Mega Evolution marks the beginning of a brand new era for the Pokemon TCG, with an overt tie-in with the Pokemon Legends Z-A game coming out this year.

To start things off, Pokemon is giving us a “Mega” set filled to the brim with exciting new mechanics, powerful Mega Evolution Pokemon, and nostalgic favorites like Venusaur and Lucario. Kalos is the Pokemon region that the Mega Evolution phenomena originates from in the Pokemon universe. As Pokemon Legends Z-A takes place in Lumiose City within Kalos, it makes sense that Mega Pokemon would play a huge role in both the video and card games.

Lore aside, Mega Pokemon cards tend to be both popular and valuable when they’re released. With that in mind, we’ll be ranking each of the most expensive Mega Evolution chase cards based on the latest market data.

#1 Mega Hyper Rare Lucario ex is the most expensive Mega Evolution card

Mega Ultra Rare Lucario ex — Market price: $717.10

Buy on TCGPlayer

Just like Pokemon Black Bolt and White Flare did before it, Mega Evolution has released its own unique form of rarity called the Mega Ultra Rare. These Mega Ultra Rare cards feature unique artwork not found anywhere else, and are different than the hyper rare cards of the past. Essentially, they are their own rarity entirely.

Rare, gorgeous, and unique, the Mega Ultra Rare cards are the quintessential Mega Evolution chase. And while both cards are very valuable, the edge right now goes to Lucario thanks to this Pokemon’s immense popularity.

#2 Mega Hyper Rare Gardevoir ex

Gardevoir may be the lesser of the two Mega Ultra Rare cards, but it’s no slouch – exciting, gorgeously textured and still worth enough money to make even the most hardened Pokemon collector’s mouth water.

#3 Mega Gardevoir ex – Special Illustration Rare

Mega Gardevoir ex SIR — Market price: $324.02

Buy on TCGPlayer

Next up on the list we have this gorgeous Gardevoir ex SIR. Always a favorite, Pokemon simply loves to print Gardevoir cards, but they may have outdone themselves with this one. I for one have never seen a Gardevoir Pokemon card look this exquisite. Resting in an abstract pastoral setting and surrounded by members of its evolution line, this slightly trippy artwork is sure to send fans and collectors running wild looking for ATMs in order to rip open some packs.

However, it’s not only collectors who will be excited about this chase. Players are also getting hyped for the Gardevoir ex as it is one of the strongest Mega Evolution Pokemon cards originally spoiled from the set, well before we got a look at the SIR print. For those who don’t know, the Gardevoir ex deck is already a top deck in the meta, and Gardevoir ex lends significant power to that already top strategy.

For collectors, it’s an audacious artwork filled to the brim with everything we love about Pokemon, and picturing a classic favorite.

#4 Mega Lucario ex – Special Illustration Rare

The Pokemon Company certainly has a penchant for perpetually raising the bar for their Pokemon card artworks. Perhaps Pokemon TCG Pocket is partly to blame for this, with Mega Lucario ex taking a more experimental approach to its design the likes of which we’ve seen in extended artworks from the digital game.

Initial feelings aside, Lucario is likewise a bankable Pokemon with tons of fans around the world. It doesn’t hurt that in this hyper realistic illustration it is facing off against Venusaur, helping create drama for the little world that Mega Evolution inhabits as its own set.

Take a little look around in the background and you might be able to spot some other Pokemon you recognize. Could they be included in the set, too? I’d say chances are certainly good, and suddenly this SIR of Mega Lucario ex is something of a spoiler within a spoiler – an inception of Pokemon Easter Eggs that aims to achieve what we love about the storytelling that happens within each and every Pokemon TCG set. The sets themselves, when done right, become stories of their own.

#5 Mega Venusaur ex – Special Illustration Rare

Mega Venusaur ex SIR — Market price: $232.70

Buy on TCGPlayer

One of the original starters, Mega Venusaur ex’s SIR print is drop-dead gorgeous with resplendent colors and the iconic Kanto Starter Pokemon caught mid-action pose as it launches its glorious vines into battle.

