The Pokémon Trading Card Game has launched a new line of collectible tins depicting four time-traveling Pokémon. The new tins, titled Paradox Destinies, feature four different designs. The central theme for these tins is a time paradox, which brings four Pokémon from different times into the present. All four Pokémon were also part of the Temporal Forces TCG expansion, making them must-haves for collectors who failed to pull them in that set.

The collectible tins feature the ancient Pokémon Gouging Fire ex and Raging Bolt ex, and future Pokémon Iron Boulder ex and Iron Crown ex. The packaging designs reflect this, using organic shapes for the two prehistoric entries and more angular lines for the futuristic ones. Each Pokémon TCG Paradox Destinies tin will cost $26.99 and is available now in the Pokémon Center store.

Everything In The Iron Boulder Ex Pokémon TCG: Paradox Destinies Tin

Each Collection Contains Five Booster Packs

This tin features Iron Boulder, a Gen 9 fighting-type Pokémon that was introduced in the first part of The Indigo Disk, the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC. The collection includes five Pokémon TCG booster packs, each containing 10 cards and one Basic Energy card. Each purchase also gets fans a code card for Pokémon TCG Live, and a foil card of Iron Boulder ex.

This powerful Pokémon, like the rest in this tin collection, is a fairly new addition to the franchise. The Indigo Mask DLC came out in two parts in late 2023, so Iron Boulder and its companions haven't had a chance to be featured in too many cards. In addition to having four different versions in Temporal Forces, Iron Boulder will also appear as part of the Stellar Crown card set, which releases on September 13, 2024.

Despite being featured in an additional set, Iron Boulder is one of the least popular Paradox Pokémon from Temporal Forces. Its design isn't as compelling as the other future and ancient Pokémon, and it has one of the weakest attacks from the set.

The lackluster reaction of the community is reflected in its cards' resale prices, which are sitting under a dollar for the regular ex cards, and at just $10 for the rare illustration version on TCG Player. Iron Boulder will likely be the least popular of the tin sets, with most fans opting for the much more powerful and appealing Iron Crown.

The special foil card included in the fin set features a dynamic shot of the metallic Pokémon spilling out onto the card from the image box. The illustration shows Iron Boulder with a fierce look on its face, with one leg reaching out of the art frame and sending rocks scattering away from it.

This Pokémon is thought to be a future or alternate-world version of Gen V's Terrakion, and looks like a metallic version of the legendary. The illustration is provided by 5ban Graphics, a collective of artists who have been working with the TCG since Pokémon Black & White sets. They're known for their instantly recognizable 3D renderings and have created over 1,500 cards for the Pokémon TCG.

This Iron Boulder ex card has 240 HP and sports the attacks Repulsor Axe and Power Stomp. Repulsor Axe only does 60 damage but severely damages any opponent that attacks it in the next turn, doing 80 additional damage. For a more immediate assault, the Power Stomp is a solid choice, doing a whopping 200 damage, but discarding two Energy cards from Iron Boulder. The Pokémon's signature move is notably absent: Iron Boulder is the only Pokémon that can learn the move Mighty Cleave.

Everything In The Iron Crown Ex Pokémon TCG: Paradox Destinies Tin

The Foil Design Is Very Similar To Temporal Forces

Iron Crown is also from the first part of the Indigo Disk DLC from the last game in the series, Scarlet & Violet. Like the rest, its tin collection comes with five booster packs, one code card, and one special Iron Crown ex foil card.

The psychic-type Pokémon is proving to be extremely popular among fans: Its Temporal Forces version was one of Paradise Dragona and Surging Sparks TCG sets.

Iron Crown is another Pokémon from the future, and it's based on Gen 5's Cobalion. The new ex card is very similar to its Temporal Forces variation and shows just the top half of the robotic blue deer-like Pokémon. Its head is surrounded by a burst of purple lights for a cosmic effect. The 3D-style illustration was also provided by the artist group 5ban Graphics.

The featured card has 220 HP, and is equipped with one attack and one ability. Cobalt Command makes it a good companion to Iron Boulder and other Temporal Forces cards, by increasing the attack of any "Future Pokémon" by 20. Unfortunately, this doesn't apply to any other Iron Crown ex cards.

