This new Special Illustration Rare of Mega Lucario ex currently fetches about $280, and it’s easy to see why.

With Aura Jab accelerating Fighting Energy and Mega Brave hitting for a massive 270, Lucario slots perfectly into aggressive decks.

The art, by 5ban Graphics, depicts Lucario mid-leap with fierce energy bursts against a Mega Venusaur, a dynamic visual that mirrors its high-impact playstyle.

9. Mega Gardevoir ex – 178/132

Both sitting as the one of the highest-priced cards in Mega Evolution, and being the most popular, it’s not difficult to understand why this Mega Gardevoir ex is the biggest chase card in the set.

Gardevoir’s Overflowing Wishes accelerates Psychic Energy across your bench, while Mega Symphonia scales into massive damage with enough Energy in play.

Takuya’s art envelops the card in a symphony of pinks and whites, making it as enchanting as it is powerful in Psychic archetypes.

8. Pikachu ex – 238/191

Pikachu ex SIR is partially to blame for the Pokémon TCG boom that kicked off this time last year, and is still rocking on today. After peaking at $485 at the end of 2024, it’s finally stabalized at a much for reasonable $300 at the time of writing.

It’s a good time to snap it up, if you’ve got the cash, but the amount of nostalgia and detailed yet soft artwork on this card will make it climb back up as the Scarlet and Violet era moves into the rearview mirror.

7. Greninja ex – 214/167

Greninja ex SIR is my favorite in this article as I have it graded in a 10 and I’m being completely bias. Joking aside (I’m not) but this is one of the best artworks outside of Prismatic Evolutions in the Scarlet and Violet era.

Twilight Masquerade was a slept on set in my opinion, but the chances of pulling this are stacked. If you have the money upfront, i’d put it into this card instead of trying to rip packs. But I also obviously hate having fun, so the choice is yours.

6. Sylveon ex – 156/131

It’s such a shame Fairy typing didn’t come back for Sylveon ex SIR, because I can’t think of a more Fairy type Pokémon card ever. It’s another stunner with a cute stance and a pastel color pallete that just makes it. There’s that much pink it just works, a fantastic card and its easy to see why it’s over $400, especially as it’s one of the most popular Eeveelutions.

5. Zekrom ex & Reshiram ex – 172/086 / 173/086

The new Black White Rare versions of Zekrom ex and Reshiram ex combine the strong movesets of their Special Illustration Rare counterparts with a prestige look worthy of their legendary status. Zekrom ex uses Slash for [CC] as an easy setup, while Voltage Burst for [LLC] scales with your opponent’s Prize cards, offsetting its 30 recoil thanks to 230 HP and synergy with Flaaffy or Miraidon ex.

Reshiram ex mirrors this on the Fire side, with Slash for [2] into Blaze Burst at [1RR], hitting 130 plus 50 per Prize card taken while discarding just one Energy. Both serve as late-game swing attackers that slot neatly into Lightning or Fire builds.

What sets them apart is the new Black White Rare treatment. The monochrome foil gives a trophy-like finish that makes them true chase pulls, striking a balance between collector prestige and competitive play. They’re the rare kind of cards you can sleeve up to win games or showcase as centerpiece collectibles.

4. Victini – 171/086 / 172/086

Victini as a Black White Rare feels special because it combines flashy collector appeal with real deck potential. At just 80 HP it’s fragile, but V-Force hits for 120 damage with only [RR] if you keep your Bench full, making it a sneaky closer in fast Fire builds that flood the field early.

The monochrome foil treatment looks incredible and gives Victini a prestige feel that stands out, while still being a card you’ll want to try competitively just for the thrill of pulling off big trades with such a tiny attacker. The alternate 172/086 version from the White Flare half of the set is essentially the same card, with a similar price value as well.

3. Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex – 231/182

What a beast of a card! Mewtwo ex SIR captured that Mewtwo’s Revenge energy so hard, immense amounts of nostalgia in this card for me. It looks like everyone agrees considering it’s currently around $450. Destined Rivals cards are up and down day after day, so no doubt we’ll see this settle at a cheaper pricepoint before it crossed the vintage checkpoint in years to come.

2. Mega Lucario ex & Mega Gardevoir ex – 187/132 / 188/132

According to TCGPlayer’s Mega Evolution pull rate data, these “Mega Hyper Rare” cards (what a bizarre rarity name by way) on average only appear one in every 1 out of every 1260 packs of Mega Evolution.

That’s around 35 booster boxes, before you find even potentially find a single one of these cards. Holy bankruptcy, Batman!

The gold finish, courtesy of 5ban Graphics, turns these cards into a gleaming centrepiece. Competitive players want it, collectors covet it, and together they’ve pushed it to the very peak.

The golden Mega Hyper Rare Mega Lucario ex card is topping Pokemon TCG listings charts at a staggering $600 market value, with some listings reaching $1000 or more.

Just like its gold-finished Mega Lucario counterpart, this painfully elusive Mega Gardevoir ex is also sitting at around a $500 market price, with some listings even reaching $1200 right now as well.

