With the newest set of Pokémon cards, Rebel Clash, set for release in early May 2020, we decided to take a look back at the original base set and address the most valuable cards from the set. Trainers around the world are trying to get their hands on these secret rares like the Golden Quickball and popular Rainbow variants, but those aren't the only cards increasing in value in the set. Read on to find out which cards are the most expensive cards in the Pokemon base set for Pokemon Sword and Shield.
#10. Gold metal saucer #214/202
While the Pokemon Sword and Shield base set contains a total of 202 cards for the set, it was released with an additional 14 cards - many of which contain gold variants of cards already in the set. The Golden Metal Saucer is an example of such a card.
The original Metal Saucer card is #170/202 and is considered an Uncommon card, while the Gold Metal Saucer is #214/202 and is considered a Secret Rare. Secret rares are any rainbow or gold variants of cards that come after the deck supposedly ends at #202.
This card allows the player to attach a Metal Energy card from their discard pile to 1 of their Benched Pokémon. In addition, the player may play any number of item cards on his turn.
The Gold Metal Saucer card costs around $10 at the time of writing.
#9. Rainbow Lapras VMAX No. 203/202
The 9th card on our list has long been a fan favorite since this Pokemon appeared in the first generation. At #203/202, the very first secret card in the set, the Rainbow Lapras VMAX is the first rainbow card to appear in the base set of the Pokemon Sword and Shield card collection.
Lapras actually appears in the set6 mal- once as a normal rare (#48), once as an inverted holo (#48/2), once as a rare holo V (#49), once as a rare holo VMAX (#50), once as an ultra-rare V (#189 ) and finally as a secret rare Rainbow VMAX (#203).
The Lapras VMAX Rainbow secret card has G-Max Pump, a 90+ Power attack that deals an additional 30 damage for each Water Energy attached to this Pokémon card.
The Rainbow Lapras VMAX card costs around $11.20 at the time of writing.
#8. Professor's Research (Full Art / Rainbow) Nr. 201/202 & Nr. 209/202
Although Professor Magnolia may not be as popular as the other Pokemon Sword and Shield characters, this card owes much of its value to the utility it offers players in the trading card game.
This card gives the player an opportunity to discard their hand and draw 7 cards, effectively resetting their hand and potentially offering a nice advantage going forward.
In addition to the Ultra Rare version of the Full Art version and the Secret Rare version of the Rainbow variant, players can also obtain Professor Magnolia as a rare holo (or reverse holo) at #178/202
The Professor's Research (Full Art / Rainbow)Mapfetches around $12-$14 at the time of writing.
#7. Zacian V Nr. 138/202
At number 7 on our list is the popular sword-wielding dog Zacian, one of the legends from Sword and Shield. This is the V version of Zacian, and as you might have guessed, Zacian won't appear on this list the only time.
Zacian is an extremely popular card for the Pokemon Trading Card Game because of the insane 230 power attack Brave Blade, as well as the Intrepid Sword ability, which allows the user to look at the top 3 cards of their deck and attach any number of Metal Energy cards to Zacian.
Collectors also delight in Zacian cards for their legendary status, making Zacian V a desirable card for multiple buyers, whether playing the game or just looking to collect.
Der Zacian VMap, at the time of writing, fetches a price of around $15.
#6. Relaxo VMAX (Rainbows) #206/202
Next on our list is the VMAX Rainbow version of Snorlax - another Pokémon from the first generation of the series. This Rainbow variant comes at #206/202 and offers a lot of collectible value as well as gaming.
This Snorlax VMAX Rainbow card boasts an impressive 340hp, making it a great tanking option. Additionally, the G-Max Fall attack does 60 damage and gains 30 additional damage for each user's Benched Pokemon, making him a potentially very powerful attacker.
The artwork on the card features the Gigantamax version of Snorlax, giving great value to collectors who might want to collect all of the Gigantamax Pokémon from the series.
The Relaxo VMAX (rainbow)Map, at the time of writing, fetches a price of around $16.
#5. Marnie (Full Art / Rainbow) Nr. 200/202 & 208/202
Marnie has quickly become a favorite rival of Pokemon Sword and Shield fans, and it's no surprise that the Full Art and Rainbow versions of these cards are quickly increasing in value.
Marnie also shows up in set #169 and can even fetch a few bucks online as a non-holo card. The full art and rainbow versions make for much better pulls, of course, and collectors are quick to pick up these cards on eBay.
This marks the end of the "human" trainers included in this set, although we wonder if competitors like #207 Secret Rainbow Bede might one day go up in price.
The Marnie (Full Art / Rainbow)Map, fetching around $18-$20 at the time of writing.
#4. Zacian V (complete art) #195/202
Zacian makes it to #4 on the list again, but this time in full art. The full art version of Zacian V is number 195 in the set and one of the most desirable cards in the collection.
This ultra rare train is the most expensive ultra rare on the list and barely surpasses Marnie in value at the time of writing. This card features the same 230 Power Attack Brave Blade that makes Zacian a great choice for TCG players.
Beyond this ultra-rare card, we're breaking into the expensive gold variants, which are some of the hardest cards to draw from the collection!
The Zacian V (Full Screen)Map, at the time of writing, fetches a price of around $22.
#3. Gold Zamazenta V #212/202
Although the Zamazenta V full-art version of the card (#196/202) is currently around $8 and almost makes our list, it's nowhere near the gold variant, which earns its spot on our list takes 3rd place. While this card may not have the same utility as Zacian in the TCG universe, it still offers tremendous collectible value.
As #212/202, the golden card Zamazenta V is one of the few secret rarities in the set. Collectors have a lot to like about this card - whether it's because it's a hard-to-draw V, contains one of the new legendary Pokemon, or is a secret gold rare card.
We tend to wonder if #3 on our list can overtake #2 in the future!
Die goldene Zamazenta VMap, at the time of writing, fetches a price of around $25.
#2. Golden Quickball No. 216/202
Players of Pokemon Sword and Shield for the Nintendo Switch will quickly recognize the Quick Ball's design, considering that by the end of their playthrough, they'll have likely used 300 of them.
Not only does it offer tremendous in-game utility, but it's also a great card to use in the TCG universe. This card lets you search your deck for a Basic Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into your hand.
This card is also very collectible as some collectors like to specifically collect Pokeball cards. This card will likely be a great choice for collectors in the future, especially since it's the last card in the set, #216/202.
The golden quickballMap, at the time of writing, fetches a price of around $30.
#1. Gold Zacian V #211/202
I'm sure you could have seen it coming, but the best card from the original Pokemon base set for Sword and Shield is the Gold Secret rare variant Zacian V. Considering we've covered Zacian cards a few times before spoken, I guess you know why.
This is currently the most expensive card in the set - with one of the strongest options for the TCG, a special gold variant for collectors, and a coveted Legendary Pokémon for all fans of the series.
Der goldene Zacian VMap, at the time of writing, fetches a price of around $44, although some transactions have recently reached as high as $70. We definitely think this card could rank as the most valuable card in the set over the long term.
Do you agree with our list? Which cards do you want to add to your collection the most? Leave us a comment below!
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