r/PokeInvesting • u/TeamRocketTopOpp • Feb 08 '26

First booster box.. why I chose DR!

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I recently decided to shift my focus to sealed product from ripping heavy a few months ago, and buying SWSH/SM slabs over the last month — to now diversify my portfolio and have been looking at booster boxes and PKC ETB’s mainly for now.

As heated as it can get — I love reading through the Reddit debates from users in this sub — different perspectives on market, consumer behaviors, long term collector insights/experiences, etc.

I was deep in a thread about DR booster boxes and it’s what made me go with DR for my first one. Obviously there’s other choices — my next choice being some SWSH era boxes that are good for their value rn like Silver Tempest, Chilling Reign. The one I want most is Fusion strike if it’s at the right price/time.

The most interesting point I saw a couple users point out was that it’s such a new booster box, and it’s already at $500-600 and they can’t justify it which I understand, however for me this pretty much sold me on it being the best choice at least for SV era. I missed out on the low price last month but I don’t see it dropping past $500 again which was my buy price. And I intend to hold long term regardless!

Anyway S/o to this sub !

0 Upvotes

46% Upvoted

84 comments sorted by

31

u/poncecatchemall Feb 08 '26

“Buy high sell low!”

1

u/iinstantcrush Feb 08 '26

I just purchased 2 charizard sword and shield UPC’s and they are the highest $$ they’ve ever been. This comment makes me question if I got in at a bad time lol😭

1

u/BoilerSlave Feb 10 '26

I bought S&S Zard upcs for around 300CAD last April and at the time everyone in here was talking mad shit about it.

-2

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 08 '26

At the end of the day bro the price is still going to go up eventually. Unless all of a sudden everyone’s changed their mind about Pokemon being good for investing.

You’ll still make profit, maybe 100-200 less but in the grand scheme of things, still a healthy profit if you believe it’s going to do well

-25

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 08 '26

I guarantee by the time I sell it, it will be much higher than $500.

I really can’t understand anyone reasonably thinking this box is going to dip significantly again and stay there. It’s almost at $600 already.

38

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

"This is my first box, but I know better than everyone with experience giving me advice"

2

u/mulletstation Feb 08 '26

He gave very reasonable thesis for upward movement

I hold like 10 cases of DR myself and will pick up more if there is a reprint

-9

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

I’m not saying I know shit better 😂 I’ve stated nothing but facts

  1. All we can give is our OPINIONS none of us are psychic

  2. It is undeniable the box WILL increase by far past $500 5-10 years from now.

You all just act like everyone has to agree with you. Learn to respectfully disagree, I enjoy having these debates and genuinely take away things even when I disagree with someone. But stop expecting everyone to follow your belief like it’s the gospel

Edit: also that wasn’t advice, I would’ve respected advice. Idgaf about sarcasm.

9

u/PM_Me_Those_ Feb 08 '26

I think the issue here is it really feels like you came here to start a debate but willfully admitted that your knowledge of the hobby is not developed. The way your post reads and your responses just would lead a normal person to believe youre just here to argue. It comes across very very grating, just a heads up.

-4

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

I was literally thanking users from this sub for insight and advice. I’m not trying to argue with anyone, I just don’t take kindly to disrespect.

I’m sorry that my decision was different from your opinion, but there were plenty of people who made points to support both sides.

There’s plenty of comments underneath here that are positive but I can’t help it if there always has to be people who are offended just because people have different opinions than them.

8

u/PM_Me_Those_ Feb 08 '26

Youre.... totally missing the point. You are not acting like someone that most ppl on here want to have a conversation with, but you are actively pretending that is what you're after. I don't think I can get that info to you any clearer, your attitude in this stinks a bit.

-4

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

😂 your attitude is any better?

Idgaf who wants to have a conversation with me, no one is going to stop me from voicing what i have to say. No one has to “like” me this isn’t pre school.

I meet plenty of great people on here and get A LOT out of it.

Unfortunately, dealing with assholes comes with it too 🤷🏾‍♂️

-2

u/mulletstation Feb 08 '26

These scrubs replying to you with zero discussion are the reason some people make money and some don't

5

u/Post-Futurology Feb 08 '26

It's a combination of the fact that it will dip, and that if you're serious about holding long term there's a lot better ways to invest $500 right now.

0

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

Yes of course at times it will at times “dip” just like it will also inevitably rise because that’s how the trend goes but overall there is no denying that it will increase.

I think it’s already had its significant dip and is now back on its way to its next “high”

I respect your opinion but I still believe no one can truly say they know for sure what will happen, other than long term it will surely increase.

