As a fellow Pokémon TCG collector and competitive player, I completely understand the thrill of chasing down ultra rare and valuable VSTAR cards. But if you‘re new to collecting VSTARs, you may be wondering – just how rare are these shiny new cards featuring epic Pokémon like Palkia, Arceus and Giratina? What makes one VSTAR card worth hundreds while others sell for pennies? Let‘s explore the rarity, value and key traits behind the Pokémon TCG‘s exciting VSTAR mechanic!
At a Glance: The Rarity of Pokémon VSTAR Cards
To start, I want to provide some hard numbers on exactly how uncommon it is to pull a VSTAR card from a booster pack:
- Regular VSTAR Card – 1 in 18 packs
- Rainbow Rare VSTAR – 1 in 95 packs
- Gold Rare VSTAR – 1 in 273 packs
For perspective, your odds of pulling a basic holographic rare are around 1 in 11 packs, while the coveted shiny Charizard VMAX from Champion‘s Path has a pull rate of just 1 in 384 packs!
So while regular VSTAR cards themselves are quite rare, their special rainbow, gold and alternate art versions range from very difficult to near impossible to obtain through opening booster boxes alone. You would have to open thousands of dollars worth of packs for a good chance at one!
The Origins and Key Traits of Pokémon VSTAR Cards
Before we dive into the most valuable VSTARs, let‘s quickly cover what exactly these shiny new cards are. VSTAR cards debuted in early 2022 as a natural evolution of the Pokémon V mechanic introduced back in Sword & Shield. According to The Pokémon Company, the VSTAR name represents the cards‘ visual design and unique Powers.
As a VSTAR collector, you can easily spot these cards thanks to:
- Full art etched foil and texture
- Stylized VSTAR icon replacing the Pokémon‘s type
- Yellow borders and energetic background colors
- Prominent yellow lettering for the Pokémon‘s name
The coolest part in my opinion are their exclusive VSTAR Power moves usable just once per game. This game-changing Ability or Attack makes VSTARs key components in competitive play.
The Pantheon of Ultra Valuable Pokémon VSTAR Cards
Let‘s count down the top 10 most valuable VSTAR cards based on their current market value:
10. Hisuian Goodra VSTAR (Rainbow) – $100+
9. Whimsicott VSTAR (Rainbow) – $130+
8. Arceus VSTAR (Rainbow) – $180+
7. Giratina VSTAR (Rainbow) – $250+
6. Charizard VSTAR (Rainbow) – $290+
5. Pikachu VSTAR (Gold) – $350+
4. Eevee VSTAR (Alt Art) – $400+
3. Palkia VSTAR (Rainbow) – $400+
2. Charizard VSTAR (Alt Art) – $475+
1. Rayquaza VSTAR (Alt Art) – $600+$
As you can see, the rarest alternate art and rainbow versions far exceed their standard VSTAR counterparts. But what factors make them so highly coveted and expensive?
Why Certain Pokémon VSTAR Cards Are Worth Hundreds
There are a few key traits that cause certain VSTAR cards like the Rayquaza, Palkia and Charizard above to command such astronomical prices:
Incredible Artwork
The alternate and rainbow rare arts showcase Pokémon like Rayquaza roaring through the cosmos or Palkia bending space itself. These illustrations are vivid, energetic and downright gorgeous – true works of art. Even standard VSTARs often have amazing artwork like Arceus harnessing its cosmic powers.
Powerful Abilities
Competitively viable VSTAR Powers also raise a card‘s desirability. Arceus VSTAR‘s ability to attach any 2 energy per turn or Whimsicott VSTAR drawing 8 cards make them playable powerhouses. This also explains the value of Charizard and Rayquaza VSTARs.
Fan Favorite Pokémon
Certain Pokémon like Charizard and Pikachu sell for higher prices regardless of competitive value, simply because they are beloved mascots. The same applies to mythicals like Mew and Celebi. Their VSTAR versions quickly become white whales for collectors.
Scarcity
The 1 in 100+ pull rates of rainbow and alt arts mean very few exist. When supply is extremely limited but demand from fans and players is high, aftermarket prices predictably soar. Early VSTAR sets like Brilliant Stars also have lower populations.
Early Release Status
The very first VSTAR cards from special sets or early main expansions hold historical significance that raises their desirability. For example, Eevee and the Eeveelutions VSTAR Premium Collections preceded main set releases.
Expert Tips for Collecting Valuable VSTAR Cards
As an expert collector, I mainly recommend buying singles rather than cracking booster boxes if your goal is to obtain the most valuable and rare VSTAR cards. While ripping packs is incredibly fun, the odds are stacked highly against pulling that 1 in 273 Gold Arceus VSTAR.
Instead, save time and money buying the exact card you want from reputable sellers and marketplaces like TCGPlayer. Be sure to scrutinize seller ratings, reviews, and return policies when making high dollar purchases. I also advise:
- Paying a premium for PSA graded 10s in pristine condition
- Joining trading and collecting communities to network for needs
- Following artists to snag new alts and rainbows early
- Researching upcoming sets for potentially valuable VSTARs
Trust me, as someone who has opened countless booster boxes, buying singles is the most efficient route to collect elite VSTARs!
The Best and Most Playable Pokémon VSTAR Cards
Beyond collecting, I also wanted to highlight some of the VSTAR cards proving themselves as competitive staples and meta deck centerpieces:
Arceus VSTAR
Arceus‘ ability to attach any 2 Energy each turn accelerates its damage output exponentially. It fittingly created an entirely new "Arceus Rush" deck archetype focused on loading it up faster than opponents can handle.
Lumineon VSTAR
Lumineon VSTAR‘s "Hyper Drain" attack for just a single Water energy lets you draw 5 cards while returning all your energy to hand. This replenishment makes it a great recurring hand refresh.
Darkrai VSTAR
Darkrai V spreads 30 damage when benched, punishing opponent‘s boards. Its "Restless Slumber" attack also forces switching and discarding for just 2 energy. It‘s incredibly disruptive.
Whimsicott VSTAR
By Turn 2, Whimsicott VSTAR can use its "Shooting Stars" attack to draw 8 new cards for just 3 energy. This early game consistency and card velocity make it a top supporter.
Palkia VSTAR
Palkia VSTAR‘s "Space Ripple" attack for 3 energy forces your opponent to shuffle their hand back into the deck, severely disrupting their strategy. It‘s like a Turbo Patch to reset their game plan.
While flashy rainbow rares fetch high prices, these regular VSTAR cards form the foundation of many competitive decks. Their unique Powers and valuable disruption make them mainstays.
A Look at Upcoming Pokémon VSTAR Cards
While early sets like Brilliant Stars established VSTARs, many more continue to release in 2022 and 2023 sets:
Silver Tempest
Dragonite VSTAR and Lugia VSTAR look extremely potent. As a Johto fan I‘m particularly excited for the HeartGold & SoulSilver nostalgia of Lugia getting a VSTAR card!
Paradigm Trigger
Giratina VSTAR‘s ability to play cards from the discard pile could be disruptive. And the set brings Dialga and Palkia origin forms into VSTARs.
Unconfirmed 2023 Expansions
Rumors point to Scarlet & Violet sets bringing in new generation VSTARs. I anticipate popular Pokémon like Greninja and Mimikyu receiving competitive VSTAR Powers.
As you can see, the VSTAR run is far from over! With more on the horizon, now is a great time to start collecting these amazing cards before they rise in value further. I hope this guide gave you some helpful tips and context on just how rare and valuable Pokémon VSTAR cards can become. Let me know if you have any other VSTAR topics you‘d like me to cover!