While we’ve had gorgeous, hyper realistic prints of Venusaur in recent sets (like in Pokemon 151), few have managed to convey such emotion using abstract visuals. What’s more, the card art doesn’t simply end with Venusaur. Instead, all three of the Pokemon in the evolution line will be receiving similar alternate art treatments, and each will connect to the other to complete a whole picture.

You can bet that the desire to collect all three of these magnificent cards will drive each one to a top spot on the secondary card market in terms of value.

#6 Mega Latias ex – Special Illustration Rare

Mega Latias ex SIR is going to be one of the most expensive cards in the set when Mega Evolution releases internationally. This card is highly reminiscent of the Latias ex SIR from Surging Sparks, albeit with much more electric colors and an intensity that the latter lacks. Latios and Latias’s mega evolution forms are relatively well known, however, as they were prominently featured in the Pokemon Clash of Ages movie – one that also takes place in the Kalos region. As such, Mega Latias ex SIR should be highly sought after and valuable.

#7 Lillie’s Determination – Special Illustration Rare

While Lillie’s Determination is a handy draw supporter in the game, the real appeal of this card isn’t its competitive viability. The artwork is absolutely captivating, with the colors and impressionistic style reminding me of something Van Gogh might have created. Lillie has proven herself to be a popular trainer, as well as a draw for value with recent cards (like those in Journey Together) including her fairing quite well on the secondary card market.

#8 Mega Kangaskhan ex – Special Illustration Rare

Mega Kangaskhan ex SIR — Market price: $93.35

Buy on TCGPlayer

And there’s Mega Kangaskhan ex. I’m not going to sugar coat this for those who aren’t as familiar with Kangaskhan, but for whatever reason and despite being one of the original 151 Pokemon, Kangaskhan doesn’t tend to be the most popular Pokemon in the world. That being said, the artwork on display here is pretty exciting, as are the vibrant hues of blue, orange, yellow and green swirling into the faint outline of Lumiose City in the background.

Lumiose City is based after Paris after all, giving Pokemon creative license to really lean into that iconic backdrop to create something magic. And while Kangaskhan ex itself may not hard sell this card, its rarity, familiarity, and creative design combine to propel this secret rare to the top of the list of most expensive Mega Evolution cards of them all.

#9 Mega Absol ex – Special Illustration Rare

Mega Absol ex SIR — Market price: $92.66

Buy on TCGPlayer

I like a lot of Pokemon. As such, I feel like I’m always saying one Pokemon or another is one of my favorites. But in the case of Absol, there’s a special place in my heart for this Pokemon. It was one of my favorites from the Ruby/Sapphire games and one that I have fond memories of working hard to capture, train and battle with.

Absol’s Mega Evolution form looks excellent, and many are pointing out the thematic tie-ins with the Noivern V alt art we got back in Evolving Skies. Both are done by the same artist, and both have that eerie, Batman-watching-over-Gotham kind of a feel.

#10 Acerola’s Mischief – Special Illustration Rare

Acerola’s Mischief gives off a halloween vibe where she crouches in a wooded glen surrounded by possessions inspired by ghost type Pokemon. It’s a fitting artwork to the season that is already showing positive early signs on the secondary card market.

#11 Marshadow – Illustration Rare

Marshadow IR — Market price: $46.51

Buy on TCGPlayer

My favorite memory of this particular Pokemon is from the epic I Choose You movie (also arguably my favorite Pokemon film of all time). I could be wrong but this epic chase card seems to be intentionally referencing that movie, and the moment pictured in this exciting illustration is much like that moment in the movie where Marshadow’s influence causes Ash to take a negative turn.

It may not be the rarest Mega Evolution card of them all, but thematically it’s up there with the best. And as far as Illustration Rare cards go, Marshadow appears to be this set’s run away chase – currently trending the highest among its rarity.

