Pokémon Cosmic Eclipse Elite Trainer Box

7.5

Score

7.5/10

Pros

  • Great colour scheme
  • Translucent die is great

Cons

  • 2 less booster packs than older boxes

The final set to be released under the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Sun and Moon series is the highly anticipated Cosmic Eclipse. This final entry in the long running Sun and Moon series is focussed on the connection between Pokémon and trainers. As such, it has brand new TAG TEAM combinations, and some of the most gorgeous artwork yet seen. As with most Pokémon TCG releases, the new set also includes the addition of a Cosmic Eclipse Elite Trainer Box.

For all intents and purpose, trainer boxes are essentially ‘starter kits’ because they include pretty much everything you might need to begin playing the TCG. They are made for both fans and people who are new to the Pokémon TCG. As a fan, I scooped one of these up and I came away pleased.

The first aspect most people will notice is the actual box of the product. As with most trainer kits, it has a textured black base. The lid of the Cosmic Eclipse Elite Trainer Box, however, is a subtle grey with a gorgeous blue, green and pink artwork of Arceus, Dialga and Palkia – the three legendary Pokémon that debuted with Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. The artwork in the included outer box is also quite fantastic – it always is!

An unusual downside of the kit is how it only comes with 8 booster packs, versus the traditional 10 of older kits. Despite this, the price of the kit has not changed. Thus leading me to believe this change is one to increase the Pokémon Company’s bottom line, and is therefore a negative for consumers.

Given how the Cosmic Eclipse Elite Trainer Box is mean for TCG players, it includes 65 deck sleeves. These are similar to the lid of the box, featuring a grey background with white stars and the blue, green and pink motifs of the aforementioned legendary Pokémon. There are also 45 energy cards for deck building as well as a Cosmic Eclipse Pokémon TCG players guide – a handy booklet with all of the latest rules and regulations for the game.

In terms of accessories for playing the TCG, the Cosmic Eclipse Elite Trainer Box includes status tokens for burn and poison, as well as a GX token. There are also a set of damage counter dice in blue and pink, and a translucent competition legal coin-flip die. Lastly, the kit includes four separators for players who use the box as Pokémon card storage and a single Pokémon TCG Online code.

The Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon Cosmic Eclipse expansion apparently has some truly unique GX and TAG TEAM cards. Notable mentions include Charizard & Braixen-GX, Venusaur & Snivy-GX, Blastoise & Piplip-GX, and Solgaleo & Lunala-GX, along with the triple TAG TEAM of Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX, plus many more! The latter of which I managed to pull from the included booster packs – making the Cosmic Eclipse Elite Trainer Box even better (at least for myself).

Overall, the Cosmic Eclipse Elite Trainer Box is pretty standard fair as far as Pokémon trainer kits go. The reduction of booster packs from ten to eight, however, is a misstep given how the value of the kit has not changed. Therefore players who do purchase this box will, in effect, be receiving less for their money when compared to older trainer kits. Nevertheless, it remains a good choice for players hoping to get into the Pokémon TCG or for fans, like myself, who enjoy collecting the sets.


AcquisitionPurchased at retail

Owner, founder and editor-in-chief at Vamers, Hans has a vested interest in geek culture and the interactive entertainment industry. With a Masters degree in Communications and Ludology, he is well read and versed in matters relating to video games and communication media, among many other topics of interest.

REVIEW OVERVIEW
Score
75 %
pokemon-cosmic-eclipse-trainer-box-reviewThe Cosmic Eclipse Elite Trainer Box is pretty standard fair as far as Pokémon trainer kits go. The reduction of booster packs from ten to eight, however, is a misstep given how the value of the kit has not changed. Therefore players who do purchase this box will, in effect, be receiving less for their money when compared to older trainer kits. Nevertheless, it remains a good choice for players hoping to get into the Pokémon TCG or for fans, like myself, who enjoy collecting the sets.