1. Umbreon ex – 161/131

Even after Destined Rivals, Black Bolt/White Flare, AND Mega Evolution, this is still the undisputed champ of rare cards. We always knew it was going to be insanely priced, and we needed a cheaper Umbreon chase card after Umbreon VMAX (Moonbreon).

Granted, it’s still a mental market price, and still sitting around $1,000 right now. But it won’t get cheaper solely because it’s Umbreon and almost anything linked to this dark type Eeveelution holds its value, trust me on this. If you’re brave enough to drop $1,000 on Prismatic Eeveelutions boosters, or even this card standalone, I salute your efforts, and your bank account.

Honorable Mentions: Destined Rivals & More

Look here’s the thing, Pokémon cards are expensive. And it can be hard for us to hit absolutely everything that’s worth chasing right now. We only have so much time in the day! But, I still thought it would be worth mentioning several other highly sought after and valuable cards that just missed out on the top ten list.

With new sets coming out every few months, this list can get shaken up a lot, so it’s worth bookmarking and even checking back in every so often to see what else is skyrocketing in value right now.

Highlights from my honorable mentions this time around include Destined Rivals hot shots Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex, Cynthia’s Garchomp ex, and Team Rocket’s Moltres ex, alongside some brand new entries from new series Mega Evolution, such as Mega Venusaur ex which is priced around $220 right now, and the new Mega Latias ex, also sitting at around $200 right now as well.

Honorable Mentions: Eeveelutions

We also can’t finish up without a brief mention of Prismatic Evolutions’ Eeveelutions. The money in these chase cards is insane, and it always will be, which is why these need a dedicated section to themselves.

One of my favorite cards across the whole TCG is Jolteon ex SIR from Prismatic Evolutions. There’s been some banger Jolteon Cards in the past, for me that would be Jolteon from the Brilliant Stars Trainer Gallery and the Jolteon V Sword and Shield Promo Card, but this one has unlimited energy. Just look at how expressive this card is, perfectly showcasing Jolteons speed and agility with one of the coolest backgrounds i’ve seen in a Pokémon card.

Another beautiful pastel artwork with Espeon ex SIR. On top of Espeon being a fan favorite, it’s easy to see why this card is now over $300. I’ve never seen that many shades of purple in such a small space before, such a stunning piece of art, imagine pulling this, getting a 10 then getting it in your slabbed collection? Stuff of dreams.

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

This article includes contributions from Robert Anderson and Ben Williams.

Mega Venusaur ex cards in general thrive on endurance, and Mega Evolution’s is no different. Solar Transfer lets you freely move Grass Energy around, while Jungle Dump delivers 240 damage and heals 30, making it tough to topple.

5ban Graphics’ artwork reinforces that bulk, with Mega Venusaur ex crouched under vibrant petals in a pose that radiates raw power. Both a sturdy option in Grass decks and a visually commanding card, it’s a sought-after Ultra Rare.

14. Vulpix – 138/132 (Illustration Rare)

Gameplay-wise, Vulpix won’t shake the meta with Stampede and Combustion, which are serviceable but underpowered. What makes this card stand out is its Illustration Rare art by saino misaki, showing the fox Pokémon curled up by a fireplace in a warmly lit, rustic room.

It’s a cosy-looking slice-of-life card that collectors are eager to chase, proving once again that atmosphere and nostalgia can lift even a low-power card into a high-value slot.

13. Bulbasaur – 133/132 (Illustration Rare)

Already a major seller amongst Pokémon TCG collectors on TCG player, this Mega Evolution Bulbasaur’s Bind Down is a deceptively disruptive move, trapping your opponent’s Active Pokémon in place while chipping away at their board state.

This utility, combined with Bulbasaur’s nostalgic allure as the original Grass starter, gives it both competitive and casual appeal. Artist mashu delivers bold, swirling colours that make Bulbasaur appear almost dreamlike, enhancing its chase factor. Along with being playable, it’s one of the most visually striking cards in the set.

12. Ivysaur – 134/132 (Illustration Rare)

Razor Leaf offers a reliable 60 damage for two Grass Energy, positioning Ivysaur as a useful bridge to Mega Venusaur in dedicated Grass decks. The artwork, again by mashu, captures Ivysaur leaping forward with fierce determination against a backdrop of glowing foliage and vibrant petals.

As part of the full Kanto starter line, collectors are eager to build the evolutionary trio, and its combination of steady damage and stunning visuals cements its rising market value.

11. Lillie’s Determination – 169/132 (Ultra Rare)

Although not as dazzling as its more artistic counterpart below, this UR of Lillie’s Determination is already one of the hottest chase cards of the Pokémon TCG’s Mega Evolution set. Atsushi Furusawa’s stunning full-art design captures Lillie with delicate, vibrant detail, and the card effect remains a flexible draw option.

While it may not dominate the competitive scene, it is almost guaranteed to headline binders and display cases. It can be easy for newcomers to underestimate Lillie’s immense popularity, but that doesn’t stop its position near the very top of the set’s value list.

10. Marshadow – 146/132 (Illustration Rare)

Marshadow is one of the more competitively promising Illustration Rares. Shadowy Side Kick deals respectable damage, and its effect of blanking damage to Marshadow on the following turn if it takes a KO can stall opponents effectively. Altogether, this card straddles the line between competitive tech and collector gem.

