Is Dialga VSTAR Rare? A Complete Rarity and Value Guide

If you‘re a Pokemon TCG collector or investor, you‘ve probably heard about the ultra rare and valuable Dialga VSTAR card that just released. But exactly how rare is Dialga VSTAR? What are the different versions worth? Let‘s take an in-depth look at everything that makes this one of the most sought-after modern Pokemon cards.

An Overview of Dialga VSTAR Rarity

Dialga VSTAR currently has two main versions – a standard holo rare and a special alternate art. Both are extremely tough pulls. Here‘s a quick rarity breakdown:

• The regular Dialga VSTAR is classified as an Ultra Rare in the Astral Radiance set.

• The alternate art Dialga VSTAR is considered a Secret Rare – even harder to obtain than the holo version.

Out of the total 189 cards in Astral Radiance:

So as you can see, Dialga VSTAR makes up a very tiny portion of the entire set – less than 4%! Let‘s dig deeper into the specifics.

Estimated Pull Rates

It takes most collectors hundreds of Astral Radiance packs just to pull one copy of Dialga VSTAR based on reported pull rates:

• Regular Dialga VSTAR – approximately 1 in every 120-150 packs
• Alternate art Dialga VSTAR – roughly 1 in 300-400 packs

These low pull rates combined with limited supply make both versions very elusive to obtain. However, the alternate art is by far the most scarce.

Current Market Value of Dialga VSTAR Cards

The market prices of PSA-graded Dialga VSTAR reflect its rarity and high demand:

• Regular holo Dialga VSTAR – $30-$60 raw / $100+ PSA 10 graded

• Alternate art Dialga VSTAR – $150-$300 raw / $400+ PSA 10 graded

Raw copies of the alternate art are selling for 5x more than the standard version. And PSA 10s command over 4x the value.

What Makes Dialga VSTAR So Valuable?

There are several key factors that make Dialga VSTAR one of the most coveted modern chase cards:

Powerful in Competition

Dialga VSTAR is very strong in the competitive TCG metagame right now. It‘s seen extensive play and success at tournaments, especially in Japan.

As prolific competitive player Azul Garcia Griego said, "Dialga VSTAR is for sure going to be one of the best cards post-rotation."

Iconic Legendary Pokemon

As a mascot Legendary for Pokemon Diamond, Dialga has an immense fanbase. It‘s a temporal dragon representing time itself.

Extremely Limited Supply

Dialga VSTAR comes from special set print runs that had much lower supply than main Sword & Shield era expansions. This guarantees long-term scarcity.

Incredible Artwork

The alternate art version features Dialga appearing through a cosmic blue warp with a stunning hyper-realistic illustration style. Collectors and investors love chasing cards with standout artwork.

Exciting New VSTAR Mechanic

The debut of the powerful VSTAR mechanic in Pokemon Astral Radiance has added great hype and intrigue around cards like Dialga VSTAR.

Dialga VSTAR Popularity in Japan

Dialga has always been more popular in Japan than the West. The alph Lithograph Dialga promo pictured below sold at auction for $50,000 in 2021 – more than 1st Edition Base Set Charizard:

This demonstrates how sought after premium Dialga cards are amongst Japanese collectors.

Long Term Investment Outlook

As one of the most iconic cards from the debut VSTAR set, Dialga VSTAR should maintain excellent growth long-term. Here are my projections as a Pokemon investor:

• Popularity will remain very high amongst competitive players, collectors, and fans.

• Prices may dip slightly over the next 1-2 years as more supply enters the market. But the population of pristine 10s will stay very low.

• Graded PSA 10 prices will likely 2x-3x within 3-5 years. Sealed booster boxes and packs are great hold options.

• Dialga VSTAR will remain one of the most important Pokemon cards from the entire Sun & Moon/Sword & Shield era.

Conclusion

With its competitive utility, stunning artwork, legendary Pokemon status, and very limited print runs, Dialga VSTAR is one of the rarest and most valuable modern chase cards. Both versions will continue appreciating substantially over time.

Dialga VSTAR is a must-have anchor for any serious Pokemon investor or collector. This card perfectly represents what makes the TCG hobby so exciting right now.