5 Top Pokemon 30th Celebration Chase Cards Officially Revealed in English
What will the top 30th Celebration chase cards be?
While we still have several secret rare cards to be revealed, several top contenders were just officially revealed in English by the Pokémon Company.
Below, we’ll be looking at each of the cards that will likely be worth the most when the set officially drops on September 16, 2026.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Pokémon released these cards under the distinction that half of them are night out themed, with the other half day out. It’s pretty self-explanatory which are which, but enjoy this thematic element when browsing the below cards.
#1 Sylveon ex – Special Illustration Rare
The Sylveon ex SIR card was originally revealed over the weekend, but gets its official English card in today’s big spoiler.
It’s one of the most beautiful Sylveon ex cards printed in recent memory. In fact, I prefer its photorealism over even the latest and greatest Sylveon Special Illustration Rare released in Prismatic Evolutions.And that card is the second most valuable card from that legendary set.
Sylveon ex - 156/131
Prismatic Evolutions • Special Illustration Rare
Market Value
Loading...
#2 Jirachi ex – Special Illustration Rare
Of the cards officially revealed in English today, Jirachi ex SIR is my pick for second chase overall. Not only is Jirachi a fan favorite thanks in part to the Pokémon movie it was named after, it also gets a boost for being illustrated by AKIRA EGAWA – the artist known for creating the iconic Giratina, Arceus, Palkia, and Dialga VSTAR from Crown Zenith.
This unexpected tribute makes Jirachi feel almost like an extension of that iconic set, adding additional demand beyond the face value of this card itself. And that baseline price is already quite high.
#3 Mega Greninja ex – Special Illustration Rare
Greninja ex takes the “night out” theme rather seriously here, throwing down an epic breakdance move rather than its signature Water Shuriken with Eevee and Lucario looking on.
Some are calling this card’s art the best modern Greninja SIR. I think that’s debatable: the card arts from Twilight Masquerade and Chaos Rising are also quite good. But for those fans of pure Greninja, this one certainly hits it out of the park.
#4 Salamence ex – Special Illustration Rare
While the three cards we’ve covered so far feel like top tier chase cards likely to be among the most expensive 30th Celebration cards, Salamence ex might be more of a second-tier chase for this set.
That’s not to say it’s a bad chase card by any means. In an ordinary set, it would be in contention for possibly even a top pick overall. However, 30th Celebration is anything but an ordinary set. As such, even a memorable Dragon-type Pokémon cruising over a town alive with celebrations may not be enough to make it out of the middle-of-the-pack in terms of value.
How crazy is that?
#5 Fuecoco ex – Special Illustration Rare
Lastly we have this very fun Fuecoco ex card. And while Fuecoco may not be the kind of bankable starter that will drive a ton of value for this card, Pokémon cards aren’t just about secondary market value.
Here we have an undeniably fun card littered with memorable Pokémon: my favorite being the Snorlax cameo in the background.
Also, it’s clear to me when looking at this Fuecoco image that it’s likely a snapshot of the exact same city that Salamence is flying over in its card art. I love the continuity – the Pikachu hot air balloon floating in the sky is the tell.
Illustration Rare Legendary Birds Trio revealed in English
The Legendary Birds are featured heavily in Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration. We’ve now seen their main set prints, their promo cards available in the Poster Collection, and now their Illustration Rare cards.
I have to say for Illustration Rares, these look amazing. The quality and connected artwork definitely does Pokémon’s original Legendary Bird Trio justice, giving players even more to chase in this set.
Other Illustration Rare cards also revealed
Lastly, we have a bunch of Illustration Rare cards revealed in English for the first time, including: Maushold, Scraggy, Chandelure, Morpeko, Gholdengo, and Alolan Exeggutor. The Toxtricity was technically already revealed in English over the weekend.
Stay tuned for even more spoilers as we head into the final days ahead of the official launch of Pokémon’s biggest TCG set to date. And don’t forget to check my entire 30th Celebration card list for all the latest reveals.