9. Mega Kangaskhan ex – 182/132

Mega Kangaskhan ex is a surprise standout in the most valuable card lists, and currently sits at around $90 market price.

It’s another beautiful art set by 5ban Graphics, and features Mega Kangaskhan and its wee bab breaking out into their “Rapid Fire Combo” .

8. Mega Absol ex – 161/132 (Ultra Rare)

Absol has always had a cult following since its debut in Gen III , and this new Mega form captures that same aura of menace. Mega Absol Ex’s Ultra Rare gives us an eye-catching, almost gothic rendering, making it look like it has stepped out of a noir film, with its mix of black and yellow tones.

Competitively, its Terminal Period attack is an intriguing win-condition attack, knocking out foes that line up perfectly on damage counters, while Claw of Darkness offers raw power plus disruption. Though it’s a little clunky in the current fast-paced meta, Absol’s fan appeal ensures this one holds value.

7. Lillie’s Determination – 184/132 (Special Illustration Rare)

Few Trainers hold the same sway in the secondary market as Lillie. Not only does the floral artwork of Lillie’s Determination by Atsushi Furusawa give off endless warmth and nostalgia, the actual effect of this Trainer card is great as well: refreshing your hand with six new cards or even eight when behind, presenting real utility in control and comeback strategies.

On top, Lillie’s sheer popularity, though seems to be additionally driving the price tag into the around-$200 stratosphere, just as we’ve seen with her earlier Sun & Moon prints.

6. Mega Latias ex – 181/132 (Special Illustration Rare)

At approximately $200, Mega Latias ex offers versatility in combat to go with its striking visuals, immediately showing why it’s one of the Pokémon TCG’s most in-demand cards from Mega Evolution.

Its Strafe attack enables clever switching plays, while Illusory Impulse deals a blistering 300 damage at the cost of discarding Energy.

Akira Egawa’s colourful, swirling art makes the Dragon-type legend look like it’s bursting straight out of the card. It’s as playable as it is collectable, and it earns its spot as the set’s tenth hottest seller.

5. Mega Venusaur ex – 177/132 (Special Illustration Rare)

Our third-most valuable card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game’s new Mega Evolution set, Mega Venusaur ex is a true battlefield tank, with Solar Transfer enabling seamless Energy redistribution and Jungle Dump delivering 240 damage while healing itself.

In terms of gameplay, this makes it one of the most flexible and durable attackers in the set. The SAR artwork by mashu is extraordinary, depicting a lush, chaotic jungle scene bursting with colour, where Venusaur looms as a dominant presence. The synergy of competitive utility and jaw-dropping art is what has pushed this card into the top tier of value.

4. Mega Lucario ex – 179/132 (Special Illustration Rare)

This Special Illustration Rare of Mega Lucario ex currently fetches about $280, even though its market price is currently $75 lower, and it’s easy to see why.

With Aura Jab accelerating Fighting Energy and Mega Brave hitting for a massive 270, Lucario slots perfectly into aggressive decks.

The art, by 5ban Graphics, depicts Lucario mid-leap with fierce energy bursts against a Mega Venusaur, a dynamic visual that mirrors its high-impact playstyle.

3. Mega Gardevoir ex – 178/132 (Special Illustration Rare)

Priced at over $500 at the time of writing, Mega Gardevoir ex stands as the Pokémon TCG’s crown jewel of the Mega Evolution set. Whilst Overflowing Wishes accelerates Psychic Energy across your Bench, Mega Symphonia converts that fuel into devastating damage.

Raita Kazama’s museum-quality artwork, full of pastel tones and floral elegance, perfectly matches the card’s grace and strength. It’s this union of competitive power and striking style that cements this beautiful piece of cardboard as the set’s most coveted prize.

2. Mega Gardevoir ex – 187/132 (Hyper Mega Rare)

Just like its gold-finished Mega Lucario counterpart, this painfully elusive Mega Gardevoir ex is sitting at around a $500 market price, with some listings even reaching $1200 right now as well.

According to TCGPlayer’s Mega Evolution pull rate data, these “Mega Hyper Rare” cards (what a bizarre rarity name by way) on average only appear one in every 1 out of every 1260 packs of Mega Evolution. That’s around 35 booster boxes, before you find even potentially find a single one of these cards. Holy bankruptcy, Batman!

1. Mega Lucario ex – 188/132 (Hyper Mega Rare)

The golden Mega Hyper Rare Mega Lucario ex card is topping Pokemon TCG listings charts at a staggering $600 market value, with some listings reaching $1000 or more.

With Aura Jab enabling Energy recovery and Mega Brave delivering 270 damage like its other versions, this card exemplifies the high-risk, high-reward nature of Mega ex.

The gold finish, courtesy of 5ban Graphics, turns Lucario into a gleaming centrepiece. Competitive players want it, collectors covet it, and together they’ve pushed it to the very peak. If you have one of the cheaper versions of Mega Lucario ex, it’s better to keep this one safe in your binder rather than put in your deck.

Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.

This article contains contributions from Robert Anderson.