The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) continues to thrive in 2025, fueled by nostalgia, competitive play, and a collector’s market that shows no signs of slowing down. Among the many expansions released over the last few years, the Astral Radiance Booster Box has remained a topic of interest for both collectors and competitive players. With its unique blend of thematic artwork, playable cards, and rare pulls, many wonder: is the pokemon astral radiance booster box still worth the hype in 2025?

In this comprehensive review, we explore what makes this booster box special, analyze its value in the current market, and determine whether it's a smart investment or simply a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

A Glimpse Into the Expansion

Released originally in 2022 as part of the Sword & Shield series, Astral Radiance was inspired by the Hisui region introduced in the game Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This booster box contains 36 booster packs, with each pack holding 10 cards and a guaranteed energy card. Its unique selling points include the introduction of new mechanics, such as the Radiant Pokémon cards and powerful VSTAR forms.

Key highlights include:

• Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR
• Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR
• Radiant Greninja
• Trainer Gallery subset
• Popular Trainer Cards like Roxanne and Irida

The booster box serves a dual purpose—appealing to both collectors looking for visually stunning and rare cards, and competitive players who want meta-relevant options for their decks.

Card Value and Rarity in 2025

Fast forward to 2025, and several cards from the Astral Radiance set still hold strong monetary and competitive value. While the initial price surge right after release has calmed, sealed booster boxes and graded high-rarity cards are still in demand.

Chase cards like the Alternate Art Machamp V and Gold Secret Rares of Origin Forme Dialga/Palkia VSTAR can fetch significant prices on the secondary market. Many of the Radiant Pokémon are still played in expanded and casual formats, keeping the set relevant among competitive players.

As of mid-2025, an Astral Radiance Booster Box typically sells for slightly above its original MSRP, making it more affordable than ultra-premium sets but still desirable for enthusiasts. The box’s long-term value is further enhanced by its connection to the beloved Hisui region, giving it historical and aesthetic significance.

Pull Rates and Set Experience

Opening an Astral Radiance booster box is a genuinely engaging experience. The pull rates offer a balanced distribution of excitement and reward. With the Trainer Gallery subset cards, there’s an added layer of thrill since they can be pulled from the reverse holo slot—doubling the chance for a special card in one pack.

On average, one can expect the following from a full booster box:

• Around 6–8 Ultra Rare or better cards (V, VSTAR, VMAX, etc.)
• 2–3 Trainer Gallery cards
• 1 Radiant Pokémon
• A chance at Full Art, Rainbow Rare, or Secret Rare pulls

These odds keep most players engaged throughout the box, with a fair chance of finding something notable in nearly every few packs.

Competitive Play Relevance

While newer sets from the Scarlet & Violet era dominate the Standard format in 2025, cards from Astral Radiance maintain relevance in Expanded and casual play. Cards like Radiant Greninja and Irida remain useful, especially in water-type and control decks.

Moreover, the versatility of certain Trainer cards gives players flexibility in deck-building, making Astral Radiance a useful set for those looking to experiment or build retro-inspired decks.

Collectibility and Aesthetics

A major appeal of the Astral Radiance set lies in its design and artwork. Inspired by ancient Sinnoh (Hisui), the cards feature a refreshing aesthetic that blends tradition with innovation. The Trainer Gallery cards, in particular, highlight some of the best illustrations in recent TCG history. These cards feature fan-favorite trainers alongside their Pokémon in detailed scenes that resonate with collectors of all ages.

Graded cards from this set are frequently submitted to grading services, with high-grade Full Arts and Secret Rares continuing to attract attention from investors and collectors alike.

Sealed Product Investment Potential

For investors, sealed Pokémon products have historically appreciated in value over time—especially sets that feature standout chase cards, unique mechanics, or memorable themes. Astral Radiance checks all those boxes.

With the current trend in TCG investments leaning toward sealed booster boxes as safer, long-term bets, Astral Radiance holds potential. Its print run was generous, but as time goes on, unopened boxes will become rarer, and demand may increase due to nostalgia and scarcity.

That said, those looking for quick returns may want to consider individual card flipping instead, as long-term appreciation on sealed boxes generally takes several years.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It in 2025?

Yes—especially if you're a collector, casual player, or TCG enthusiast.

The Astral Radiance Booster Box strikes a fine balance between value, fun, and collectibility. In 2025, it remains one of the more accessible Sword & Shield-era boxes that still offers a decent return on enjoyment and potential resale value.

Whether you're looking to relive the excitement of opening packs, build out your Trainer Gallery collection, or add a few powerful cards to your decks, Astral Radiance delivers.

However, if your sole focus is competitive play in the current Standard meta, newer expansions will provide more relevant cards. But for those who appreciate the artistry, lore, and multi-format appeal of the Pokémon TCG, Astral Radiance continues to shine.

In Summary:

• Astral Radiance still holds strong value in 2025 for collectors and casual players.
• The box offers engaging pull rates, beautiful artwork, and some competitive viability.
• Sealed boxes present moderate investment potential.
• It may not be the top choice for Standard competitive players, but it’s a worthwhile addition to any TCG collection.

For those on the fence, buying a booster box now may be a good move—before prices climb as the set becomes more nostalgic and scarcer in sealed form.

At Top Ripping, we bring the thrill of Trading Card Games (TCG) to collectors and players worldwide. Specializing in Booster Packs, Elite Trainer Boxes, Rare Collectibles, and Exclusive Sets, we provide top-quality TCG products from brands like Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Magic: The Gathering. Join our live ‘Rip & Ship’ events on TikTok, where we open packs in real time and ship them directly to you. With secure, fast shipping and a passion for the TCG community, we ensure an exciting and seamless experience.