Chilling Reign vs Silver Tempest ETB: Which to Buy (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 31, 2026 · 6 min read
Deciding between the Chilling Reign vs Silver Tempest ETB comes down to which SWSH chase cards matter to you.
Buy Silver Tempest if you want the final main-series Sword and Shield set anchored by Lugia VSTAR. Buy Chilling Reign if you are targeting the Calyrex VMAX pair and the Galarian Legendary Bird Vs at a lower entry price.
At a glance: Chilling Reign vs Silver Tempest ETB
Both sets are part of the SWSH Elite Trainer Box lineup, and both ETBs follow the standard format: 8 booster packs, 65 card sleeves, a coin, damage counters, condition markers, and a player's guide. The differences show up in the chase cards, secondary market price, and collector significance.
| Chilling Reign ETB | Silver Tempest ETB | |
|---|---|---|
| Set code | SwSh6 | SwSh12 |
| Released | June 18, 2021 | November 11, 2022 |
| Packs per ETB | 8 | 8 |
| MSRP (standard ETB) | $49.99 | $49.99 |
| MSRP (Pokémon Center exclusive) | $59.99 | $59.99 |
| Key chase cards | Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX, Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX, Galarian Bird Vs | Lugia VSTAR, Regidrago VSTAR, Regieleki VMAX, Alolan Vulpix VSTAR |
| Set position | Sixth of twelve main SWSH sets | Final main SWSH set |
| ETB variants | Standard (Ice Rider) + Pokémon Center exclusive (Shadow Rider) | Standard + Pokémon Center exclusive |
| Secondary market entry (observed Oct 31, 2026) | From $149.99 | From $215.00 |
| Price per pack at market entry | ~$18.75 | ~$26.88 |
Both MSRP figures come from the official Pokémon TCG product gallery. Set release dates are sourced from Serebii (Chilling Reign) and Serebii (Silver Tempest). Price per pack at market entry is calculated from the lowest observed secondary market listing divided by 8 packs.
On this page 6 sections
Where Chilling Reign wins
The Galarian Legendary Birds in a single set
Chilling Reign is the primary English set for Galarian Zapdos V, Galarian Moltres V, and Galarian Articuno V. These three cards appear across multiple rarities in the set, and no later standard English set reprinted all three at once. Collectors who missed the 2021 window are now working through the secondary market to complete the trio.
The Calyrex VMAX pair adds to that appeal. Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX and Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX were two of the strongest SWSH-era V cards for competitive play, and the Pokémon Center exclusive ETBs were built around them.
Lower secondary market entry
As of October 31, 2026, standard Chilling Reign ETBs list from $149.99, putting the price per pack at roughly $18.75. That is about $8 per pack cheaper than the Silver Tempest entry point.
For anyone who wants to crack SWSH packs rather than collect sealed boxes, Chilling Reign is the more cost-efficient choice between the two sets.
Two distinct ETB variants
The standard Chilling Reign ETB came themed around Ice Rider Calyrex, while the Pokémon Center exclusive featured Shadow Rider Calyrex. Because the two variants have genuinely different artwork and promo sleeves, collectors often treat them as separate targets. Silver Tempest also had two ETB variants, but the thematic split was less dramatic.
Where Silver Tempest wins
Lugia VSTAR is the anchor
Lugia VSTAR is Silver Tempest's headline card. It was among the most coveted SWSH-era VSTAR cards at release, and the set remains the only standard English set to feature it. The alternate art and Secret Rare versions of Lugia VSTAR continue to draw collector attention long after the set's 2022 release.
Regidrago VSTAR, Regieleki VMAX, and Alolan Vulpix VSTAR round out a strong pull list that gives the set broad appeal beyond just Lugia.
The final main-series SWSH set
Silver Tempest is SwSh12, the last main-series Sword and Shield expansion before the Scarlet and Violet era began in early 2023. You can browse the full Pokémon TCG set timeline to see how it sits at the end of the SWSH run.
That finality matters to collectors who want one sealed box from every SWSH set, or to anyone building a complete SWSH-era collection. Chilling Reign sits in the middle of the SWSH run; Silver Tempest closes it.
More Secret Rare variants per pack
Silver Tempest carries a higher Secret Rare count than Chilling Reign, meaning a larger share of each pack's possible pulls lands in the Secret Rare slot. For anyone who opens SWSH packs specifically hoping to hit alternate art or Gold cards, Silver Tempest offers more targets per box.
The deciding question: what are you opening for?
The two ETBs serve different goals. Choosing between them comes down to three collector types.
You want the Galarian Bird Vs or Calyrex VMAX pair. Chilling Reign is the answer. These cards do not appear in Silver Tempest, and Chilling Reign's lower secondary market entry makes it the more efficient path to them.
You want Lugia VSTAR or a SWSH capstone collector piece. Silver Tempest is the right pick. The set's end-of-era position gives sealed copies a collector significance Chilling Reign cannot match, and Lugia VSTAR has no other home in a standard English set.
You are gifting or just opening SWSH packs for the experience. Chilling Reign's $149.99 entry point is roughly $65 less than Silver Tempest's lowest observed price.
That gap makes it the stronger gift ETB. For more SWSH ETB options at different price points, see the Lost Origin vs Silver Tempest comparison.
Shop both ETBs from independent stores
Pokemon Chilling Reign Elite Trainer Box [Ice Rider Calyrex]
$149.99 USD
Frequently asked questions
Which ETB has the better price per pack, Chilling Reign or Silver Tempest?
At current secondary market prices observed October 31, 2026, Chilling Reign works out to roughly $18.75 per pack from its lowest listed ETB, against $26.88 per pack for Silver Tempest. Both figures are well above MSRP, which was $49.99 for 8 packs ($6.25 per pack) when both sets were in print.
Are Chilling Reign and Silver Tempest cards legal in standard competitive play?
No. Both sets rotated out of the Standard format as part of the Scarlet and Violet era rotation. They remain legal in Expanded format, where SWSH-era cards are still played.
What is the difference between the standard ETB and the Pokémon Center exclusive ETB?
Both variants contain the same 8 booster packs. The Pokémon Center exclusives include alternate-themed card sleeves and were sold only through official Pokémon Center channels at launch. On the secondary market the two variants are often priced differently based on demand for that specific version's sleeves and artwork.
Which ETB is better as a gift?
Chilling Reign's lower entry price and the recognisable Galarian Bird trio make it the stronger gift option for most occasions. Silver Tempest is the better pick for a collector specifically building a complete SWSH-era set.
Is there a booster box available for either set?
Yes, both Chilling Reign and Silver Tempest booster boxes are available from independent sellers. Booster boxes contain 36 packs versus the ETB's 8, and are sold at significantly higher secondary market prices. Browse current listings on DexHaul's booster boxes collection for today's available options.
Browse the full range of Pokémon Elite Trainer Boxes from independent shops at DexHaul's ETB collection, where you can filter by set, format and price across thousands of independent listings. DexHaul is independent and not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
More Chilling Reign and Silver Tempest finds from independent shops.