The Mega Evolution set represented the opening salvo from the Mega Evolution era of the Pokémon TCG, and it debuted with a bang. Whether it be the unveiling of some striking new Special Illustration Rares or the introduction of revamped all-gold Mega Hyper Rares, Mega Evo had something for all collectors when it was released.
While there are plenty of notable cards populating this set, what exactly are the most valuable cards from Mega Evolution? Let’s take a peek.
Check out the most popular Pokémon cards from Mega Evolution
10. Acerola’s Mischief – Special Illustration Rare, 183/132
Market Price: $37.19
Illustrated beautifully by beloved and prolific (over 200 unique artworks) PTCG artist sui, this lush, detailed SIR showcases fan-favorite Ghost-type trainer Acerola paired with various stuffies featuring her most notable ‘mon: Mimikyu, Sableye, and Drifblim.
Though the card’s price has cooled of late after reaching a peak of just under $40 in mid-May, SIRs are always good pickups, especially if you can get them below market value.
9. Mega Absol ex – Special Illustration Rare, 180/132
Market Price: $70.80
With a new mega evolution form of this stylish and memorable Dark-type ‘mon being introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Mega Absol Z, the SIR version from Mega Evolution opted for the original design, typified by its floppy swoop of emo-style hair.
Illustrated with stylistic panache by iconic original illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita (of Base Set Charizard fame, among over 700 other cards), this Mega Absol looks as if it’s about to leap off this tall Lumiose City building and stave off evildoers, Batman-style.
8. Mega Kangaskhan ex – Special Illustration Rare, 182/132
Market Price: $71.38
An extremely colorful and eye-catching SIR, this GOTO minori-illustrated card marks the first-ever SIR rendition of Mega Kangaskhan, similar to how the Mega Evolution set is the first one to ever feature any representation of Mega Kangaskhan.
A notoriously powerful ‘mon in-game, Mega Kangaskhan’s debut cards also feature Kangaskhan’s kiddo jumping out of its marsupial pouch and into the limelight, delivering strong attacks just like its mama.
7. Lillie’s Determination – Special Illustration Rare, 184/132
Market Price: $73.71
The most notable chase Trainer card from Mega Evolution was this stunning SIR rendition of fan-favorite trainer Lillie, originally from Generation Seven of the Pokémon games (Sun & Moon era).
Sure, the Japanese version is worth far more, but, no matter what, this gorgeous, satoma-illustrated card looks as if Lillie walked directly out of a Claude Monet painting and into a Pokémon card, with the art catching her glancing at the artist at the moment she switches mediums. Amazing work, and a fitting price tag for a great card.
6. Mega Latias ex – Special Illustration Rare, 181/132
Market Price: $97.43
While it pales in comparison to, say, Latias Gold Star from the Deoxys set, which boasts a staggering median price tag above $1,600, this new Mega Latias showcases an action-packed artwork by AKIRA EGAWA – an expert in the field of full-art SIR Pokémon cards.
Not only did EGAWA illustrate the iconic “God Pokémon” from Generation Four as part of Crown Zenith’s Galarian Gallery, but she also delivered the art for Mega Darkrai SIR, which will surely be one of the most sought-after cards for collectors from Pitch Black.
5. Mega Venusaur ex – Special Illustration Rare, 177/132
Market Price: $188.50
The final evolutions of the original starter Pokémon will always be hot-ticket cards, though Charizard reigns supreme on that front, for the most part. Still though, this neon-soaked, high-contrast Mega Venusaur card is certainly a major chase from Mega Evolution.
Certainly, it’s no Mega Charizard X ex from Phantasmal Flames—the most valuable card from that set by a mile—but this striking Mega Venusaur still slots neatly into the top five with a price point nearly $100 more than number six on the list.
4. Mega Gardevoir ex – Special Illustration Rare, 178/132
Market Price: $205.81
Beginning the trend from the Mega Evolution era of showcasing each prior evolution in the artwork for mega-evolved ‘mon is this lovely Mega Gardevoir, which boasts flowing line work, delicate pink and light teal coloration via its Raita Kazama artwork.
Kazama has only produced three illustrations for the TCG so far, but one is this incredible work of art, and another is the SIR N’s Zoroark ex from Ascended Heroes – one of that set’s most valuable cards. It seems that Kazama has a knack for full-arts, so it will be fascinating to see what artwork he produces for the Pokémon TCG next.
3. Mega Gardevoir ex – Mega Hyper Rare, 187/132
Market Price: $227.03
The “all gold everything” Mega Hyper Rares made their debut in the Mega Evolution set, and they were hyped heavily by The Pokémon Company as “rarer than SIRs.” Despite that notable delineation, SIRs seem to remain the most notable chase cards from Mega Evolution-era sets, though not so with the original Mega Evo, as you’ll see…
2. Mega Lucario ex – Special Illustration Rare, 179/132
Market Price: $242.71
The most valuable SIR from Mega Evolution is this striking Mega Lucario ex, which shows an action-packed work of art featuring Mega Lucario duking it out with a Mega Venusaur in the skies above Lumiose City.
While SIRs normally garner the highest prices on the secondary market among modern Pokémon cards, in this case, the most valuable SIR is supplanted by a different card.
1. Mega Lucario ex – Mega Hyper Rare, 188/132
Market Price: $280.28
That’s right, perhaps the demise of the all-gold Mega Hyper Rares has been overstated; the most valuable card from Mega Evolution is Mega Lucario ex’s Mega Hyper Rare rendition.
Ultimately, the most valuable cards from each Pokémon set will often rely on some combination of the cards’ subjects as well as how striking the set’s “grail” artwork is. For example, the SIR Mega Greninja ex, the most valuable card from Chaos Rising, is certainly more striking than the all-gold Mega Hyper Rare edition. In contrast, this Mega Lucario Mega Hyper Rare beats out its SIR cousin by nearly $40 on the secondary market.
The Mega Evolution era of the Pokémon TCG has brought a plethora of tremendous cards and sets so far, and we’re still in the era’s early days. While the Mega Hyper Rare Mega Lucario tops this list, we’ll have to see how MHRs from other sets perform in the near-term and into the future. Either way, happy collecting and thanks for reading.
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