Its attack, Twin Shotels, does 50 damage to two opposing Pokémon, disregarding their weakness, resistance, and effects. The move is named for the curved, double-edged sword by the same name from Eritrea and northern Ethiopia. The curve of the shotel resembles the curve of Iron Crown's horns, which is likely where the move's name came from. Like Iron Boulder, Iron Crown's iconic Tachyon Cutter doesn't appear in the Pokémon TCG.

Everything In The Raging Bolt Ex Pokémon TCG: Paradox Destinies Tin

One Of The More Expensive Pokémon From Temporal Forces

The ancient Pokémon Raging Bolt also comes from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, this time from the second part of the Indigo Disk DLC. This tin pack also includes five boosters, a TCG Live card, and a special foil card of the Pokémon.

This Pokémon's design and powerful card stats have been popular among fans. In fact, its beautifully illustrated full art card from Temporal Forces is worth even more than Iron Crown, and is currently selling for around $73 on TCG Player. A new card is also slated to launch as part of September's Stellar Crown set.

Raging Bolt comes from the past, with a design reminiscent of real-world long-necked dinosaurs like the brontosaurus. The Pokémon is an ancient form of Raikou, with a mane that resembles a storm cloud but can be unfurled into a long cape-like feature. Two protruding fangs make its face look like that of an ancient saber-toothed tiger.

Raging Bolt's foil card design shows the dragon-type Pokémon with its mouth open, preparing to launch a thunderous attack. Purple action lines show the effect of the attack, making it seem like it's being cast directly at the player. The card's artwork was created by PLANETA Mochizuki. Mochizuki has been drawing art for Pokémon cards since the Darkness Ablaze set from Pokémon Sword & Shield, and has contributed over 140 images to the card game. Their style merges 3D art with a more classic style, which works well with the organic shapes of the Pokémon.

Raging Bolt has 240 HP and two extremely useful skills. Burst Roar offers players a chance to refresh their hand by discarding all their cards and drawing six new cards. While this is certainly a gamble, it's useful when players are trying to find a particular card or want a chance at a better draw. Its other attack is the potentially devastating Bellowing Thunder. This attack does 70 damage for each Basic Energy card discarded from the Pokémon, with no limit.

Everything In The Gouging Fire Ex Pokémon TCG: Paradox Destinies Tin

Heavily Inspired By A Real-Life Dinosaur

The final tin in the Paradox Destinies set is based on Gouging Fire, another Pokémon from the Indigo Disk DLC, specifically the second part. Like the rest of the tins, this one contains five booster packs, the TCG Live code card, and a special edition foil card.

Gouging Fire is another ancient Pokémon, with more clear dinosaur inspirations. This time, the Pokémon is based on a prehistoric Entei, combined with the styracosaurus, a Triceratops-like dinosaur from real-world history.

The foil card is just as dynamic, showing Gouging Fire mid-attack, with its fiery claws and paw in the foreground. The Pokémon's face displays a fierce expression in the background while its body is barely visible beneath the transparent attack text box. The Pokémon's attack engulfs the entire card in flames. PLANETA Mochizuki created this card's artwork, as well.

Gouging Fire has two attacks, one of which is extremely powerful - but there's a catch. Heat Blast is a simple attack with no frills, dealing 60 damage. However, Blaze Blitz does an incredible 260 damage, but the attack can't be repeated unless the Pokémon leaves the Active spot. Gouging Fire has 230 HP.

Are The Pokémon TCG Paradox Destinies Tin Sets Worth It?

The Foil Cards Make Them An Appealing Purchase

Each Pokémon TCG Paradox Destinies tin will cost $26.99. This makes their cost comparable to the price of five or six booster packs. If value is a deciding factor, fans will probably want to buy the boosters separately.

However, the guarantee of a special foil and the specially designed tins make these tin packs well worth it for any collector. The Pokémon Trading Card Game Paradox Destinies tins are available for purchase now from the Pokémon Center.

Source: Pokémon Center, TCG Player