10 Most Expensive Cards in Journey Together - Pokémon TCG

The Pokémon TCG is more than a card game; it’s a celebration of the bond between trainers and their Pokémon. This has always been the case. 

Think back to the iconic Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge, classics from the early days of the Pokémon TCG, and you have no better example, with nostalgia-filled cards, such as Blaine’s Charizard and Misty’s Golduck.

Fast forward to 2025 and we’ve been given something of a spiritual successor, building on this legacy with modern flair. 

Journey Together, set to release on 28 March, is the ninth expansion in the Scarlet and Violet era. The set bottles up those battle bonds with rare full-art Trainer-Pokémon combos, powerful secret rares, and more. And of course, this has got the community clamouring. 

But what will be the 10 most valuable Journey Together cards? Let’s take a look:

1. Lillie’s Clefairy ex (Special Illustration Rare)

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Like a snapshot straight out of Pokémon Journeys: The Series, this card – Lillie’s Clefairy ex special art rare – is something of a time capsule back to the Sun and Moon era. 

Designed by Susumu Maeya, the artist who also created the special illustration Sawsbuck from Temporal Forces, this new card feels like the encapsulation of happiness. A border-to-border background of colourful flowers play host to a jovial Clefairy embracing its trainer. Lillie, hands clutched, gives off a steely determination while staring at her partner.

Already, this card feels like one that belongs in the front page of a collectors binder, ready to shimmer, shine and show off this set at its best. 

Naturally, this will mean the card will come with a hefty price tag, following in line with market demand as the Lille’s Clefairy ex special art rare looks set to be the chase for many ripping Journey Together.

2. Salamence ex (Special Illustration Rare)

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It’s impossible to go without mentioning Salamence ex, who has perhaps deservedly been given a special illustration rare after all the love Roaring Moon has received over the last year or so. The new special art rare gives strong primal vibes, and shows off the pseudo legendary in a glorious light.

3. N’s Zoroark ex (Special Illustration Rare)

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Pokémon fans love N. And that’s why N cards occupy the top two spots on this list. If there's love, there’ll be a longing for the card. If there’s a longing, it’ll be of value.

One reason there is that love is because in Pokémon lore, N and the Zorua line are synonymous. Across the franchise, the trainer has been seen battling with a Zoroark in N’s Castle, and there have even been suggestions that N himself could be a disguised Zoroark (owing to the Pokémon’s ability to copycat others).

So, a special illustration rare depicting the two together is to be of note. Especially when it has been created by Mizutani Megumi, the designer behind the popular cards such as Professor Sada’s Vitality and Morty’s Conviction.

Now, we have N’s Zoroark ex special illustration rare showing both trainer and Pokémon adopting the same battle-ready stance, mirror images of one another as if to further ignite those rumours that N may be a Zoroark. It’ll be more than enough to make the card a valuable pull, that’s for certain.

4. Iono’s Bellibolt ex (Special Illustration Rare)

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The third trainer to be mentioned on this list is Iono, who features in close quarters with her Bellibolt. In this, we see the streamer cosied up to Bellibolt – another Pokémon she’s known to partner with, per the main series Scarlet and Violet games.

Iono’s Bellibolt ex will be a card for both collectors and competitors, with the 280HP Pokémon a bit of a generator for Iono builds. Its ability, Electric Streamer, allows you to attach Lightning Energy cards from your hand to one of your Iono Pokémon as often as you like during your turn. It’s a breakneck way to accelerate Energy, and Iono’s Bellibolt ex can itself benefit from this.

With enough Energy attached, the electric attacker can use Thunderous Bolt, which hits for a respectable 230 damage – though you cannot use the attack in consecutive turns. We have previously seen this attack on Tapu Koko V in the TCG, however Iono’s Bellibolt ex has been given an extra 30 damage buff.

The character’s popularity, the Pokémon’s playability, and standout artwork likely mean Iono’s Bellibolt ex will be among the set’s highest valued cards.

5. Hop’s Zacian ex (Special Illustration Rare)

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Like the other cards we’ve covered, Hop’s Zacian ex is among the most highly anticipated cards from the set. Releasing as part of Battle Partners in Japan, the card is the archetype for everything the set promises to be.

Hop, who encountered and partnered with Zacian in Pokémon Shield, is seen crouched down next to the legendary, which appears in its Crowned Sword form. Artworks by DOM, the pastel paint style illustration is full of gravitas and personality, embodying that Pokémon-partner bond.

The fact that the card contains a legendary Pokémon alongside a trainer is a surefire indicator that the card will hold market value. The only reason it isn’t climbing higher is just because of the fandom love for Iono, N, and Lille.

6. Articuno (Illustration Rare)

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Pokémon has given us a new Articuno art rare, designed by Kuroimori, the same illustrator that brought Gardevoir ex from Paldean Fates to life. And that should speak volumes. Shards of ice crystallising in the corner perfectly frame the Kantonian legendary bird. For lovers of Gen one, it’s a must-not miss for style.

7. Volcanion ex (Special Illustration Rare)

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Fiery and fierce, this special art rare of Valcanion is sure to get the people going. And that’s important because the Fire-Water type is notoriously underrated and could do with some much needed love.

Thankfully, the design on this special art rare looks set to transport trainers right to the earth’s core, up close and personal with bellows of magma and an angry looking Volcanion ex.

These instances when we get to see Pokémon in unique habits traditionally strike a chord with collectors, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Volcanion ex a price descending of a card in the limelight.

8. Wailord (Illustration Rare)

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Amidst the Pokémon-partner cards we are receiving in Journey Together is a card that’s unique style that will capture the minds of collectors. That card is the Wailord illustration rare.

