For a while, the current era of the Pokemon TCG – Scarlet & Violet – was off to something of a shaky start. It’s not that it was a bad start – it just had a tough act to follow after the many insanely great sets released in the Sword and Shield era. However, the dry spell looks to be finally over. In just the last few sets alone a handful of incredibly rare and valuable cards have taken the spotlight.

Below, let’s look at what the current most expensive Pokemon cards are from the latest sets.

#1. Pikachu ex Special Illustration Rare – Surging Sparks

The most expensive from Surging Sparks is also the defining chase card of the Scarlet & Violet era of the Pokemon TCG: Stellar Tera Pikachu ex Special Illustration Rare.

The soaring value for this particular card took a lot of people by surprise, but to me it wasn’t all that surprising. I mean, what is it that makes for a valuable Pokemon card?

It’s a relatively straightforward formula: Market value = rarity + artwork + popularity(of the Pokemon). As the Pokemon TCG has grown in popularity, the competitive viability of the card has some impact but it remains largely these three areas that dictates a card’s value.

And what Pikachu ex delivers is a gorgeous artwork, insane rarity (it’s a special illustrated rare with about a 1/1000 chance of being pulled) and contains not only the most popular Pokemon but one of the world’s most recognizable faces.

I have a strong feeling that this Pikachu ex will end up being considered the defining chase of the series. But in Prismatic Evolutions we have a lot of iconic cards coming out as well. Scarlet and Violet has shaped up to be a phenomenal set for collectors and players, and I’m here for it.

#2. Greninja ex Special Illustration Rare – Twilight Masquerade

Before Surging Sparks came around (and the Pikachu ex), Greninja ex SIR was the top chase card of the Scarlet & Violet era of Pokemon TCG. While it may not be number one anymore, it’s still a highly valuable and sought after card.

It’s not hard to see why: this card goes absolutely hard.

Greninja is depicted drenched in color of all kind, yet he appears to be straight chillin’ despite the fact it looks as though he’s just thrown some pretty gnarly Moonlight Shurikens.

Competitively viable (at least as a rogue deck) and extraordinarily rare, Greninja ex Special Illustration Rare is easily the most expensive chase card to come out in 2024.

#3. Latias ex Special Illustration Rare – Surging Sparks

Surging Sparks leans hard into nostalgia for earlier Pokemon generations. If you’ve seen Pokemon Heroes, you might recognize the backdrop for this iconic card. What’s also exciting about this card is that it has tie-ins with the other Illustration Rare with Latios on it.

#4. Mew ex Special Illustration Rare – Paldean Fates

This card’s artwork is epic in its simplicity. While I may like the Mew ex from Pokemon 151’s Ultra Premium Collection just as much (despite it’s considerably cheaper price point), I can’t deny that this card looks cool. I especially appreciate the way they took care to only depict Pokemon from the original 151, keeping with the theme of that epic special set released previous to this one.

Mew here appears in its shiny form – a blue variation you’ll notice is different than its patented pink look. Blue definitely suits this Pokemon though. I can’t wait to get my hands on this super rare Mew ex version. And I’m sure plenty of other players can’t wait, either.

#5. Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare – Paldean Fates

This Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare from Paldean Fates features a shiny Charizard in Tera form, meaning its colors here appear different than they normally would. Here Charizard appears in black with red red accents along its wings, and the effect is a beast far more terrifying than what we saw depicted in Obsidian Flames.

Personally, I find the market value for this particular Charizard card to be pretty affordable given how much this trendy Pokemon tends to go for. It’s certainly a worthy addition to your collection whether you love collecting Charizard cards or just love this particular card itself.

Also noteworthy is the impact Charizard ex has had on the Pokemon TCG meta, instilling itself as a powerful force for collectors and players in the Scarlet and Violet era of the Pokemon TCG.

#6. Pikachu ex Hyper Rare – Surging Sparks

Pikachu from Surging Sparks is so hot that even its gold version is worth more than the top chase cards from most other sets.

#7. Terapagos ex Special Illustration Rare – Stellar Crown

While right now Terapagos ex is worth quite a bit less than Greninja ex, I think it’s the card most likely to rival that one in terms of value and appeal – at least from the Scarlet and Violet era of the Pokemon TCG.

Hiding deep in the depths of Area Zero in this card so gorgeously adorned that it appears as hard as the tera typing implies, Terapagos ex is at once a beautiful chase card and a meta defining Pokemon for the standard game.

These two things combined will likely help Terapagos ex hold up in value in the long run.

#8. Raging Bolt ex Special Illustration Rare – Temporal Forces

What’s better than a Raikou-looking Pokemon card standing in the middle of Area Zero. What also makes this card so valuable isn’t the detailed background or even Raging Bolt ex itself – it also helps that Raging Bolt ex is one of the best decks in the format, making this Pokemon much more valuable.

#9. Hydreigon ex Special Illustration Rare – Surging Sparks

Beautiful and competitively viable, Hydreigon ex is going to be the top chase card in this set for many. Its Obsidian attack is reminiscent of one of the strongest Pokemon in the game at one point: Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX. Being able to dish out 130 damage to any two Pokemon is unparalleled in the game right now, and it doesn’t even force you to discard energy like Radiant Greninja’s Moonlight Shuriken does.

#10. Milotic ex Special Illustration Rare – Surging Sparks

Milotic ex SIR is one of the most beautiful modern Pokemon cards. There’s a lot you could say about this card, from the way it blends detail with scarcity to create an effect that is absolutely captivating. The result? One of the most expensive new cards available today.

The Most Expensive New Pokemon Cards (2024)