The 10 Most Expensive Journey Together Cards at Release

Journey Together is officially out today — happy release day! If you're in our Discord, you might’ve already seen that retailers like GameStop and Best Buy stocked shelves this morning. And if you made it there early, chances are you snagged an ETB or Booster Bundle. But before you tear into those packs, let’s take a quick look at how prices are shaping up on day one of the Journey Together release.

#10. Lillie's Clefairy ex #173 Ultra Rare

Lillie's Clefairy ex

Ultra Rare #173

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Lillie's Clefairy ex #173 Ultra Rare is currently valued around $44 at the time of writing.

Lillie’s Clefairy ex #173 rounds out our list at #10, making it the only Ultra Rare to break into the top tier. It’s down from its early prerelease spot as prices settle, but it still rides the coattails of Lillie’s massive fanbase. While it lacks the jaw-dropping flair of a full SIR, this Full Art version is a gateway card for collectors hoping to own something Lillie-themed without forking over triple digits.

#9. N's Zoroark #189 Hyper Rare

N's Zoroark

Hyper Rare #189

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N's Zoroark #189 Hyper Rare is currently valued around $45 at the time of writing.

N’s Zoroark #189 Hyper Rare sticks around in the top 10, though it’s edged down a bit in the rankings. The gold treatment and legacy of N keep this card relevant, even as collectors gravitate more heavily toward the Special Illustration Rare version. For fans of that ultra-rare shine and Trainer nostalgia, this is still a worthy pickup — just at a more reasonable price point now.

#8. Iono's Bellibolt ex #188 Hyper Rare

Iono's Bellibolt ex

Hyper Rare #188

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Iono's Bellibolt ex #188 Hyper Rare is currently valued around $48 at the time of writing.

This gold variant of Iono’s Bellibolt ex makes a solid showing at #8. It’s not the most expensive Iono card in the set (we’ll get to that), but it’s proving to be no slouch either. Between the love for Iono as a character and the enduring fascination with Hyper Rares, this card is holding its own as a mid-tier chase with high visual appeal.

#7. Articuno #161 Illustration Rare

Articuno

Illustration Rare #161

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Articuno #161 Illustration Rare is currently valued around $50 at the time of writing.

Articuno #161 continues to soar as one of the most beloved IRs in the set. Despite fierce competition from higher-rarity cards, it’s landed at #7 thanks to its gorgeous composition, nostalgic Gen 1 appeal, and Kuroimori’s stunning art. This is one of those cards where rarity doesn’t tell the whole story — the vibes carry the value.

#6. Volcanion ex #182 Special Illustration Rare

Volcanion ex

Special Illustration Rare #182

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Volcanion ex #182 Special Illustration Rare is currently valued around $55 at the time of writing.

Volcanion ex #182 refuses to budge far from its prerelease placement, holding strong at #6. The absence of a trainer in the artwork makes it an outlier among the SIRs, but its high rarity and striking artwork keep it in demand. It may not have the fanbase of some other Pokémon on this list, but its artistic presentation has earned it a loyal following.

#5. Hop's Zacian ex #186 Special Illustration Rare

Hop's Zacian ex

Special Illustration Rare #186

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Hop's Zacian ex #186 Special Illustration Rare is currently valued around $90 at the time of writing.

Hop’s Zacian ex holds strong at #5, likely supported by Zacian’s popularity more than Hop’s. The artwork, however, is undeniably strong — with a serene and gentle depiction of the duo. It’s still the lowest-ranked SIR with a Trainer, but holding position suggests this card has more staying power than some Hop haters may have hoped for.

#4. Iono's Bellibolt ex #183 Special Illustration Rare

Iono's Bellibolt ex

Special Illustration Rare #183

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Iono's Bellibolt ex #183 Special Illustration Rare is currently valued around $115 at the time of writing.

Although not as highly regarded in the US as Japan, Iono continues to hold strong, despite dropping a placement since prerelease. Iono isn't the only one, however, as even the previous #2 card was displaced by a slightly unlikely competitor. Iono's Bellibolt ex #183 continues to offer some of the best artwork, and a strong ranking in Journey Together.

#3. N's Zoroark ex #185 Special Illustration Rare

N's Zoroark ex

Special Illustration Rare #185

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N's Zoroark ex #185 Special Illustration Rare is currently valued around $135 at the time of writing.

N's Zoroark ex #185 is still a centerpiece for collectors — now sitting comfortably at #3. This card blends legacy character appeal, powerful Pokémon, and top-tier artwork by Megumi Mizutani. While it briefly flirted with the #2 spot, it's been overtaken in the latest shuffle. Still, it’s a must-have for fans of the Black and White era and one of the most iconic cards of the set.

#2. Salamence ex #187 Special Illustration Rare

Salamence ex

Special Illustration Rare #187

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Salamence ex #187 Special Illustration Rare is currently valued around $160 at the time of writing.

Salamence ex #187 rockets up to the #2 spot, proving that dragons still dominate in the TCG world. This SIR features vibrant artwork with just the right mix of nostalgia and modern style. No trainer? No problem. The sheer presence of this card — both in design and price — has collectors chasing it hard. This is extremely reminiscent of the Latias from Surging Sparks, which held the same rank and a similar price point.