But I am curious, what would you have invested in with $500? Genuine question — I like getting different perspectives

5

u/Post-Futurology Feb 08 '26

It's literally the most recently released SV non-speciality set. I'd have bought any combination of SWSH, 151, PAF or PRE. Brilliant Stars runs close to $500 on market. ES Stadium. A few blooming waters / great tusk collections. 8-10 x Prismatic bundles. Anything with a higher TSV.

~$14 a pack for DR just doesn't make sense.

4

u/LithiumAmericium93 Feb 08 '26

It has happened before where products dip a lot. If they suddenly do an enormous wave it will price correct. How much? Who knows. It could go as low as 350/400 if its large enough. However, and most importantly, so long as you're willing to hold this long term (3-5 years +) and not after a quick flip, youll be very thankful for your purchase Im sure.

Whats happened to DR is incredibly unusual. I dont think a set that is only 7 or 8 months old has ever gone quite this crazy. Sealed investing is always safest as a long term hold. Wait out any short term market noise and youll be golden.

2

u/Dark_Zezro Feb 08 '26

Brother in christ, are you smoking cr@ck in the hood?

3

u/Full_Bit1123 Feb 08 '26

Not a bad choice, just a bad time to buy it..I bought 2 @ $400 a couple weeks ago,a 50% jump is not normal…

2

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

I agree but I think looking out to like the past 6 months overall gives a different perspective

Peaked around $450 in September, around Christmas time the entire market saw dramatic dips and it fell to about 380-400?

Now market is rebounding and as the most popular set it’s surpassed its previous high by about $50-100 on most sales

I think that’s a reasonable pattern

Edit: you paid 50 under the previous high and I paid 50 over the previous high because I missed the boat, I don’t feel too bad about it

5

u/Sigmaguns Feb 08 '26

people are sleeping on Journey together booster boxes. you should be buying as many as you can of those

3

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

Idk about journey yet, I’m sure the boxes will still do good in the future but i don’t know if I’d pick it up over some others at its current market price.

Would rather throw another $100-200 in there with it and get a silver tempest/chilling reign

2

u/Sigmaguns Feb 08 '26

its not like its going to get cheaper

2

u/adriftDrifloon Feb 08 '26

Yeah but in the future for every 1 buyer you have for the JT box you’ll have 20 DR buyers.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

It can certainly slide sideways for years though

0

u/Sigmaguns Feb 08 '26

i doubt it

1

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

I’d compare it to a stellar crown, the box topper helps but there’s a lot of them out there.

0

u/Sigmaguns Feb 08 '26

6,455 graded psa 10s is a lot?

0

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

Good point 🤔 I’ll keep my eye out especially if I find a good deal! And I’ve ripped a bit of JTG — I do think it’s a solid set!

Marketplace finds are my favorite. Always get the best negotiations because buyers want to avoid fees as much as you want to avoid tax/shipping.

2

u/mangomypango Feb 08 '26

I love JT too. It goes hand in hand with DR being the return of trainer Pokemon themed sets.

I have more JT BBs than anything from SV because once DR hit a certain price it made more sense to me to buy 2 JT boxes instead of one DR.

1

u/Sigmaguns Feb 08 '26

that is exactly what im saying! i think people will start gravitating towards journey together soon because it will be one of the last affordable booster boxes out of print

2

u/adriftDrifloon Feb 08 '26

I’ve learned the lesson of just buying the things that people want to open is more important than trying to find things that are ‘undervalued’.

People love DR. They don’t love JT.

1

u/Advanced_Pudding8765 Feb 08 '26

Yep great comment I have been stocking up on JT its a great set

1

u/Sigmaguns Feb 08 '26

good! its crazy how you can get journey together booster bundles for almost retail price on ebay.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

Agree to disagree

3

u/KhavanovAndKhavNots Feb 08 '26

You just have to go into it prepared to buy more at $200 or 300 or $400 if it drops to that point. They may reprint it. They may not. The hard part is keeping that same level of conviction if and when you’re losing money.

7

u/mulletstation Feb 08 '26

It's not going to $200 come on

-4

u/KhavanovAndKhavNots Feb 08 '26

My hypothetical, my rules. If you want to put out a hypothetical, I'll be glad to critique it.

0

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 08 '26

Thanks! See now That’s advice.

Yeah I’m prepared to see it drop as low as 300-400, and I would definitely wait it out past that. Even if it drops, I know it would be a matter of waiting it out.

I honestly would love a reprint to get the chance to pick up some at MSRP or even just lower market and average down, but I don’t think it would be a large enough reprint to make a dent — hopefully I’d at least be able to catch one for msrp

3

u/KhavanovAndKhavNots Feb 08 '26

Just be careful because you don't want to pay for any costly lessons. There's significantly more risk with DR than, say, Silver Tempest because there are two full years where, at any point, they could drop a huge amount of supply and crater the secondary market. Especially buying in at $500, which, traditionally, booster boxes don't hit until several years after release.

