Scarlet & Violet launched in March 2023 and transformed the Pokémon TCG. The new Special Art Rare (SAR) and Special Illustration Rare (SIR) card types — full-bleed borderless illustrations featuring iconic Pokémon in cinematic scenes — immediately became the most desirable modern cards in the hobby.
Three years into the era, some SV cards have held or grown their value dramatically, while others have dropped. Here's what's worth the most in 2026, set by set.
💡 Quick check: Scan any SV card with TCGLens to instantly see which exact variant you have and its current live market price — including SAR vs. SIR vs. regular rare distinctions that can mean a 10× price difference.
Understanding Scarlet & Violet Card Rarities
The SV era introduced new rarity tiers that determine value:
| Rarity | Symbol | Description | Approx. Pull Rate | Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Art Rare (SAR) | ✦✦✦ | Full-bleed art, often with Trainer + Pokémon | 1 per 5–8 boxes | $50–$900+ |
| Special Illustration Rare (SIR) | ✦✦✦✦ | Full-art illustration, borderless, no holofoil | 1 per 3–5 boxes | $30–$500+ |
| Illustration Rare (IR) | ✦✦ | Full-art but standard frame | ~1 per box | $5–$80 |
| Ultra Rare (ex, V) | ✦✦ | Standard ex or V card | ~2–3 per box | $2–$50 |
| Hyper Rare (gold) | ✦✦✦ | Gold etched ultra rare | ~1 per 4–6 boxes | $10–$100+ |
All-Time Best SV Cards by Value (2026)
| Card | Set | Rarity | Raw NM Value | PSA 10 Est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mewtwo ex SAR | Scarlet & Violet 151 | SAR | $120–$250 | $400–$900 |
| Charizard ex SAR | Obsidian Flames | SAR | $100–$200 | $300–$700 |
| Umbreon ex SAR | Prismatic Evolutions | SAR | $80–$200 | $250–$600 |
| Mew ex SIR | Scarlet & Violet 151 | SIR | $60–$150 | $200–$500 |
| Sylveon ex SAR | Prismatic Evolutions | SAR | $60–$150 | $180–$450 |
| Espeon ex SAR | Prismatic Evolutions | SAR | $50–$130 | $150–$400 |
| Pikachu ex SAR | SV Promo / Paldean Fates | SAR | $50–$120 | $150–$300 |
| Charizard ex SIR | Scarlet & Violet 151 | SIR | $50–$120 | $150–$350 |
| Gardevoir ex SAR | Scarlet & Violet Base | SAR | $40–$100 | $120–$300 |
| Roaring Moon ex SAR | Paradox Rift | SAR | $40–$100 | $100–$250 |
Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Scan with TCGLens for live current values.
Scarlet & Violet 151 — The Crown Jewel Set
Released in September 2023, Scarlet & Violet 151 is widely regarded as the best SV set for collectors. It featured the original 151 Pokémon and packed in multiple chase cards that all remained highly valuable.
Top cards from 151:
- Mewtwo ex SAR — The most expensive card in the set. Mewtwo's classic design in full-bleed SAR artwork made this an instant icon. Raw NM: $120–$250. PSA 10: $400–$900.
- Mew ex SIR — Mew in a beautiful pastel full-art. Raw NM: $60–$150. PSA 10: $200–$500.
- Charizard ex SIR — A classic Charizard illustration in the SIR format. Raw NM: $50–$120.
- Pikachu ex SAR — Pikachu riding a surfboard. Extremely popular with casual collectors. Raw NM: $50–$120.
- Blastoise ex SIR and Venusaur ex SIR — Original starters in SIR format, both $30–$80 raw.
The 151 set benefit from being tied to the most nostalgic Pokémon — the original 151 — and from tight supply control. It's one of the strongest-holding modern sets for value.
Obsidian Flames — Charizard's Modern Masterpiece
Released August 2023, Obsidian Flames has one standout card that defined the set: the Charizard ex SAR. A Tera Dark Charizard rendered in crystalline black-and-purple artwork, it became the most visually striking Charizard card of the modern era.
The Charizard ex SAR from Obsidian Flames quickly climbed to $200–$300 raw and PSA 10 copies trade at $300–$700. Given Charizard's consistent popularity, this card has shown strong price retention.
Other notable Obsidian Flames cards: Tyranitar ex SAR ($30–$60 raw), Dragonite ex SAR ($20–$50 raw).
