What Is Gem Pack Volume 5?
Gem Pack Volume 5 is the fifth instalment in the Simplified Chinese Pokémon booster box series. Unlike main Simplified Chinese set releases — which mirror Japanese and English content — the Gem Pack series is a curated product for the Chinese collector market, with exclusive card artworks that cannot be found in any other language.
Volume 5 carries the Pokémon Horizons anime theme, featuring Floragato, Crocalor, and Quaxwell alongside trainers Leo, Roy, and Dot. Captain Pikachu rounds out the Horizons cast. The non-exclusive three-star rarities are sourced from four English-era sets: Twilight Masquerade, Shrouded Fable, Stellar Crown, and Surging Sparks.
One key characteristic: every single card is holographic. Commons, uncommons, stamp cards, and three-star rarities alike all have holo treatments, making every pack feel premium.
For Filipino collectors: Gem Pack Volume 5 is not officially distributed in the Philippines — it is a China-market product. Import copies are available from specialist TCG shops and online sellers. Factor in import premiums when comparing prices.
Box Contents & Pack Structure
Each Gem Pack Volume 5 booster box contains:
- 18 packs per box
- 4 cards per pack
- 72 cards total per box
- Every card is holographic — no non-holo commons
- Pull rates are printed on the back of the box (official 1.81% for three-star rarities)
Card types in each pack
- One Poké Ball reverse holo Pokémon
- One energy reverse holo or Master Ball holo Pokémon
- One star pattern holo or square holo Pokémon
- One card that could be any rarity — including a stamp card (two-star) or three-star rarity
Pull Rate Data: 11 Boxes Across 5 Openers
The data below is aggregated from five separate box-opening sessions. Total sample: approximately 11 boxes, 198 packs.
| Opener | Boxes | 3★ Total | Exclusives | Stamps/Box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ying (session 1) | 3 | 3 (Stunfisk, Vibrava, 1 other) | 0 | 4–5 |
| Ying (session 2) | 2 | 3 (2 in box 1, 1 in box 2) | 1 | 4 |
| FY from P4C | 3 | 3 (2 in box 1, 0 in box 2, 1 in box 3) | 0 | n/a |
| Crystal Collects | 2 | 3 (1 in box 1, 2 in box 2) | 1 (Quaxwell + Dot, box 2) | 3–4 |
| Livestream data | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 11 | ~13 | 2 | 4–5 |
Key findings
- Average three-stars per box: ~1.18 — closely matching the theoretical 1.3
- Exclusive rate: 2 in 11 boxes (~18% per box, or roughly 1 in every 5–6 boxes)
- Maximum per box: 2 three-stars in a single box
- A completely dry box is possible (0 three-stars), though uncommon in this sample
Three-Star Rarity Rates
| Rarity | Official Rate (per card) | Expected Per Box | Community Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three-Star (★★★) — all | 1.81% | ~1.3 | ~1.2 per box |
| Three-Star — exclusive only | ~0.26% (est.) | ~0.19 | ~0.18 per box |
| Two-Star stamp cards | Not printed | n/a | 4–5 per box |
The 4 Chinese Exclusive Cards
These four three-star rarities are unique to Gem Pack Volume 5 — not printed in Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, or Korean.
| Card | Trainer Pairing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Pikachu | Cap / Freed | Most sought-after; features the Rising Voltacklers crew |
| Floragato | Leo | Middle evolution of Sprigatito line |
| Crocalor | Roy | Middle evolution of Fuecoco line |
| Quaxwell + Dot | Dot (without Nidothing costume) | Rare moment showing Dot's real face |
Stamp Cards Per Box
Stamp cards (two-star, ★★) feature Pokémon with the Simplified Chinese Gem Pack stamp and a premium reverse holo treatment. Community data shows 4 per box is typical, with 5 being slightly above average.
PHP Price Benchmarks
All prices below use 1 SGD ≈ ₱43.3 (May 2026). SGD is the regional TCG pricing benchmark — Philippine prices for imported Chinese cards typically track within 10–20% of SGD-converted prices depending on availability.
| Item | SGD (Reference) | PHP (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Gem Pack Vol. 5 box (import) | SGD $80–$120 | ₱3,464–₱5,196 |
| Captain Pikachu (NM raw single) | SGD $80–$150 | ₱3,464–₱6,495 |
| Quaxwell + Dot (NM raw single) | SGD $40–$70 | ₱1,732–₱3,031 |
| Floragato / Crocalor (NM raw) | SGD $25–$50 | ₱1,083–₱2,165 |
| Expected spend to pull Captain Pikachu | SGD $400–$720 | ₱17,320–₱31,176 |
Bottom line: Buying Captain Pikachu at ₱3,464–₱6,495 is 4–6× cheaper than the expected cost of pulling it from boxes. Open for the experience — buy the single for the card.
Should You Open or Buy Singles?
Open if:
- You enjoy consistent holographic pulls (every card is holo)
- You are building a Simplified Chinese master set
- You are a Pokémon Horizons fan who enjoys the exclusive artworks
Buy singles if:
- You specifically want Captain Pikachu — opening to chase it is far more expensive
- You want only one or two specific three-star cards
- Import box prices in the Philippines push your expected cost even higher
The numbers on chasing Captain Pikachu
- Observed exclusive rate: ~1 in 5–6 boxes
- Chance of hitting Captain Pikachu specifically (1 of 4 exclusives): ~1 in 20–25 boxes
- At ₱3,464–₱5,196 per imported box: expected spend ₱69,280–₱129,900+
- Single price: ₱3,464–₱6,495
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Simplified Chinese Pokémon cards the same as Traditional Chinese?
No — they are entirely separate releases. Simplified Chinese cards are for mainland China, using simplified characters. Traditional Chinese cards (Taiwan and Hong Kong) use traditional characters. The Gem Pack series is exclusively a Simplified Chinese product.
Are Simplified Chinese Pokémon cards legal for play in the Philippines?
For official Philippine tournaments, English cards are required. Simplified Chinese cards are primarily a collector product internationally — not a competitive play product.
How do I know if my Gem Pack Volume 5 cards are authentic?
Every holographic card in Gem Pack Volume 5 should carry the Gem Pack stamp on the card face. If a holo card lacks this stamp, treat it with caution. The box carries a holographic authenticity sticker.
Disclaimer: Pull rates are community estimates from aggregate opening data. 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.