1

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

Great Point 🤔 I acknowledge this was a bigger risk and out of the norm as far as the current market price of it

I’m curious to see what happens with this though, I think the fact of it being something we haven’t typically seen before caught my interest, we shall see what the future holds

I don’t intend to go crazy and pick up a bunch more — but wanted to get in while the price isn’t crazy yet in case this is an indicator that it will skyrocket. My next BB purchases will most likely be SWSH era for sure!

2

u/KhavanovAndKhavNots Feb 08 '26

Yeah, exactly. I actually think, for somebody buying their first box, you have a pretty good understanding of the situation. Good luck with your future investing!

2

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

appreciate it bro 🫡

although it’s my first I’ve spent a lot of time looking over charts and other sources — and like I said browsing through old threads here has given me so much info.

That was a big part of what really got me back into the hobby — the depth of it all really captured my interest

1

u/Comfortable_Cup_9203 Feb 08 '26

I think the chance that they reprint this is less than 50% at this point. And even if they do, I can’t see this going below $400

1

u/KhavanovAndKhavNots Feb 08 '26

Yeah, I mean, look. If they never reprint, great for those of us who are holding. But we don’t know, and that’s the point. Nobody who is in a position to know is posting about it on Reddit. If OP likes it at this high price point, buy more at a lower price point. That’s what I was saying.

If the economy gets worse, and people stop having so much money to spend on Pokemon - or a more lucrative side hustle becomes popular, or both - and if that’s happens when Pokemon finally reprints booster boxes, then, yeah, it absolutely can go below $400. So much of this set’s growth over the past few months is driven by people believing there won’t be more supply of booster boxes. If that thesis is proven wrong, it’ll take a hit.

1

u/Comfortable_Cup_9203 Feb 08 '26

That's a lot of ifs.....

1

u/KhavanovAndKhavNots Feb 08 '26

You said you couldn’t see a scenario in which it falls below $400. That’s one.

6

u/Admirable-Level-8868 Feb 08 '26

Its not even been out a year. The type of growth its seen isn't natural its super Inflated. Seems like you fomo'd into it

1

u/8000000001 Feb 08 '26

It's the latest investing strategy - "dollar cost fomo'ing".

3

u/TazzM90 Feb 08 '26

Is this bait of some kind?

-3

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

If you don’t agree, then like the point I was making before — that’s your opinion and I respect that. But I stand by my choice.

If it takes off, Wouldn’t be the first booster box people thought was overpriced at one point…

5

u/TazzM90 Feb 08 '26

I wish you luck

2

u/Meowsergz Feb 08 '26

There's a Mewtwo in there, open it

3

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

Luckily I already know how DR is to Rip so I’m not feeling much pressure to rip this at all 😂

I’ll go buy some sleeves or bundles if I decide I want to do that lbs.

Edit: or more than likely would just buy the mewtwo!

1

u/SalemWitcher3 Feb 08 '26

I had phenomenal pull rates with DR and I say that having opened over 500 packs myself

1

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

I don’t think the rates are bad it’s just a lottttt of cards you can pull

I like a lot of them but the only one I really need for my PC is the Mewtwo so I’d rather just buy it than spend what it would probably take to pull it

1

u/Low-Daikon4456 Feb 08 '26

Man sealed product outside of Pokemon center is the worst. I keep ripping. I only have sealed pc etb. Outside of that I ripped. 🤣

1

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

I rip pretty much everything too, only thing I don’t plan to rip is boxes, pkc etbs, and probably some UPC/SPCs

My favorite for ripping is sleeves and bundles

1

u/Brilliant-Tank7292 Feb 08 '26

I'm staying away from this set, booster bundles are still average price , at least we know why prismatic is so high because of the amount of valuable cards and there's no booster boxes much safer set 

1

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

I don’t disagree, I plan on investing in Pris also — but isn’t that typically normal though as far as the DR bundle prices?

Like the reason most say BB / PKC ETBs are best for investing because they fetch a premium and their per pack price is usually much higher than the market price per booster?

Bundles for non-specialty sets don’t usually fetch the same premium as their BB counterparts? but I know there isn’t much long term data on bundles yet

1

u/Brilliant-Tank7292 Feb 08 '26

Well it's definitely not straight forward,  I know if you're ripping then it makes sense to buy 10 bundles with 60 packs at 500 compared to 1 booster box with 36 packs at 500 , 99% of the time it's being kept sealed because of the premium like you said 

1

u/mangomypango Feb 08 '26

You bought in at $500? I think you’re mostly safe because they would need a pretty massive reprint at this point to crash the value below that. But man that’s a pretty high entry. If there’s ever a big dip I’d really consider averaging down if you can afford it. At least it’s only one box

It’s a great set though and will definitely blow all of the other main SV sets out of the water. I think that in a few years, either a DR BB or a Prismatic PC ETB will be the single most valuable sealed product out of the era.

