The Most Valuable Cards In Scarlet & Violet 151

If there’s one thing the Pokemon TCG does well, it regularly releases at least one outstanding supplemental expansion with big surprises in each generation. These expansions usually don’t alter the meta that much, as these cards are more focused on being collectible items with high values.

This is exactly the case with Scarlet & Violet 151, an expansion focused on the first 151 Pokemon from Red, Yellow & Blue. This adventure through the original Kanto region aims to reignite the passion and love for the retro adventure, where everything started. Collectors matched this love when putting a price tag on the most important cards of the set.

Updated December 17, 2024, by Andrew Scariati: If you love Kantonian Pokemon, 151’s best cards will be a trip down memory lane as you’ll be overwhelmed by nostalgia. The best 151 cards have seen a massive increase in value over time, with the original three starters taking a firm grip on the top spots as the most valuable 151 chase cards.

All the prices taken for this article come from TCGPlayer, and they are subject to change.

13

Wartortle

Illustration Rare – $24.29

Wartortle finally makes its return to the $20+ range, after a rocky time in mid-2024 that sent it sliding into the $16 range. This Wartortle offers a stunning scene to cement its place among the best Pokemon 151 cards in a set that’s packed with breathtaking scenes.

Wartortle looks set to leave its previous high in the dust, though more time is needed to confirm if its upward trend on the price charts will continue or begin to pull back from the new highs it set. Based on the popularity of the best 151 chase cards and Kantonian Pokemon in general, it’s likely this card’s value will continue to increase as we tread further from its original release.

12

Pikachu

Illustration Rare – $29.61

As Pokemon’s main mascot, Pikachu’s most valuable cards have a long and storied history in the Pokemon TCG, though this card might need years before its value has any chance of soaring into Pikachu’s top 15.

Despite Pikachu’s immense popularity, this card previously hovered around the same price range as Wartortle, only recently regaining its footing in the mid-20s. With set-wide price surges making it impossible to say where these values may settle, we can only guess at this card’s potential, but it’s one of the best candidates to continue its meteoric rise.

11

Ivysaur

Illustration Rare – $30.42

While you would struggle to outnumber the sheer number of Pikachu fans with those who favor Ivysaur, this Pokemon still outdoes one of the most popular Pokemon ever – for now. Ivysaur’s simple scene sees it dipping its vines into a calm river, enjoying a serene moment playing with its reflection.

Ivysaur’s price chart mimics the other new entries among the best 151 cards, though Ivysaur’s growth was slightly more steady, spiking in September 2024 before slowly inching above the $30 mark.

10

Charmeleon

Illustration Rare – $30.46

The third and final middle evolution of the original Kantonian starters finally appears, with Charmeleon commanding a minuscule lead over its peers.

Despite the current order favoring Charmeleon, expect to see these Pokemon swap places daily, as prices fluctuate more than enough to change who comes out on top.

Charmeleon experienced one of the biggest value shifts of the starter Pokemon, as it previously sunk to $16 before embarking on a mission to exceed the $30 plateau. This Pokemon’s price is heavily linked to Wartortle and Ivysaur, so expect their friendly competition to rage on.

9

Squirtle

Illustration Rare – $42.27

Another stunning and valuable Illustration Rare, this time of the Water Type starter Squirtle. This card depicts the Tiny Turtle Pokemon while they’re spending the day at the beach, playing in the waves as the warm summer day provides plenty of fun.

This version of Squirtle comes with two attacks, but is more of a statement piece in your collection or if you want to flex on your opponents in your next game. Mitsuhiro Arita does an amazing job at making the waves feel realistic as they rush up on the sand, and has captured the expression of pure joy on Squirtle.

8

Bulbasaur

Illustration Rare – $43.09

Look at this little cutie, nestled away from the sun, hanging out in the shade of a tree. All Illustration Rare cards are a special treat, oftentimes depicting Pokemon in their natural habitat; this valuable Bulbasaur chilling in the woods is a lovely example of less being more.

