Temporal Forces: Complete Set Guide for Scarlet & Violet 2024

Temporal Forces: Welcome to the Age of Paradox

Released on March 22, 2024, Scarlet & Violet - Temporal Forces quickly established itself as one of the most beloved expansions in the Scarlet & Violet block. It builds on the wave of Paradox creatures introduced in earlier sets and pushes the concept even further, with Pokemon from the ancient past and a distant future clashing on cards with a strikingly polished aesthetic.

With 218 cards in total - 162 numbered cards and 56 secret rares - this set offers genuine depth for collectors. Whether you are a competitive player, a collector or an investor, Temporal Forces has plenty to keep you busy. Here is the full rundown.

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What the Set Contains: Structure and Rarities

Temporal Forces follows the now well-established Scarlet & Violet structure:

• Numbered cards (1 to 162): the backbone of the set, featuring standard Pokemon, Trainer cards and the usual ex cards.
• Secret rares (163 to 218): the rarities that make eyes light up - Illustration Rares (IR), Special Illustration Rares (SIR), and gold Hyper Rares.

The 56 secret rares represent a generous ratio. This is where every card that drives the value of an opened booster lives.

Rarity Types Worth Knowing

If you are new to the Scarlet & Violet era, here is a quick refresher:

• IR (Illustration Rare): full-art illustrations with a colored background, usually horizontal.
• SIR (Special Illustration Rare): the holy grail - fully immersive full-art illustration, borderless background, premium finish.
• Hyper Rare: gold cards (textured gold), often Trainer cards or ex cards.

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The Chase Cards of Temporal Forces

This is where things get serious. Temporal Forces is home to several of the most sought-after cards in the entire Scarlet & Violet era.

The SIRs You Absolutely Need

Walking Wake ex SIR (#205) - This Paradox Pokemon, the ancient form of Suicune, features a stunning illustration that places it among the most expensive cards in the set. Its popularity comes from two directions: it sees competitive play and is heavily sought after by collectors.

Raging Bolt ex SIR (#208) - The Paradox form of Raikou, this card shares all the same qualities as Walking Wake: competitive viability and a top-tier illustration. These two SIRs regularly trade places at the top of the most valuable cards in the set.

Iron Crown ex SIR (#206) - The futuristic form of Cobalion, this card draws in fans of future Paradox Pokemon. Its restrained but powerful illustration makes it a solid piece for any collection.

Gouging Fire ex SIR (#204) - The ancient form of Entei, it rounds out the lineup of SIRs tied to reimagined legendary Pokemon. A must-have for thematic collectors.

Iron Leaves ex SIR - The futuristic form of Virizion, it holds its own alongside the other SIRs in the set.

The Must-Have Trainer SIR

Morty's Conviction SIR - Trainer cards in SIR form carry a special appeal for collectors. Morty is an iconic character in the franchise, and his SIR illustration is very well regarded.

The Surprise Illustration Rare

Sawsbuck IR - Sawsbuck's Illustration Rare caught a lot of people off guard when the set launched. The seasonal illustration, evoking a bright autumn forest, won over many collectors who were not expecting it. It is exactly the kind of card that reminds you that IRs can sometimes outshine ex cards in terms of pure aesthetic appeal.

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Temporal Forces Sealed Products

Temporal Forces is available in several sealed formats, each with its own advantages depending on your goals.

Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs)

Two ETB versions were released for this expansion:

Product	Featured Pokemon	Status
Iron Leaves ex ETB	Iron Leaves ex	Limited stock / sold out
Walking Wake ex ETB	Walking Wake ex	Limited stock / sold out

These boxes typically include several boosters, an exclusive promo card, card sleeves and other accessories. The key detail: they have been listed as sold out or in very limited stock at several retailers for some time now. If you find one at the recommended retail price, that is a real opportunity.

Booster Box (Display)

The booster box contains 36 packs. It is the preferred format for players who open in volume and for resellers. For a solo collector it represents a significant investment, but it gives you a solid chance of hitting several interesting rare cards.

Single Packs and Multipacks

• Three-packs and two-packs: often bundled with an exclusive promo card, they are ideal for opening on a budget or as a gift.
• Blister packs: the entry-level option, perfect for testing the set or completing a collection one card at a time.

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Why Temporal Forces Resonates So Strongly

The Paradox Pokemon Angle

Paradox Pokemon - creatures from the past or future that reimagine well-known legendary Pokemon - hit their stride in this set. Walking Wake (Suicune), Raging Bolt (Raikou), Gouging Fire (Entei), Iron Crown (Cobalion) and Iron Leaves (Virizion): these are Pokemon with a rich history, reimagined in a radical way. That concept connects with both nostalgic fans and newer players.

The Quality of the Illustrations

The SIRs in Temporal Forces are consistently at a very high level. Artists made full use of the full-art format to create immersive scenes, and it shows. This is one of the Scarlet & Violet sets most often cited by collectors as a personal favorite when it comes to artwork.

Competitive Viability

Walking Wake ex and Raging Bolt ex are not just beautiful cards - they have been played at a high level in the Pokemon TCG meta. A competitive card is one whose demand does not rely solely on collectors but also on players who need a functional deck. That keeps interest alive over the long term.

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How to Track the Value of Your Temporal Forces Cards

One of the challenges with a set this dense (218 cards, 56 secret rares) is knowing what your collection is actually worth at any given moment. Single prices shift with the competitive meta, reprints and international demand.

For that, the PokéItem app is particularly useful. It lets you:

• Scan your cards to add them to your digital collection
• Track price changes on your SIRs and IRs over time
• Assess the total value of your Temporal Forces collection in real time

When you hold multiple copies of Walking Wake ex or Raging Bolt ex SIR, knowing whether their value is rising or falling helps you decide whether to hold or sell at the right moment.

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Practical Tips for Collectors

Prioritize Singles Over Blind Opening

Temporal Forces was opened heavily at launch. The singles market is well stocked. If you are targeting a specific SIR, it is often more sensible to buy it directly as a single on trading platforms than to hope you pull it from a booster.

ETBs - A Category of Their Own

The Walking Wake ex and Iron Leaves ex ETBs have become hard to find at their original retail price. They make for interesting sealed products for anyone who likes keeping boxes sealed. Keep an eye out for potential restocks at specialist retailers.

Do Not Overlook Sawsbuck IR

Sawsbuck IR is the perfect example of a card that was underestimated at launch and has gained recognition over time. IRs with strong artwork that are not tied to a meta-dependent Pokemon often have excellent staying power in collections.

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Temporal Forces: The Bottom Line

Temporal Forces is a solid, well-constructed set with a strong visual identity and chase cards that live up to their reputation. Whether you are looking to complete your Paradox collection, pick up competitive singles or simply enjoy one of the finest series of illustrations in the Scarlet & Violet era, this set delivers on every front.

If you want to keep an eye on how your Temporal Forces cards are trending, add them to PokéItem so you never miss a good window to buy or sell.