/Dragon-type stalking through ancient waters |
 |
Iron Leaves ex 203/162 | Future Paradox Pokémon • Special Illustration Rare showcasing the Grass/Psychic-type mechanical warrior |
 |
Gouging Fire ex 204/162 | Ancient Paradox Pokémon • Special Illustration Rare featuring the Fire/Dragon-type with blazing prehistoric fury |
 |
Iron Crown ex 206/162 | Future Paradox Pokémon • Special Illustration Rare showcasing the Steel/Psychic-type from an advanced timeline |
 |
Iron Boulder ex 207/162 | Future Paradox Pokémon • Special Illustration Rare showcasing the Rock/Psychic-type from the distant future |
 |
Raging Bolt ex 208/162 | Ancient Paradox Pokémon • Special Illustration Rare featuring the Electric/Dragon-type with thunderous ancient power |
 |
Bianca's Devotion 209/162 | Special Illustration Rare Trainer card featuring Bianca, the enthusiastic researcher from Unova |
 |
Eri 210/162 | Special Illustration Rare Trainer card featuring Eri from Team Star's Poison Crew |
 |
Morty's Conviction 211/162 | Special Illustration Rare Trainer card featuring Morty, the Ghost-type Gym Leader from Ecruteak City |
 |
Salvatore 212/162 | Special Illustration Rare Trainer card featuring Salvatore, the passionate language teacher from Paldea |
🌟 The Special Illustration Rare cards in Temporal Forces showcase some of the most breathtaking artwork in the Scarlet & Violet era, with each card capturing the temporal nature of Paradox Pokémon.
Collecting Strategy
Temporal Forces presents unique collecting challenges due to its exceptionally low Special Illustration Rare pull rates and competitive Paradox Pokémon ex cards. Here's how to approach this set strategically based on your goals.
🎯 Know Your Pull Rates
Understanding the math behind Temporal Forces is crucial:
- 📊 SIR Pull Rate: Approximately 1 in 86 packs (~2.4 booster boxes for one SIR)
- 💎 Ultra Rare: Roughly 1 in 10-12 packs
- ✨ Illustration Rare: About 1 in 15 packs
- 🎲 Regular Rare or Better: Guaranteed in every pack
💰 Budget-Conscious Approach
Best for: Players who want specific cards or completing the main set
Buy one Elite Trainer Box for accessories and the authentic opening experience, then purchase singles for your chase cards. With SIRs averaging $15-40 each on the secondary market and requiring ~$200+ in sealed product to pull one, buying singles saves significant money.
💡 Pro Tip: Elite Trainer Boxes come in both Walking Wake and Iron Leaves versions—choose based on which artwork you prefer, as pull rates are identical.
🎁 Booster Box Strategy
Best for: Building bulk while hunting for hits
A booster box (36 packs) typically yields 6-8 ultra rare or higher cards. You'll likely complete most of the common/uncommon/rare set, but statistically won't hit a Special Illustration Rare. This approach works if you value the journey and enjoy the surprise of pack opening, but understand you're paying a premium over buying singles.
🏆 Competitive Player's Path
Best for: Tournament players building decks
Skip sealed product entirely and buy singles of the competitive staples: Walking Wake ex, Iron Leaves ex, and Raging Bolt ex are seeing heavy tournament play. ACE SPEC cards like [specific ACE SPEC names] are also format-defining. Invest in playsets (4 copies) of competitive cards rather than gambling on pulls.
📈 Investment & Sealed Collecting
Best for: Long-term collectors and investors
Elite Trainer Boxes and Booster Boxes tend to appreciate over time, especially for sets with powerful Paradox Pokémon. The low SIR pull rates may drive sealed product value up as the set goes out of print. Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Boxes with exclusive coins often command premiums in the sealed market.
⚡ Reality Check: The notoriously low SIR pull rates (~1 in 86 packs) mean most collectors should embrace singles purchasing unless pack opening itself brings you joy. The Paradox Pokémon ex cards remain valuable for both gameplay and collecting, with Walking Wake ex and Iron Leaves ex leading the pack in tournament results and collector interest.
Where to Buy
🇺🇸 United States
Temporal Forces is available at major retailers and the Pokémon Center.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
UK collectors can find Temporal Forces at official retailers and major game stores.