The Pokémon TCG’s newest set, Pitch Black, continues to introduce new Mega Evolution forms to the game as well as a smattering of stunning new full-arts and all-gold Mega Hyper Rares.
With Special Illustration Rares and their little brother Illustration Rares continuing to command high prices, just what cards from Pitch Black weigh in as the most valuable. Let’s find out!
From the depths of an inky black abyss come the most valuable Pitch Black Pokémon cards
10. Mega Darkrai ex – Ultra Rare, 101/084
Market Price: $13.88
The mega-evolved form of Mythical Pokémon Darkrai was introduced via the Mega Dimension DLC from Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and it also serves as the box-art ‘mon from Pitch Black.
As such, three different version of Mega Darkrai ex appear on this list, with the less scarce Ultra Rare version kicking things off with an above-$13 valuation.
9. Slowbro – Illustration Rare, 090/084
Market Price: $15.20
One of the best artworks from Pitch Black comes courtesy of Mékayu and can be had for just over $15, which is a relative bargain compared to some of the other cards herein.
Mékayu specializes in a cartoonish, almost “funny papers”-esque style that is unique in the Pokémon TCG. Prior full-art cards by this artist range from Team Rocket’s Raticate in Destined Rivals as well as Shelmet’s IR in White Flare.
8. Misty’s Vitality – Ultra Rare, 111/084
Market Price: $24.81
As previously stated in cards the cards that collectors will want from Pitch Black preview, Misty is a popular character throughout Pokémon’s 30-year history, so this Ultra Rare was surely going to be a valuable card from Pitch Black.
And here it is, unsurprisingly. With striking artwork of an emboldened Misty in front of a glisteningly pristine pool (possibly in the Cerulean City Gym), this card just misses out on a $25 market value.
7. Gladion’s Final Battle – Special Illustration Rare, 118/084
Market Price: $31.26
Gladion, brother of Lillie in the Generation Seven Games, Pokémon Sun & Moon, doesn’t quite hold the same cachet among collectors when it comes to his highlight cards as his younger sibling.
Still, this beautifully illustrated SIR courtesy of artist DOM shows Gladion ready to duke it out with an opposing trainer and looks tailor-made to be used as a battle pose in Pokémon Champions.
6. Gwynn – Special Illustration Rare, 119/084
Market Price: $40.44
First-time Trainer cards that simply have a character’s name are almost always hot commodities, especially if that singularly named card is also an SIR – as is this the case with this striking Gwynn card from Pitch Black.
Ivor’s sister is a mysterious Ghost-type trainer in Pokémon Legends: Z-A and one of her ace Pokémon also happens to be one of the box-art ‘mon from Pitch Black. None other than…
5. Mega Chandelure ex – Special Illustration Rare, 115/084
Market Price: $50.53
The first SIR card featuring an actual Pokémon on this list is this Mega Chandelure ex SIR, the first full-art Chandelure card in its mega-evolved form.
In this writer’s opinion, the artwork for this card is far too similar – and not as dynamic – as the Illustration Rare from White Flare, which ranks as one of the most valuable cards from that Generation Five-focused set. Still, the work of artist REND is always tremendous, so at least it has that going for it.
4. Mega Zeraora ex – Special Illustration Rare, 114/084
Market Price: $67.15
Whenever a Mythical Pokémon gets a Mega Evolution, it’s big news for Pokémon fans, and that certainly applies in this case, as Mega Zeraora becomes even faster in the video games upon mega evolving and becomes a fearsome mixed attacker.
In the TCG, this GIDORA-illustrated SIR featuring Mega Zerarora bears a passing resemblance to everyone’s favorite blue hedgehog. Perhaps The Pokémon Company wanted a piece of Magic: The Gathering’s Sonic-themed Secret Lair?
3. Morpeko ex – Special Illustration Rare, 117/084
Market Price: $105.14
Cards with distinct color palettes with large representations of their subject are often high-dollar examples, and that is exactly the case with this amazing Morpeko ex SIR, which shows the Two-Sided Pokémon lunging at viewers in its fearsome “Hangry Mode.”
As someone with a roughly one-year-old baby at home, I can assuredly tell you that you want to avoid “hangry mode” at all costs, whether it be via a human baby or a cute ‘mon.
2. Mega Darkrai ex – Mega Hyper Rare, 120/084
Market Price: $177.89
As we’ve seen with a number of recent sets, Pokémon cards with the newly introduced Mega Hyper Rare rarity command uniformly high prices on the secondary market – many of them ranking as the second-most or most valuable cards from their respective sets.
That trend continues with the all-gold Mega Darkrai ex MHP, as its glittering golden trappings look particularly striking – whether in raw single form or in a graded slab.
1. Mega Darkrai ex – Special Illustration Rare, 116/084
Market Price: $255.49
AKIRA EGAWA’s expertise as a full-art SIR master continues in Pitch Black, as the most valuable card from the set is illustrated by one of the most iconic modern PTCG illustrators: the SIR Mega Darkrai ex.
Showcasing Mega Darkrai dissolving out of (or into) an unfathomable abyss of darkness, with energy and power swirling around it like oil in water, this card is surely deserving of its more than $250 price point. With Pitch Black still fairly new, this card’s value might dip slightly over the coming months, but it will only go up – much like most modern SIRs – so now is the perfect time to buy low for you Poké-investors.
The most valuable Pitch Black cards follow similar trends to other recent sets like Chaos Rising and Phantasmal Flames, though the Mega Darkrai ex deserves special credit as one of the most striking grails in recent PTCG history. Either way, thanks for reading and happy collecting!
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