Temporal Forces vs Shrouded Fable Booster Box: Which to Buy (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 12, 2026 · 7 min read
The choice comes down to breadth versus focus.
Temporal Forces (SV5, released March 22, 2024) is the larger set: 162 standard cards, four SIR targets in Walking Wake ex, Iron Leaves ex, Raging Bolt ex, and Iron Crown ex, plus a full roster of Ancient and Future paradox Pokémon. Shrouded Fable (SV6.5, released August 2, 2024) is a special set with just 99 standard cards and two main SIR targets: Pecharunt ex and Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex. Buy Temporal Forces if you want the widest SV-era card pool in a single box; buy Shrouded Fable if you are hunting a short checklist and want better statistical odds on each specific hit.
On this page 7 sections
At a glance
| Temporal Forces | Shrouded Fable | |
|---|---|---|
| Set code | SV5 | SV6.5 |
| Set type | Full main-series set | Special set |
| Release date | March 22, 2024 | August 2, 2024 |
| Standard card count | 162 | 99 |
| Packs per booster box | 36 | 36 |
| MSRP per pack | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Theme | Ancient & Future paradox Pokémon | Teal Mask mythicals, Bloodmoon forms |
| SIR targets | Walking Wake ex, Iron Leaves ex, Raging Bolt ex, Iron Crown ex | Pecharunt ex, Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex |
| ETB variants | Walking Wake ex / Iron Leaves ex | Standard |
| Best for | Variety seekers, full-set collectors | Focused Pecharunt and Bloodmoon hunters |
Temporal Forces: the full main-series set
Temporal Forces is the fifth main-series Scarlet and Violet set. Its 162 standard cards according to Serebii cover the paradox Pokémon from both the Scarlet (Ancient) and Violet (Future) game DLCs: Raging Bolt ex, Scream Tail, Iron Leaves ex, Iron Crown ex, and Walking Wake ex are the headliners. The set also adds Froslass ex and Ursaluna ex in the SIR tier, making for six distinct Illustration Rares in a single box.
Four SIR targets from two game DLCs
Most SV sets give you two or three main SIR targets. Temporal Forces delivers four paradox legendaries as SIRs, plus additional SIR forms for Froslass and Ursaluna. If you enjoy cracking boxes for the variety of possible hits, this is the strongest SV5-era argument for TF over SF.
Two ETB variants
The Temporal Forces Elite Trainer Box came in two flavors: the Walking Wake ex version (blue cover) and the Iron Leaves ex version (green cover). Both contain nine booster packs, a full-art promo card, and the usual dice, sleeves, and coin.
The dual-ETB release is unique among SV main-series sets and gives collectors a reason to grab both without overlap. Our Celebrations vs Crown Zenith comparison explores how special set ETBs differ from main-series ETBs in content and value.
A deep card pool for set completion
Completing Temporal Forces to the standard-numbered 162 requires buying in volume. A single 36-pack box covers 50 to 60 percent of the numbered set, leaving a buy-singles run for the last stretch. That gap keeps the set active in trade communities long after its release date.
Shrouded Fable: the special set option
Shrouded Fable sits at set number SV6.5, a special release between Twilight Masquerade (SV6) and Stellar Crown (SV7). Its 99 standard cards according to Serebii focus on Pecharunt, the Loyal Three (Okidogi ex, Munkidori ex, Fezandipiti ex), and Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex from the Teal Mask DLC storyline. The Japanese counterpart, Night Wanderer, released as a separate set in Japan; our Night Wanderer English equivalent guide explains the differences for importers.
The pull-rate advantage of a smaller set
Here is the key insight that does not appear on any product page. Temporal Forces and Shrouded Fable both have the same per-pack hit rate for rare cards. But TF spreads those hits across six SIR targets in a 162-card set, while SF spreads the same rate across two SIR targets in a 99-card set.
Statistically, you will see each specific SF SIR roughly twice as often per pack compared to any single TF SIR. If you only want Pecharunt ex SIR, a Shrouded Fable box gives you the shortest path to it.
