Brilliant Stars vs Chilling Reign ETB: Which to Buy (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 19, 2026 · 6 min read
One set introduced the VSTAR mechanic; the other gave collectors two distinct box designs in a single release.
Buy Brilliant Stars (SWSH09) if you want the set where VSTAR began, with Arceus as the anchor pull and a smaller set size that makes a master run more achievable. Buy Chilling Reign (SWSH06) if you want a larger pull pool, the Calyrex VMAX Alt Arts, or the natural gift appeal of two different box designs. Both are out of print and available only through independent sellers, so the prices you see today reflect secondary-market supply.
At a glance
| Brilliant Stars (SWSH09) | Chilling Reign (SWSH06) | |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | Feb 25, 2022 | Jun 18, 2021 |
| MSRP at launch | $49.99 standard / $59.99 PC ETB | $49.99 standard / $59.99 PC ETB |
| Standard ETB packs | 8 booster packs | 8 booster packs |
| PC ETB packs | 10 packs + Arceus VSTAR promo | 10 packs + Ice Rider or Shadow Rider promo |
| Set size | 172 base cards (216 with secret rares) | 198 base cards (233 with secret rares) |
| ETB variants | Standard + PC ETB (1 design each) | Ice Rider + Shadow Rider standard; PC ETBs for both |
| MSRP per pack | ~$6.25 (standard, 8 packs) | ~$6.25 (standard, 8 packs) |
| Observed price (Oct 19, 2026) | $107–$245 USD (standard and PC) | $109–$251 USD (standard and PC) |
Prices observed October 19, 2026 across independent sellers. MSRP figures sourced from Serebii's Brilliant Stars listing and the Chilling Reign set page. Both sets are out of print; no current MSRP applies.
On this page 6 sections
Where Brilliant Stars wins
The set that launched VSTAR
Brilliant Stars (SWSH09) is the entry point for the VSTAR era. Released on February 25, 2022, it introduced VSTAR mechanics: each Pokémon VSTAR carries a VSTAR Power, usable once per game per player. That design changed how competitive SWSH decks were built from that point on.
If you are building a chronological SWSH collection, this box is the pivot. It is also the only way to pull the set's signature VSTAR marker in a retail product.
Arceus anchors the pull list
Arceus VSTAR is the centerpiece of SWSH09 and comes in multiple forms: regular, full art, rainbow rare, and gold rare. Origin Forme Palkia V Alt Art and Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR round out the most-requested pulls from this release.
All three Arceus VSTAR variants became the backbone of the dominant 2022 competitive deck. That demand has kept them visible on secondary market listings ever since.
A smaller set is easier to master
With 172 cards in the base set versus Chilling Reign's 198, Brilliant Stars requires fewer packs to approach a complete run. If you are working toward a master set or buying multiple ETBs for a display, the smaller card pool is a practical advantage.
Where Chilling Reign wins
More cards, more pull windows
Chilling Reign's 198-card base set gives you 26 more base cards to chase than Brilliant Stars. The expanded pull pool includes the Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX Alt Art (205/198) and the Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX Alt Art (206/198), two of the most visually striking cards in the entire Sword and Shield era.
If your priority is pulling Alt Arts over mechanic-first sets, Chilling Reign is the deeper box.
Two ETBs, one story
No other main-series SWSH expansion released two distinct standard ETB designs at retail launch. Ice Rider (blue box, Ice Rider Calyrex art on sleeves) and Shadow Rider (purple box, Shadow Rider Calyrex art) each hold 8 packs and the same accessories, differing only in box art and sleeve design.
As a gift, this dual-variant format creates a natural "pick a side" hook. It is something Brilliant Stars, with its single box design, simply does not offer. The two Pokémon Center ETBs added two more variants, giving Chilling Reign four collector SKUs in total.
More entry points on the secondary market
Because Chilling Reign shipped in four formats (standard Ice, standard Shadow, PC Ice, PC Shadow), more sealed stock entered the secondary market than with most single-variant releases. Finding one at a price you want to pay tends to involve less searching than tracking down a specific Brilliant Stars PC ETB.
The deciding question
The sets are the same price bracket today and launched at the same MSRP. Neither has a clear cost-per-pack advantage. The decision comes down to what you want from the box.
Buy Brilliant Stars if
You want the set that introduced VSTAR mechanics, with Arceus as the defining pull. It is also the right pick for anyone working through a chronological SWSH collection or wanting a smaller master-set target. The booster box comparison covers Brilliant Stars against Evolving Skies if you are thinking about larger quantities.
Buy Chilling Reign if
You want Alt Arts, a larger card pool, or the gift flexibility of two distinct box designs. Chilling Reign pairs well with Battle Styles for anyone putting together a late-SWSH ETB display. Check the Chilling Reign contents guide for the full break-down of each ETB variant's accessories.
A note for Q4 shoppers
Both ETBs are strong gift picks at this time of year. Chilling Reign's dual-variant design is the more versatile gifting option: the blue Ice Rider and purple Shadow Rider boxes are visually different enough that two of them under a tree read as a deliberate pair. Brilliant Stars suits someone who is specifically collecting through the SWSH VSTAR era in order.
For gift shopping across the full TCG lineup, the 2026 holiday gift guide covers multiple price tiers including sealed ETBs.
FAQ
How many packs are in the Brilliant Stars Elite Trainer Box?
The standard Brilliant Stars ETB (SWSH09) contains 8 booster packs. The Pokémon Center exclusive ETB came with 10 packs and an exclusive Arceus VSTAR promo card.
Does Chilling Reign have two different Elite Trainer Boxes?
Yes. Chilling Reign released two standard ETB variants in June 2021: Ice Rider Calyrex (blue box) and Shadow Rider Calyrex (purple box). Both contain 8 packs and identical accessories; only the box art and sleeve design differ.
Which came out first, Brilliant Stars or Chilling Reign?
Chilling Reign released first, on June 18, 2021. Brilliant Stars followed on February 25, 2022, as the ninth main Sword and Shield expansion.
Are Brilliant Stars and Chilling Reign still in print?
No. Both SWSH09 and SWSH06 are out of print. Sealed ETBs today are sold by independent collectors and sellers on the secondary market.
Which set has better Alt Art cards?
Chilling Reign is known for the Ice Rider and Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX Alt Arts, two of the most celebrated cards in the Sword and Shield era. Brilliant Stars counters with Origin Forme Palkia V Alt Art and multiple Arceus VSTAR foil variants. Both sets have strong pull targets; which matters more depends on which cards you are specifically chasing.
Browse Brilliant Stars and Chilling Reign Elite Trainer Boxes from independent sellers at DexHaul's Elite Trainer Box collection. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
More SWSH Elite Trainer Boxes from independent shops.