The Most Valuable X & Y Era Pokemon TCG Cards

The Pokemon TCG featured several distinct and valuable sets in the X & Y era, though there aren't as many cards in these boxes that feature among the most valuable X & Y era cards. You may wonder how every expansion in the X&Y era doesn't include all the best cards, but the answer to this conundrum is simple: promo cards.

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The X & Y era features several valuable promo cards that set the standard for the rest of the best cards in the era. While promo cards dominate the top spots, the only one of the superb sets to boast a card among the best is Flashfire. Of course, the Pokemon in question from the set breaks all the rules it wants, as this Pokemon needed immense popularity to compete with these promos.

Cards are valued according to their TCGPlayer Market 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.

7 Champions Festival 2016: XY Promos (Promo) – $250.00

The Champion, With Friends

You may not have expected to see the 2016 Champions Festival Promo setting the $250 pace, but this wonderful card art features three beloved Kantonian classics: Charmander, Squirtle Bulbasaur, and Pikachu.

Though Squirtle can get lost in the background, its appearance completes the quartet of Generation One starters, whose presence contributes to why this card is so sought after.

A single lightly played (LP) copy sets the mark, with no recent near-mint (NM) sales or listings. Given how few people were able to obtain this card, it is likely to make infrequent appearances on the sales charts, which leaves supply and demand as the major factor in deciding its future.

6 Gyarados: XY Promos (Staff Prerelease Promo) – $274.51

A Ferocious Sea Beast

This Gyarados is one of the most stunning Pokemon promo cards ever produced, offering a breathtaking, distinct art style that doesn't seem content to stick to tradition. The up-close and detailed view of Gyarados in the raging seas is an appropriate interpretation of this dangerous sea serpent.

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Though this Water-type may have the battle advantage over the Pokemon still to come, their popularity is enough to exceed this card's gorgeous design. LP and NM copies dominate the sales, though you can find copies available at affordable prices in moderately played (MP) condition.

5 Charizard: XY Evolutions (Prerelease Promo) – $341.25

The Prerelease Before The Storm

While there may not be many visual distinctions from its XY Evolutions version, all this Charizard card needs to send its value through the roof is the "XY Evolutions" stamp in the bottom right corner. This stamp is indicative of this card's prerelease status and puts it above the competition in both design and value.

The Charizard of the same art in XY Evolutions is one of the most expensive cards in the set, but it can't compete with the prerelease version's incredibly high price.

Though very few of these cards trade on TCGPlayer, most of the sales feature NM copies, giving it a market price that continues to slide toward $300.

4 M Charizard EX: Flashfire (Secret Rare) – $346.05

The Cream Rises To The Top

The M Charizard EX Secret Rare flies among the best cards in the era and is one of the most valuable Charizard cards of all time, appearing at the top of the Flashfire charts.

This powerful Mega Evolution is among the strongest of all time and features one of the most dramatic designs alongside the promo Gyarados, as each Pokemon boasts intimidating artwork.

Though the journey for this Charizard has been a rocky road, it continues to fight hard for every dollar, bouncing between $300 and $380 in value, though it currently sits roughly in the middle of those extremes.

3 Champions Festival 2014: XY Promos (Promo) – $399.00

We Are The Champions, Again

This 2014 Champions Festival Promo features nuanced art that includes Vivillon, Froakie, Pikachu, and more Pokemon in the artwork.

More Pokemon in a frame usually means a higher value, though it's not a hard-and-fast rule. There are many exceptions, but it's easy to see why the variety adds to such a unique card's appeal.

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While sales are sparse, there are two squarely sitting at the $399 mark, giving this card a solid market price. Since its rarity makes it nearly impossible to find, there won't be many sales that deviate from this mark, though they may increase significantly in price once they eventually do break the $399 ceiling.

2 Poncho-Wearing Pikachu: XY Promos (Promo) – $1,200.00+

A Raging Poncho Party

The Poncho-wearing Pikachu series has exploded in popularity over time, with each poncho commanding a slightly different value. The Shiny Rayquaza ($1,200) and Mega Charizard Y ($1,250) are two of the most expensive cards in the XY era and are especially desirable versions.

There is also a Mega Charizard X and special crossover Mario & Luigi versions (among others), though they don't have available market prices on TCGplayer.

These cards combine some of the most popular Pokemon ever, with Pikachu changing costumes that cover a range of different Pokemon and characters. However, many of them that trade are graded, so the raw cards will not feature the same volume of sales that graded copies do.

1 Charizard EX: Pokemon Card Game Art Collection (Promo) – $1,400.00

The Premier XY Promo

This Charizard and Venusaur battle rages on in a gorgeous depiction of the eternal struggle between these longtime rivals. Venusaur's Vine Whip attack grabs hold of Charizard, and likely inspires the most expensive card in Brilliant Stars, which also features a similar battle.

This card was only printed in Japanese.

This card rarely trades on TCGplayer, but a sale of $1,400 has set the market price. With time constantly adding to the difficulty of finding older cards (especially in good condition), it's likely that this card will continue to become rarer.

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