Summary
Building decks and battling in thePokemon TCGis fun—but let’s be honest, the real rabbit hole is the collecting. With each new set, some cards show up looking like they just walked off a runway, and their prices reflect it. We’re talking shiny, glittery, jaw-droppingly beautiful cards that sometimes cost more than a week’s worth of groceries.
Special Illustration Rare cards—aka full arts and secret rares—are the crown jewels of the hobby. With their extra layer of glitter foil magic, they look less like playing cards and more like mini museum pieces. Curious which ones are the most valuable? We’ve got the sparkliest list right here.
All these prices are fromTCGplayer.com’s Market Value and are subject to change at any time.
9Mew ex - $331.00
Paldean Fates - 232
This card is one of the most valuable special illustration cards—and for good reason! Sure, the shiny Mew helps, but the real star here is the art style. It looks like it was drawn in Microsoft Paint by a very enthusiastic kid, and that makes it hilarious, adorable, and somehow… priceless.
Alongside Mew, you’ll spot Poliwag, Bellsprout, Oddish, Rattata, and Diglett all looking like they wandered out of a crayon box—and it’s pure charm. Honestly, if an entire deck had this style, it’d be impossible to resist. On top of the cuteness, Mew’s Restart ability is super useful, letting you refill your hand to three once per turn. Stylish and practical? Yes, please.
8Glaceon ex - $334.58
Prismatic Evolutions - 150
Among the most elegant and noble-looking Eeveelutions, Glaceon easily takes the crown—it looks like it walked straight out of a fairy tale. This card’s art style totally leans into that vibe, with a stained-glass-like design showing off Glaceon’s Tera form in all its icy glory. Normally, Tera forms can make Pokemon look a bit… confusing. But here? Pure magic.
And don’t be fooled by the classy appearance—this card is as deadly as it is gorgeous. Frost Bullet hits for 110 and even deals 30 damage to a benched Pokemon. Then there’s Euclase, which knocks out anything sitting on exactly 60 damage. Frost Bullet sets it up, and Glaceon finishes the job. Cold, stylish, and absolutely lethal.
7Pikachu ex - $342.17
Surging Sparks - 238
It’s no surprise thatsome Pikachu cards are seriously valuable—after all, it’s the mascot of Pokemon and basically a global icon. That kind of fame tends to boost a card’s worth. This particular card features Pikachu’s Tera form, and it’s both adorable and undeniably cool. But don’t let the cuteness fool you—its Topaz Bolt hits for a wild 300 damage.
Sure, gathering the energy is a chore, and you’ll have to discard three of them afterward, but hey, it’s enough to KO most ex Pokemon on the spot. Plus, thanks to Resolute Heart, Pikachu refuses to go down in one hit and clings to life with just ten HP. That’s one stubborn electric mouse.
6Greninja ex - $359.90
Twilight Masquerade - 214
Greninja is already one of the coolest Pokemon around—andone of Ash’s strongest—but this card takes things to an entirely new level. The artwork is straight-up ninja perfection, with a flurry of colors, shurikens, and pure stealth vibes. It doesn’t even look like it’s in Tera form—just full-blown “silent but deadly” energy. As for attacks? Totally lethal.
Shinobi Blade hits for 170 and lets you grab any card from your deck. That’s right—just yoink the perfect card like a true tactician. And Mirage Barrage? It makes you discard two energy but slaps two benched Pokemon for 120 damage each. Perfect for sweeping the weak and farming those Prize cards like a sneaky legend.
5Vaporeon ex - $385.49
Prismatic Evolutions - 149
Vaporeon is the perfect mix of cute and cool—like if a mermaid joined a biker gang. Its stained-glass-style illustration gives total magical aquarium vibes, and the Tera form fits in so well it’s practically glowing with elegance. That said, this card’s real value lies in its rarity and that dreamy art style. Battle-wise? It’s not the most terrifying ex out there.
Severe Squall gently splashes all enemy ex Pokemon with 60 damage—basically a group water balloon fight. Aquamarine hits hard with 280 damage, but then Vaporeon needs a full nap and can’t attack next turn. Still, it’s fabulous, so who cares?
4Espeon ex - $420.61
Prismatic Evolutions - 155
This Tera Espeon shows up looking like it just floated out of a dream—gracefully wandering through a pastel paradise. The color harmony is pure eye candy, and those Tera crystals sparkle like someone dumped glitter on an already magical scene. But don’t be fooled by the elegance—this Espeon has bite.
Its Psych Out attack forces your opponent to discard a card, which is basically a disaster for anyone struggling to set up. And Amazez doesn’t deal damage… because it does something meaner: devolving all of your opponent’s Stage Pokemon. Yep—say goodbye to those hard-earned evolutions. Basic Pokemon? They’re safe. Everyone else? Not so lucky.
3Leafeon ex - $460.05
Prismatic Evolutions - 144
This Tera Leafeon looks like it’s hiding deep in a magical forest—like the secret guardian of the woods or a leafy legend. But don’t let the serene vibes fool you; this Leafeon ex is no delicate leaf. It’s rare, powerful, and surprisingly ruthless. With Verdant Storm, you deal 60 damage for every energy attached to your opponent’s Pokemon—perfect for punishing those who hoard.
And Moss Agate? It slaps with 230 damage and gives your entire bench a 100 HP heal afterward. Who knew leafy vengeance could be this wholesome? It’s a nature-loving menace with a soft spot for its squad.
2Sylveon ex - $499.78
Prismatic Evolutions - 156
Sylveon already radiates sweetness as one of the cutest Eeveelutions—but in this Tera-style illustration, the dreamy background and pastel glow take things to a whole new level of adorable. It almost looks like a shiny, but nope—just extra sparkly. Still, don’t be fooled by the charm. This card hits hard.
Magical Charm deals 160 damage and nerfs the next incoming attack by 100—so unless your opponent swings with something massive, Sylveon walks away spotless. And then there’s Angelite—a heavenly nightmare that shuffles two of your opponent’s benched Pokemon back into their deck, no questions asked. Energy? Tools? Attachments? Gone. Judgement has arrived—and it’s pink.
1Umbreon ex - $1448.93
Prismatic Evolutions - 161
Umbreon ex proves once again thatEeveelutions are pure gold—but this one? It’s in a league of its own. Its price tag nearly triples that of second-place Sylveon ex, and honestly, it earns it. The artwork alone screams “mystery and menace,” with Umbreon bathed in an eerie, moonlit glow that feels both romantic and slightly threatening—like it might ghost you and steal your wallet.
Moon Mirage isn’t the most damaging attack, but confusing your opponent’s Pokemon? Peak chaos. Then comes Onyx, Umbreon’s shady little secret: discard all its energy, grab a Prize card. Stylish. Silent. Deadly.
