Paldean Fates Set Review
When Paldean Fates launched in early 2024, it marked the return of one of Pokémon’s most beloved concepts – the modern Shiny Vault.
Combining textured shinies, premium SIR treatments, and clean Scarlet & Violet-era holo layers, the set quickly became a collector favorite and the most visually consistent product of its era.
A year later, Paldean Fates still stands strong: balanced pull rates, diverse art, and a rich lineup of chases that continue to anchor secondary market demand.
Overview and Context
Set Name: Paldean Fates
Release Date: January 2024
Set Type: Special Expansion (Scarlet & Violet era)
Total Cards: 91 Shiny Vault cards + 100+ main-set variants
Theme: Premium shiny Pokémon; reimagining the Hidden Fates / Shining Fates model
Key Features: Textured shinies, Special Illustration Rares, gold shinies, starter-line SIRs
Paldean Fates inherited the legacy of past shiny-focused expansions while modernizing everything around the visual and tactile experience.
Unlike many Scarlet & Violet releases, this set feels curated — clean composition, defined art identity, and a smaller, more concentrated pool of chase cards.
The result is one of the most collector-centric sets of the generation.
Market Overview (Q4 2025)
| Rank | Card | Avg NM / PSA 10 | Notes | SVPF | Japanese STEX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shiny Mimikyu ex (SIR) | $200–$225 | Premier chase | 219/217 | #349 |
| 2 | Shiny Meowscarada ex (SIR) | $180–$200 | Strong mascot | 210/217 | #331 |
| 3 | Shiny Gardevoir ex (SIR) | $150–$170 | Evergreen favorite | 214/217 | #348 |
| 4 | Shiny Ceruledge ex (SIR) | $135–$155 | Fan-favorite | 215/217 | #345 |
| 5 | Shiny Skeledirge ex (SIR) | $110–$130 | Starter-line demand | 213/217 | #334 |
| 6 | Giacomo (SIR Trainer) | $100–$115 | Good trainer chase | 226/217 | #357 |
| 7 | Shiny Quaquaval ex (SIR) | $95–$110 | Stable | 212/217 | #328 |
| 8 | Pawmot ex (Gold) | $80–$95 | Competitive | 230/217 | #362 |
| 9 | Shiny Tinkaton ex (SIR) | $75–$85 | Casual favorite | 216/217 | #338 |
| 10 | Iono (Full Art) | $70–$80 | Evergreen | 180/162 | (From SV Base) |
Design and Collector Legacy
Premium shiny treatment returns to form.
The texturing is deeper, cleaner, and more cinematic than earlier shiny sets, giving Paldean Fates one of the strongest visual identities since Hidden Fates.
SIRs anchor the set.
Each shines with unique backgrounds, rich foil layers, and character-rich posing.
Balanced rarity distribution.
A curated chase pool keeps the set feeling intentional, not bloated.
Slab culture strength.
Gem rates hover around 40–42%, boosting long-term PSA 10 premiums.
Long-Term Outlook
Expect 6–9% annual appreciation in top-tier SIRs as supply thins and the shiny vault cycle repeats.
Top long-term holds:
- Mimikyu ex (SIR)
- Ceruledge ex (SIR)
- Gardevoir ex (SIR)
- Meowscarada ex (SIR)
Sealed booster boxes should trend above $140 in 2026.
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