Is Temporal Forces Worth Collecting A Buyer's Guide
Is Temporal Forces Worth Collecting A Buyer's Guide

Is Temporal Forces Worth Collecting? Buyer’s Guide

Recently, the latest Pokemon TCG set, Temporal Forces, was announced. But will it be worth collecting? This guide will help you determine whether to collect Temporal Forces.

Maks Dereszewicz

1/25/2024

Recently, the latest Pokemon TCG set, Temporal Forces, was announced. But will it be worth collecting?

Temporal Forces is set to launch on March 22nd, 2024, and it will be a big deal. This set is crucial, much like Paradox Rift. In the newest Scarlet & Violet set, get ready for fresh Paradox Pokemon that'll spice up your decks with exciting new strategies and gameplay mechanics.

Contents

Temporal Forces Products and Cards
Temporal Forces Products and Cards

Temporal Forces will be worth collecting. This set seems to be an all-around good expansion to the Scarlet & Violet era. Firstly, this set will be crucial for players of the Pokemon TCG.

Temporal Forces will be the first “H” regulation mark, in the standard format. The set will be released days before the April 5th Rotation. Leaving old decks like Mew Vmax destroyed. Leaving room for previous decks to emerge from Temporal Forces and other Scarlet & Violet sets.

We will also see the return of Ace Spec cards. Ace Spec Cards are support cards with massive power buffs. However, they are limited to 1 per deck. These cards will completely change the playing field upon release.

Even for Collectors, Temporal Forces will be a worthwhile purchase. Confirmed cards in Japanese sets, Wild Force and Cyber Judge show the beautiful cards we can expect. The artwork on some of these cards is mind-bending. The Illustration rares have been made to perfection. We also get to see new Paradox Pokemon get a chance in the spotlight with their first cards.

This set will include:

  • Over 160 Cards, not including Secret Rares

  • 7 Ace Spec Cards with 6 Trainers and 1 Special Energy

  • 13 Pokemon ex and 2 Terra Pokemon ex can be expected

  • 22 Illustration Rare cards

  • 10 Special Illustration Rare cards that will be our main chase cards

  • 6 Hyper Rare Gold Cards

Is Temporal Forces Worth Collecting?

Top Cards In Temporal Forces
Top Cards In Temporal Forces

There are so many good cards for collectors to chase. Temporal Forces gives us new artwork and new abilities for new Pokemon. So it’s difficult to decide which will be at the top. 

The 3 current chase cards in Temporal Forces are Raging Bolt ex (Special Illustration Rare), Walking Wake ex (Special Illustration Rare) and Gouging Fire ex (Special Illustration Rare). 

However, there are more promising special illustration rares, illustration rares and hyper rare cards that we haven’t yet seen. Check out our 10 top chase cards for Temporal Forces and this visual list to decide what cards you want to look out for.

Top Chase Cards In Temporal Forces

1 Raging Bolt ex (Special Illustration Rare)

Card Type / HP / Stage: Dragon / 240 / Basic

[C] Bursting Roar: Discard your hand and draw 6 cards.

[L][F] Climactic Descent: 70x damage. You may discard any amount of Basic Energy from your Pokémon. This attack does 70 damage for each card you discard in this way.

Weakness / Resistance / Retreat Cost: / / 3

Raging Bolt ex (SIR) is an exceptional card. Raging Bolt’s first card does not fail to deliver. Firstly, the artwork is stunning. The illustration is incredibly diverse, with bright orange, yellow and green colours contrasting with the Dark Purple storm.

The card’s first attack is a powerful tool to draw an entire hand of cards. However, Climactic descent is more powerful. With a lot of energy cards, you can easily take out some 2 prize card Pokemon.

Raging Bolt ex SIR
Raging Bolt ex SIR

2 Walking Wake ex (Special Illustration Rare)

Card Type / HP / Stage: Water / 220 / Basic

Ability: Azure Wave

Damage from attacks used by this Pokémon isn’t affected by any effects on your opponent's Active Pokémon.

[W][C][C] Cathartic Roar: 120+ damage. If your opponent's Active Pokémon is affected by a Special Condition, this attack does 120 more damage.

Weakness / Resistance / Retreat Cost: Ex2 / / 1

Walking Wake is another amazing special illustration. This card’s attacks seem to work well with Brute Bonnet. Cathartic Roar does 240 damage if affected by a special condition. Walking Wake ex could work well in the lesser-known Klawf deck.

However, the best part of this card is the illustration. This card looks the best out of the 3 Chase cards. On the card, we can see Walking Wake travelling across a blue forest. The terrain resembles the one used in Gardevoir ex’s artwork in Paldean Fates.

Walking Wake ex SIR
Walking Wake ex SIR

3 Gouging Fire ex (Special Illustration Rare)

Card Type / HP / Stage: Fire / 230 / Basic

[R][C] Heat Blast: 60 damage.

