Is Aggron VMAX Rare? Yes, Here‘s Why It‘s One of the Rarest and Most Valuable VMAX Cards

The short answer is – yes, Aggron VMAX is absolutely a rare and valuable Pokémon card! It ranks among the top 10 most valuable VMAX cards printed in the Sword & Shield era so far.

As an "Ultra Rare" card with a steep pull rate, stunning artwork, and viability in competitive play, Aggron VMAX checks all the boxes that make a card coveted by collectors and players alike. Its unique strengths have sustained strong demand and value years after release.

In this in-depth guide, we‘ll explore why Aggron VMAX is so rare, from pull rates and market value to how it stacks up against the most expensive VMAX cards ever printed. Let‘s dive in!

Aggron VMAX Rarity Overview

Aggron VMAX hails from the Brilliant Stars expansion first released in February 2022. According to the official Pokémon TCG rarity scale, it is classified as an "Ultra Rare" card – more scarce than standard Rares and Uncommons, but below Secret Rare status.

Its precise rarity label is 097/172. This indicates Aggron VMAX is the 97th Ultra Rare card out of the 172 different Ultra Rares available in the Brilliant Stars set.

With a total card count over 190, Ultra Rares make up less than 10% of the Brilliant Stars set. And among those Ultra Rares, Aggron‘s number 97 slot puts it on the rarer side, with expert estimates placing its pull rates around 1 in every 144 packs.

To put that into perspective, here is how the Ultra Rare Aggron VMAX compares to other rarity tiers in terms of approximate pull rates:

Rarity Level	Pull Rate Odds
Common	1 in 10 packs
Uncommon	1 in 5 packs
Rare	1 in 14 packs
Ultra Rare	1 in 144 packs
Secret Rare	1 in 300 packs

So while not reaching the pinnacle Secret Rare status, Aggron VMAX sits on the upper end of Ultra Rare scarcity. This level of rarity is a key factor that makes the card hold such strong value on the secondary market.

Aggron VMAX Secondary Market Value and Price History

As a highly sought after Ultra Rare, Aggron VMAX has commanded premium pricing ever since its release:

Release (February 2022) – $30 to $40 ungraded
May 2022 – $15 to $25 ungraded
August 2022 – $10 to $15 ungraded
November 2022 – $25 to $35 ungraded

The initial hype upon release drove ungraded copies over $30. By mid 2022, increased supply led to a decline in the $15 to $25 range. But renewed interest has since propelled values back up between $25 and $35 for ungraded copies in lightly played condition.

Mint condition graded copies can fetch even higher premiums. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Aggron VMAX recently sold at auction for $105!

Based on its continuing popularity and playable utility, I anticipate Aggron VMAX holding stable long term in the $25 to $50 range. Major spikes could occur if bought out by influencers or a new competitive deck emerges featuring Aggron VMAX. But even at base level, it remains considerably more valuable than the majority of standard VMAX cards.

How Rare VMAX Cards Compare to Aggron VMAX

Aggron VMAX‘s rarity and value clearly place it amongst the upper echelon of VMAX cards. But how rare is it really compared to the absolute most valuable VMAX cards ever printed?

Let‘s analyze how Aggron VMAX stacks up against the top 10 most expensive VMAX cards:

Top 10 Most Valuable Pokémon VMAX Cards

Rank	Card	Set	Value Range
1	Alt Art Umbreon VMAX	Evolving Skies	$400 – $600
2	Alt Art Rayquaza VMAX	Evolving Skies	$200 – $400
3	Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX	Champion‘s Path	$120 – $250
4	Alt Art Gengar VMAX	Fusion Strike	$80 – $200
5	Alt Art Blaziken VMAX	Chilling Reign	$80 – $150
6	Rainbow Rare Pikachu VMAX	VMAX Climax	$60 – $120
7	Alt Art Leafeon VMAX	Evolving Skies	$50 – $120
8	Alt Art Espeon VMAX	Evolving Skies	$50 – $100
9	Aggron VMAX	Brilliant Stars	$25 – $100
10	Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX	Chilling Reign	$15 – $60

Aggron VMAX firmly holds the #9 spot, surpassed only by the incredibly scarce Alternate Art and Rainbow Rare VMAX variants. Its value range sits lower than the above premium versions, but remains substantially higher than standard VMAX cards.

The gap primarily comes down to two key differences – lower pull rates for Alt Arts and Rainbow Rares, and the aesthetic appeal of their stunning artwork treatments. We‘ll analyze these factors next.

