There were nine POP sets in total, and you could only get the packs by competing in events until the Pokmon League stopped distributing them in 2009
Dedicated fans who attended the physical conventions and participated in the competitive tournament brackets were rewarded with this gorgeous, full-art monument
This changed with the release of MH2, and once delirium is enabled, Unholy Heat is the most efficient answer to many threats in the whole format, impressively being able to remove even cards like Primeval Titan or Teferi, Time Raveler for a single mana
There's not a ton of other reasons to seek out this product, so Steam Siege is a great example of a set you'd be better off buying singles from, rather than shelling out the money for the sealed product
You can't choose new ones
In doing so, they accommodate their early-game uselessness by offering an alternative option, functionally allowing you to trade your dead card for your land drop, at a price