Black Bolt & White Flare singles continue to dominate attention, but it is the Team Rocket throwback Destined Rivals ex cards that are driving volatility. Collectors are clearly split, with some Special Illustration Rares correcting downward after weeks of hype, while certain Hyper Rares and Illustration Rares are quietly climbing thanks to player utility and collector charm.
The biggest winners are playable cards in alternative rarities and character-driven fan favorites. Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Hyper Rare is the star of the bumps, climbing sharply as competitive players hedge toward a cheaper but still flashy version. Misty’s Psyduck also saw collector-driven interest, with Illustration Rares maintaining slow but steady gains.
On the flip side, some of the most hyped Special Illustration Rares are finally cooling off. Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex SIR and Moltres ex SIR both took heavy cuts as early hype meets market reality. Even nostalgic artwork could not hold these inflated values, especially with the Hyper Rare versions siphoning demand.
Pokémon card bumps
Alternative rarities carried the spotlight this week, with players and collectors flocking to Hyper Rares and affordable Illustration Rares. Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Hyper Rare was the biggest climber, but Crobat and Psyduck also enjoyed strong upward movement.
Team Rocket’s Crobat ex 234/182 (SIR) — $77.75 $61.54 (+24.07%)
Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex 240/182 (Hyper Rare) — $65 $56.59 (+24.07%)
Misty’s Psyduck 193/182 (Illustration Rare) — $54.14 $51.15 (+5.67%)
Ethan’s Adventure 236/182 (SIR) — $50.80 $43.24 (+17.5%)
Cynthia’s Garchomp ex 241/182 (Hyper Rare) — $45.98 $34.14 (+33.75%)
Crobat ex saw a sharp climb thanks to Biting Spree, which spreads damage counters in ways that synergize with disruption decks. Combined with Assassin’s Return, which bounces it back to the hand, Crobat offers rare flexibility for a Stage 2. Collectors are also responding to the Rocket branding and unique artwork, which makes the SIR version particularly desirable.
Mewtwo ex Hyper Rare gained even as the SIR version declined. The reason is practical: competitive players want copies they can use without overpaying for showcase art. Its Erasure Ball attack can scale up to high numbers with discarded energy, making it dangerous in energy-heavy Rocket decks. Hyper Rare demand rose as a more budget-conscious “bling” option.
Misty’s Psyduck kept climbing slowly but steadily, almost entirely on collector strength. The Illustration Rare art leans hard into Psyduck’s comic reputation, and Misty’s presence drives nostalgia demand. In competitive play, the ability Flustered Leap is niche at best, but it does not matter — the art is carrying this card’s value.
Ethan’s Adventure became a quiet riser this week, fueled by its clear competitive utility. Searching for both Ethan’s Pokémon and Fire Energy makes it one of the most consistent enablers in Fire archetypes. Collectors are beginning to notice the Special Illustration Rare version as the premium way to own the card, driving up prices even as play demand grows.
Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Hyper Rare exploded upward, posting the biggest bump of the week. Its Corkscrew Dive offers reliable card draw, and Draconic Buster hits high numbers despite discarding energy. The competitive meta is rewarding its flexibility, and collectors are opting for the Hyper Rare version as a flashy but more affordable pickup compared to the SIR.
Pokémon card cuts
This week’s cuts landed squarely on the Special Illustration Rares that had ridden a wave of hype. Collectors are scaling back, and competitive players are redirecting toward cheaper Hyper Rares. As a result, even the biggest names from the Rocket lineup saw price slips.
Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex 231/182 (SIR) — $315 $399.88 (-22.18%)
Cynthia’s Garchomp ex 232/182 (SIR) — $204.42 $223.89 (-8.75%)
Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex 230/182 (SIR) — $165 $182.69 (-9.50%)
Team Rocket’s Moltres ex 229/182 (SIR) — $130 $180.20 (-17.26%)
Team Rocket’s Nidoking ex 233/182 (SIR) — $100 $115.91 (-15.91%)
Mewtwo ex SIR took the hardest hit, losing over 20 percent. The ability Power Saver makes it clunky in play, since it cannot attack unless you already have four Rocket Pokémon in play. With its Hyper Rare counterpart rising, collectors seem unwilling to hold such a high premium for artwork alone.
