Who would've thought that dogs with swords would dominate the entire standard meta of Pokemon TCG. Well, the latest expansion, Sword and Shield, based on the divisive Switch game, introduces a set of new evolution Pokemon cards that are not only incredibly powerful but also super expensive.
Cards like Zacian V, Zamazenta V, and Lapras V-max make up the majority of the market share of the Pokemon trading card game. It's not hard to predict where the meta will go this season, so it's time to take a look at some of the most investment-friendly cards from the new set.
Sableye V (Full Art)
- Current price: $9.99
This Darkness-type Pokemon is now a part of the widely popular Sableye V and Obstagoon deck, which is considered the best spread deck in the current meta.
This deck works especially well against Pikarom and Water Box archetypes. The main advantage of the Sableye V deck is that it gets all trainers back and delivers huge amounts of damage.
The art is quite different from the regular print and costs twice as much, although don't expect it to go any higher in the meantime.
Team Yell Grunt (Hyper Rare)
- Current price: $12.99
Team Yell Grunt catches an eye not only for its ability as a supporter card, but also for its funky artwork.
It was first released as a part of V Starter Sets, which also gives it a tad bit of exclusivity. So expect this to see a lot of play in all the decks that look to counter energy archetypes.
For now, the price is pretty steep for a supporter card, but that doesn't mean that it won't go down.
Ordinary Rod (Secret Rare)
- Current price: $14.99
This is a card that will be played in almost every deck in the standard format.
It fetches Pokemon and energy cards from the discard pile and throws them back into your deck. Since there are several very strong discard archetypes in the meta right now, this should be a big hit.
The price on this amazing rare version should go up as soon as official tournaments start rolling.
Bede (Hyper Rare)
- Current price: $15.99
Bede makes his first appearance in the Pokemon TCG in the Sword and Shield set. This is a unversal card that works with all basic types of energy and attaches them to one of your basic Pokemon.
It's a great card, as it allows you to attack with a GX Pokemon on the first turn in a Zacian V- and ADP-combo deck. Of course, it's hard to pull off, taking into account the supporter restriction on Bede, but it can still be done.
Air Balloon (Secret Rare)
- Current price: $16.99
This tool card allows you to save energy while letting your own Pokemon retreat. It may not look like a big deal at first, but when you start saving two energy each time you do it, the effect becomes infectious.
Air Balloon is now rightfully considered a staple card for all energy-based decks, so it shouldn't come off as a surprise that it currently holds such high pricing for a basic tool card.
Stonjourner V-max (Hyper Rare)
- Current price: $17.99
This V-max Pokemon turned out to be unexpectedly awesome, and it is now a part of the Great Wall archetype, which is really great against Zacian and Polteageist decks.
This will definitely keep Stonjourner V-max on the top-tier shelf and will be one of the most sought out cards. The current price may easily go up if it shows excellent results during its competitive run.
Snorlax V-max (Hyper Rare)
- Current price: $19.99
This massive Snorlax Pokemon has the highest amount of health among all of the new Pokemon in the Sword and Shield set.
It also has a very important G-Max Fall ability that allows it to deal a lot of damage. Snorlax V-max can be well combined with Porygon Z to counter Cinderace decks.
Taking all of this into account will turn Snorlax into one of the hardest-to-beat Pokemon in the meta right now.
Morpeko V-max (Hyper Rare)
- Current price: $20.99
Morpeko V-max is not only adorable, but it also spreads damage. It also hits and runs. That is why it's getting so much love in the meta right now.
It evolves from a Lightning-type Pokemon Morpeko V, which is now firmly based in the Doll Stall archetype alongside Lillie's Poke Doll card.
This deck is already considered the most busted deck in standard, so it looks like $20 is the going rate ... for now.
Metal Saucer (Secret Rare)
- Current price: $21.99
Metal energy is going to be quite influential in this season's metagame. Metal Saucer will provide players with some extra energy without any drawbacks, which will encourage players to include it automatically into every metal deck.
But since it's not a universal type that could support all kinds of energy, it will most likely stay in the given price range. If it shows weaker results, then it's price will fall, but the secret rarity might save it from going too low.
Lapras V-max (Hyper Rare)
- Current price: $24.99
It has been evident for some time that water energy decks will have a blast this season. Lapras V-max Pokemon is proof of that, as it is now doing the rounds in the Rain Dance archetype with Frosmoth.
This list beats such powerful decks as MewMew Malamar and Pikarom. The reason is in the ever-increasing damage of the G-Max Pump ability on Lapras V-max.
The ordinary print costs around $10 to $12, but the hyper-rare print could go as high as $30 this season.
Zamazenta V (Secret Rare)
- Current price: $34.99
What makes Zamazenta V really special is its Dauntless Shield ability, which makes it virtually immune to the attacks of the V-max Pokemon.
This is a big deal because there are so many V-max Pokemon in the meta right now. You see them almost in every single competitive deck.
Zamazenta V will surely be played at least as a single copy, just to hold off those V-max cards that can hit way too hard at times.
Professor's Research (Hyper Rare)
- Current price: $52.99
Currently, this is the most important draw card in the entire Sword and Shield expansion.
It can draw you seven new cards and completely obliterate all of your opponent's hopes for victory. That makes this card the most valuable card in any deck even with the new supporter restriction ruling.
This hyper-rare version already breaks price records for any draw-type card, so be sure to get it while the bidding war hasn't yet gotten out of hand.
Quick Ball (Secret Rare)
- Current price: $59.99
Evolution decks may now have a long-deserved resurgence due to this one little item card. Quick Ball is a brand-new Pokemon search card that can become the pillar of so many decks in standard right now.
You will see it in Pikarom, Blacephalon, Sableye and Obstagoon decks, and so many others. It's going to be literally everywhere.
This means that Quick Ball will be well supported by market demand, which will drive the prices higher and higher.
Marnie (Hyper Rare)
- Current price: $59.99
Disruption is one of the most effective methods to win games. Marnie is that kind of tool, which allows you to change the course of the entire game by simply changing all cards in your opponent's hand.
This can be extremely useful on turn-one, especially against all the combo decks that try to win as early as possible.
Also, it can be a great tool for making your own hand look better if you use a combo deck that requires specific cards be played together.
Zacian V (Secret Rare)
- Current price: $69.99
Zacian V and ADP GX deck is currently one of the most broken things in standard format. The Intrepid Sword ability on Zacian V allows you to search for energy and attach it to your Pokemon immediately.
This kind of gameplan makes it perfect against other top-tier decks like Lapras V-max and Pikarom.
Also, this card is completely sold out in most shops, so have fun searching for it on auctions at some really high prices. But it's worth every penny!
---
These were the most expensive cards in the latest Pokemon TCG expansion Sword and Shield. Be sure to check out other Pokemon articles and lists right here.
Published: Feb 7, 2020 09:48 am