ThePokemon TCGfeatures a fine selection of Pokemon, Supporter, and Item cards to find, but rarely do you see a blend of all three among the most valuable cards in a set, let alone a generation. Well,Black & White’s most valuable setsare known for surprises, and that’s exactly what’s in store with the most expensive B&W-era cards.
While certain eras are dominated by Pokemon or promos, the most expensive cards in the Black & White era feature unprecedented balance among the best cards, with a high bar of entry to be included. While Promo cards remain popular in this era, you may not expect some of the top cards to come.
Cards are valued according to theirTCGPlayerMarket Price,representing what you might pay on average for acopy of the cards below.
However, given their age and rarity,sale prices are vastly different depending on the card’s condition,so this market price is just a rough idea of the card’s value. Only cards with an available market price are included.
7Skyla: Boundaries Crossed (Full Art) – $214.16
Setting The Highest Standards
Skyla starts things off with a fitting introduction to the best cards from the Black & White era, asmany boundaries will be crossed by cards you might not expect.This Skyla is one ofthe most valuable full-art trainer cards everand earns its spot among the best cards of the B&W era.
Skyla is one of the most popular trainers in modern Pokemon, making her name among other all-stars like Rosa, Cynthia, and Caitlin.
Though this card isn’t as plentiful on TCGplayer as you may hope,it usually sells around its market price,give or take a bit depending on how clean the copy in question looks.
6Genesect BW101: Black and White Promos (Promo) – $229.99
The First Of A Promo Parade
Genesect celebrates a major victory, as it keeps Skyla away from its precious spot, leadingthe popular Flying-type masterby about $15, though that gap is likely to change very soon.
While Bug-type Pokemon often fly under the radar, this shiny Genesect promo makes major noise among the best Black & White era cards, falling just short of a higher placement.
Genesect is incredibly difficult to find, as a sole near-mint (NM) copy sets the current market price, leaving plenty of room for lightly played (LP), moderately played (MP), and heavily played (HP) versions to alter this card’s value as they sell. However, this card might be too rare to sell ungraded on TCGplayer.
5Eevee BW97: Black and White Promos (Promo) – $239.98
A Promo Worth Chasing
Eeveelution cards command an incredible amount of money, and Eevee is tired of letting its evolved forms take all the glory, as it jumps into the center frame in this Black & White promo card.
Pikachu’s inclusion on this cardalso plays a major role in propelling its value above other peers like Genesect.
An LP copy has set the current market price with its sale at just shy of $240,leaving even more room for this card to catapult into the $300 range or higher.While this card’s rarity is significant on its own,the conditionalways plays a role in determining how much someone is willing to pay for a card.
4Ultra Ball: Plasma Freeze (Secret Rare) – $260.41
The Gold Standard
Trainer Item cards are necessary inclusions as key elements of the Pokemon TCG, but they rarely see much fanfare in comparison to some of the most popular Pokemon and Trainer Supporters. However, the Ultra Ball is a special item that holds an essential place in Pokemon lore, making ita highly coveted Secret Rare in Plasma Freeze.
Much like the Eevee promo, this card can be very difficult to find in NM condition, as an LP sale at almost $340 sets the temporary ceiling until an NM copy eclipses this price.
However, NM copies are usually graded,making it highly unlikely that you will find one in that condition on TCGplayer.
3Gardevoir: Dark Explorers (Secret Rare) – $267.20
An Elegant Shiny
Gardevoir is one of the most popular Pokemon in the series' history and usually boastsvaluable cards, like its inclusion in Scarlet and Violet’s Paldean Fates.The Dark Explorers Gardevoir is a gorgeous depiction of this Psychic and Fairy-type’sshiny form, a brilliant blue recolor.
However, much like some of the prior entries, the TCGplayer ceiling for this card isLPcondition, which sold for as much as$250.
Strangely, one in MP condition curiously sold for more – $299 exactly two weeks before the LP sale.
2Champions Festival BW95: Black and White Promos (Promo) – $310.00
All Your Money Belongs To Bidoof
The Champions Festival promos that celebrate the year’s World Championships often include an ensemble of adorable Pokemon to enjoy, with this iteration including one of the cutest Pokemon ever: Bidoof. Given the nostalgia and scarcity of the Champions Festival series, this card is worth picking up.
The Champions Festivalseries was distributed at the Pokemon World Championships each yearfrom 2013 to 2022.
Yet again, this card hasn’t registered any recent NM sales on TCGplayer, butthe lone LP sale at just over $300sets the tone for any future copies to come.
1Charizard: Plasma Storm (Secret Rare) – $500.00
A Fiery Inferno Of Value
Charizard’s appearance among the most valuable cards in the Black & White era shouldn’t be a surprise, as this all-time great Pokemon boastsan expensive portfolio of cardsto choose from.Plasma Storm’s sole representativedoes the set justice, as this magnificent shiny Charizard boasts one of the most beautiful arts in the B&W era.
As you might expect, this Charizard card is incredibly expensive when graded, meaning it’s not easy to find it in NM condition on TCGplayer.
With another LP copy as the top sale record available, the$500 price tag is a modest estimateof what you may expect to see this card sell for in better condition.
