Perfect Order is the latest expansion to shake up the Pokémon TCG, and it’s bringing even more verve to an already exciting era for collectors.
Continuing the Mega Evolution Series, the set introduces four Mega Pokémon never before seen in the TCG, including Mega Zygarde, Mega Starmie, Mega Clefable, and Mega Skarmory, alongside a rich cast of Pokémon and Trainers drawn largely from the Japanese set Nihil Zero.
At just over 120 cards, Perfect Order is one of the smaller English sets of recent years. But with compactness comes tighter pulls and higher chase potential, and that means a better hit rate for those must-have cards.
So, in a set with six Special Illustration Rares, 11 Illustration Rares, and 18 Ultra Rares, what exactly should we be keeping a weather eye out for in this timely wonder of a set?
1. Mega Zygarde ex (Mega Hyper Rare)
embed::[[Mega Zygarde ex (me3-124)]]
An inaugural Mega Zygarde ex, this Mega Hyper Rare turns Zygarde’s Complete Forme into a towering, almost divine presence made of hexagonal armour.
Clad entirely in textured gold foil, this design leans into sharp, angular lines and radiant beams that fan out from behind the Pokémon, so when the light catches the card, it looks less like a creature and more like a living sigil. In the centre, Mega Zygarde poses with its cannon-like structure formed from its cells hanging over its head.
Because it sits at the top of the rarity pyramid and shares a theme with the other Mega cards in the era, this golden Mega Zygarde ex has quickly become a major chase for collectors who want a single card that encapsulates Perfect Order’s aesthetic.
Not only that, it has strong cross-appeal: fans of Legendaries, gold cards, and Mega Evolutions all converge on this one, which is why copies in clean condition are likely to remain some of the most hotly contested listings on the secondary market.
2. Meowth ex (Special Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Meowth ex (me3-121)]]
While many of the cards in Perfect Order are a rush of neon colour and dramatic textures, the Meowth ex Special Illustration Rare comes at things from a different angle.
Illustrated by Natsumi Yoshida, the card drops Meowth into a riot of comic-style flowers, food, and abstract shapes, all outlined in thick black lines and filled with saturated oranges, yellows, reds, and greens that almost explode off the foil.
Meowth itself dominates the foreground with a close-up, fist-pumping stance and huge grin, capturing the character’s mischievous, slightly cheeky charm in a way that feels more like a poster than a trading card.
For collectors, that combination of nostalgic mascot Pokémon, gallery-worthy art, and top-rarity treatment makes this one of the set’s most desirable pulls.
It is the kind of statement card that works as a binder centrepiece or display piece, even for fans who never plan to play a single game of the TCG.
3. Mega Zygarde ex (Special Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Mega Zygarde ex (me3-120)]]
An inaugural Mega Zygarde ex, this Special Illustration Rare makes it feel as if you are in the middle of one of its trademark attacks.
The card carries on that Mega Evolution-era tradition of displaying the pre-evolution stages — or, in Mega Zygarde’s case, its 10%, 50%, and 100% forms — in the background of the artwork.
With that, kantaro has managed to give the card a certain storied feel, as if this is the very moment the Legendary Pokémon appears at Prism Tower and saves Lumiose City.
That storytelling, coupled with small details like the Easter egg Zygarde cells, cements this as Perfect Order’s perfect pull.
4. Rosa’s Encouragement (Special Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Rosa’s Encouragement (me3-123)]]
Rosa’s Encouragement is the big Trainer chase of Perfect Order, and its Special Illustration Rare shows exactly why so many collectors had this card circled from the moment Nihil Zero was revealed.
Illustrated by Iori Suzuki, the artwork captures Rosa mid-stride at a summer festival, beaming straight ahead with a Pikachu-shaped ice lolly in one hand and a cup of shaved ice in the other, surrounded by balloons and soft pastel confetti.
The palette leans into warm pinks, sky blues, and buttery yellows that make her bright blue eyes pop, giving the whole card a slice-of-life, anime-key-visual feel that resonates hard with fans of the Black 2 and White 2 protagonist.
For character collectors and Unova fans, it is the definitive modern Rosa card — a grail-tier piece that pairs gorgeous festival artwork with top-end rarity.
5. Mega Starmie ex (Special Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Mega Starmie ex (me3-118)]]
Mega Starmie ex’s Special Illustration Rare treatment turns the usually symmetrical Water-type into a prismatic, city-lit spectacle, with its jewel core blasting out a multicoloured beam over a nighttime skyline.
While Mega Starmie is the definition of you’ll love it or hate it, Takuyoa’s take on this new release feels emblematic of the mastery in modern Pokémon artwork. It’s hard to argue with how well the purpley hues give life to this Water-type in the TCG. For that, the artwork surely sways to the love-it side.
From design to competitive decks, Mega Starmie ex has seen some serious play in the post-rotation format in Japan, working well alongside Mega Froslass ex. The release of Chaos Rising, and with it the introduction of Mega Greninja ex, is expected to further allow the long-legged Mega Starmie to get into its stride.
collection::pokemon-tcg-available::Shop Pokémon TCG::https://gatheringgames.co.uk/collections/pokemon
6. Mega Clefable ex (Special Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Mega Clefable ex (me3-119)]]
Mega Clefable ex’s Special Illustration Rare leans fully into dreamscape fantasy, transforming the Fairy-type into a soft, glowing centrepiece floating through a galaxy of colour, moons, and pastel starbursts.
