One of the Pokémon Trading Card Game’s latest releases, Scarlet & Violet: Destined Rivals, has collectors scrambling to secure pristine copies of its most coveted cards, with some individual cards now commanding prices that dwarf the cost of an entire booster box. At the center of this collecting frenzy sits Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex, a card that has become the poster child for the set’s meteoric rise in secondary market value.
The special illustration rare version of Mewtwo, which depicts the legendary psychic Pokémon alongside the iconic villainous organization, currently trades at an eye-watering $517.39 in raw, ungraded condition. But for collectors willing to pursue perfection, the stakes get considerably higher. Cards graded CGC Gem Mint 10—representing virtually flawless condition—are estimated to fetch between $1,500 and $2,000, with the equivalent PSA 10 graded version recently selling for $1,517.10.
What’s particularly remarkable is the velocity of this appreciation. Over the past two weeks, the raw market price for Team Rocket’s Mewtwo surged from $368 to $545, representing a nearly 50% increase in the card’s liquid market value. The PSA 10 version gained an additional $29.13 in just the past week, signaling sustained upward momentum that shows no signs of slowing.
This dramatic price action hasn’t occurred in isolation. The set’s second-most valuable card, Cynthia’s Garchomp ex, tells a similar story of robust demand and impressive returns. Trading at $256.00 raw, the card’s PSA 10 counterpart commands $852.00, with CGC 10 versions estimated between $800 and $1,000. Market data shows active trading on the high-grade versions, with listings spanning a tight range of $749 to $839.99, suggesting steady collector appetite at premium price points.
Rounding out the top three, Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex has established itself as a formidable investment, trading at $220.03 raw with CGC 10 versions estimated between $650 and $850. The card benefits from a dual appeal: nostalgic collectors drawn to the Johto legendary Pokémon and competitive players attracted to its tournament viability. A recent listing for a CGC Pristine 10 example—an even rarer grade above Gem Mint—appeared on eBay at $779.99, anchoring the extreme high end of the value spectrum.
Beyond these flagship cards, the set offers intriguing opportunities for savvy investors focused on percentage returns rather than absolute dollar values. Team Rocket’s Meowth, an illustration rare featuring the fan-favorite feline, demonstrates this phenomenon perfectly. With a raw price in the mid-$20s, a recently confirmed CGC 10 sale reached $291.00, representing an extraordinary return multiplier for those fortunate enough to pull and grade pristine copies.
Similarly, Misty’s Psyduck has emerged as one of the set’s surprise performers. Trading at approximately $50.00 raw, the card has consistently appreciated over the past week, with CGC 10 versions projected to reach $250 to $350 based on comparable illustration rare sales data. This represents a grading premium multiplier exceeding 5.8x—among the highest in the entire set.
The middle tier of special illustration rares tells a story of sustained value as well. Team Rocket’s Moltres ex and Team Rocket’s Crobat ex both trade at $220.03 and $64.98 raw respectively, with their PSA 10 versions commanding $282.88 for Crobat. Team Rocket’s Nidoking ex provides perhaps the most concrete recent data point, with a confirmed CGC 10 sale closing at $275.00 against a raw price of $122.00.
Character-focused cards have also performed admirably. Ethan’s Adventure, depicting the protagonist with his starter Pokémon, trades at $49.21 raw but jumps to $230.00 in PSA 10 condition, demonstrating that trainer cards with nostalgic appeal can command impressive premiums. Team Rocket’s Giovanni, featuring the organization’s notorious leader, sits at $40.01 raw with a PSA 10 value of $141.76.
The set’s unique economics help explain this explosive growth. An Elite Trainer Box retails for approximately $115, yet the top chase card alone trades near $500 raw—a stark contrast to other premium sets where box prices exceed the value of their marquee cards. This pricing structure suggests the scarcity of top-tier special illustration rares in Destined Rivals is significantly more pronounced than in comparable releases.
As pristine graded examples continue filtering back from grading companies, they’re entering a market environment substantially hotter than when they were submitted. For early adopters who secured and graded copies at launch, this timing has created a significant capital appreciation window. With low population reports for top grades and sustained nostalgia-driven demand for classic Generation I and II characters, market analysts expect these premium valuations to hold steady or continue appreciating in the months ahead.Retry