A shorter completion run
Finishing the standard-numbered Shrouded Fable set to 99 cards takes considerably fewer packs than completing Temporal Forces to 162. A single 36-pack box should get you close to 70 to 80 percent of the numbered set, leaving a smaller singles-buying exercise for the last stretch. This makes SF a sensible choice for collectors who enjoy the completion milestone but do not want to invest in multiple boxes.
Price per pack on the secondary market
Both sets carry the same $4.99 MSRP per pack. Secondary market boxes observed in October 2026 run slightly cheaper for Shrouded Fable, partly because a shorter set drives less set-completion buying. The gap is small but favors SF for cost-per-pack at current storefront prices.
Where Temporal Forces wins
Temporal Forces is the better choice when card variety matters more than target efficiency. Its 162-card standard pool means you encounter a wider range of Pokémon, more trainer cards, and more SIR art styles in a single box. Buyers who enjoy the anticipation of not knowing which of four paradox legendaries will appear get more entertainment value per pack.
The dual-ETB option is a genuine advantage no other main-series SV set offers. Buying one of each ETB and one booster box gives you a complete Temporal Forces collection at a cost most dedicated collectors are comfortable with.
Pokemon TCG Scarlet & Violet Temporal Forces Booster Box – 36 Booster Packs
$209.99 USD
Where Shrouded Fable wins
Shrouded Fable wins on focus. Two SIR targets, a 99-card checklist, and a slightly lower secondary market price per pack add up to a more efficient buying run for a collector who knows exactly which cards they want.
If Pecharunt ex or Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex SIR is the card you want on your shelf, Shrouded Fable is the only route. Neither card appears in Temporal Forces.
The deciding question
Ask yourself what you are actually trying to do with the box.
Pack-cracking for variety
If opening packs is about seeing many different cards, Temporal Forces gives you more of that. Its 162-card pool and four SIR targets mean almost every pack introduces something new across the first half of the box.
Completing a manageable checklist
If you track completion progress and find satisfaction in finishing a set, Shrouded Fable is the easier win. A 99-card set is completable in two to three boxes for most collectors; Temporal Forces typically requires four or more boxes plus a singles purchase to close out the standard list. SF's shorter run means less spending before the finish line.
Targeting a specific SIR
Both sets have Illustration Rares that cannot be found in the other. Pecharunt ex SIR exists only in Shrouded Fable. Walking Wake ex SIR exists only in Temporal Forces.
If you know the card you want, buy the set it is in. Every pack you open from the wrong set is a pack that cannot produce your target.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards are in a Temporal Forces booster box?
A Temporal Forces booster display box contains 36 packs of 10 cards each, for 360 cards total. The standard-numbered set runs to 162 cards, with additional SR, SIR, and gold card variants above that.
Is Shrouded Fable a full set or a special set?
Shrouded Fable is a special set (labeled SV6.5), released between the main-series sets Twilight Masquerade (SV6) and Stellar Crown (SV7). Special sets are typically smaller and focus on a specific game storyline or group of Pokémon, with 99 standard cards in Shrouded Fable's case.
Can I pull a Pecharunt ex from a Temporal Forces box?
Pecharunt ex and Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex are exclusive to Shrouded Fable, with no appearances in Temporal Forces packs. If Pecharunt ex SIR is your target, only Shrouded Fable packs can produce it.
Which booster box is better value per pack?
At the official MSRP of $4.99 per pack, both boxes cost the same per pack. On the secondary market as of October 2026, Shrouded Fable booster boxes run slightly cheaper per pack than Temporal Forces at observed storefront prices, though the gap is small. Neither set is "better value" in an absolute sense: value depends on which set contains the cards you want.
Ready to shop both sets Browse every Temporal Forces and Shrouded Fable booster box, booster bundle, and Elite Trainer Box from independent shops at DexHaul's Pokémon booster boxes collection. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, searching thousands of storefronts so you can compare prices and availability in one place.