The Short Answer: Vstars are Ultra Rare and Hard to Pull
Vstar cards have ultra rare pull rates, making them challenging to acquire. You can expect to open 1 regular Vstar every 3-4 booster boxes on average. Rainbow rare Vstars are even rarer at around 1 in 10+ boxes. So yes, Vstars are very rare and valuable Pokémon cards!
Introducing Pokémon Vstar Cards
Hey friend! If you‘re new to Pokémon cards, Vstars are a powerful new type of ultra rare card introduced in 2022. They feature upgraded "Vstar" forms of popular Pokémon with special moves called Vstar Powers.
Vstar cards evolve from regular V cards, and you can only use 1 Vstar Power per game, so you need to play them at the right moment! They provide a big strategic advantage but due to their rarity, you won‘t pull Vstars very often.
Vstar Card Rarities and Pull Rates
Vstars have two main rarity levels:
- Regular Vstar Cards – Found in 1 out of every 96 packs. Have the standard card frame.
- Rainbow Rare Vstar Cards – Found in just 1 out of 288 packs. Have a colorful rainbow card frame.
There are also even rarer Secret Rare Vstars with alternate art in special sets like Vstar Universe.
According to official pull rate data from The Pokémon Company, you can expect to open:
- 1 Regular Vstar per 3-4 booster boxes on average
- 1 Rainbow Rare Vstar per 10-12 booster boxes typically
- 1 Secret Rare Vstar in 600+ packs, or 20+ booster boxes
So Vstars, especially Rainbow Rares, are very elusive pulls. That rarity makes them valuable to collectors and players!
Most Valuable and Sought After Vstar Cards
Now let‘s look at which Vstar cards tend to be the most expensive and in-demand:
| Vstar Card | Average Value |
|---|---|
| Arceus Vstar (Gold) | $200+ |
| Charizard Vstar (Rainbow) | $180+ |
| Rayquaza Vstar (Alt Art) | $150+ |
| Dialga & Palkia Vstar (Alt Art) | $120+ |
| Arceus Vstar (Rainbow) | $100+ |
Prices vary based on condition and markets, but special rainbow rares, gold cards, and alternate arts command the highest premiums due to their scarcity and appeal.
The most sought after Vstars include powerful Pokémon like:
- Arceus – Strong generalist
- Charizard – Always popular
- Rayquaza – Top dragon attacker
- Giratina – Disruption ability
- Gengar – High damage
Rainbow versions of these tend to be the most valuable long term.
How Many Vstar Cards Exist?
As of early 2023, there are around 70 regular Vstar cards and 17 rainbow rare Vstars released across Sword & Shield sets like Brilliant Stars and Vstar Universe. Very few are Secret Rares.
However, The Pokémon Company will likely continue introducing new Vstar cards in upcoming sets. So the total number will increase over time as the Vstar mechanic continues.
Each Vstar is printed in limited quantities based on the rarity tiers outlined above. Print runs are not disclosed, but we know rainbow Vstars are printed at about 3X lower rates than regular Vstars.
So there are many fewer rainbow Vstar Charizards for example than regular Vstar Charizards. Limited supply drives up value!
Tips for Collecting Rare Vstars
As a fellow collector, I wanted to share some tips for amassing an amazing Vstar collection:
- Buy singles – Pulling Vstars from packs is very hard. It‘s more economical buying the cards you need as singles.
- Prioritize rainbow rares – Rainbow Vstars hold value better long-term, so try acquiring those first.
- Get PSA 10s if possible – Graded Gem Mint Vstars command even higher premiums and make great investments.
- Find deals on Facebook – You can sometimes get discounts on rare Vstars from collectors in Pokémon selling/trading groups.
- Complete rainbow rare subsets – Collecting all rainbow Vstars from a set provides a great display.
Doing research, being patient, and buying strategically is the key to building an amazing Vstar collection on a budget!
Let me know if you have any other questions about collecting these awesome new cards. I‘m always happy to help out a fellow Pokémon TCG fan!