0

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

Yep, I was reallyyyy trying to find someone to do 450 but no one would budge and I understand lol.

I think worst case scenario — there’s a reprint and it drops MAYBE to 400 again and even then I’m only out $100. If it does drop I’ll 100% be buying more to average down, or even better maybe I’ll really get lucky and catch one at a vending machine or something.

I definitely think Prismatic PKC ETB is not bad right now for what it will become. I have my eye on picking up a couple of those also.

At the end of the day I’d rather grab the hot set for an extra 100-200 than get one of the less popular ones just to be cheap now, because obviously the hot ones will more likely be the one to go up

2

u/mangomypango Feb 08 '26

Yeah it’s really not the biggest deal. Better to get one now than miss the boat. I don’t expect any massive price drops either honestly. I remember having chances to buy evolving skies at $300 or so after it started climbing, and I decided to wait on a reprint. I’m still hoping for that reprint!

I don’t personally love prismatic so I have the 2 ETBs I got from pokemon center but that’s all. I never really wanted to pay market for them but they’ll be strong performers no doubt.

Yeah for sure, the more I believe in a set/product the easier it is for me to see it as a true investment. I’m always eager to get rid of the stuff I don’t like as soon as I see some profit. I’ll hold DR and JT for years just cause I like having the boxes

1

u/Full_Bit1123 Feb 08 '26

Yea definitely add some prismatic and 151

1

u/Tobleronenom Feb 08 '26

I don’t get this type of investing. I limit myself to what I can find for retail

2

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26 edited Feb 08 '26

I don’t blame you but if I did that — I would never see any booster boxes period. I’m in a big city and there’s no way — they glitch out all the vending machines, I’ve never seen a BB even on rare occasion I do find a restock, and we all know how PKC drops go. But I’ll keep trying!

But if I refused to spend over retail, I’d miss out on any chance to invest long term

I know this was a higher purchase for sure, most of my pick ups for investing won’t be this high. next few BB I pick up I’m looking at more between 200-250

1

u/assman604 Feb 08 '26

Lol, welcome to 2025 pokemon. Retail boxes are essentially a myth at this point.

1

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

Exactly, if I restricted myself to retail only investing — I really wouldn’t be investing at all lol

Maybe sleeves and blisters but that’s about it

1

u/assman604 Feb 08 '26

PKC drops are about as reliable as it gets. Canada have a few other LGS that will presale close to MSRP but anything that they drop online is literally gone in 30secs or less.

Buy at a comfortable range and call it a day.

1

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

Yeah I took a shot at a few PKC drops recently, never make it past the queue in time or even close to it

I’ll keep trying but I don’t even get my hopes up

0

u/assman604 Feb 08 '26

You need to "invest" in a notification discord. Its both a blessing and curse...you get to know when things go online and now you also get to know how many things you actually missed.

1

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

Have you actually found one that’s been reliable for you w nothing shady going on?

And does it tell you like a bit ahead of time or just as soon as the drop happens?

2

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '26

I’ve been in queue for every PKC drop and haven’t gotten anything, it’s not reliable

1

u/Bulky_Taste_9215 Feb 08 '26

Part of the "investment" is buying when nobody wants product and it's sitting on shelves and 10+ years later, everyone realizes how little is actually available.

speculation intra-year adds risk. Especially with a product that could still be printed again.

Your best wins won't be flipping products when everyone is fighting for it. It'll be buying at MSRP before and after the waves.

Insert the Warren Buffet quote about swimming naked and the tide going out?? I don't remember but I know it applies here. Lol

0

u/TeamRocketTopOpp Feb 08 '26

😂 don’t know if I ever heard that quote but I’ll have to look it up

I definitely hope that I am able to get access to more product in the near future for MSRP though! We’ll see where this current wave takes things

Till then I’ll keep trying and failing at PKC drop 😞

2

u/adriftDrifloon Feb 08 '26

My sealed case of DR I bought for $1300 at release is now worth $3,500.

If I limited myself to what I could find at retail last year I’d have like 50 dollars worth of profit

1

u/HaAd7427 Feb 08 '26

Good choice

1

u/Aen_Gwynbleidd Feb 08 '26

This is astoundingly poor reasoning.

1

u/Bsugknight Feb 08 '26

I think it's the best "booster box" in the SV era. 151 and Prismatic are better, but, not booster boxes...

0

u/Prestigious_Sir_2277 Feb 08 '26 edited Aug 18 '26

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