100-Pack Opening: The Real Data
A documented 100-pack opening of Ascended Heroes — one full case of ETBs plus one additional pack — produced the following results. This is real data, not theoretical averages. It shows the variance every collector faces whether they are opening in Manila, Singapore, or anywhere else.
What was opened
- 11 ETBs (Elite Trainer Boxes)
- 100 booster packs total
- Paid above retail — no distribution access
- Estimated spend: SGD $1,300+ (₱56,290+ PHP)
Hits pulled
- 14 EX cards
- 7 Mega EX cards (21 EX/Mega total)
- 11 Illustration Rares (IRs)
- 6 Full Art Trainers
- 2 Full Art Dragonite (same card twice)
- 0 SIRs
Hit rate breakdown
- EX/Mega EX: 21% (1 in ~5 packs)
- IR: 11% (1 in ~9 packs)
- Full Art Trainer: 6% (1 in ~17 packs)
- Full Art Pokemon: 2% (1 in ~50 packs)
- SIR: 0% (0 in 100 packs)
Key takeaway: This was a legitimate, below-average result. The same opener previously pulled 2 SIRs and 2 SRs in just 5 ETBs. Variance in pack opening is extreme — any single session can land anywhere between exceptional and completely dry.
Ascended Heroes SIR Pull Rates: What the Numbers Say
The Pokemon Company does not publish official pull rates for any set, including Ascended Heroes. The estimates below are derived from community aggregate data — hundreds of documented openings shared across collector communities globally.
| Card Type | Est. Per Pack | Per ETB (9 packs) | Per Booster Box (36 packs) | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Illustration Rare (SIR) | ~1 in 100–120 | ~1 in 11–13 ETBs | ~1 per 3–4 boxes | Very high — 0 in 100 or 2 in 45 are both real outcomes |
| Full Art Pokemon (FA) | ~1 in 45–60 | ~1 in 5–7 ETBs | ~0.5–0.8 per box | High — not guaranteed per box |
| Full Art Trainer | ~1 in 25–35 | ~1 in 3–4 ETBs | ~1 per box | Moderate — usually 1 per box |
| Illustration Rare (IR) | ~1 in 18–25 | ~0.4–0.5 per ETB | ~1.5–2 per box | Low-moderate — fairly consistent |
| Mega EX / Double Rare | ~1 in 5–7 | ~1.5 per ETB | ~5–7 per box | Low — consistent |
Why variance is so extreme for SIRs
- Cases are factory-packed, not statistically randomised per pack
- Print runs batch SIRs into specific positions — opening one case does not guarantee even odds
- Multiple SIRs can cluster in one case while adjacent cases go dry
- Small sample sizes (1–3 boxes) are nearly meaningless for pull rate estimation
PHP Price Benchmarks for Filipino Collectors
All prices below use 1 SGD ≈ ₱43.3 (May 2026). SGD is used as the regional benchmark because it is the most liquid TCG secondary market in SEA — Philippine prices typically track within 5–15% of SGD converted prices depending on availability at local shops.
| Item | SGD (Reference) | PHP (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Ascended Heroes ETB (retail) | SGD $60–$75 | ₱2,598–₱3,248 |
| Booster box (36 packs) | SGD $160–$200 | ₱6,928–₱8,660 |
| Dragonite SIR (NM raw) | SGD $80–$140 | ₱3,464–₱6,062 |
| Gengar SIR (NM raw) | SGD $60–$100 | ₱2,598–₱4,330 |
| Dragonite SIR PSA 10 | SGD $350–$550 | ₱15,155–₱23,815 |
| Expected spend to pull 1 specific SIR | SGD $5,800–$7,300 | ₱251,140–₱316,090 |
Bottom line: Buying the Dragonite SIR outright at ₱3,464–₱6,062 is 40–90× cheaper than the expected cost of pulling one by opening packs. Open for the experience — not for the card.
Ascended Heroes God Pack: What It Is & How Rare
A god pack is a pack where every single card inside is a hit — every slot contains a full art, IR, SIR, or equivalent premium rarity instead of the standard mix of commons and uncommons. Not officially confirmed by The Pokemon Company, but documented on video by collectors globally.
God pack characteristics
- Every card in the pack is a hit (no commons/uncommons)
- Typically 10 cards, all holo or higher rarity
- Can contain multiple SIRs, full arts, and IRs in one pack
- Recognised by the weight and visible texture of the cards
- Considered the rarest single-pack experience in the hobby
God pack probability (community estimates)
| Estimate | Odds | Expected cost (PHP) |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 1 in 4,000 packs | ₱692,800–₱866,000+ |
| Mid estimate | 1 in 2,500 packs | ₱433,000–₱562,900+ |
| Optimistic | 1 in 1,500 packs | ₱259,800–₱346,400+ |
Weight data for god pack detection
Community weighing data from Singapore collectors suggests god packs sit clearly outside the normal weight range. Normal individual packs weigh 22.45–22.86g; a confirmed god pack came in at 23.80g — roughly 1g heavier than the heaviest normal pack. At the bundle level (6-pack), normal bundles weigh 150–152g; a confirmed god pack bundle weighed 154g.
