While we have to wait a few months before the next special set launches in the English Pokémon TCG, Japan has already got it - Mega Dream ex is basically what Ascended Heroes will offer. Since it came out on November 28, the top picks have found their places on the secondary market - and TCGPlayer's data reveals they're not what I was expecting.
There's no shortage of Secret Art Rares and standard Art Rares that fill up Mega Dream ex's card list, and the newest Pokémon set is a doozy. I'm waiting for the English versions before I decide which of the chases deserve to end up on the best Pokémon cards list, but regardless of my personal picks, the best options going by stats have been decided for us by the secondary market, revealed by major card vendor TCGPlayer.
According to TCGPlayer, the most expensive Pokémon card is the least surprising reveal. Mega Gengar ex #240, which was selling for $800 before the set even released, is Mega Dream ex's biggest chase card. While it's almost half of what it was going for pre-launch, it's still sitting around the $480 mark at recent listings, with a current market price of $500. However, these numbers are slightly skewed and could drop or increase rapidly, as only 20 sales of the card have been made through TCGPlayer.
However, my surprised Pikachu reaction isn't to Gengar's current value - if anything, that's more of an 'eye-rolling Pikachu' - but rather, that the best-selling card right now is actually Cynthia's Spiritomb #208. Based on TCGPlayer's own stats, this Art Rare has had the most unique orders, meaning separate buyers who weren't just scrounging up five at one time. Why? I'm really not sure - perhaps it's the quite cheap market price of around $4, or the fact that the artwork is stunning. Either is a good answer.
As for the card that saw the most sales in general, that honor and award goes to Psyduck #199. We already had our eyes on this adorable little fella ahead of launch - with its Damp ability playing a crucial role in the competitive scene. It's currently sitting at around $17 in market price, with over 100 sales on TCGPlayer.
It's worth noting that while we're waiting for our Pokémon Ascended Heroes pre-orders to release and ship out, the Japanese versions of these cards will undoubtedly cost more. Over time, and once the English version starts making the rounds, these chases should drop in price - they're ranking in average market prices might remain intact, but they should be a fraction of the cost.
Oh, and in case you were wondering (if you're anything like me), that beautiful Dragonite SIR is currently around $200. It's a tempting figure to get one of 2025's best SARs cheaper than Gengar and - shudders - that Mega Hyper Rare, but I'll wait until it releases in English to see whether the price has dropped hard enough.
If you're looking to be kept in the loop of anything Pokémon, I'd suggest joining our Wargamer Discord. We'll share any current deals (or at least, below market value sales) on the TCG, and you can chat with other trainers about the latest expansion or the upcoming chases you're most excited for.