#20 Most Useful Legendary Assortment Playing cards – Destructoid
Table of Contents
The Pokemon TCG’s Legendary Assortment launched in Might 2002 and featured reprints of famed playing cards from the sport’s first 4 units: Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, and Crew Rocket. Whereas lots of the playing cards from these first units are among the many most dear Pokemon playing cards of all time, Legendary Assortment featured one card in every pack with a particular foiling methodology – deemed “Fireworks” by followers and collectors – which might be supremely beneficial and scarce.
This foiling methodology is kind of placing, and even common-rarity playing cards with this remedy, similar to Abra or Dratini, are value effectively over $40. In truth, the lowest-priced fireworks reverse holo card from Legendary Assortment is the uncommon Coach card Pokemon Breeder at a cool $28 median worth. However what are essentially the most beneficial playing cards from this cherished Pokemon TCG set? Let’s dive in.
Word: All costs are by way of PriceCharting and reference ungraded copies of the cardboard; graded copies of any of those playing cards are value considerably extra. All costs are topic to alter primarily based on market situations.
20. Charizard – Holo
Market Worth: $116.70
The one non-fireworks card on this record is, unsurprisingly, one other model of one of the iconic Pokemon playing cards ever: Base Set Charizard. Seeing as Legendary Assortment is house to reprints of the preferred and well-known playing cards from earlier units, discovering Base Set Charizard within the set is to be anticipated.
With great and instantly recognizable artwork from legendary Pokemon TCG illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita, this Legendary Assortment model of Charizard appears no totally different than the Base Set one, however as a result of it hails from an exceedingly uncommon and extremely sought-after set, rising tides (or on this case flames) raise all boats, so this card is value effectively over $100 on the secondary market.
19. Jolteon – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $124.25
This placing Jolteon initially launched as a part of the TCG’s second-ever set, Jungle, which debuted the beloved Fundamental Pokemon Eevee and its (on the time) three evolutions: Flareon, Jolteon and Vaporeon. Since Era One, 5 extra Eeveelutions have been unveiled and have change into main chase playing cards all through the sport’s historical past, with Umbreon specifically being a fan-favorite with quite a few big-money playing cards.
With the stunning fireworks holo end that’s Legendary Assortment’s trademark and robust art work from Kagemaru Himeno of a rosy-cheeked Jolteon with its tongue protruding delivering some type of electricity-based assault, this card is an actual magnificence and represents the second-most beneficial Eeveelution card from this set behind…
18. Flareon – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $125.00
Eevee’s Hearth-type evolution card from LC is value only a hair greater than its Electrical-type sibling, and it’s straightforward to see why: the art work! Initially launched within the Jungle set, this Flareon card incorporates a beautiful illustration of Flareon, as soon as once more by Kagemaru Himeno, set in opposition to a bejeweled, rainbow-colored background.
The mix of the glitzy fireworks holo sample and Himeno’s memorable art work make this card a scorching ticket amongst Flareon collectors, and it stays one of many high 5 most dear Flareon playing cards ever launched over 20 years after it debuted on this set.
17. Bulbasaur – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $127.77
The Kanto starters (Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle) are among the many most notable Pokemon of all time, so it’s no shock to see all three starters on this record of their fireworks reverse holo guises. The primary Pokemon ever (in keeping with Pokedex quantity at the least), Bulbasaur, kicks issues off.
With one other brilliantly illustrated card from Mitsuhiro Arita, first debuting in Base Set, and the actually singular fireworks holo end, seeing this ultra-rare Bulbasaur card be value almost $130 on the secondary market isn’t any shock, and it stays the single-most beneficial Bulbasaur Pokemon TCG card (non-Topps selection, that’s).
16. Squirtle – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $128.75
Following up the first-ever Grass-type starter Pokemon within the franchise’s historical past is the first-ever Water-type starter, Squirtle. This beloved shell-bound cutie is utilizing one among its assaults, Bubble, in yet one more splendidly illustrated card from Mitsuhiro Arita – who was chargeable for six of the 9 playing cards in Base Set that make up the Kanto starter evolutionary strains.
