You’ve probably seen the box sitting on a shelf and wondered if it’s actually worth the markup. It’s purple. It’s moody. It features Pecharunt, a mythical Pokemon that basically looks like a sentient toxic peach. Honestly, the Pokemon TCG Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box is one of the weirdest releases we’ve seen in the Paldea era. Most "special" sets like Crown Zenith or Paldean Fates go for maximum hype with shiny Charizards. This one? It went for a dark, folkloric vibe centered around the "Loyal Three"—Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti.
It's a "special set," which means you can’t buy individual booster packs at the store. You have to buy products like this Elite Trainer Box (ETB) to get the packs. That makes the stakes higher. If the pulls are bad, you’ve spent $50 on a fancy cardboard box and some sleeves. But if you’re chasing those specific illustration rares, this is literally the only way to get them.
The set itself is small. Only 95 cards before you hit the secret rares. That’s tiny compared to Temporal Forces or Twilight Masquerade. Because the pool is shallow, you’re going to see a lot of the same commons. You’ll get sick of seeing Rowlet and Horsea pretty fast. But the hit rate? That’s where things get complicated.
What’s Actually Inside the Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box?
Inside the Pokemon TCG Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box, you’re getting nine booster packs. You also get a full-art promo card of Pecharunt. This isn't just a standard holo; it's an Illustration Rare (IR) that features the "Loyal Three" looming in the background. It’s genuinely one of the better-looking ETB promos we’ve had lately.
The box also includes the usual stuff: 45 energy cards, six damage-counter dice, a coin-flip die, and two plastic condition markers. The sleeves feature the Pecharunt artwork. They’re that matte finish Pokemon Center loves, which some players hate because they can make the cards look a bit dull, but they shuffle like a dream.
Let’s talk about the "Loyal Three" for a second. In the video game DLC, The Teal Mask, these guys are kind of the villains, or at least, they aren't the heroes they pretend to be. The TCG captures this perfectly. The art style in Shrouded Fable is heavy on blacks, deep purples, and neon greens. It feels "poisonous." If you’re into the darker side of Pokemon lore, this box is a goldmine. If you prefer the cute, sun-drenched vibes of 151, you might find this set a bit depressing.
The Pull Rate Reality Check
People are screaming about the pull rates in Shrouded Fable. Some openers are getting three "hits" out of nine packs. Others are getting zero. Because the set is so small, the "Special Illustration Rares" (SIR) are incredibly hard to find. We are talking one in every few hundred packs for the top-tier cards like the SIR Cassiopeia or the SIR Janine’s Secret Art.
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Wait.
Don't buy this box thinking you're guaranteed a $50 card. You aren't. You're buying the experience of the opening and the guaranteed promo. The Pecharunt promo alone usually hovers around a few dollars, so it doesn't carry the value of the box. You are gambling on the packs.
Is Shrouded Fable Good for Players or Just Collectors?
If you actually play the game, the Pokemon TCG Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box is actually a massive deal. This set introduced "Night Stretcher," a trainer card that is basically a staple now. It lets you put a Pokemon or a basic Energy from your discard pile into your hand. It's simple. It's powerful. Every deck wants it.
Then there’s the "Binding Mochi" tool card. It increases the damage of a poisoned Pokemon by 40. Pair that with Pecharunt ex’s "Subjugating Chains" ability, and you have a deck archetype that actually works. It’s not just "filler" like some mid-year sets.
- Pecharunt ex: The engine that moves your Poisoned Pokemon to the Active spot.
- Okidogi ex: The heavy hitter that becomes a tank when Poisoned.
- Janine’s Secret Art: The supporter that accelerates energy but poisons your own Pokemon to do it.
It's a high-risk, high-reward playstyle. It’s refreshing. For years, the TCG was just about "big HP goes boom." Now, we have these weird status-effect-based strategies that require actual brainpower to pilot.
