Paldean Fates ETB vs Temporal Forces ETB: Which to Buy (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 12, 2026 · 6 min read
Buy the Temporal Forces ETB if you want sealed Scarlet & Violet packs at a closer-to-MSRP secondary market price, or if ACE SPEC cards matter for competitive play. Choose the Paldean Fates ETB if Shiny Pokémon are the draw and you understand you are buying into a premium secondary market.
Both sets launched in early 2024 and are no longer available at their original $49.99 MSRP through mainstream retail. Temporal Forces (SV05) trades near accessible levels; Paldean Fates (SV4.5) carries a steep secondary market premium for reasons covered below. See the Temporal Forces ETB breakdown and the Paldean Fates PC ETB breakdown for each box's full contents.
On this page 5 sections
At a Glance
| Paldean Fates (SV4.5) | Temporal Forces (SV05) | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | Jan 26, 2024 | Mar 22, 2024 |
| MSRP at launch | $49.99 (Serebii) | $49.99 (Serebii) |
| Packs per ETB | 10 | 9 |
| MSRP per pack (launch) | $5.00 | $5.55 |
| ETB promo card | Shiny Mew ex (foil promo) | Walking Wake ex or Iron Leaves ex (your choice of variant) |
| Sleeves (65) | Shiny Mew ex art | Matching promo art |
| Standard booster box? | No (special set) | Yes, 36 packs |
| Observed secondary market price | $363–$649 USD (Oct 12, 2026) | $145 USD (Oct 12, 2026) |
Where Paldean Fates Wins
Ten packs at the same MSRP
At launch, Paldean Fates gave buyers 10 booster packs at $49.99 ($5.00 per pack). Temporal Forces had 9 packs at the same price ($5.55 per pack). That extra pack made PAF the stronger per-pack value at retail.
The advantage disappears at today's secondary market prices, but it explains why the PAF ETB sold out fast.
The only factory-sealed entry point
Paldean Fates is a special expansion with no standard booster box. There are no 36-pack cases to open at scale, no bulk booster bundles at mass retail. The ETB is the only factory-sealed booster product in the set, which puts a structural floor under the secondary market price that standard-set ETBs simply do not have.
This is the core reason Paldean Fates ETBs trade at $300–$650 while a Temporal Forces ETB sits at $145. Supply is constrained at the product level, not just by age.
The highest Shiny Pokémon concentration in the Scarlet & Violet era
Paldean Fates is built around Shiny Pokémon. The set features over 100 Shiny Pokémon cards, including Shiny Charizard ex and Shiny Mew ex as its marquee chase cards. No other SV-era set comes close to that Shiny density.
If you are chasing a specific Shiny card or completing the Shiny portion of the set, Paldean Fates packs are the only source. The Pokémon Center ETB (shown above) bumps the pack count to 11 and adds an exclusive Shiny Mimikyu promo with Pokémon Center logo. Read the full Paldean Fates PC ETB guide for its complete contents.
Where Temporal Forces Wins
Two ETB variants let you choose your promo
Temporal Forces shipped with two ETB variants: Walking Wake ex and Iron Leaves ex. Both contain the same nine booster packs and accessories. The only differences are the foil promo card and the sleeve art.
Walking Wake ex is the Water-type Paradox form of Suicune; Iron Leaves ex is the Grass-type Paradox form of Virizion. Neither dominates competitive play, so the choice is aesthetic. Both are observed at $145.00 USD as of October 12, 2026.
ACE SPEC cards return to the format
Temporal Forces reintroduced ACE SPEC cards for the first time since the Black & White era (2011–2013). Every pack contains one. These powerful Trainer and Item cards are limited to one copy per deck in official play, making them a meaningful deckbuilding resource.
Raging Bolt ex and Iron Crown ex are the headline pull targets alongside the ACE SPEC pool. No Paldean Fates pack provides these cards.
The booster box brings secondary market prices down
Because Temporal Forces has a standard 36-pack booster box, the set was opened at high volume and more singles reached the market. That keeps ETB secondary prices lower. Temporal Forces ETBs compete with booster box openings; Paldean Fates ETBs do not.
The $145 vs $300–$650 price gap between the two ETBs is a supply-structure difference, not a quality difference.
The Deciding Question
Go Paldean Fates if Shiny Pokémon are the goal
Collectors chasing Shiny cards have no alternative. No other SV-era product offers Shiny pulls in this density, and Paldean Fates has no booster box to buy instead. If you want Shiny packs, you are paying the PAF premium.
Budget for $363–$650 per ETB on the current secondary market. Confirmed-sealed boxes with no packaging damage are at the higher end; listings noting plastic damage sell at a modest discount.
The Pokémon Center ETB is worth the extra cost if the exclusive Shiny Mimikyu promo matters to your collection. It adds one pack and a PC logo variant of the promo.
Go Temporal Forces for the better price and two promo options
Temporal Forces is the right call for anyone opening packs for competitive cards, for gifting, or for casual SV-era collecting at a reasonable secondary market price. At $145, it is the most affordable sealed ETB from the 2024 SV wave. It also gives you an actual choice of which promo art ends up on your sleeve box.
Browse Elite Trainer Boxes on DexHaul for current listings of both sets across independent shops. The search covers both standard variants and Pokémon Center exclusives.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Temporal Forces Elite Trainer Box (Walking Wake)
$145.00 USD
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ETB has more packs, Paldean Fates or Temporal Forces?
Paldean Fates comes with 10 booster packs per ETB; Temporal Forces comes with 9. Both launched at $49.99 MSRP, making Paldean Fates the slightly better pack-per-dollar value at retail pricing.
Is there a Paldean Fates booster box?
No. Paldean Fates is a special expansion, not a standard set, so it was never sold with a 36-pack booster display box. The ETB is the only factory-sealed way to open Paldean Fates packs.
What is an ACE SPEC card in Temporal Forces?
ACE SPEC cards are powerful Trainer and Item cards, limited to one copy per deck in official competitive play. Temporal Forces reintroduced them for the first time since the Black & White era (2011–2013). One ACE SPEC appears in every Temporal Forces booster pack.
Which set is better for Shiny Pokémon?
Paldean Fates by a large margin. It features over 100 Shiny Pokémon cards, including Shiny Charizard ex and Shiny Mew ex. Temporal Forces has no Shiny Pokémon focus.
If Shinies are the goal, Paldean Fates is the only choice in the SV era.
Are both ETBs still available to buy?
Yes, through independent shops and secondary market sellers. Neither is widely stocked at the original $49.99 MSRP. Temporal Forces ETBs are observed at approximately $145 USD; Paldean Fates standard ETBs range from $363 to $649 USD as of October 12, 2026.
Ready to compare listings side by side Browse Elite Trainer Boxes on DexHaul to see current stock and pricing from independent shops for both Paldean Fates and Temporal Forces, including the Pokémon Center exclusives. DexHaul is independent and not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
More Elite Trainer Boxes from independent shops, updated in real time.