Pokémon TCG
2023 Pokémon TCG Sets
Every English Pokémon TCG set released in 2023, in order, with a guide to each: what is in it, which cards matter at the table, and which ones collectors chase.
The 2023 sets
Six sets released in 2023: Crown Zenith, the last of Sword & Shield, then the first five of Scarlet & Violet, which the 2024 sets continued. Prices on this page are from October 1, 2026, a day after the 2025 and 2026 guides were priced, so compare these sets with each other and with 2024's rather than with those.
| Set | Code | Released | Cards | Complete set, October 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Zenith | CRZ | January 20, 2023 | 160 (159 + 1 secret) | $235.75 + $2,253.05 Galarian Gallery |
| Scarlet & Violet | SVI | March 31, 2023 | 258 (198 + 60 secret) | $735.70 |
| Paldea Evolved | PAL | June 9, 2023 | 279 (193 + 86 secret) | $1,909.73 |
| Obsidian Flames | OBF | August 11, 2023 | 230 (197 + 33 secret) | $443.98 |
| 151 | MEW | September 22, 2023 | 207 (165 + 42 secret) | $1,769.06 |
| Paradox Rift | PAR | November 3, 2023 | 266 (182 + 84 secret) | $1,196.80 |
The last column is what one copy of every card cost as singles, each at its cheapest variant and TCGplayer market price. It shows how much value a set packs in, not what opening it returns; each guide breaks it down.
Each set's face card
Each guide covers the set's headline Pokémon, the Trainers worth knowing, rarity counts and the chase cards with dated prices. These are the cards each one is built around.
The chase card in each set
Every set has one card its collectors open packs for. In 2023 two of the six are Illustration Rares of regular Pokémon: Paldea Evolved's Magikarp, the most valuable of the year, and Paradox Rift's Groudon. Crown Zenith's is in its Galarian Gallery.
| Set | Chase card | Rarity | Market price, October 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Zenith | Giratina VSTAR | Galarian Gallery, Rare Secret | $296.38 |
| Scarlet & Violet | Gardevoir ex | Special Illustration Rare | $68.89 |
| Paldea Evolved | Magikarp | Illustration Rare | $367.06 |
| Obsidian Flames | Charizard ex | Special Illustration Rare | $98.90 |
| 151 | Charizard ex | Special Illustration Rare | $351.69 |
| Paradox Rift | Groudon | Illustration Rare | $113.76 |
Prices are TCGplayer market prices on October 1, 2026 and move daily. Each set guide has the chase card's other versions and the rest of its chase list.
The guides
Crown Zenith (January 20, 2023). The last Sword & Shield set. Its 160-card main set is modest; the value is in the 70-card Galarian Gallery beside it, where Giratina VSTAR, Mewtwo VSTAR and Arceus VSTAR sit.
Scarlet & Violet (March 31, 2023). The base set of the Scarlet & Violet series. It brought back Pokémon ex, introduced the Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare, and started with Miraidon ex and Koraidon ex.
Paldea Evolved (June 9, 2023). The biggest set of 2023, at 279 cards. Its Pokémon ex include the Paldea starters' final forms, but the card collectors chase is a Magikarp, an Illustration Rare worth more than three times the next card.
Obsidian Flames (August 11, 2023). The Charizard set. Its Charizard ex is a Darkness-type Tera Pokémon, it has more Pokémon ex than any other 2023 set, and Charizard ex takes three of the top five places in its chase list.
151 (September 22, 2023). The original 151 Pokémon, in Pokédex order from Bulbasaur at 001 to Mew ex at 151. Its chase list is led by the Kanto starters: Charizard ex, Blastoise ex, Venusaur ex, and Charmander and Squirtle.
Paradox Rift (November 3, 2023). The set that introduced Ancient and Future Paradox Pokémon. Roaring Moon ex and Iron Valiant ex lead the two sides, Gholdengo ex leads the table, and an Illustration Rare Groudon leads the chase.
Two eras in one year
Crown Zenith closed Sword & Shield with Pokémon V, VSTAR and VMAX, and that era's rarity names. Two months later Scarlet & Violet replaced them with Pokémon ex, worth two Prize cards when Knocked Out, and introduced the Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare that every later set uses.
Paradox Rift ended the year by introducing Ancient and Future Pokémon, which Temporal Forces built on in 2024. Reading the rule box on a card →
Frequently Asked Questions
What Pokémon TCG sets came out in 2023?
Six English sets: Crown Zenith (January 20), the last Sword & Shield set, then Scarlet & Violet (March 31), Paldea Evolved (June 9), Obsidian Flames (August 11), 151 (September 22) and Paradox Rift (November 3).
Which 2023 Pokémon set is the biggest?
Paldea Evolved, with 279 cards. Crown Zenith's main set has 160, with 70 more in its Galarian Gallery.
What is the most valuable chase card from the 2023 Pokémon sets?
The Paldea Evolved Magikarp Illustration Rare (203/193), at $367.06 on October 1, 2026, just ahead of the 151 Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare at $351.69. Prices move daily.
Are the 2023 Pokémon sets legal in Standard?
No, not as printed. Crown Zenith carries the D, E and F regulation marks and the Scarlet & Violet sets G, and Standard has allowed only H, I and J since April 10, 2026. A card whose name has a newer reprint with a legal mark can still be played, and all of them are legal in Expanded.
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