The Most Expensive Delta Reign Pokémon Cards
Looking for the top chase cards in Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution – Delta Reign?
While we have something of a long wait for this one(the official release date isn’t until November 6, 2026), thanks to the sister set released in Japan on July 31, 2026 as Storm Emeralda, we already have a solid idea of what the top chase cards from this set are going to be.
Based on early sales data from Storm Emeralda, it looks like the Phantasmal Flames effect is in full swing for Delta Reign. Essentially, while the top chase card from the set is undeniably elite (currently trending over $700 for the Japanese card and likely to be that or higher when the card releases in English), there’s a steep drop-off in value for the rest of the cards from the set.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything here other than the Rayquaza worth chasing.
Below, we’ll be taking a look at each of what are most likely to be the top chase cards from Delta Reign when the set comes out, and taking a guess on what the market value of these cards might actually be based on similar sets released in Mega Evolution.
#1 Mega Rayquaza ex – Special Illustration Rare is the top chase card in Delta Reign
Needless to say, this Mega Rayquaza ex Special Illustration Rare caused quite the stir when it was revealed just days before Storm Emeralda launched in Japan. You can see why. While the card’s art breaks form a bit from previous Mega Evolution Pokémon that put an emphasis on previous evolutions floating ethereally around the main card’s subject, it totally works in this card art that imparts a clear and visceral emotion of power and majesty befitting this legendary Pokémon.
However, this time around it’s not just card art that makes Mega Rayquaza ex special. There’s an interesting little story behind it, too: one of a talented artist with a unique rise through the ranks of Pokémon card art illustration.
Pikachu - 214 (Illustration Contest 2024)
SV: Scarlet & Violet Promo Cards • Promo
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The artist behind this particular work is Kazuki Minami – the very same Kazuki Minami who won the 2024 Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest grand prize thanks to this admittedly fantastic Pikachu Pokémon card illustration. It’s a pretty big leap to go from winning the Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest in just 2024 to designing what is likely to be one of the current Pokémon TCG era’s most defining cards: and just as inspiring for those of us dreaming to do big things against impossible odds.
With all this lore and splendor mixed into one card, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mega Rayquaza ex Special Illustration Rare ending up one of the most valuable cards of the era. Perhaps not Ascended Heroes top chase card valuable but easily on par with the Mega Charizard X ex which is trending in the high three-digit range.
#2 Mega Rayquaza ex – Mega Hyper Rare
If you’ve been following my Pokémon TCG Market Guides since the release of Mega Evolution, then you’ll likely already know the very visible trend from this era: Mega Hyper Rare cards are rarely the top chase from a set despite being pretty insanely rare.
Just how rare are Mega Hyper Rare cards?
So far, the pull rates have been pretty stable for the Mega Evolution era packs, and the pull rate for a Mega Hyper Rare is easily 1/1000+ packs. A Special Illustration Rare (SIR), on the other hand, is significantly less rare: roughly 1/80 packs.
Given the insane disparity in rarity, you would think the Mega Hyper Rare would perform better on the secondary market. Yet time-and-time-again the SIR version of the set’s frontrunner outperforms its rarer counterpart.
#3 Raikou ex – Special Illustration Rare
Some Pokémon are just well thought of no matter what form they take when they get an alt art card. Raikou is no exception as the legendary dogs are usually highly desirable from a collector’s standpoint. It doesn’t hurt that this artwork is particularly cool – we see Raikou effortlessly leaping from branch to branch in this desolate wasteland. And it looks fantastic doing it.
From a value perspective, it’s hard to call Raikou just a regular “secondary” chase. Indeed, this card feels more like a supporting chase card than a secondary one: a card that both borrows and lends value from the clear frontrunner from the set.
With that being said, it’s not trending very high right now on the secondary market for the Japanese card from Storm Emeralda. While that may or not impact the price we can expect for the card when Delta Reign launches in November, it does limit my bullishness on its potential value, which makes me want to put its value somewhere in the $75-$100 range.
#4 Zinnia’s Trust – Special Illustration Rare
Zinnia is a trainer forever bound in our memories to Rayquaza. Indeed, many of the most iconic Rayquaza cards in recent memory – ranging from Trainer Gallery cards to insane alt arts from Evolving Skies – include her alongside one of the most memorable Pokémon of all time.
With that in mind, it seems fitting that we would get an SIR of her card in this set. And as far as SIR Trainer cards go, this is easily one of my favorite. Everything from the determination on her face to the composition of the artwork itself, and even the realistic clouds setting stage for this stormy set in the background adds life and weight to this card.
Value-wise we’ll likely see the Phantasmal Flames effect once again at work here. Just like how that set’s stunning Dawn SIR failed to perform exceptionally well despite the Mega Charizard X ex SIR being a top-tier chase, we’ll likely see Zinnia suffer the same fate – relegated to the double digits rather than higher.
#5 Mega Rayquaza ex – Ultra Rare
Speaking of the Phantasmal Flames effect – the Mega Rayquaza ex Ultra Rare will likely be one of the most valuable chase cards from the set. While these impressive Mega Pokémon ex Ultra Rare cards have done well across the board, they fetch particularly high market values in contrast to their rarity when they are alternate rarities for the set’s show runner.
Essentially, a behemoth chase like Mega Rayquaza ex SIR will bring up the value of this lesser rarity card. It’s something we’ve seen in effect in Phantasmal Flames, to a lesser degree in Chaos Rising, and one that will certainly be in effect for Delta Reign.
#6 Groudon – Illustration Rare
Of course, just like every set has to have a top chase, it also has to have a top “sleeper” chase. Usually an Illustration Rare, the sleeper chase is the card that punches well above its weight, oftentimes doing just as well as an SIR despite its lesser rarity.
For Delta Reign, all eyes are on this Groudon Illustration Rare to disrupt the market.
Other than this fiery take on the Hoenn-based Pokémon hailing from the same region as Rayquaza, the precedent for this card’s value potential was set by the Groudon Illustration Rare released back in Paradox Rift. Today, that Groudon fetches an astounding value on the secondary market despite being only an Illustration Rare.
Groudon - 199/182
Paradox Rift • Illustration Rare
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Will this new Groudon measure up to the same kind of hype? Probably not – at least not right away. But regardless, it will easily be among the top chase cards in Delta Reign.
And that’s it for our early look at what the top chase cards for Pokémon TCG: Delta Reign are going to be. Make sure to bookmark this page and come back often. As we get closer to the full release day for this set, I’ll be updating this page with more market data and cards.
Until then, check out my complete Delta Reign card list for all the latest spoilers and card translations.