#12 Ivysaur – Illustration Rare

Ivysaur IR — Market price: $34.11

Buy on TCGPlayer

As mentioned above, Ivysaur is collectible enough as is thanks to being an evolution of one of the original starters. However, it’s worth even more thanks to its tie-in with Bulbasaur and Venusaur in an extended artwork.

#13 Bulbasaur – Illustration Rare (Stamped)

#4 Bulbasaur – Illustration Rare (Stamped) — Market price: $33.91

Buy on TCGPlayer

Being one of the original Kanto Starters, alternate artworks of Bulbasaur tends to be instant chase cards when included in a set. However, this Bulbasaur IR has two things going for it typical secret rares featuring this Pokemon don’t have. First, it’s got the connected artwork angle, making it a must-have for collectors looking to complete the set.

Second, it’s got the Mega Evolution stamp on it because this particular card can only be obtained via an Enhanced Mega Evolutions Booster Box (available for preorder from my friends at TCGPlayer). While the stamp should add to its value, the set will also include a regular IR card without the stamp, and both will be valuable.

#14 Lt. Surge’s Bargain – Special Illustration Rare

Lt. Surge’s Bargain is a very modern take on a very old card – one with rootes in the old school Gym Heroes expansion. While the artwork won’t look familiar with an overtly doodle look that certainly stands out as unique, the general concept is still the same: affording your opponent with the classic catch-22.

#15 Lillie’s Determination – Ultra Rare

Lillie’s supporter is proving to be so popular that even her Ultra Rare version makes the list of top 15 most expensive Mega Evolution Cards. While it may be a far cry from the impressive value the SIR is seeing, it’s still a nice collector’s piece that should be much, much easier to hit in packs.

#16 Wally’s Compassion – Special Illustration Rare

Despite being higher rarity, Wally’s Compassion ends up towards the bottom of this list. Often less popular trainers fail to do extraordinarily well relative to their rarity. Although Wally’s effect makes it solid for players, clearly he isn’t in the same realm of popularity as Lillie or Acerola.

#17 Vulpix – Illustration Rare

Despite how nice this card looks, I’m a little surprised we didn’t get an Alolan Vulpix in this set given how prominently Lillie is featured. Getting a tribute to her famous Snowy would have worked well in this set. And to be honest, Pokemon has been pretty rife with cozy artworks that feature fire type Pokemon near a fireplace. While it’s a trope that’s been overdone, that doesn’t change how good this card still looks.

#18 Bulbasaur – Illustration Rare

This is the IR Bulbasaur you can get from packs. While it’s not trending as high as the stamped promo, I could it see being more desirable to collectors who want to complete that three-part picture with more continuity (meaning without the stamped promo).

#19 Mega Lucario ex – Ultra Rare

Finally! A somewhat affordable Mega Lucario ex! This card is an excellent collector’s piece due to its refreshing new take on the Ultra Rare formula. Unlike similar cards in the Scarlet & Violet era that contained comparitively muted colors and designs, Mega Evolution kicks off these cards with bold colors that uniquely express the Pokemon. Not only is this a great pull for collectors, it should be immensely popular with players looking for a cost effective solution to bling out their Mega Lucario ex deck.

#20 Mega Venusaur ex – Ultra Rare

Again – you have to love these Ultra Rares. Dare I say these are the best ultra rare cards we’ve had in years? Despite them being lower rarity than their even more grandiose SIR prints, the Ultra Rare Venusaur also encapsulates the Pokemon’s energy in a truly unique way, making it an excellent find for both collectors and players.

By now, we have a solid understanding of what Mega Evolutions money cards are – backed by considerable market data. While overall this list hasn’t changed much since the initial release date, a few big shifts have taken place among the top 15, with the most exciting being Marshadow’s jump in value.

The excitement for this set is absolutely electric, as evidenced by the insane prices on these cards. Given the set only recently released, however, stay tuned as these prices are subject to change quite a bit. Don’t worry – just bookmark this page and come back often as I’ll continue to update it with the latest data and market trends!

The 20 Most Expensive Mega Evolution Pokemon Cards