Developed the most valuable card from Paldea

With each new generation of Pokémon trading cards, you're greeted with some unique and interesting artwork that makes each card adorable and justifies the price. Whether they're trainers or viable Pokemon with some broken abilities, the best thing about collecting each card is how aesthetically pleasing they look.

Although Paldea Evolved contains some amazing cards, some cards are more valuable than others, regardless of how playable they are. Since many places offer insight into how much each card costs, it can be a bit difficult to really narrow down the prices and get one for your collection.

The prices mentioned below are subject to change and reflect the current prices on tcgplayer.com

Updated by Andrew Scariatti on December 2, 2024: Paldea Evolved's chess cards have changed since release, though Iono remains among the best. While the best cards in Paldea Evolved are constantly shifting, a clear leader of the pack has emerged. If you're looking for Paldea Evolved's best cards, it's all about the illustrated rares in this stunning set.

13 Dendra (special illustration rare) – $9.08

Just hung up

If you are running out of cards in your hand and you want to get rid of this support trainer card after playing it, you can discard it and draw a full hand. This comes in very handy during competitive play.

Beyond the obvious benefit, the effects it grants you, the art of the card itself is very aesthetic, and the rarity makes it worthy of being collected and placed in your deck.

12 Grusha (special illustration rare) – $10.62

Falling like snow

Grusha is a very viable support card when it comes down to it as there are many chances that you will face an opponent without any energy cards to deliver any devastating attacks. That's where the card effect kicks in, you can draw up to seven cards from your deck, and that opens up chances for you to mount a good counter.

The card itself has some stunning artwork, and the high playability increases its value. You can use it to get out of a sticky situation.

11 Iono (Ultra Rare) – $12.89

The first of a couple

With some extraordinary line art, a cute Magneton hat, and a big yellow pull-over, Iono captivated the hearts of most Pokemon trainers around the world, and her charm landed her two expensive cards that were surprisingly hard to pull off.

This ultra rare Iono may be a little slower than his special art rare counterpart, but the card managed to rack up enough value for itself despite the weak effect.

10 Meowscarada ex (special illustration rare) – $13.42

Waiting to wake up

Meowscarada ex is an excellent Grass-type Pokemon that can terrorize your opponent's team even with benched members at the cost of a single Grass Energy card. You can also follow up your attack with its secondary ability Scratching Nail, and deal a fatal blow to your opponent's Pokemon.

The card has some amazing artifacts, and thankfully the retreat cost isn't too high either. It also helps that it boasts a good amount of HP.

However, its value does not match that of one of its pre-developed forms.

9 Owner's Order (Exclusive Illustration Rare) – $14.24

Conspiracy for the future

A decent pro card with some rather aesthetic artwork that gives you the ability to punish your opponents when they try to rely on using an attacker with a decent damage stat. This is a perfect trainer card to reissue.

This forces your opponent to spend energy knocking back Pokemon from their active location and can leave your opponents feeling salty at the end of your turn. The card itself has no other counter to its effect. You can use this Trainer Card to finish attacking Pokemon that you are already dealing damage to.

8 Sprigatito (Image Rare) – $14.81

Small and powerful

As the first form of Meowscarada, Sprigatito receives much attention in the main series games as a necessary prerequisite for the beloved final evolution. However, this cute kitten doesn't need a boost, as it surpasses the price of Meoscarada behind an incredibly cute illustration sitting among flowers.

This card had a rough ride getting to this point, sitting around $12 for a time before falling into the single digits. Its recent rally to the current market value represents incredible momentum for this card, as it looks set to maintain and increase in value over time.

7 Chien-pao East (Illustration Rare) – $18.19

A swirling blizzard

This dangerous cat is suited for a water deck with ice power and a pair of daggers for teeth. The main ability lets you siphon some of the water energy you've attached to your other Pokemon in lieu of a devastating attack.

Are you running out of energy to attack with this card? Just use Shivery Chill and take some water energy cards from your deck to your hand and end it in exchange for shuffling the whole thing.

6 Tinkaton East (Exclusive Illustration Rare) – $19.10

Rising through the ranks

Tinkaton is one of Paldea's best new Pokemon, featuring an extraordinary design that combines beauty and strength. This pink Pokemon moves softly but packs a big hammer in one of the most playful designs we've seen from any Pokemon in the last few generations.

Tinkaton has been bouncing in price since 2023, Primarily floating around the $15 to $16 mark, however, momentum is pushing this card beyond its normal range, as it approaches $20. However, very large price increases are followed by pullbacks, so be careful when buying during the hype.

5 Chi-Yu Ex (Exclusive Illustration Rare) – $21.87

Stalking the Embers

Chi-Yu provides another stunning visual that combines shading with piercing light to create one of the most beautiful cards in Paldea Evolved. This member of the Ruinous Quartet stands out as the smallest, but arguably one of the most powerful, making a name for itself in this Pokemon mainline game.

However, this card like Chi-Yu's seasonal rise and fall in VGC Once rose from $11 to around $45 in mid-2024 Before it gets cold. While the Chi-Yu does not appear to be in danger of falling below $20, that plateau is a key sign that will likely form the base from which it rises and falls in the future.

4 Raichu (Image Rare) – $33.18

A peaceful scene

With some decent stats for a Stage 1 Pokemon, the evolution of Pokemon's long-time mascot Pikachu is capable of dealing a decent amount of damage with its Thunderbolt attack. The attack cost is also manageable with the cost of all the energy you have to discard because the special ability Electrocharge lets you take two energy cards from your deck if you run out.

The card itself features some cute art; You see Raichu snoozing in bed, and the color scheme is soft and tasteful compared to other rare art.

3 Tyranitar (Illustration Rare) – $37.01

standing tall

This Stage 2 Pokemon evolves from Pupiter and packs quite a punch if your opponent tends to have a ton of Pokemon on their bench. For each benched Pokemon, your damage is multiplied, and the secondary ability is just as viable.

Sacrifice a few cards, and you can build a pretty devastating attack. Not only that, but this card also boasts some amazing artwork, with Tyranitar looking particularly terrifying in the background. Although the HP is a little low, the attack cost balances it out.

2 Iono (Exclusive Illustration Rare) – $54.63

Plenty to see

This special art rare Iono card is well worth the price, especially when you consider how much detail went into the artwork and how clean it all looks. The card's key ability to draw a card for every prize card you have makes it top-tier when it comes to this hotly contested game.

Iono is also a new fan-favorite character, and her beauty has attracted a lot of hype from fans. This trainer card features artwork that showcases her impeccable gourmet dessert making skills. He may not be the strongest trainer out there, but he is one of the cutest.

1 Magikarp (Image Rare) – $185.91

Swimming up

Let's be honest with ourselves, Magikarp has never been a big draw for any pro, especially considering how little HP the Pokemon has and how weak most of its abilities are in terms of attack damage.

However, this card continues to defy expectations in the price department, slowly climbing up the ranks of Paldei Evolve, from humble beginnings. Its current market price is less than $60 which is three times that price. Gyarados in the background of this art is a nice touch that will likely make this card stand out for years to come.