The Problem With the Card Stock
We have to talk about the quality control. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster. Some cards coming out of these Shrouded Fable ETBs have "print lines"—those annoying vertical or horizontal faint lines that happen during manufacturing. If you’re a grader looking for a PSA 10, this set might break your heart. I’ve seen cards straight from the pack with "silvering" on the edges, where the holographic layer shows through.
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It’s not every box, but it’s enough to be a pattern. If you’re a collector, check your cards under a bright light immediately.
Why This ETB Matters for the Secondary Market
Historically, "Special Sets" hold their value better than "Main Sets." Think back to Hidden Fates or Celebrations. Because you can't buy individual packs, the sealed boxes become rarer over time. The Pokemon TCG Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box is likely to follow this trend, but maybe not as aggressively as 151.
The "Loyal Three" aren't Charizard or Pikachu. They don't have that "nostalgia armor" that protects their price. However, Cassiopeia (or Penny, for those who know the Scarlet/Violet story) has a massive fanbase. The Special Illustration Rare of her sitting in her room with her Eevee bags is the "chase card" of the set. If that card stays expensive, the ETB stays expensive.
Also, the gold cards in this set are actually "Hyper Rares" with a new textured pattern. They look like hammered gold. They are much harder to pull than the gold cards from the Sword & Shield era.
Comparisons to Other Scarlet and Violet Boxes
If you’re choosing between this and a Twilight Masquerade booster box, it depends on what you want. A booster box gives you 36 packs. This ETB gives you nine. But you can't get Shrouded Fable in a 36-pack box.
- Paldean Fates: More "hits" per box because of the Shiny Vault, but the cards are reprints.
- Shrouded Fable: Fewer hits, but the art is more unique and the cards are brand new.
- 151: More expensive, higher nostalgia, but incredibly hard to find at retail price.
Shrouded Fable is for the person who wants something different. It’s for the person who likes the "Team Rocket" vibe—the grittier, meaner side of the Pokemon world.
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The Verdict on Shrouded Fable
Should you buy the Pokemon TCG Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box?
If you are a competitive player, yes. You need the trainers and the Pecharunt/Loyal Three engine cards. If you are a casual collector who just likes "pretty cards," you might be better off buying the singles you want on eBay or TCGPlayer. The pull rates are just too volatile to guarantee a "win" from a single box.
But there is something about that box design. The deep violet aesthetic looks incredible on a display shelf. Compared to the bright, neon-orange of SVI Base Set or the teal of Twilight Masquerade, this is the most "adult" looking product Pokemon has put out in years.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
- Check for the "Illustration Collection" instead: If you only care about the packs and not the dice or sleeves, look for the Greninja ex or Kingdra ex Special Illustration Collections. They often have a better "price-per-pack" ratio than the ETB.
- Verify the Seal: If you’re buying from a third-party seller, ensure the shrink wrap has the white "Poke Ball" logos. If it’s clear plastic with no logos, it’s been tampered with.
- Store the Promo Separately: The Pecharunt promo comes in a plastic cellophane wrapper inside the box. This wrapper can actually dent the card over time if the box is bumped. Take it out and put it in a penny sleeve and a top-loader immediately.
- Focus on the Night Stretcher: If you pull any "Night Stretcher" reverse holos, keep them. These are high-demand "uncommons" that often sell for more than bulk V or ex cards because players need them for tournaments.
The secondary market for Shrouded Fable is currently stabilizing. Prices for the top chase cards usually drop about three weeks after launch and then slowly climb back up once the print run ends. If you’re hunting the Cassiopeia SIR, waiting might save you $20, but if you want the thrill of pulling it yourself, the Elite Trainer Box is your best starting point.
Remember that this set is a "bridge." It fills the gap between the massive Twilight Masquerade expansion and the upcoming "Stellar" themed sets. It’s a specialized, focused, and slightly dark chapter in the Paldean journey. It isn't for everyone, but for those who "get" the vibe, it's a must-have.