Very similar to Bulbasaur’s Legendary Assortment fireworks card, this Squirtle card is essentially the most beneficial one that includes this fan favourite from the TCG – not counting the Pokemon Snap Finest Photograph Contest promo card, of which solely 20 copies had been ever created. The fireworks sample, on this Pokemon coach’s opinion, appears stupendous on Water-type playing cards and particularly good when paired with one of the best Kanto starter (don’t @ me).
15. Mewtwo – Field Topper Reverse Holo
Market Worth: $129.91
The primary of 4 Field Topper playing cards featured right here was initially printed as a non-holo Black Star Promo (#12) with art work from legendary Magic: The Gathering illustrator Christopher Rush, who was chargeable for the art work on immediately recognizable playing cards like Black Lotus, Lightning Bolt, Mana Leak and Rod of Smash. This was the one card that Rush illustrated for the Pokemon TCG.
Field Topper playing cards had been bonus playing cards launched in Legendary Assortment that had been inserted into sealed booster bins and featured bigger dimensions than common playing cards (126.5 × 90.0 mm vs. 87.0 × 63.0 mm), however smaller dimensions than jumbo playing cards (205.5 × 145.5 mm). Field Toppers would change into standard-sized promo playing cards beginning with 2004’s Crew Magma vs. Crew Aqua launch.
14. Darkish Raichu – Field Topper Reverse Holo
Market Worth: $146.56
This larger-scale model of Darkish Raichu represented a particular reprinting of the primary secret uncommon within the TCG’s historical past. Considerably surprisingly, the usual fireworks reverse holo of Darkish Raichu will not be one of the beneficial playing cards from Legendary Assortment, solely clocking in with a price of $87.04.
The Field Topper model, nevertheless, is kind of the chase card, as collectors and followers first needed to acquire a booster field of this product – not as widespread again then as it’s at present – after which pull one among 4 choices for the Field Topper. The bigger measurement of this card makes it an intriguing curio for followers.
13. Alakazam – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $156.38
The ultimate evolution of Abra will all the time maintain a particular place within the Pokemon TCG canon because it’s the primary card (by set quantity) within the sport’s historical past when it debuted as a holofoil in Base Set all the way in which again in 1999.
Alakazam has plenty of big-money playing cards on the secondary market, together with this one, although this Psychic-type’s most dear playing cards hail from the e-Card sequence of units: Expedition, Aquapolis, and Skyridge. Nonetheless, the fireworks reverse holo model of ‘Zam is placing and it’s comprehensible that it’s value over $150 on the secondary market.
12. Darkish Blastoise – Field Topper Reverse Holo
Market Worth: $158.76
The second-most beneficial Field Topper out of 4 in LC is the darkish variant of Squirtle’s closing type, Blastoise. Darkish Pokemon within the TCG had been launched within the Crew Rocket enlargement and characterize corrupted variations of Pokemon that had been raised negligently by their trainers (take into consideration the hard-hearted means Silver treats his ‘mon within the early goings of Pokemon Gold & Silver).
As soon as once more, the bigger scale of this card coupled with the singular reverse holo sample discovered on the earliest Field Toppers (a variant of the “cracked ice” holo methodology) make it a best choice for Blastoise followers. Curiously, in contrast to Darkish Raichu, the Field Topper model of this card is definitely not as beneficial as the usual fireworks reverse holo.
11. Darkish Dragonite – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $165.55
One other darkish Pokemon variant that initially launched within the beloved Crew Rocket enlargement, this card remodeled the Pokemon universe’s first pseudolegendary Pokemon (aka Powerhouse Pokemon, the official title) from a delicate, sweet-looking creature into an offended, vengeful beast.
The Pokemon TCG would revisit Darkish Dragonite as a Darkness-type card as a substitute of a Regular-type one in 2004’s Crew Rocket Returns enlargement, which is a extremely sought-after set with a supremely excessive median worth that generally truly outpaces the amazingly dear Legendary Assortment.