Cynthia’s Garchomp ex SIR also lost ground, dipping nearly 9 percent. The gameplay value is unquestioned, but the Hyper Rare is cheaper and still flashy enough for most players. That puts downward pressure on the pricier SIR version, especially as it was heavily targeted by early collectors.
Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex SIR fell as well, losing almost 10 percent. Golden Flame is a strong ability for energy acceleration, but the attack Shining Feathers is prohibitively expensive, requiring four Fire energy. That cost makes it unreliable in the competitive meta, leaving the SIR to slide as collectors adjust expectations.
Moltres ex SIR is down over 17 percent despite one of the most striking artworks in the set. The effect of Evil Incineration, which discards the opponent’s Active Pokémon outright, is flashy but inconsistent. Without strong tournament showings to back it up, the price correction was inevitable.
Nidoking ex SIR rounds out the list with a 15 percent drop. Its Tainted Horn offers brutal poison pressure, but as a Stage 2 Darkness Pokémon, it is slow to set up and vulnerable in today’s meta. Collectors are focusing their Rocket nostalgia dollars elsewhere, leaving Nidoking on the sidelines.
Destined Rivals sealed product
While singles are seeing corrections, sealed Destined Rivals is holding strong, with premium boxes commanding hefty premiums and even basic boosters creeping above MSRP. Collector demand for full boxes is clearly outpacing supply, while casual players are gravitating toward mid-tier products like ETBs and Blisters.
Destined Rivals Booster Box — $323
Destined Rivals Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box — $242.39
Destined Rivals Half Booster Box — $180
Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box — $97.99
Booster Boxes are leading the charge, with sealed cases commanding collector premiums well over launch pricing. The Pokémon Center ETB is a clear second-tier chase, nearly tripling in value compared to standard ETBs, which remain just under $100 and accessible for players. The Half Booster Box sits in the middle as an unusual but appealing compromise for collectors seeking value per pack.
Destined Rivals Build & Battle Box — $49.99
Destined Rivals Booster Bundle — $46.97
Mid-tier products like Build & Battle Boxes and Booster Bundles are proving attractive for competitive players looking to build quickly. The four-pack art bundles are trending upward too, benefiting from both sealed collectors and casual buyers who prefer variety.
Destined Rivals 3 Pack Blister (Kangaskhan) — $27.99
Destined Rivals 3 Pack Blister (Zebstrika) — $29.20
Destined Rivals Premium Checklane Blister (Togekiss) — $22.98
Blisters continue to trade strongly, especially the Zebstrika version which edges slightly higher than Kangaskhan. Premium Checklane Blisters like Togekiss are climbing steadily, driven more by collectors chasing exclusive promos than by competitive play.
Destined Rivals Single Pack Blister (Eevee) — $16.10
Destined Rivals Single Pack Blister (Zarude) — $14.99
Destined Rivals Premium Checklane Blister (Gastrodon) — $15
Destined Rivals Premium Checklane Blister (Skeledirge) — $17.24
Single pack blisters are still outperforming loose boosters thanks to promo value. Skeledirge is the standout, commanding the highest premium among the Checklane promos, while Rabsca lags behind as the budget option.
Destined Rivals Sleeved Booster Pack — $7.92
Destined Rivals Booster Pack — $7.75
Even individual packs are trading above MSRP, a sign that supply is thin and demand remains strong. Sleeved versions have a slight edge, reflecting casual collector preference for preserved pack art.
Overall, Destined Rivals sealed product is proving a safe hold. Booster Boxes and Pokémon Center ETBs are clear premium plays for collectors, while mid-tier options like Build & Battle Boxes and Blisters remain the best mix of value and accessibility for players.
