The Most Expensive First Partner Illustration Collection 2026 Promos
Wondering how much your First Partner Illustration promos are worth?
With the First Partner Illustration Collection 2026 Series 3 launching today, there are more promos from this set to collect than ever.
First Partner Illustration Collection (Series 3)
First Partner Collection 2026
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But not all First Partner Illustration Collection promos are created equal. Indeed, prices for these cards range from relatively low, to among the most valuable of the Mega Evolution era promo cards.
Let’s dive into which promos are the most expensive right now based on current market value.
#1 Charmander is the most expensive First Partner Illustration Collection Promo
Charmander - 038
ME: Mega Evolution Promo • Promo
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Charizard may be everyone’s favorite Pokémon (sort of), but you know what people like almost as much as Charizard? Charmander!
Perhaps this won’t come as much of a surprise, but this original Kanto starter is the most valuable of the First Partner Illustration Collection 2026 set so far. And I mean – just looking at this card should be enough to tell you why. It’s filled to the brim with nostalgia-inducing symbols, from the Snorlax sleeping in the road from the original video games, to iconic locations from Kanto like Lavender Tower.
#2 Torchic
Torchic - 056
First Partner Collection 2026 • Promo
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Charmander may hold the crown for top Fire-type promo from this collection so far, but Torchic is making a strong argument for why it should be taken seriously as a card.
While the just-released nature of Series 3 is undoubtedly hiking up the value for Hoenn starters, it’s further evidence that when it comes to these Illustration First Partner promos, sometimes older really is better.
And that makes sense: Hoenn is a well-remembered era for the Pokémon video games – breaking records for their incredible sales numbers at the time. They introduced fun mechanics into the game, had a memorable plot, and the starter Pokémon were overall pretty memorable.
Torchic, of course, evolves into the fiery Blaziken – a very cool Fighting/Fire-type combo that often does well when it gets a special alternate art print.
#3 Mudkip
Mudkip - 057
First Partner Collection 2026 • Promo
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Mudkip is fun Pokémon partly because its typing gives you a little bit of an edge in battle – with ground making it more resistant to Electric-type attacks.
However, that’s not really why this card is so valuable: people just have good memories of this earlier Pokémon. It doesn’t hurt it’s particularly cute, either!
#4 Treecko
Treecko - 055
First Partner Collection 2026 • Promo
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Again, this is another Pokémon I’m slightly surprised to not see higher up on the list. Treecko plays a pretty big role in the anime as one of Ash’s key partners during his travels in the Hoenn region. Treecko has an aloof nature, making it sort of too-cool-for-school.
At least that’s true for Ash’s Treecko in the anime. This Treecko, however, is just happy-go-lucky, surrounded by symbols evocative of its hometown.
#5 Squirtle
Squirtle - 039
ME: Mega Evolution Promo • Promo
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Charmander may be #1, but Squirtle is not far behind. This tough as nails and cute as a button Pokémon also evokes nostalgia, with its card including sights such as S.S. Anne and the Seafoam Islands. Charmander’s card might give you instant familiarity, but this Squirtle artwork is all about adventure.
#6 Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur - 037
ME: Mega Evolution Promo • Promo
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While Charmander remains the clear favorite among the original starters, Bulbasaur is neck-and-neck with Squirtle and a solid step above the rest in the collection. This artwork features the Pokédex given to you by Professor Oak back in the original games to help set you off on your journey.
#7 Totodile
Totodile - 048
ME: Mega Evolution Promo • Promo
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Nostalgia is clearly a strong pull for these First Partner Illustration Collection promos, as next up we have Totodile which hails from the Johto region. This Pokémon is almost as iconic as the original starters, and many have fond memories battling their way through day (and night) in the second generation of Pokémon video games that expanded so much on the robust basics the original games delivered.
Totodile is also featured heavily in the anime show, movies, and more – making it a highly recognizable and well-beloved Pokémon
#8 Froakie
Froakie - 060
First Partner Collection 2026 • Promo
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Froakie is such a fun starter. It has a great showing in the anime where its clearly spunky from the start. And of course it goes on to evolve into one of the franchise’s most memorable characters: the epic and stealthy Greninja!
That destiny isn’t so apparent in this gorgeous card, however. Instead, we have an unassuming Froakie looking like it wants to give you a high five, surrounded by intriguing artifacts from the Kalos region.
#9 Fuecoco
Fuecoco - 062
First Partner Collection 2026 • Promo
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Now things are suddenly starting to get interesting. Fuecoco is anything but an oldie. Indeed, it’s from a relatively recent generation and yet is outperforming some more classic favorites. Perhaps many hold a special place in their hearts for this Fire-type. Or maybe its newness is just giving it an inflated price.
We’ll have to wait a little while to know for sure, but it could just be in the eyes of Pokémon TCG collectors, Kalos and Paldea starters are recent enough additions to the Pokédex that they fall into roughly the same category of value.
#10 Chespin
Chespin - 058
First Partner Collection 2026 • Promo
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Speaking of Kalos – Chespin is best known for being the partner of Clemont, one of Ash’s closest friends during his journey in that region. My favorite visual element of this card is the Riding Rhyhorn: a key and fun part of both the video games and the anime.
#11 Cyndaquil
Cyndaquil - 047
ME: Mega Evolution Promo • Promo
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With all that praise for Totodile, however, I’m a little surprised to see the Water-type outperforming Cyndaquil. Typhlosion is also a pretty popular Pokémon, and is a Fire-type making it more similar to the Charmander. For whatever reason, Cyndaquil is a healthy chunk of pocket change short of the crocodile-like Pokémon. We’ll see if that stand the test of time!
#12 Chikorita
Chikorita - 046
ME: Mega Evolution Promo • Promo
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Last among the Johto starters we have this very autumnal card design featuring Chikorita. While it doesn’t surprise me that Chikorita would currently be the lowest value of the Johto trio, I will say that this Pokémon has quite the personality in the anime – often getting jealous of Ash showing affection towards other Pokémon.
The fall vibes work great in this card bringing to mind Bellchime Trail, while there is clear symbolism and imagery that brings to mind Ho-Oh – a key legendary Pokémon from this era.
#13 Sprigatito
Sprigatito - 061
First Partner Collection 2026 • Promo
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Plenty of Easter Eggs are hiding in the Sprigatito artwork, including depictions of both Miraidon and Koraidon, as well as a tera form Sprigatito, bringing to mind one of Paldea’s most unique aspects.
#14 Fennekin
Fennekin - 059
First Partner Collection 2026 • Promo
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Despite being partner to the fabulous Serena, Fennekin is hanging out pretty low on this list. It could be a sleeper promo, though, given Fennekin’s natural grace and the fun depiciton of Lumiose tower in the card’s background.
#15 Quaxly
Quaxly - 063
First Partner Collection 2026 • Promo
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Lastly we have Quaxly. This Pokémon is essentially a Donald Duck clone with a different hairstyle. It’s one of the odder-looking starters we’ve had – a fact that could be pushing its value down a bit.
However, the card art has plenty of fun and interesting lore from the Paldea region, including the reference to the very memorable Team Star and their heavily modified Revavroom
With Series 3 now available, there are plenty of first partners to collect and enjoy. Don’t forget: the three corresponding starters from each region connect to form one artwork. Get them all to fully enjoy these fun artworks filled with Pokémon lore and memories!