10. Mewtwo – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $170.00
A traditional-sized model of the aforementioned Field Topper reverse holo Mewtwo, this card as soon as once more options the superb, and strange, art work of Christopher Rush of Magic fame. Whereas the Field Topper model of this card could be far rarer, the usual model is definitely the extra beneficial one.
Why is that? It’s seemingly because of the truth that this card merely has extra gross sales knowledge than the marginally bigger Field Topper model. As such, graded copies of this card can actually break the financial institution, with playing cards graded with a 9 reaching a price ticket near $700. In the event you can handle to grade this card out at a ten, you’re over $3,000 – although these solely come alongside roughly annually.
9. Darkish Blastoise – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $177.00
Very similar to the standard-sized Mewtwo fireworks reverse holo, the conventional Darkish Blastoise reverse holo is value greater than the unusually sized Field Topper model. Although Mewtwo playing cards are scorching tickets, they usually don’t fairly attain the cache that playing cards that includes the ultimate types of the unique Kanto starters attain.
Although lots of the playing cards on this record had been by no means main aggressive threats within the early days of the TCG, Darkish Blastoise was an exception, because it served as a powerful finisher in Rain Dance decks that employed Base Set Blastoise’s eponymous Pokemon Energy: Rain Dance. Seeing because the playing cards had totally different names, decks of this ilk might characteristic as much as 4 of each normal Blastoise and Darkish Blastoise. Whereas Blastoise boasted extra HP and the deck’s namesake, Pokemon Energy: Rain Dance, Darkish Blastoise was capable of up the utmost harm from 60 to 70, making it a simpler finisher for the archetype.
8. Pikachu – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $199.99
Beginning a run of three consecutive playing cards that had been of the widespread rarity after they had been initially printed is likely one of the most recognizable characters throughout all of gaming. In fact, it’s Pikachu. The mascot of the Pokemon franchise is that this lovable little electrical mouse, who noticed printings in two straight units on the TCG’s origins: Base Set and Jungle.
This fireworks reverse holo model is a reprint of the Jungle printing, which is an effective factor, because it was the higher card all-around. As somebody who traded Pokemon playing cards on the playground (the place I spent most of my days) as a wee lad, the Base Set Pikachu was not regarded extremely, as its art work was not fairly as clear and recognizable as Ken Sugimori’s from Jungle. Nonetheless, seeing a card that was initially a standard hit almost $200 on the secondary market is pretty stunning – however that exhibits the shortage and broad enchantment of the one-off fireworks reverse holo sample.
7. Eevee – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $199.99
Some of the beneficial widespread playing cards from Legendary Assortment, in addition to one of the beneficial widespread Pokemon playing cards of all time, is that this printing of Eevee. Seeing as how Pokemon has turned this Regular-type right into a nominal second mascot for the franchise, this reprinted fireworks reverse holo model of Eevee’s first card from Jungle being value only a hair beneath $200 makes excellent sense.
In fact, Eevee and its evolutions have lengthy been fan favorites – each within the TCG and in mainline Pokemon video games – so this card being extraordinarily beneficial isn’t any shock. What’s considerably of a shock is that this card is value greater than its Eeveelution counterparts. Maybe the Regular-type coloration merely appears superb as a fireworks holo, or maybe it’s the sheer novelty of getting a card that includes one of the well-known Pokemon of all time from one of many sport’s rarest units.
6. Charmander – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $203.84
Essentially the most beneficial reprinted Kanto starter in Legendary Assortment is, unsurprisingly, Charmander, the ever-popular Hearth-type. Whereas the unique Base Set printing could be had for a relative pittance (sub-$2 per PriceCharting), the fireworks reverse holo model is value over $200.
With memorable, pastoral art work from Mitsuhiro Arita that exhibits Charmander seemingly stunned that its flaming tail has set a tuft of grass alight, this card appears beautiful within the fireworks reverse holo end, and seeing as Charmander and its evolution line is among the many most well-known in Pokemon historical past, it’s becoming to see it rank as essentially the most beneficial widespread card from LC.
