I needed Journey Together to hit massive. After Surging Sparks and Prismatic Evolutions delivered some actual warmth, it felt like we have been on a roll.
But as a substitute of a clear three-hit combo, this set tripped over itself on the best way out the gate. Prices have been inflated from the beginning, and now that the market has had time to breathe, this correction is aggressive.
It’s nonetheless a strong set. Great artwork, enjoyable pulls, some nostalgic hits. But a lot of the only costs have been constructed on hype that couldn’t maintain.
Collectors thought we’d get one other spherical of speedy worth climbs. That didn’t occur. If you're shopping for now, you're catching playing cards on the best way down as a substitute of driving them on the best way up.
Just go in realizing what’s value grabbing and what’s nonetheless floating on leftover launch-day fumes.
Illustration Rares
Articuno had a robust begin. Prices hit $55 back in late March, which made sense on the time—it's a fan-favorite Legendary with great paintings.
Since then, it’s taken a 36% dip and now floats round $35. Honestly, that’s nonetheless a bit high. I’ve seen near-mint listings at $18.69, and that feels more according to the place this card belongs.
I feel it’s a strong pickup in the event you simply need a great-looking fowl with out the early adopter tax.
Wailord was one of these early hype Illustration Rares that obtained pumped quick, principally as a result of it’s Wailord and people have a gentle spot for absurdly giant water sorts.
It hit $60 on the finish of March, which didn’t final long. It’s now dropped 63.66% to a market worth of round $22.49, and I’ve seen copies listed for as low as $14.55. Personally, I feel this one’s due for a gentle bounce back to $30, however solely as soon as the panic listings filter and the Wailord followers circle back.
My favourite Illustration Rare is N’s Reshiram. The paintings is top-tier, and the character pairing truly provides one thing significant to the cardboard. It began at $39.43, which truthfully didn’t really feel too far off given the demand at launch.
Now it’s sitting round $17.44. Even the Journey Together stamped variant, which you'd suppose would carry some additional worth, is undercutting the common one at about $14. That’s a 79.51% drop, and for my part, a steal. If you need a chase card with out paying chase costs, that is the one.
Special Illustration Rare And Hyper Rares
Lillie’s Clefairy ex SIR was positioned because the face of the set, and for a second it regarded prefer it may keep there. Prices hit $400, which was wild, contemplating the one factor more costly than that in Journey Together was most likely remorse.
Now it’s sitting round $180 and for my part, it’s nonetheless too high. It’s a beautiful card, no doubt about that, however I feel we’ll see it hit $150 quickly. Not a crash however a correction to one thing a little more according to what most people are keen to pay.
I assumed Iono’s Bellibolt ex SIR was going to be the highest card of the set. It had the rarity, it had the character, and it regarded simply chaotic enough to change into a fan favourite. Instead, it’s hovering round $80, which is okay. Not great, not horrible.
The price feels steady, and I don’t suppose it's going to tank like some of the opposite launch-day hype magnets. If you prefer it, grab it. If you're hoping it doubles in worth, possibly take a stroll.
Salamence ex SIR might be the most effective instance of what went improper with Journey Together’s early pricing. At launch, people have been paying up to $250 for it prefer it was the final dragon card ever printed. Now it’s going for about $106, and I feel it’ll settle nearer to $100.
Still costly, sure, however at the least now it’s priced like a high-tier chase card and never a collector’s retirement plan. The artwork’s robust, and Salamence has all the time had endurance, so I feel this one holds up higher than most.
Full Arts
Iono’s Bellibolt ex is my favourite full artwork, principally as a result of I pulled it and instantly satisfied myself I used to be sitting on gold. At launch, it was going for round $80. It's now comfortably sitting within the $7–$8 vary.
Honestly, in the event you paid something above $15, I don’t know what to inform you. It’s a great-looking card, although, and I feel it’ll stick round this price for a whereas now that the mud has settled. Just possibly don’t purchase it pondering it's the following Supporter-tier Iono. It’s a Bellibolt. Let’s be affordable.
Lillie’s Clefairy ex had a weird begin. Prices climbed previous $110 earlier than launch, which had me questioning if people thought it was a Special Illustration Rare by mistake.
It’s now discovered its lane at round $17–$19, which is the place it most likely ought to’ve been all alongside. I feel it’s a great pickup at that price in the event you're into Lillie, or Clefairy, or simply need one thing that gained’t lose half its worth earlier than it hits your mailbox.
N’s Zoroark ex began out a little more grounded at round $30, however even that wasn’t secure from the drop. It's landed round $12 now, which truthfully looks like a honest deal. The card nonetheless seems improbable, and it’s obtained some collector appeal because of N.
But after I say Journey Together costs are crashing, that is precisely what I imply. Remember all these “can’t-miss deals” I used to be posting at launch? It wasn’t as a result of the playing cards have been underpriced — it’s as a result of they have been about to fall off a cliff.
Find out more high tips on where to find Pokémon cards with my in depth guide, and take a look at this weeks latest crashers and climbers article for more Pokémon playing cards market watch updates.
Here's the Pokémon TCG full Release Schedule up to now for this yr, too, so that you don't miss something. Buying singles is the most affordable strategy to accumulate proper now, however don't really feel like you need to "Catch Em' All!".
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN protecting every little thing collectable and offers. Christian has over 7 years of expertise within the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian additionally makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian can be the creator of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.