Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Base Set Booster Box Review – 36 Packs Review UK 2026 — Worth It?

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Base set marked a significant reset for the Trading Card Game: a new card layout, new ex mechanic replacing V and VMAX, new illustration rare and special illustration rare tiers, and a revamped set structure. For anyone starting or building a collection in the SV era, this is the foundational set.

The 36-pack booster box format gives you the standard pull rate experience across the hobby. Expect approximately 3-5 ultra rares per box depending on pull luck, with at least one or two ex cards and a reasonable chance at an illustration rare.

The new ex mechanic (note the lowercase ex — distinct from the older EX cards) replaced V/VMAX and returns some visual nostalgia to the hobby, with ex cards resembling older Base Set holographic designs in spirit. The two-prize ex cards changed competitive play, and the set's ex cards — Charizard ex, Arcanine ex, Miraidon ex, Koraidon ex — are central to the format.

The card design refresh was broadly well-received. The new card back, full-art illustration rares with textured art, and the gold ultra rare tier made Scarlet & Violet Base feel like a genuine new era rather than a cosmetic update.

As a booster box for value, the set is now more accessible than at launch. For collectors wanting a complete SV Base foundation, this is the natural starting point before moving through Paldea Evolved, Obsidian Flames and beyond.