5. Snorlax – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $222.91
Snorlax is a beloved Regular-type Pokemon that initially debuted as a part of the unique 151 Pokemon from the Pokemon Purple and Blue video games. Within the TCG, Snorlax didn’t get launched till the Jungle enlargement, and this LC card is a reprint of that one with the distinctive and delightful fireworks holo sample. Very similar to Eevee earlier than it, the Regular typing lends itself to this foiling methodology.
That includes authentic Pokemon designer Ken Sugimori’s traditional art work that exhibits this beefy ‘mon giving viewers a bemused wave, this card is a tremendous chase uncommon from LC, and even closely performed variations go for effectively over $100 on the secondary market. If you need a extremely graded copy of this card, similar to one with a grade of 9, anticipate to shell out wherever from $600 to $800.
4. Venusaur – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $233.80
Regardless of Venusaur seemingly being the least fashionable closing evolution of the Kanto starters, its Legendary Assortment fireworks holo clocks in with a far greater worth level than Blastoise, although nowhere close to Charizard (extra on that later). Why is that? It’s seemingly because of the truth that the Blastoise card present in LC will not be the unique Base Set printing, however reasonably the much less recognizable Darkish Blastoise variant from Crew Rocket.
As such, Venusaur slots into the number-four spot on this record with a wholesome price ticket of over $230 on the secondary market over 20 years after this set launched. Whereas not as iconic as Base Set Charizard or as highly effective as Base Set Blastoise, Base Set Venusaur retains a sure cache amongst collectors since Venusaur has lengthy been a aggressive powerhouse in mainline Pokemon video games.
3. Gengar – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $360.63
Gengar playing cards are among the many hottest and beneficial all through the historical past of the TCG, so it’s considerably stunning that Pokemon TCG didn’t launch its first Gengar card till the sport’s third set, Fossil, launched in October 1999. Whereas the Gengar VMAX full artwork card from Fusion Strike continues to climb to obscene heights when it comes to worth, this LC Gengar isn’t any slouch in that space.
With a price ticket effectively above $350 and placing computer-generated art work from authentic Pokemon TCG illustrator Keiji Kinebuchi, this card is a particular traditional – and it appears particularly stunning in its fireworks reverse holo guise. Whereas there are extra beneficial Gengar playing cards on the market, this one is unquestionably a spectacular addition to any collectors of playing cards that includes the sport’s first final-stage ghost.
2. Charizard – Reverse Holo (Fireworks)
Market Worth: $571.88
As you may anticipate, the 2 most dear playing cards from Legendary Assortment are each variants of the unique printing of Charizard from Base Set, which is likely one of the most recognizable playing cards throughout the whole spectrum of gathering – not simply Pokemon TCG gathering.
This model of the cardboard is, as soon as once more, the fireworks reverse holo rendition, which appears completely stupendous subsequent to the sensible authentic art work from Mitsuhiro Arita that exhibits the fireplace lizard spewing out flames at its foe. Whereas ungraded copies of this card method a $600 median worth, when you get this card graded out a 9, it’s value about $3,500. And when you’re fortunate sufficient to have over $15,000 mendacity round, you may be the fortunate proprietor of 1 with a ten grade.
1. Charizard – Field Topper Reverse Holo
Market Worth: $672.50
And right here now we have it: the Field Topper reverse holo Charizard is essentially the most beneficial card from Legendary Assortment. Seeing as Field Topper playing cards had been randomized and just one could possibly be discovered per booster field of LC, it’s no shock that this card is value almost $700 on the secondary market.
Whilst you’d assume that very same logic would apply to grading this card, the Field Topper model of LC Charizard is definitely, by some means, much less beneficial in a PSA 10 than the usual model of the cardboard ($7,600 vs. over $15,000). That’s one thing of a curiosity, however, both means, when you occur to have a shoebox stuffed with Pokemon playing cards within the closet of your childhood house, you’ll want to crack it open whenever you go to your people. You may discover this card and uncover that you simply’re sitting on a goldmine when you had been into Pokemon throughout this period.
