The Best Pokemon TCG Sets for Hitting Ultra Rares in 2024
As a passionate Pokemon TCG collector and enthusiast for over 10 years, I‘ve opened a ton of packs hunting for coveted secret rares, full arts, and alternate arts. Through analysis of sets old and new, I‘ve determined that while no pack has guaranteed hits, some sets empirically have better pull rates and chase cards than others.
Modern Sets with Strong Pull Rates
In the current Sword & Shield era, these sets stand out for having great ultra rare hit rates:
Brilliant Stars
With stellar pull rates for the special Trainer Gallery subset (1 TG in every 3 packs on average), as well as secrey rares falling around 1 in 12 packs, Brilliant Stars is loaded with coveted cards making breaks extremely rewarding. The TG subset alone has over 30 cards with the fan favorite Charizard V character rare maintaining a $500+ price tag a year after release.
| Pull Rate | Card Type |
| 1 in 3 packs | Trainer Gallery Hit |
| 1 in 12 packs | Secret Rare |
I‘ve probably opened more Brilliant Stars than any other modern set and have had incredible luck across booster boxes and build & battle boxes. Of course variance exists, but the abundance of strong chase cards makes Brilliant Stars a winner.
Astral Radiance
As the follow up to Brilliant Stars, Astral Radiance continues the Trainer Gallery subset with the same 1 in 3 pack pull rate for a TG card. And while the actual Pokemon in Astral lack the hype of Brilliant Stars, there are still great pulls between the TGs, gold cards like Moltres VSTAR, and Radiant Pokemon.
I‘d rank Astral Radiance only a bit behind Brilliant Stars as an easy set to collect with fairly even distribution of hits across boxes.
| Pull Rate | Card Type |
| 1 in 3 packs | Trainer Gallery Card |
| 1 in 6 packs | Radiant or Gold V/VMAX |
Lost Origin
While more recently released, Lost Origin has already become a favorite among collectors thanks to the incredibly hype Giratina V and VSTAR alt arts. The cosmic horror vibes of the Giratina cards have made Lost Origin a highly opened set through late 2022 into 2023.
Beyond the Giratina chase, this set has a Secret Rarefall rate around 1 in 5 packs based on early data. The Hisuian Liligant V alternate art is another sleeper hit.
| Pull Rate | Card Type |
| 1 in 5 packs | Secret Rare |
| 1 in 12 packs | Alt Art VMAX |
I‘ve already completed the Trainer Gallery subset from Lost Origin after just 4 booster boxes. While variance exists, the alt art and secret rates make ripping this set a ton of fun.
Vintage Sets with High Hit Rates
While modern sets have definitively increased ultra rare counts compared to the Wizards of the Coast era, some old school sets did have better pull rates by the standards of their day. Here are some vintage sets known for solid hits:
EX Delta Species (2006)
This unique set featuring shiny Pokemon with alternate types (like Water-type Charmander) was loaded with bling between the Gold Star cards and shiny Energy. While no official pull data exists, many collectors report Delta Species having one of the highest hit rates of any mid-2000s set.
Stormfront (2008)
As one of the last old school sets with a rare holo in every pack, Stormfront set the stage for breakpoint cards like the Secret Rare Charizard lvl X. The set is filled with Legends pieces along with Prime cards falling around 1 in 4 packs, based on loose data.
Call of Legends (2011)
The pinnacle of the HeartGold SoulSilver era sets, Call of Legends is beloved for its shinies subset – essentially pre-ultra rares – that fall around 1 in 6 packs according to loose data. With soaring aftermarket prices on PSA 10 Shinies like Ho-Oh and Lugia which can fetch $1000+, Call of Legends is an iconic set for collectors.
While I don‘t recommend opening vintage packs for profit, if you do chase that nostalgia rush, sets like Stormfront and Call of Legends will provide some great hits. Modern pull rates blow away anything from WOTC-era sets, but these few standout based on their higher shiny and secret rare counts.
Top 10 Sets Overall for Pull Rates
Combining vintage and modern sets, here is my personal power ranking for the Pokemon TCG sets with the best pull rates overall:
| Set | Key Hits | Why It‘s Hot 🔥 |
| 1. Brilliant Stars | TGs, Charizard VSTAR | Loaded TG subset w/ Waifus |
| 2. Astral Radiance | TGs, Trainer Gallery Golds | Continues hot TG subset |
| 3. Lost Origin | Giratina V Alt Arts | Chasing Giratina insanity |
| 4. Evolving Skies | Eeveelution Alt Arts | Umbreon VMAX breakout card |
| 5.Fusion Strike | Gengar VMAX Alt Art | Underrated FAs and golds |
| 6. Champions Path | Shiny Charizards | Short print madness |
| 7. Shining Fates | Shiny Vault | Baby Shinies galore |
| 8. Stormfront | Secret Rare Charizard | Classic WOTC Era |
| 9. Dragon Majesty | Alt Arts | Underrated SM pack |
| 10. EX Delta Species | Gold Stars | Shiny EX showcase |
I based these rankings on actual pull rate data where available as well as overall strength of chase cards. All of these sets have blessed my openings with fantastic pulls, hence their place among the TCG‘s best for hit rates.
Modern sets clearly dominate thanks to larger ultra rare counts, but vintage sets like Stormfront and EX Delta Species do belong on this list from a historical perspective.
Let me know your thoughts on the best sets to open in search of those coveted Alt Arts and Secret Rares! I‘m always excited to discuss hobby hits and pull rates with fellow Pokemon TCG enthusiasts.