While Bulbasaur might not be winning any tournaments on its own, cards like these are what keep the Pokemon TCG going. This illustration by Yoriyuki Ikegami is a treat, with so much detail in all the little plants and woodlands around Bulbasaur, it’s no surprise that this basic-level Pokemon is so highly valued.

7

Charizard ex

Ultra Rare – $44.35

A Kanto-focused set can’t be a success without a Charizard card, and a most valuable list can’t be complete without a Charizard card. It’s written in stone. And this isn’t the only card our fiery lizard will have on this list.

This Charizard card is powerful. It comes with Brave Wing, an attack that deals 60 damage, plus 100 if Charizard got previously injured, and Explosive Vortex, which deals a whopping 330 damage, more than enough to sweep most of the staples of the meta. But as a drawback, it forces Charizard to discard three Fire Energy Cards.

6

Alakazam ex

Special Illustration Rare – $48.21

Finally, the stray, the forgotten, the banned Pokemon, Kadabra, has returned from its magical prison. This can only mean a second-stage Alakazam also returns with an ex card as if nothing changed after years away from the TCG; everyone missed you.

Alakazam is welcomed back to the TCG with this potent Psychic-type card. Its main attack, Mind Jack, has a potential damage output of 240 (if your opponent has a full bench), and it can even attack from the bench with Dimensional Hand.

5

Charmander

Illustration Rare – $54.46

Charmander remains one of the most popular starter choices of all time, considering its final form, Charizard, held a place in many of our hearts as one of the coolest Pokemon from Pokemon’s debut generation.

Charmander is looking up while at the bottom of a canyon and features amazing work from illustrator miki kudo. Charmander looks lonely and feels like a throwback to the anime, where Ash meets his Charmander for the first time in the rain. Charmander is the most valuable of the Kanto starter Illustration Rares, which makes sense given it sees a fair bit more play than the others.

4

Zapdos ex

Special Illustration Rare – $56.23

The list is reaching the honor roll, and with a whopping value, Zapdos takes its place among the top five. One reason behind its valuation is its competitive usage, as it has no retreat cost and can deal 90 damage to a benched Pokemon that has already received damage during the match.

But that’s not all, as this beautiful card boasts of having the three Legendary Birds on its art. Zapdos is soaring the Kanto skies alongside fellow kin, Articuno and Moltres.

Zapdos’ card is the gift that keeps on giving, and it features a design that a hardcore fan might love to have tattooed.

3

Blastoise ex

Special Illustration Rare – $75.70

Blastoise boasts a menacing card; Blastoise is floating in the middle of the sea, with a menacing pose, death staring at something we can’t see.

Blastoises falls short of second place but is in a hotly contested battle to regain its former position.

Its frightening pose is not a coincidence; this card is tearing the meta apart thanks to its bulkiness (330 HP is a lot for an ex card) and its offensive output. Even its attack’s name, Twin Cannons, is frightening. No one wants to be in front of a single cannon, let alone two.

2

Venusaur ex

Special Illustration Rare – $77.14

The price of this card skyrocketed for three reasons: Everyone loves Venusaur, it’s a beautiful Illustration Rare card, and it’s a great Grass-type card with excellent potential.

Venusaur is exploring the depths of a colorful jungle, and it can heal itself (or his friends) with his ability, Tranquil Flower, for a total of 60 damage. But if you are a foe, it’s better to not underestimate this beast, as it can confuse and poison you with its Dangerous Toxwhip.

1

Charizard ex

Special Illustration Rare – $218.20

There’s no competition if Charizard gets a full art card. It happened with Obsidian Flames’ most valuable cards, and it’s happened with practically every other set Charizard has shown up in, and it’s now happened again.

The card’s art is very different from what you’ve seen in this list, as it goes for more of a geometric style, parting ways with the anime-like designs that predominate this expansion. This unique style, alongside its great competitive potential, gives Charizard Illustration Rare the crown of this list. Last but not least, Charizard boasts a beautiful belly in this art, and it just looks lovely.