Bathed in hypnotic purples and oranges that burn from a sunset sky, Wailord is seen floating vertically in the sea, so large that it dominates the frame from seabed to sea surface. A boat, sailing by, adds scale to how big this behemoth of the Pokémon world really is. It’s a masterpiece from Katsunori Sato, the artist who gave us the slightly wintery Metagross from Temporal Forces.

Along with the artwork, Wailord has some interesting, potentially competitive qualities. Its 240HP, for example, is a solid level of bulk for a stage 1, non-ex Pokémon. Along that, Wailord boasts the attack, Hydro Pump, which costs four Colourless Energy and has a base damage of 10+. Yet for every Water Energy attached to Wailord, attack damage gets multiplied by 50, so you could theoretically hit numbers that could fell some of the meta’s top attackers.

For sure, it’s going to be a chase card for those picking up Journey Together, and its value will likely go on to reflect this. 

9. Lillie’s Clefairy ex (Ultra Rare)

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The first ultra rare on the list is this variation of Lillie’s Clefairy ex, which naturally follows on from the special art rare.

The familiar face of Clefairy takes pride of place at the front of the card, holding a wave stance that marries neatly with the Pokémon’s friendly nature. In the background, Lillie looks jovial and happy to be with her partner, dressed in a muted pink as Pokémon show us why these two just go together. They say trainers look like their Pokémon, don’t they? 

It’s a different feel to what we see with the special art rare, and that in itself only serves to set this card apart. 

With trainer-Pokémon combos something of a rarity in the franchise, a unique variation like Lille’s Clefairy ex secret rare will very likely be a card of strong market standing.

10. N’s Reshiram (Illustration Rare)

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The legendary Pokémon Reshiram shares a profound bond with N, recognising his deep yearning to uncover the truth about the possibility of friendship between humans and Pokémon. In battle, Reshiram obeys N’s commands unwaveringly, demonstrating its trust in the Hero of Truth.

So when we have a special illustration rare that depicts N being carried through glorious clouds by the Dragon-type Pokémon, then expect the value to soar too. Illustrated by Bun Tuojo, the mastermind behind the Mewtwo polo card for the 151 specialty set, this new Trainer-Pokémon has already set forums alight with comments such as ‘This is the chase!’

But to chase N’s Reshiram, you’ll likely need to invest in the Journey Together Booster Box, which in this set is being referred to as an Enhanced Booster Box.’ Why, you might ask. Well, N’s Reshiram is reportedly set to be included in these products as a promo card – akin to box topper style inclusions that we have seen in the past.

And naturally, this means N’s Reshiram is likely to command a hefty fee due to how it can be obtained.

11. Iono’s Kilowattrel (Illustration Rare)

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The second card featuring affable Iono on the list is a special illustration rare with Kilowattrel. The artwork on the card is truly unique – and there's a good reason for this. The manga-like design and thick felt lines are the USP of a new illustrator in the Pokémon TCG, Terada Tera.

And the scene captures Iono sitting under the Electric-type Pokémon’s welcoming wing as they sit and picnic together, Killowattrel berry in mouth and the trainer training her eyes on a sandwich. It’s a nice follow-on from Iono’s Wattrel, which appears as a promotional print. 

We don’t know exactly how expensive this new Kilowattrel card will be. But what we do know is that Iono is a character loved by the community. See, for example, the full art of Iono from Paldea Evolved, which still commands a very respectable fee. So, as soon as Iono appears on a card, you can be fairly certain it’ll be a card of good value. 

And let’s round this entry off with a little Easter egg. Look at the clouds in the card's artwork and you’ll find an abstract Magnemite – a well-rounded reference for an Iono card. 

12. Hop’s Zacian ex (Ultra Rare)

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This is your double dose of Hop’s Zacian ex, as we can expect the secret rare variant of the card to pop off too, commanding a hefty price at the same time.

One such reason for this is the insane artwork, with Hop featuring as a knocked-back visual behind the Pokémon Sword mascot. In the foreground, Zacian takes a stoic stance, holding its sword in its jaws as it looks ready to attack. A punchy blue background gives this just the contrast it needs to stand out in a set filled with elite artwork.

Just as we see with the secret rare for Lille’s Clefairy ex, Pokémon are seemingly introducing a new concept of displaying the trainer looming large behind their partner. And when we get these timely trends they tend to perform well in the market as they don’t last forever.

What else should you watch out for? 

This set is slammed to the brim with artworks that are ready to bring us closer than ever to the Pokémon and trainers so many love. And that means there is more than just a 10-card shortlist that needs touching on.

embed::[[N’s Zorua (svp-189)]]

The special illustration rare featuring N and Zoroark, Pokémon will be printing a softer interpretation of the relationship between the trainer and the dark type. The illustration shows the basic Dark-type Pokémon getting some love from its trainer. It’ll be a sure hit for those who have a penchant for cute cards. If you want to land N’s Zorua, you’ll need to pick up an Elite Trainer Box, as this gem of a card is the promo for this set’s products.

embed::[[Lillie’s Ribombee (sv9-164)]]

We don’t end there. Another Trainer-Pokémon combo worth keeping an eye on is Lillie’s Ribombee art rare, which like so many other cards in this high profile set, has excitement at fever pitch. The artwork shows the trainer gazing lovingly at her Pokémon, bringing those connections right to the fore.

With all that, what valuable cards will you be chasing for this hyped set? Do you have a favourite trainer you’d like to land?

Browse our full collection of Pokémon TCG including booster boxes, elite trainer boxes and much more right here at Gathering Games.

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