[R][R][C] Explosive Fire: 260 damage. This Pokémon can't use Explosive Fire again until it leaves the Active Spot.

Weakness / Resistance / Retreat Cost: Wx2 / / 2

Gouging Fire is a solid Fire-type attacker. It does incredibly Heavy damage. Its attack Explosive Gire does 260 damage! But can only be used again when leaving the active position.

Additionally, the card has a nice theme to it. Gouging Fire is standing in front of a Jungle. The Pokemon’s design with the background makes it look like a King. Displaying its raw power.

Gouging Fire ex SIR
Gouging Fire ex SIR

Pros

  • Competitive Use: There are so many cards in Temporal Forces that will have a massive effect on the current meta. Any serious player of the Pokemon TCG has to get their hands on this set. Especially, with multiple overpowered Ace Spec cards that will determine the winner in a few turns.

  • Staggering Artworks: The Illustration's rares are beautiful. However, the Double Rares and regular cards are a little mediocre.

  • Average Price: This set will be quite an average price. Temporal Forces won’t be too expensive and should be easily accessible.

Cons

  • New Paradox Pokemon: This might seem like a positive. However, many people dislike some of the Paradox Pokemon. As they are recycled versions of past Pokemon.

  • Paradox Rift Duplicate: Many are complaining this set is too similar to Paradox Rift. It's hard to tell if Temporal Forces can compete with it. Paradox Rift was quite a popular set with good artwork, mechanics and better Paradox Pokemon.

  • Not super Investable: This isn’t advice but this is a controversial set and won’t likely be one to hold for profit.

Pros & Cons

These are the known products for Temporal Forces that can be purchased internationally. You can check current Pre-order prices at TCG Player and Pokemon Centre.

Products

Booster Pack

Temporal Fates booster packs will have 10 cards, as normal. The 4 Pack designs will feature Iron Crown, Iron Leaves, Raging Bolt, or Walking Wake.

Iron Leaves Temporal Forces Pack
Iron Leaves Temporal Forces Pack

Elite Trainer Box

This Elite Trainer Box has 2 versions. The regular Temporal Forces ETB and the Pokemon Centre exclusive. The Pokemon Centre exclusive will have 2 additional booster packs and an additional promo card with the Pokemon Centre logo.

The Temporal Forces Elite Trainer box will have 2 designs. One with Walking Wake and the other with Iron Leaves. Inside each Elite Trainer Box will be:

  • 9 Temporal Forces booster packs

  • 1 full-art foil promo card featuring Iron Thorns/Fluttering Mane

  • 65 card sleeves

  • 45 Energy cards

  • A Player’s guide to the Temporal Forces expansion

  • 6 damage-counter dice

  • 1 competition-legal coin-flip die

  • 2 plastic condition markers

  • A collector’s box to hold everything, with 4 dividers

  • A code card for PTCGL

Temporal Forces Elite Trainer Box
Temporal Forces Elite Trainer Box

Booster Box

The Temporal Forces Booster box will contain 36 Booster packs. If you want to open packs for the best price, this is it.

Booster Bundle

This Booster bundle is a smaller version of the Booster Box. This product contains 6 Temporal Forces booster packs. It is another cost-effective product to start opening Temporal Forces.

Temporal Forces Booster Bundle
Temporal Forces Booster Bundle

3 Pack Blister

This product will include 3 Temporal Forces booster packs and a Cyclizar or Cleffa promo card.

Temporal Forces 3 Pack Blister
Temporal Forces 3 Pack Blister

Single Pack Blister

There are 2 versions of this blister. Both of them have a Temporal Forces booster pack and a gold coin. However, one version has either a Bellibolt or Carvanha promo card. The other version has a complete evolution line of either Togekiss or Baxcalibur.

Single Pack Blister Temporal Forces
Single Pack Blister Temporal Forces

The Temporal Forces expansion is looking strong. With new Pokemon and great artwork, how do you buy it? It won’t be released until March 22nd, 2024. However, you can pre-order it.

To Pre-order Temporal Forces products, you will have to be quick. I would recommend websites like TCG Player, Pokemon Centre and Magic Madhouse. Upon release, you can purchase these products from here too. 

If you choose to purchase these products in stores, please be careful. I’d recommend large stores with multiple locations that have a reputation. To be extra safe you can go to the Pokemon store finder. This will show verified Pokemon card sellers near you.

When choosing a product, decide what you are looking for and your budget. In most instances, I’d recommend the Booster Bundle or Elite Trainer Box. If you have a small budget and want to open quite a few cards then the Booster Bundle is good. However, The Elite Trainer Box has a bunch of extras at a good price for players to use in the game.

How To Buy Temporal Forces

Conclusion

Thank you for reading Is Temporal Forces Worth Collecting A Buyer’s Guide. In our opinion, this set is worth it for players. However, for collectors, it depends on whether you enjoy the new Paradox Pokemon. This set won’t be one you buy to make a profit but to enjoy the new generation of Pokemon.

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