Prismatic Evolutions — The Eeveelution Explosion
Released January 2025, Prismatic Evolutions was designed around the beloved Eeveelution Pokémon and immediately became one of the most in-demand SV sets ever printed. The set sold out repeatedly and sealed product commanded significant premiums above MSRP for months after release.
Top cards from Prismatic Evolutions:
- Umbreon ex SAR — Dark Umbreon in a moonlit borderless illustration. Raw NM: $80–$200. PSA 10: $250–$600.
- Sylveon ex SAR — Sylveon in a delicate pink floral scene. Raw NM: $60–$150.
- Espeon ex SAR — Espeon in a twilight garden scene. Raw NM: $50–$130.
- Eevee ex SAR — A collectible across all ages due to Eevee's universal appeal. Raw NM: $40–$100.
- Vaporeon ex SAR, Jolteon ex SAR, Flareon ex SAR — Original Eeveelutions each valued $30–$80 raw NM.
Prismatic Evolutions is one of the best long-term holds in the SV era due to Eeveelution demand being perennially strong across casual and serious collectors alike.
Paradox Rift — Underrated Value
Paradox Rift (November 2023) introduced Paradox Pokémon and generated strong interest at release. Its top card, Roaring Moon ex SAR, features a dramatic dark-toned illustration of the ancient dragon variant. Raw NM: $40–$100. PSA 10: $100–$250.
Other notable cards: Iron Valiant ex SAR ($30–$70), Walking Wake ex SAR ($20–$50). Paradox Rift cards have declined somewhat from release highs but the top SARs remain solid mid-range collectibles.
Scarlet & Violet Base Set — The Launch Cards
The launch set (March 2023) introduced the SAR format and the first notable pull was Gardevoir ex SAR — a stunning borderless illustration that immediately established the standard for the era. Raw NM: $40–$100. PSA 10: $120–$300.
Other notable base set SARs: Miraidon ex SAR ($30–$70), Koraidon ex SAR ($25–$60), Arcanine ex SAR ($20–$50).
How to Check Your Scarlet & Violet Card Values
One challenge with SV cards is that the same Pokémon (like Charizard) can appear as a regular ex, an Illustration Rare, a Special Illustration Rare, or a Special Art Rare — all from different sets, all with very different values.
The fastest and most accurate way to identify exactly which card you have and what it's currently worth is to scan it with TCGLens. The app identifies the set, card number, and variant in 2–3 seconds and pulls live market prices — so you instantly see whether you have a $5 regular rare or a $200 SAR.
Scan Your Scarlet & Violet Cards Instantly
TCGLens identifies every SV variant — SAR, SIR, IR, ex — and shows the live market price. Free on iPhone.
Download TCGLens Free on iOSFAQ
The most valuable SV cards are the Special Art Rares (SAR) featuring iconic Pokémon. Top picks: Mewtwo ex SAR from 151 ($400–$900 PSA 10), Charizard ex SAR from Obsidian Flames ($300–$700 PSA 10), Umbreon ex SAR from Prismatic Evolutions ($250–$600 PSA 10), and Mew ex SIR from 151 ($200–$500 PSA 10).
Special Art Rares are full-bleed borderless illustration cards introduced in SV. They feature large-scale cinematic artwork — often showing Trainers alongside Pokémon — with no card border interrupting the illustration. SARs are rarer than standard full-arts and are typically the most valuable cards in any SV set.
Scarlet & Violet 151 is widely considered the best set for valuable cards — it contains Mewtwo ex SAR, Mew ex SIR, Charizard ex SIR, and Pikachu ex SAR, all of which remain highly sought. Obsidian Flames (Charizard ex SAR) and Prismatic Evolutions (Eeveelution SARs) are strong runners-up.
SARs and SIRs featuring iconic Pokémon have historically held value well. Sets with high sustained demand like 151 and Prismatic Evolutions tend to appreciate as sealed product becomes scarcer. Focus on iconic Pokémon (Charizard, Mewtwo, Umbreon, Eevee) in the highest rarity tier (SAR/SIR) for the best long-term prospects.
Scan your card with TCGLens — it identifies the exact variant (SAR, SIR, IR, ex) and shows the current live market price in 2–3 seconds. This is critical for SV cards because the same Pokémon can appear in multiple rarity variants with very different values in the same set.