Set Overview
Scarlet & Violet — Ascended Heroes is one of the standout sets of 2025, and it's still a dominant force heading into 2026. With 191 cards in the master set, it's a substantial expansion that leans heavily into fan-favourite Pokémon getting the spotlight treatment. The set focuses on evolved forms and legendary Pokémon pushed to their limits. Powerful Pokémon ex cards headline the set alongside a deep roster of trainers and competitive staples.
The set's identity sits somewhere between competitive powerhouse and collector's dream. There's enough here to shift the meta in meaningful ways, but the real draw is the art. Ascended Heroes features some of the best illustration work in the Scarlet & Violet era, with Special Illustration Rares that have genuine display-piece quality.
For UK collectors, Ascended Heroes landed on 28 March 2025 and has had consistent restocks since. It's neither impossible to find nor effortlessly available, a sweet spot that keeps it interesting without the frustration of sets like early Prismatic Evolutions.
Chase Cards
Every set is defined by its chase cards, and Ascended Heroes delivers. Here's what collectors are hunting.
Special Illustration Rares (SIRs)
The SIRs in this set are the main event. These full-bleed, painterly illustrations showcase Pokémon in dynamic, story-driven scenes rather than static poses. The best examples have become some of the most traded cards in the current market, with individual cards regularly changing hands for £30–£80 depending on the featured Pokémon and the artwork.
Full Art Pokémon ex
The full art Pokémon ex cards feature clean, bold artwork with textured holofoil. They're more common than SIRs but still satisfying to pull. Competitively relevant cards carry a premium since they're sought after by both collectors and players.
Gold Hyper Rares
The gold secret rares round out the chase tier. These include gold versions of popular Pokémon ex and trainer items. They're visually striking and sit at the top of the set's numbering, making them the hardest standard pulls in the set.
Trainer Gallery
Ascended Heroes includes a trainer gallery subset of character-focused cards that pair trainers with their Pokémon in illustrated scenes. These aren't the highest-value cards in the set, but they're among the most charming and have a dedicated following among collectors who prioritise artwork over market value.
Best Products to Buy
For Ripping Packs
Booster boxes are the clear winner if you want to maximise your chances of pulling chase cards. Thirty-six packs gives you a meaningful sample of the set, and you're statistically likely to pull multiple ultra rares and at least one or two hits from the chase tier. Expect to pay £100–£115 from specialist retailers like Chaos Cards or Total Cards.
For the Collector Experience
Elite Trainer Boxes are the best all-round product for Ascended Heroes. The box art is excellent, one of the better ETB designs in the Scarlet & Violet era, and the nine packs, sleeves, and storage box make it a complete package. At £44.99 RRP, it's a reasonable spend for a satisfying opening session and a box worth keeping on display.
For Sampling the Set
Booster bundles at £24.99 give you six packs without a major commitment. If you're unsure about Ascended Heroes or just want a taste before going deeper, a bundle is the smart entry point.
For Specific Cards
Buy singles. If there's a particular SIR or full art you want, the secondary singles market is almost always cheaper than cracking packs and hoping. Chaos Cards, Total Cards, and eBay (from reputable sellers) all have active singles listings for Ascended Heroes.
UK Availability
Ascended Heroes has been reasonably well-stocked across UK retailers since launch. The first two weeks saw the usual rush, with ETBs selling out fast and restocks proving competitive, but supply has steadily improved.
Argos has been one of the most consistent sources for ETBs and booster bundles, with regular restock waves appearing midweek. Click and collect availability varies by region but is generally good.
Smyths has carried a strong in-store range, including collection boxes and tins that Argos doesn't always stock. Online availability has been patchier, but physical stores have been reliable.
Amazon UK has ETBs and bundles in stock intermittently. As always, check the seller. Only buy from Amazon directly or well-known third-party sellers. Marketplace pricing fluctuates.
Specialist retailers (Chaos Cards, Total Cards, Magic Madhouse) have had the best availability overall, including booster boxes which the mainstream retailers don't carry. Preorder allocations were filled, and subsequent stock has been regular.
Overall, Ascended Heroes is findable if you're willing to monitor a few retailers. It's not a set where you need to panic-buy at the first opportunity. Stock waves have been consistent enough that patience pays off.
Price Guide
Here's where typical UK prices have landed for Ascended Heroes products.
| Product | Launch Price | Current Typical Price | |---|---|---| | Elite Trainer Box | £44.99 | £44.99 | | Booster Bundle | £24.99 | £24.99 | | Booster Box | £109.99 | £99.99–£109.99 | | Single Booster Pack | £4.49 | £4.49 |
Booster box prices have softened slightly as supply has increased. Specialist retailers now regularly list them under £105. ETBs and bundles have held steady at RRP with no significant discounting. The resale market for sealed ETBs sits slightly above RRP at around £50–£55, reflecting mild collector demand but nothing extraordinary.
Singles prices have followed the usual pattern: high at launch, settling over three to four months as more product is opened. Most SIRs that were £60+ at launch have settled into the £35–£55 range. Gold rares have held value better, hovering around £25–£40.
Is It Worth Buying?
For Collectors
Yes. The artwork is genuinely excellent, the SIRs are among the best in the Scarlet & Violet era, and the set is large enough to keep the chase interesting over multiple openings. If you enjoy collecting modern Pokémon TCG, Ascended Heroes is one of the sets you'll be glad you bought into.
For Players
Selectively. Ascended Heroes introduced several competitively relevant cards, but not every card in the set sees play. If you're building decks, buy the singles you need rather than ripping packs. The competitive staples from this set are reasonably priced as singles.
For Investors
Cautious optimism. Ascended Heroes has the ingredients for long-term appreciation: popular Pokémon, strong art, and a set identity that stands out from adjacent releases. But print runs for modern sets are large, and sealed product appreciation is measured in years, not months. If you're holding sealed, buy at the lowest price you can find and be prepared to wait.
Track Ascended Heroes Stock
Whether you're after an ETB from Argos or a booster box from a specialist retailer, Poké Tracker monitors Ascended Heroes availability across all major UK stockists. Set up alerts for the specific products you want and you'll know the moment they restock. No manual refreshing required.