The Most Valuable Astral Radiance Pokemon TCG Cards

The Pokemon TCG’s Astral Radiance expansion takes us back in time, with this valuable Sword and Shield set revisiting the Hisui region we first saw in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Joining Brilliant Stars’ VSTAR cards are Radiant Pokemon, which are so powerful you’re only allowed one per deck in this format.

For collectors, there’s a lot to love in this set. Whether it’s seeing faces from Hisui in card form for the first time, or the numerous gorgeous full-art cards, Astral Radiance is a great set to open. But which cards are mot worth keeping an eye out for? Here are the best chase cards in Sword & Shield: Astral Radiance.

For these prices, we are using the market value, as listed by TCGPlayer.

Updated January 13, 2025, by Andrew Scariati: The top Astral Radiance chase cards aren’t moving as quickly as other top options from the Sword & Shield era, but the set is strengthening as a whole. Even though the best Astral Radiance cards aren’t soaring, some cards have switched positions after an eventful 2024.

12

Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR (Secret Rare) – $11.99

The God Of Space Starts Things Off

While Palkia has an incredible collection of valuable cards to enjoy, this Rainbow Secret Rare can’t compete with those top picks. Many cards from the Sword & Shield era had impressive price jumps in 2024, but this card bounced up and down uncontrollably, leaving little certainty about its overall trajectory until later in the year.

As 2024 came to a close, this card finally regained its foothold in the double digits and began to build momentum toward a higher value. While the current market price remains dangerously close to the line between single and double digits, the ever-growing Pokemon TCG market might help it reach new heights.

11

Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR (Secret Rare) – $12.35

The God Of Time Keeps It Going

This rainbow Dialga VSTAR makes the cut as one of the most valuable Astral Radiance cards, and it certainly stands out as uniquely stunning. While rainbow cards are often loved or hated, this art captures Dialga in such a prominent, fierce pose, that almost any coloring would look sharp.

If you’re not a fan of the rainbow versions, then this one might not command your attention, but at almost $20, there’s no denying this card has a fair amount of demand.

10

Irida (Secret Rare) – $12.75

Sometimes Less Is More

It’s no accident that Rainbow Secret Rares can’t find a place among the most valuable trainer cards in the Pokemon TCG, as the rainbow color palette sadly detracts from the original color schemes. Irida’s usual outfit is perfect as-is, so the rainbow recolor hides some of her unique personality.

However, despite disappointing coloration, Irida experienced a similar bump as many other cards from the Sword & Shield era in May 2024. However, that bump was momentary, as Irida continued to lose value through 2024 until a surge in the Pokemon TCG market pushed her to her current market value.

9

Irida (Full Art) – $15.91

Hisui’s Pearl Clan Leader Shines Like A Diamond

Irida has seen an incredible rise in popularity to fuel her full art card, but her use in the TCG adds to her demand. Because of her ability to search for a water Pokemon and an item, you can easily pull out Palkia VSTAR and the buff item needed to get it online incredibly early.

The two seem tailor-made for each other, and with Palkia VSTAR threatening to become such a powerful deck following Astral Radiance’s launch, everyone wants to get their hands on all the pieces of the puzzle.

8

Double Turbo Energy (Secret) – $16.41

An Unexpected Gold Card

Energy cards rarely garner much attention, and gold variations are often less desirable than you’d think. Still, somehow the Double Turbo Energy card defied the odds to find itself among the most valuable Astral Radiance cards.

While it won’t win over any casual collector’s heart, this card has decent playability in the TCG, but it’s not an eye-catcher. While it has some solid value worth cashing in on, there won’t be much to admire once you’ve taken a few glances at this card’s straightforward art.

7

Hisuian Sneasler V (Alternate Full Art) – $25.26

Climbing Up The Hisuian Price Charts

As this is a set based on Legends: Arceus, there are several Hisuian Pokemon included, like the cliff-climbing Hisuian Sneasler. The card art depicts Sneasler climbing as a beautiful sun glimmers in the distance.