Why Are Alt & Rainbow VMAX Cards So Valuable?

The main reasons these remarkable alternate artwork VMAX cards achieve such astronomical valuations are:

Extremely Limited Pull Rates – Rainbow Rares fall around 1 in 300 packs while Alt Arts are found in approximately 1 in 600 packs. This extreme scarcity greatly limits supply.
Jaw Dropping Artwork – The Alternate and Rainbow treatments depict full art illustrations of the Pokémon with tremendous skill and vibrancy. Their beauty makes them highly coveted.
Massive Collector & Player Demand – Combine jaw dropping art with already popular and playable VMAX Pokémon like Umbreon, Rayquaza, and Charizard, and demandskyrockets.

So while Aggron VMAX itself is no doubt rare and valuable, these extra factors give the premium alternate versions a tremendous leg up when it comes to maximum resale value. But Aggron still remains a consistent top 10 ranker.

How Difficult are VMAX Cards to Pull Generally?

To fully appreciate the difficulty of obtaining any VMAX card, let‘s analyze the overall VMAX pull rates:

Total Ultra Rare Pull Rate: ~5%
VMAX Portion of Ultra Rares: ~30%
Total VMAX Pull Rate: ~1.5%

In any given booster pack, you only have around a 1.5% chance to find a VMAX card of any kind. At that success rate, you would have to open approximately 67 random packs just to pull a single VMAX!

Considering individual VMAX like Aggron fall around 1 in 144 packs, you could easily open hundreds of packs before finding that one specific VMAX you‘re hunting. Even general VMAX cards require great patience or luck to obtain.

So while the rarest Alt Art and Rainbow VMAX variants represent the pinnacle, remember that all VMAX cards remain challenging pulls praised by collectors when found. This scarcity imbues even standard VMAX cards like Aggron with intrigue and value.

The #1 Rarest Pokémon VMAX Card

Given the analysis above, the crown for absolute rarest and most valuable Pokémon VMAX belongs to:

The Alternate Art VMAX Umbreon from Evolving Skies

Between exceedingly limited circulation with 1 in 600 pack pull rates, sought-after Eeveelution status, and breathtaking artwork, this VMAX Umbreon Masterpiece sells for $400 to $600+ in PSA 10 condition.

It stands in truly rarified air even amongst Pokémon‘s rarest cards. But cards like the Aggron VMAX still provide immense value and collector appeal in their own right.

Other Highly Rare & Notable VMAX Cards

While Umbreon VMAX claims the top spot, many other remarkable VMAX rank amongst the rarest and most sought after:

Rainbow Rare Charizard VMAX – As the face of Pokémon, this iconic card sells for $250+ routinely.
Gold Inteleon VMAX – The only Golden style VMAX in existence. Worth $400+ in PSA 10.
Alt Art Lugia VMAX – Both normal and AA Lugia VMAX are worth $100+ thanks to its enduring popularity.
Alt Art Blaziken VMAX – One of the rarest alternate arts, it sells for $100 to $200 consistently.
Rainbow Rare Pikachu VMAX – As Pokémon‘s beloved mascot, any Rainbow Pikachu VMAX exceeds $100 in value.

And there are likely even more remarkable VMAX on the horizon that could join these ranks. But Aggron will remain etched in history as one of the most important VMAX from the early Sword & Shield era.

Aggron VMAX Origin – Brilliant Stars Expansion

Aggron VMAX first emerged in the Brilliant Stars expansion released worldwide on February 25th, 2022.

Brilliant Stars quickly became one of the most celebrated Pokémon TCG sets ever thanks to its competitive playables, amazing Trainer Gallery subset, and fan favorite selection of Pokémon.

Here are some key facts about the defining Brilliant Stars set:

Total Cards: 198 (172 regular, 25 full arts, secrets)
Notable Mechanics: Debut of VSTAR cards, Introduction of Trainer Gallery subset
Major Cards: Charizard V, Arceus VSTAR, Lumineon V Alt Art, Umbreon VMAX, Aggron VMAX
Release Date: February 25th, 2022

So Aggron VMAX arrived early in the Sword & Shield card game journey, cementing its legacy as one of the first examples of the mighty VMAX mechanic. Its role in the set‘s success ensures its historical significance.

Finding Your Own Aggron VMAX

Originally, the only way to obtain Aggron VMAX was opening Brilliant Stars booster packs until you got lucky. But as more enter circulation, purchasing singles has also become quite viable.