Illustrated by Cons Nitands, the card layers ribbons of pink, yellow, and lilac light behind Clefable, with sparkles arcing around it to create a sense of upward, almost weightless motion.
The lower half of the image shifts into deep blues and purples dotted with stars, so Clefable appears to rise from a night sky into dawn, which looks especially striking on the textured foil of this Special Illustration Rare.
Like Mega Zygarde, this is the first time Mega Clefable has received its own artwork in the Pokémon TCG, and that will always carry a certain level of acclaim.
7. Clefairy (Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Clefairy (me3-94)]]
Cons Nitands wasn’t done with just Mega Clefable ex in Perfect Order. They also designed the Clefairy Illustration Rare, which shows Clefairy lazing under a sherbet-coloured sky, with moons, clouds, and golden sparkles echoing the dreamy nightscape of Mega Clefable ex.
Placed together, the two cards form a gentle, storybook panorama that tracks Clefairy’s journey from tranquil, moonlit meadow to full celestial splendour, making this pair one of Perfect Order’s most satisfying little micro-sets to chase.
Cons Nitands’ ability to design iconic Fairy-type Pokémon is clear, given they were the illustrator behind the Sylveon ex Special Illustration Rare in Prismatic Evolutions. And if that is anything to go by in terms of big value, then look no further than this new Fairy pair.
8. Jacinthe (Special Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Jacinthe (me3-122)]]
Polarising and popular in equal measure, the modern-day Pokémon antagonist lands on the list in style.
Jacinthe’s Special Illustration Rare brings a very different kind of luxury to Perfect Order, trading explosive spectacle for a lavish, Parisian-inspired elegance.
Illustrated by Souichirou Gunjima, the card frames her in a glittering high-end room, surrounded by ornate chandeliers, polished décor, and a table overflowing with sweets, fruit, and fine treats that underline her refined, connoisseur persona.
Jacinthe herself is poised and composed at the centre, while the background feels warm, busy, and indulgent, so the whole card reads like a celebration of taste, wealth, and controlled glamour from Kalos.
9. Poké Pad (Ultra Rare)
embed::[[Poké Pad (me3-113)]]
Poké Pad is where collectability meets playability, as the card allows you to search your deck for a Pokémon that doesn’t have a Rule Box and place it in your hand. It’s a staple for deck consistency.
This Ultra Rare print also comes off the back of a flurry of online activity, with collectors realising the value that may lie in their bulk common cards; the Poké Pad from Ascended Heroes has already shown there is more interest here than many would have assumed.
The Ultra Rare, however, takes that a fair bit further and gives collectors a blue-backed, border-to-border experience with vibrant, punchy colours and a nod to Pokémon lore. Well worth ripping from a pack.
10. Meowth ex (Ultra Rare)
embed::[[Meowth ex (me3-107)]]
Meowth’s popularity continues to purr in the Pokémon TCG, reflecting its long-running association with the antagonists of the world.
This Ultra Rare gives us a gawping Meowth leaping in front of a golden background — perfect framing, as it feels like a nod to its penchant for coins.
And clearly fans and collectors think Meowth ex is worth packing come Pay Day; it’s another well-designed card to add to the Pokémon’s recent run of love-in cards, including the Illustration Rare in Phantasmal Flames.
collection::pokemon-tcg-available::Shop Pokémon TCG::https://gatheringgames.co.uk/collections/pokemon
What else should you look out for?
Rowlet (Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Rowlet (me3-90)]]
Perfect Order packs a pretty punch for a release that isn’t one of the largest sets in Pokémon TCG history. And with that comes greater opportunity to hit some neat artworks.
Among them is Rowlet’s Illustration Rare, giving collectors another interpretation of the Alolan starter to sit alongside the recent First Partner Collection series. This time, we see the owl-inspired Pokémon nestled on a tree branch.
Talonflame (Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Talonflame (me3-91)]]
There are also cards that capture the city vibes of Kalos immaculately. The Talonflame Illustration Rare, for example, gives us a bird’s-eye view over the rooftops of Lumiose City, with shadings of morning light and shadows dappling the buildings. It’s really beautiful.
Raticate (Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Raticate (me3-99)]]
Another is the Raticate Illustration Rare, which gives us a different view of city life. Darkened lanes and dumpster bins are exactly where you would expect to find the Gen 1 rodent Pokémon. And here it is, baring its fangs and backed by two Rattata.
Doublade (Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Doublade (me3-98)]]
Doublade is another worthy honourable mention. The artists have gone hard with this Illustration Rare, so don’t miss it when ripping.
Aurorus (Illustration Rare)
embed::[[Aurorus (me3-92)]]
Aurorus also deserves a mention here. The artists have gone hard with this Illustration Rare too, making it another card well worth keeping an eye out for when ripping.
Final thoughts
Perfect Order is outperforming expectations out of the gate, which says all you need to know.
There might not be a Charizard chase or an unmissable Umbreon, but Perfect Order is punching above its weight because of the wealth of Special Illustration Rares and Illustration Rares that reel you into the real world of Pokémon.
Shop the Perfect Order set and all things Pokémon TCG, including booster boxes and Elite Trainer Boxes, right here at Gathering Games.
collection::pokemon-tcg-available::Shop Pokémon TCG::https://gatheringgames.co.uk/collections/pokemon
