While it’s thrilling to acquire incredibly expensive Pokémon TCG cards, the real dream is pulling one of those legendary chase cards directly from a fresh booster pack. But which current Pokémon cards are truly worth hunting for right now?
We’re diving into the most sought-after Pokémon TCG cards you can still find in booster packs from sets like Mega Evolution, Black Bolt & White Flare, Destined Rivals, Prismatic Evolutions, Twilight Masquerade, and Surging Sparks. Let’s explore the incredible “bangers” you might just pull!
A quick heads-up: the odds of pulling these ultra-rare cards are incredibly low. While opening booster packs is exciting, purchasing a specific card outright is often more cost-effective than trying your luck with countless packs, unless you’re exceptionally fortunate!
10. Mega Lucario ex – 179/132
This stunning Special Illustration Rare version of Mega Lucario ex is currently valued at around $280, and its appeal is undeniable.
Boasting powerful moves like Aura Jab for accelerating Fighting Energy and Mega Brave, which delivers a colossal 270 damage, Lucario is a fantastic addition to aggressive decks. The artwork, created by 5ban Graphics, captures Lucario mid-leap, radiating fierce energy against a Mega Venusaur, a dynamic scene that perfectly reflects its impactful presence in the game.
9. Mega Gardevoir ex – 178/132
As one of the highest-priced and most popular cards in the Mega Evolution set, it’s no surprise why this Mega Gardevoir ex is a major chase card.
Gardevoir’s Overflowing Wishes accelerates Psychic Energy across your bench, while Mega Symphonia scales into massive damage when enough Energy is in play. Takuya’s art bathes the card in a beautiful blend of pinks and whites, making it as enchanting as it is strategically powerful in Psychic-focused decks.
8. Pikachu ex – 238/191
Pikachu ex SIR played a role in the Pokémon TCG boom that started last year and continues its strong presence today. After hitting a peak of $485 in late 2024, it has since settled at a more accessible $300 at the time of writing.
If you have the means, now might be an opportune time to acquire it. The immense nostalgia and its detailed, softly rendered artwork are expected to drive its value back up as the Scarlet and Violet era begins to conclude.
7. Greninja ex – 214/167
Greninja ex SIR holds a special place as a personal favorite due to its exceptional artwork, arguably one of the best outside of Prismatic Evolutions in the Scarlet and Violet era. (And yes, I proudly own a graded 10!) Twilight Masquerade was, in my opinion, an underrated set, but the chances of pulling this particular card are incredibly slim. If you have the funds available, investing directly in the card might be a more sensible choice than hoping to pull it from packs. But hey, if you love the thrill of the hunt, that choice is entirely yours!
6. Sylveon ex – 156/131
It’s truly a shame that the Fairy typing didn’t return for Sylveon ex SIR, as it embodies the essence of a Fairy-type Pokémon more than almost any other card. This stunner features a charming pose and a pastel color palette that simply makes the artwork sing. With so much pink, it just works, and it’s easy to see why this fantastic card commands over $400, especially given that Sylveon is one of the most beloved Eeveelutions.
5. Zekrom ex & Reshiram ex – 172/086 / 173/086
The new Black White Rare versions of Zekrom ex and Reshiram ex beautifully merge the potent movesets of their Special Illustration Rare counterparts with a prestigious aesthetic befitting their legendary status. Zekrom ex offers an easy setup with Slash for [CC], while Voltage Burst for [LLC] scales damage based on your opponent’s Prize cards, mitigating its 30 recoil thanks to 230 HP and synergy with Pokémon like Flaaffy or Miraidon ex.
Reshiram ex mirrors this power on the Fire side, starting with Slash for [2] and then Blaze Burst at [1RR], which hits for 130 damage plus an additional 50 for each Prize card taken, while only discarding one Energy. Both Pokémon function as formidable late-game attackers that integrate seamlessly into either Lightning or Fire builds.
What truly distinguishes them is the new Black White Rare treatment. The monochrome foil provides a trophy-like finish, making them highly coveted chase pulls. They strike a perfect balance between collector prestige and competitive viability, being the rare kind of cards you can proudly sleeve up for victory or showcase as central pieces in your collection.