Individual hit vs. no-hit is not reliably distinguishable by weight — the ranges overlap too much. God packs appear to be detectable, but at ~1 in 2,500–4,000 packs, the overwhelming majority of any heavy pack is just a normal pack at the upper end of variance.
ETBs vs Tins vs Sticker Collections: Which Has Better SIR Odds?
The booster packs inside are identical regardless of product type. Pull rates are determined by the pack, not the box it came in.
Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) — Best value overall
- Packs per ETB: 9 packs
- Extras: Promo card + sleeves + accessories
- SIR odds: Same as booster box per pack
- Available at: Datablitz, Game One, Toy Kingdom, online via Shopee PH
Tins — Fewer packs, display value
- Packs per tin: ~4 packs
- Extras: Promo card or figure
- SIR odds: Same per pack — fewer total packs means lower absolute odds per tin
Sticker / Tech Sticker Collections — Worst pack-per-peso value
- Packs included: 2–3 packs
- Extras: Sticker sheets
- If maximising pack-per-peso, booster boxes are better value
Does Pack Weight Checking Work for Ascended Heroes?
Pack weight checking was moderately effective on vintage sets (Base Set through early EX era). For modern Scarlet & Violet era sets like Ascended Heroes, individual hit/no-hit is not reliably detectable — field data shows weight ranges of 22.45–22.86g overlap between hit and no-hit packs completely.
The ethics of weight checking
- Selecting heavy packs from a retail display dumps lighter packs onto other buyers
- Most TCG shops in the Philippines explicitly prohibit pack selecting
- Being caught can result in a permanent shop ban
- The Philippine TCG community is active and tight-knit — reputation matters
Verdict: Don't do it. The technical edge on modern sets is negligible, and the community cost is real.
Practical Guide for Filipino Collectors
If you want a specific Ascended Heroes SIR
Buy the single. Dragonite SIR and Gengar SIR are available from PH collectors on Facebook groups (Pokemon TCG Philippines, various buy/sell groups) and via Shopee. At ₱3,464–₱6,062, you get the card for a fraction of expected opening costs. Use the tcgTalk price comparison to find the best current deal.
If you want to open packs
Set a budget you are fully comfortable losing (assume zero SIRs). ETBs are the best value product. Enjoy the IRs, EXs, and full art trainers you will realistically pull — these are genuinely exciting cards. The Philippines Master Ball League community is active: sharing your opening results with the community is part of the fun.
If you are buying sealed for investment
Buy booster boxes or ETBs at or near retail. Do not pay above-retail premiums unless the set is already out of print. Historical SV era sealed appreciation runs on 3–5 year horizons. Check the full investment analysis for more detail.
If you are grading Ascended Heroes SIRs in the Philippines
For grading from the Philippines, PSA and CGC accept international submissions. Factor in shipping to the US, customs, and return shipping — all-in grading costs from the Philippines typically run ₱173,200–₱303,100 depending on service tier and courier used. The Dragonite SIR at raw ₱3,464–₱6,062 and PSA 10 value of ~₱15,155–₱23,815 can still produce positive ROI, but margins are tighter than from Singapore due to shipping costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do you get an SIR from an Ascended Heroes ETB?
On average, roughly once every 11–13 ETBs. Some collectors hit one in their first ETB; others go through a full case with zero. Both outcomes are within normal variance.
Is the Ascended Heroes god pack confirmed?
Community members have reported and filmed god pack-style pulls from Ascended Heroes, but The Pokemon Company has not confirmed the mechanic officially. Based on patterns consistent with other SV era sets with confirmed god packs (such as Prismatic Evolutions), the general collector consensus is that Ascended Heroes does have this mechanic.
Where can I buy Ascended Heroes singles in the Philippines?
Facebook groups (Pokemon TCG Philippines, local city-based buy/sell groups), Shopee PH, and Carousell PH are the most active platforms. Datablitz occasionally carries singles at their stores. Always check seller reputation and transaction history before buying.
Why did one case of Ascended Heroes produce zero SIRs?
Because variance at this sample size is real and expected. With an SIR rate of roughly 1 in 110 packs, opening 100 packs gives only a ~60% chance of hitting even one SIR. That means roughly 40% of 100-pack openings will produce zero SIRs. It is not extraordinary bad luck — it is a predictable outcome of the actual odds.
Disclaimer: Pull rates are community estimates derived from aggregate opening data. The Pokemon Company does not publish official pull rates. God pack probability estimates are not officially confirmed. All PHP prices are approximate conversions from SGD market rates (1 SGD ≈ ₱43.3, May 2026) — verify current prices before buying or selling. This is not financial advice.