TheSword & Shield era features some incredibly valuable sets, some of which can be credited with revitalizing thePokemon TCG’spopularity. Unless you’re talking aboutthe valuable cards from the original base set, each Pokemon Generation’s first TCG set, their base set, usually features a slow start to the generation.
However, despite a relatively tame collection of cards that don’t feature any chase cards that will soar into triple-digit values, there are still some solid cards in the Sword & Shield base set. From Marnie to Morpeko and many more, these are the most expensive Sword & Shield base set cards.
Cards are valued according to theirTCGPlayerMarket Price,which you mightpay for a near-mintcopy of the cards below.
10Morpeko VMAX (Secret Rare) – $7.85
A Massive Hint Of What’s To Come
Morpeko kicks things off as the first Rainbow Secret Rare to make its mark on the Sword & Shield era, and while it can ruin a design in the worst-case scenario, this Morpeko benefits from the polychromatic palette.
While the Rainbow Secret Rare style was a hallmark of thebest sets in the Sun & Moon era, its fundamental change to the card makes it a divisive rarity, thus leading to price dips or rises, depending on how the rainbow pattern works with the Pokemon.
Morpeko’s original muted palette leaves room for a recolor, making it a prime example of how to produce a beautiful and popular Rainbow Secret Rare.
9Snorlax V (Full Art) – $8.73
Running Into A Wall
Despite the massive momentum that Snorlax appears to be building in this card’s flashy red and yellow color palette, this Snorlax V falls short of the double digits.
While this Kantonian Pokemon isn’t a native of Galar, it makes a significant mark on the generation, as it also appears amongthe most expensive cards in Chilling Reignwith a Rainbow Secret Rare.
Despite falling short of the heights other Pokemon have reached from this set, Snorlax sets itself up for another successful run at the top spots, as this isn’t the last we’ll see of this sleepy Pokemon.
8Lapras VMAX (Secret Rare) – $10.29
The First Rainbow Gigantamax Appearance
Lapras leads the way past the ten-dollar mark, as this Gigantamax Pokemon picks a beautiful pose to perfectly encapsulate all of its detailed features in a Rainbow Secret Rare. The first of two Gigantamax Pokemon to appear amongthe most valuable Sword & Shield base set cards,Lapras faces heavy competition for the top spots.
Unfortunately for Lapras, its best days feel distant, as it once ascended toward the $14 mark, which is still barely within reach.
While cards in this price range face huge obstacles, they areonly a few dollars awayfrom drastically shifting their price.
7Zamazenta V (Secret Rare) – $10.76
The Shield Strikes
The Shield Pokemon settles for a solid finish, edging out Lapras by under a dollar to claim an edge over the Ice-type. This Gold Secret Rare is the second variety of Secret Rares in this set, offering a gold makeover instead of a rainbow re-color.
Zamazenta is the less popular legendary between it and Zacian, as the sword-wielding wolf commands a higher value across the board.
While Zamazenta displays a similar downward trend that many of the cards in the Sword & Shield base set experienced, it appears to be trending back upward,aiming to exceed its previous high of about $14.
6Quick Ball (Secret Rare) – $10.88
A Race To The Top
The Gold Secret Rare Quick Ball surprises everyone with a sudden appearance among the most expensive Sword & Shield Base set cards.
While Trainer Items often go unnoticed on the sidelines,certain iconic items, particularly Poke Ball varieties,can exceed expectations and erupt for unexpected gains.
The Quick Ball claims the slimmest lead on this list, as itleads Zamazenta by under 15 cents,leaving plenty of opportunity for things to see a significant shakeup as sales continue to be recorded. While its victory may be short-lived, Quick Ball has impressed us all.
5Zacian V (Secret Rare) – $12.37
A Golden Zacian Grail
The Zacian V Gold Secret Rare is one of the most valuable Zacian cards thus far, and although this Pokemon will probably receive plenty of future cards, few will compare to the debut editions.Zacian sits almost two dollars above Zamazenta,which may not seem like much, but it represents roughly a20 percent price differenceat these ranges.
Unsurprisingly, Zacian suffers from the same price slump that most of the other cards thus far have seen, as they continue to fall from previous highs, this time at $16. While it’s just over three dollars lower, Zacian hasn’t shown signs of rebounding yet.
4Marnie (Secret Rare) – $14.54
Rainbows Fading Into The Past
Marnie’s Rainbow Secret Rare variation shines with its vibrant polychromatic shimmer, defying the odds to make the top five most valuable Sword & Shield Base set cards. While Secret Rare Trainer cards typically don’t see the same interest as the full-art versions, this card continues to command a respectable price.
However, while Marnie resists the curse of Rainbow Secret Rare Trainers, she still can’t shake the slump that most of these cards are in, as even her popularity isn’t enough of a stimulant to give this card a positive price trend.
3Snorlax VMAX (Ultra Rare) – $16.30
The First Look At A Force Of Nature
The Snorlax VMAX Ultra Rare towers above the Snorlax V, sitting at almost double the cost of its puny peer. This massive Snorlax’s swirling power fills every inch of this card with amazing, vibrant details that depict Snorlax’s surging strength.
However, despite its striking composition, this card is outdone by one more Snorlax still to come.
Finally, we can point to an example ofa card from this set that has been gaining momentum,jumping from the lowest point of about nine dollars, catapulting up into the teens, andsettling in at just north of $16.
2Marnie (Full Art) – $34.34
The Queen’s Crowning Card
This magnificent Marnie card maneuvers its way into the top three most valuable cards in the Sword & Shield base set,beating out the box legendaries, Zacian, and Zamazenta, in overall priceand popularity.Full art Trainer cards always have a high price ceiling, and Marnie is no exception to this rule.
This card capped out at around $65 in 2023 but has seen a catastrophic price decline, falling over $30 in value to its current price. While theebbs and flows of the market are nothing new in Pokemon, this Marnie card might be biding time before a big rally in price.
1Snorlax VMAX (Secret Rare) – $48.98
A Gigantamax Grail
The second Snorlax VMAX surpasses the standard Ultra Rare artwork, as this Rainbow Secret Rare stands head and shoulders above its closest competitors,boasting a double-digit lead over Marnie for the most expensive.
For reference, the roughly $14 difference that separates Snorlax from second place is higher than the value of the first six cards on this list.
However, one look at this card answers any questions, as its gorgeous cacophony of colors and excellent contrast between the lighthearted rainbow and Snorlax’s intense expression gives this card plenty to appreciate. Though its rise is beginning to slow, this card jumped from under $25 to reach its unbelievable current high.