Here are tips for adding an Aggron VMAX to your collection:

Booster Pack Method

Open Brilliant Stars packs – While risky with 1 in 144 odds, the thrill of pulling your own gives immense satisfaction.
Purchase Booster Boxes – A booster box provides 36 packs, giving you over 25% odds of pulling Aggron VMAX. But boxes now exceed $200.

Single Card Purchase

Buy raw copies – Raw Aggron VMAX generally sell between $25 and $40 depending on condition. Provides nice savings over a booster box.
Purchase graded – Graded versions from PSA or BGS guarantee mint condition but cost more. Expect to pay $75+ for a PSA 9 and $100+ for PSA 10.
Trading – Connect with the Pokémon community to trade alternate cards for an Aggron VMAX.

With booster box costs now so high, singles provide more reliable access to cards like Aggron VMAX. But I‘ll always have a soft spot for the adrenaline rush of cracking packs!

Is Aggron VMAX Playable & Viable?

An important aspect of rare cards like Aggron VMAX beyond collecting is actual viability in the Pokémon TCG competitive scene. So how does Aggron VMAX stack up?

Thanks to its Meaty Hammer attack dishing out 250 damage for just 3 Energy, Aggron VMAX quickly emerged as a formidable attacker during the early Sword & Shield formative years.

Its weakness to Fighting is partially offset by a strong resistance to Normal types.

While not considered a top tier threat, Aggron VMAX has seen situational success in some tournament decks as an explosive damage threat. Its lack of consistency has prevented true top tier ubiquity. But as a metagame counter pick, its raw power gives pause to all opponents. I‘ve personally used it as a surprise tech to throw off Fighting deck pilots in local tournaments!

So whether competing at top tables or in casual games with friends, Aggron VMAX offers playable value equal to its collector value. Both types of Pokémon fans have reason to covet this magnificent metal beast!

Tips for Selling High Value Cards Like Aggron VMAX

For those fortunate enough to pack a pristine extra Aggron VMAX, you may consider selling or trading it. Here are tips for maximizing your return:

Get the card professionally graded – Grading significantly bolsters value. PSA and BGS are the top two services.
Sell through eBay auctions – Auctions allow cards to sell for true market value. But beware of fees cutting into profit.
Facebook groups – Marketplace groups focused on Pokémon buying, selling and trading offer exposure to serious collectors.
TCGPlayer – Leading hobby marketplace. Link your bank account to quickly sell cards.
Locating buyers – Check local gaming stores, conventions, flea markets for potential buyers.
Avoid buylists – While easy, buylists pay only 30-50% of a card‘s worth. Maximize profit through peer-to-peer selling.

Cards like Aggron VMAX in pristine condition are so scarce, you can easily gain $100+ in trade value from just one copy. Use these tips to make the most of your pack luck!

Why Aggron VMAX is So Valuable – A Recap

Let‘s summarize the key factors that contribute to making Aggron VMAX one of the Pokémon TCG‘s premier modern chase cards:

Its Ultra Rare classification puts it in the top 5% scarcest cards in new sets
1 in 144 pack pull rates make it a steep hunt even amongst other VMAX
Striking card artwork and fan favorite Pokémon drive collector intrigue
Solid competitive viability provides actual gameplay value
Continues selling for $25+ two years after release in Brilliant Stars
Graded Gem Mint copies can sell for $100+

Due to these strengths, Aggron VMAX remains as one of the most coveted pulls from the Sword & Shield era. While new expansions will introduce fresh contenders, this metal monster‘s combination of rarity, artistry, and power cement its status as a modern prize.

Closing Thoughts

Aggron VMAX stands tall as one of the defining Ultra Rare cards of the entire Sword & Shield run so far. Its rarity and quality ensure sustained demand and value appreciation into the foreseeable future.

While not matching the sheer prestige of one-of-a-kind alternate arts, Aggron VMAX provides a more attainable grail for dedicated collectors. And its competitive merits give players reason to run it beyond bling appeal.

Ultimately, Aggron VMAX represents everything that makes the Pokémon TCG so special – scarce cards with compelling artwork that also enable fun gameplay. This adds up to an elite card prized by hobbyists worldwide.

So next time you crack open a booster pack, keep an eye out for this brilliant beast. If Aggron VMAX emerges, you‘ve struck gold! Thanks for reading this guide on one of the rarest and most special VMAX out there.