4. Victini – 171/086 / 172/086
Victini, in its Black White Rare form, feels exceptionally special because it marries flashy collector appeal with genuine competitive potential. With just 80 HP, it’s undeniably fragile. However, its V-Force attack delivers a solid 120 damage for just [RR] if your Bench is full, making it a surprisingly effective closer in aggressive Fire builds that can quickly flood the field.
The monochrome foil treatment is visually striking, lending Victini a prestigious aura that makes it stand out. Yet, it remains a card you’ll be eager to test in competitive play, just for the thrill of pulling off significant trades with such a small attacker. The alternate 172/086 version from the White Flare half of the set is essentially the same card, also maintaining a similar high market value.
3. Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex – 231/182
What an absolute powerhouse of a card! Mewtwo ex SIR perfectly captures the essence of Mewtwo’s Revenge, evoking immense nostalgia. It seems everyone agrees, as it’s currently valued around $450. Destined Rivals cards tend to fluctuate daily, so it’s likely we’ll see this price settle at a more affordable point before it achieves true vintage status in the 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 (an unusually descriptive rarity name, indeed) appear, on average, only once in every 1,260 packs of Mega Evolution.
That translates to roughly 35 booster boxes before you might even find a single one of these cards. Talk about a path to potential bankruptcy, Batman!
The exquisite gold finish, skillfully rendered by 5ban Graphics, transforms these cards into a gleaming centerpiece. Competitive players desire them, collectors covet them, and together, their demand has propelled these cards to the very pinnacle of value.
The golden Mega Hyper Rare Mega Lucario ex card is currently topping Pokémon TCG listings at a staggering $600 market value, with some individual listings reaching $1000 or more.
Similarly, its equally elusive gold-finished counterpart, Mega Gardevoir ex, is also hovering around a $500 market price, with some listings currently reaching as high as $1200.
1. Umbreon ex – 161/131
Even after the release of Destined Rivals, Black Bolt/White Flare, AND Mega Evolution, this card remains the undisputed champion of rare cards. We always anticipated it would be incredibly highly priced, and collectors were eager for a new, highly sought-after Umbreon after the legendary Umbreon VMAX (Moonbreon).
Indeed, it still commands a staggering market price, currently around $1,000. However, its value is unlikely to decrease, purely because it’s Umbreon. Almost anything associated with this dark-type Eeveelution consistently retains its worth—take my word for it! If you’re bold enough to invest $1,000 in Prismatic Eeveelutions boosters, or even just this card on its own, I applaud your dedication (and your bank account!).
Honorable Mentions: Destined Rivals & More
Let’s be real, Pokémon cards can be quite expensive, and it’s tough to cover every single card worth chasing right now in one go! But I definitely wanted to highlight a few more highly sought-after and valuable cards that just missed our top ten list.
With new sets dropping every few months, this list is always changing. It’s a good idea to bookmark this page and check back occasionally to see which cards are soaring in value! Some standout honorable mentions from this time include Destined Rivals favorites like Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex, Cynthia’s Garchomp ex, and Team Rocket’s Moltres ex. Plus, there are exciting new additions from the Mega Evolution series, such as Mega Venusaur ex, currently priced around $220, and the new Mega Latias ex, also sitting at approximately $200 right now.
Honorable Mentions: Eeveelutions
We absolutely can’t wrap things up without a special shout-out to the Eeveelutions from Prismatic Evolutions. The value these chase cards command is truly incredible, and it’s a trend that’s here to stay, which is why they deserve their very own dedicated section.
One of my all-time favorite cards across the entire TCG is the Jolteon ex SIR from Prismatic Evolutions. While there have been many fantastic Jolteon cards in the past—like the one from the Brilliant Stars Trainer Gallery and the Jolteon V Sword and Shield Promo Card—this latest iteration bursts with unlimited energy. Just look at its incredible expressiveness; it perfectly captures Jolteon’s speed and agility against one of the coolest backgrounds I’ve ever seen on a Pokémon card.
Another breathtaking pastel artwork features Espeon ex SIR. Beyond Espeon being a fan favorite, it’s easy to see why this card is now valued over $300. I’ve never witnessed so many shades of purple in such a small space before—it’s a truly stunning piece of art. Imagine the dream of pulling this card, getting it graded a perfect 10, and adding it to your slabbed collection!
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer covering everything collectible and deals. Robert Anderson and Ben Williams also contributed to this article.