This is an evolution of Sneasel that is used in Legends to help traverse the many rockey cliffs dotted throughout the region.

The alternate art for Sneasler is beautiful, depicting a vista of Hisui as Sneasler claws its way up to a nest of playing Hisuian Sneasels. The card’s effect is pretty great too, as it encourages you to stack your opponent up with status effects, such as the poison Sneasler inflicts with Poison Claws, before dropping a Dire Claw to deal big damage.

6

Beedrill V (Alternate Full Art) – $29.34

Creating An Unexpected Buzz For Bugs

Beedrill rarely comes to mind as one of the most popular Pokemon in any form, but this card’s fantastic alternate art gives Beedrill a fair bit of personality. While it’s hard to make a bee seem endearing – especially one as aggressive as Beedrill – this art shows Beedrill flying among a field of flowers.

The serene scene is uncharacteristic of Beedrill’s usual depictions and is perhaps the most whimsical moment we’ve ever seen a Beedril enjoying. While Beedrill haters will be hard to convince, this alternate art is one of the biggest surprises of the entire Sword and Shield era.

5

Garchomp V (Trainer Gallery) – $41.30

A Fierce Trainer And Pokemon Duo

It’s hard to pinpoint the coolest part of this card’s glorious art, but the combination of Cynthia and her ace Pokemon, Garchomp is a match made in heaven. The fearsome duo ended many dreams of defeating the Elite Four, as this Sinnoh Champion is notoriously strong.

Cynthia’s calm command of her Garchomp strikes fear in her opponents, and this card’s value continues to climb based on the well-developed scene. This Trainer Gallery has the potential to move even further up the list.

4

Origin Forme Palkia V (Alternate Full Art) – $44.15

A Full Art Rising Toward The Cosmos

If you want to unlock that one-hit knockout potential of Palkia VSTAR, you’ll need to evolve it from a Palkia V first. That’s likely not why this version is valued so highly; look at that art.

As the master of all physical space, it’s a genius move to put Origin Forme Palkia in a bizarre, M.C. Escher-esque landscape of twisting geometry and floating pillars. This is some of the most striking art we’ve seen on a Pokemon card in a very long time, and it being part of such an essential deck only makes it better.

3

Origin Forme Dialga V (Alternate Full Art) – $49.05

It Was Always A Matter Of Time For This Alt-Art

Dialga beats out Palkia for V and VSTAR supremacy, with Dialga back on top with this stunningly colorful alternate art. From the phases of the moon that slowly progress across the sky, to the swirl of stars as the planet spins in space, there is so much attention to detail to make this art so sublime.

While it does serve a role in Dialga VSTAR decks, being required to evolve the VSTAR form, this one is likely one of Astral Radiance’s most valuable cards simply because of how good it looks. This is a card any collector will want in their binder.

2

Starmie V (Trainer Gallery) – $71.31

A Pool Party You Won’t Want To Miss

Starmie V has seen a meteoric rise in rarity and price, piggybacking largely on the popularity of Misty, one of the original characters from the Pokemon Anime. Aside from Misty’s inclusion, the art for this Trainer Gallery card is gorgeous and vibrant.

The colors pop and are just as bright as the sunny day Misty and Starmie are enjoying in the card’s art. Whether you prefer the trainer, Pokemon, the art, or all three, this card has everything you could hope for from a Trainer Gallery.

1

Machamp V (Alternate Full Art) – $126.77

Carrying More Than Just Groceries

While some cards are valuable because of the impact they’re going to have on the game, others are worth what they are through vibes alone. Machamp V is the latter.

The secret rare art evokes earlier expansions, like Battle Styles’ hungry Tyranitar and Evolving Skies’ gigantic VMAX Eeveelutions, by just showing the day-to-day life of a Machamp as it carries out its errands in the Stow-on-Side market. It’s a sweet slice-of-life card that always proves to be a hit with collectors.