I'm gonna say something that might sound crazy: Paldea Evolved is one of the most slept-on sets in recent memory, and I'm honestly baffled by how little attention it gets.

Now, I get it. When Paldea Evolved dropped, everyone was still riding the high from previous sets, and let's be real – the initial reception was pretty lukewarm. But I've been going back through this set lately, and I think we all missed something big here.

Everyone Was Looking in the Wrong Direction

The problem with Paldea Evolved's launch wasn't the cards themselves – it was timing and expectations. People were expecting another Evolving Skies or Lost Origin, something that would immediately grab headlines with chase cards selling for hundreds of dollars. Instead, we got something more subtle, and honestly? I think that's exactly what made it special.

This set rewards you for actually playing the game, not just collecting pretty pictures. Sure, the alternate art Iono is gorgeous and commands decent prices, but some of the real gems in this set are cards that took months for people to figure out.

The Sleeper Competitive Cards Are Insane

Let me tell you about Chien-Pao ex for a second. When this card first came out, I remember people dismissing it as "just another ice type." Fast forward to now, and water-type decks built around Chien-Pao have been putting up consistent tournament results. It's not flashy, but it's incredibly effective.

And don't even get me started on Professor's Research (Professor Sada). Having another copy of one of the most important supporter cards in the format? That's huge for deck consistency, but somehow it flew under everyone's radar initially.

Miriam is another card that people completely underestimated. The ability to search for Pokemon and energy in one turn has enabled so many strategies that weren't viable before. I've been testing it in several different deck builds, and it's way more versatile than anyone gave it credit for.

The Art Direction Actually Slaps

Here's something that bothers me – people keep saying Paldea Evolved has "boring" artwork compared to other sets. Have you actually looked at these cards? The illustration rare Iono is absolutely stunning. The Chien-Pao ex alternate art has this incredible dynamic composition that captures the Pokemon's legendary status perfectly.

Maybe it's because the style is more realistic and less stylized than some recent sets, but that doesn't make it worse. It's just different. The Koraidon and Miraidon cards especially have this epic, almost cinematic quality that makes them feel genuinely powerful.

Pull Rates That Don't Hate Your Wallet

Okay, this might be the most controversial thing I'll say, but I think Paldea Evolved's pull rates are actually pretty fair. Yes, the chase cards aren't as expensive as some other sets, but that means you can actually complete your collection without taking out a second mortgage.

I've opened quite a few boxes of this set, and while you're not guaranteed to hit the lottery every time, you consistently get interesting pulls. The special illustration rares show up at a reasonable rate, and even the "lesser" cards often have solid playability.

It's Aging Like Fine Wine

Here's the thing that really convinces me this set was underrated: it's getting better with time. As the meta has evolved and new cards have been released, combinations with Paldea Evolved cards keep emerging. Strategies that weren't viable six months ago are suddenly competitive because of synergies people didn't see initially.

That's the mark of good set design – cards that reveal their potential gradually rather than everything being obvious from day one.

The Real Problem Was Expectations

I think the biggest issue with Paldea Evolved is that it came out during a period when everyone expected every set to be an immediate homerun with $500 chase cards and format-warping strategies. Instead, we got a set that's more like a good album – it takes a few listens to really appreciate what's going on.

The TCG community has gotten so focused on immediate impact and resale value that we sometimes miss sets that are just... solid. Paldea Evolved is the kind of set that makes the game better without necessarily breaking the bank or dominating headlines.

Why This Matters

Look, I'm not saying Paldea Evolved is the greatest set ever printed. But I am saying it deserves way more respect than it gets. It's a set that rewards players who actually engage with the game mechanics rather than just chasing the most expensive cards.

If you skipped Paldea Evolved or wrote it off as underwhelming, I'd seriously recommend giving it another look. Pick up some singles, try building around cards you initially dismissed, or just appreciate the artwork without worrying about market prices.

Sometimes the best sets aren't the ones that make the biggest splash – they're the ones that quietly make the game better. And in that respect, Paldea Evolved absolutely delivered.

What's your take? Did you sleep on this set too, or am I completely off base here?