For those who are interested in the most valuable cards (also known as chase cards) in Paradox Rift, be prepared to be a little overwhelmed because there are a lot. According to TCGplayer, there are (as of Nov. 7) 13 cards in Paradox Rift with a market price above $20 – one of which is worth more than $100.
Everyone has a different goal when collecting Pokémon cards – some fans are trying to build a playable deck with the most powerful cards in the set, while others are interested in collecting the rarest and most expensive cards in the set. These differences are what make the TCG community so unique and diverse.
Without further delay, let’s take a look at the ten most valuable, expensive, and rare cards in Paradox Rift.
1. Roaring Moon EX- 251/182
Price: $110 (estimated)
Rarity: Special Illustration Rare
Card Type/HP/Stage: Darkness / 230 / Basic (Ancient)
Ability: n/a
Attack 1: Frenzied Gouging – Knock Out your opponent’s Active Pokémon. If your opponent’s Active Pokémon is Knocked Out in this way, this Pokémon does 200 damage to itself.
Attack 2: Calamity Storm (100+ damage) – You may discard a Stadium in play. If you do, this attack does 120 more damage.
You can do a lot of damage with Roaring Moon if used correctly. For just three basic energy, you can knock out any opponent in one blow – when combined with a Boss’s Orders, you can knock out a Pokémon of your choosing. By playing a Stadium card, you can do 220 damage for just three energy.
2. Iron Valiant EX – 249/182
Price: $57 (estimated)
Rarity: Special Illustration Rare
Card Type/HP/Stage: Psychic / 220 / Basic (Ancient)
Ability: Tachyon Bits – Once during your turn, when this Pokémon moves from your Bench to the Active Spot, you may put 2 damage counters on 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon.
Attack 1: Laser Blade (200 damage) – During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack.
Iron Valiant can be used as a featured card or a supporting card in a wide variety of decks. When paired with the Future Booster Energy Capsule, you can take advantage of its ability by easily switching from one Iron Valiant to the next. After that, you can deal another 200 damage with three basic energy cards.
3. Gholdengo ex – 252/182
Price: $42 (estimated)
Rarity: Special Illustration Rare
Card Type/HP/Stage: Metal / 260 / Stage 1
Ability: Coin Bonus – Once during your turn, you may draw a card. If this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, draw 1 more card.
Attack 1: Make It Rain (50x damage) – Discard any number of Basic Energy cards from your hand. This attack does 50 damage for each card you discarded in this way.
Gholdengo ex isn’t just one of the most valuable cards for collectors, but it’s one of the most popular cards for those who play the game. Its ability allows you to draw one card every turn (two if it’s in the active spot). And if you stock up on Basic Energy cards in your hand, you can do a whirlwind of damage.
4. Iron Hands Ex – 248/182
Price: $37 (estimated)
Rarity: Special Illustration Rare
Card Type/HP/Stage: Lightning / 230 / Basic (Future)
Ability: n/a
Attack 1: Arm Press (160 damage)
Attack 2: Amp You Very Much (120 damage) – If your opponent’s Pokémon is Knocked Out by damage from this attack, take 1 more Prize card.
160 damage for 3 Basic Energy cards? Don’t mind if I do! 120 damage and an extra prize card for 4 Basic Energy cards? Even better! Iron Hands ex is one of the toughest cards to play against. Add those energy cards quickly to damage early and pair them with a Future Booster Energy Capsule for a 0 retreat cost.
5. Groudon – 199/182
Price: $37 (estimated)
Rarity: Illustration Rare
Card Type/HP/Stage: Fighting / 130 / Basic
Ability: n/a
Attack 1: Swelling Power – Attach a Basic Fighting Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon.
Attack 2: Magma Purge (60x damage) – Discard up to 4 Energy from your Pokémon. This attack does 60 damage for each card you discarded in this way.
Playing with this card largely depends on your ability to add Energy cards to your Pokémon. The good news is you can add two Basic Energy cards in one turn by using its first attack. Depending on how many Energy cards you discard when using the second attack, you can do anywhere from 60-240 damage.
6. Mela – 254/182
Price: $35 (estimated)
Rarity: Special Illustration Rare
Trainer Type: Supporter Card
Description: You can use this card only if any of your Pokémon were Knocked Out during your opponent’s last turn.
Attach a Basic Fire Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon. If you do, draw cards until you have 6 cards in your hand.
Mela is a great card to have in any Fire deck. It allows you to retrieve one Fire Energy from a Pokémon that was Knocked Out (so long as it was Knocked Out in your opponent’s previous turn). Once you attach the Energy to a Pokémon, you can replenish your hand until you have six cards – double the treasure!
7. Professor Sada’s Vitality – 256/182
Price: $32 (estimated)
Rarity: Special Illustration Rare
Trainer Type: Supporter Card (Ancient)
Description: Choose up to 2 of your Ancient Pokémon and attach a Basic Energy card from your discard pile to each of them. If you attached any Energy in this way, draw 3 cards.
This Trainer card is a mainstay in any Ancient deck. You’ll need Energy cards in your discard pile, but you can attach one of them to two Ancient Pokémon when you play this card. Not only that, but you get to draw 3 cards before continuing your turn – don’t forget that you can only play one Supporter card per turn.
8. Garchomp EX – 245/182
Price: $31 (estimated)
Rarity: Special Illustration Rare
Card Type/HP/Stage: Water / 320 / Stage 2
Tera: As long as this Pokémon is on your Bench, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks.
Attack 1: Hydro Lander (160 damage) – Attach up to 3 Basic Fighting Energy cards from your discard pile to your Benched Pokémon in any way you like.
Attack 2: Sonic Drive – Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon. This attack does 120 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon.
Garchomp is best used as an energy accelerator. If you have Fighting Energy in your discard pile, you can do 160 damage and attach 3 Energy to your Benched Pokémon – all for just one Basic energy. If you don’t have anything in your discard pile, you can add to it by using Sonic Drive (while also doing damage).
9. Altaria EX – 253/182
Price: $30 (estimated)
Rarity: Special Illustration Rare
Card Type/HP/Stage: Dragon / 260 / Stage 1
Ability: Humming Heal – Once during your turn, you may heal 20 damage from each of your Pokémon.
Attack 1: Light Pulse (140 damage) – During your opponent’s next turn, prevent all effects of attacks used by your opponent’s Pokémon done to this Pokémon.
As long as Altaria ex is on your Bench, you can heal 20 damage to each of Your Pokémon every single turn – making it a good card to consider for any deck. If you plan on attacking with it, make sure it’s in a water/steel deck because you’ll need one Water and one Steel Energy – though there are ways around it.
10. Parasol Lady – 255/182
Price: $29 (estimated)
Rarity: Special Illustration Rare
Trainer Type: Supporter Card
Description: Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 4 cards. If you go second and it’s your first turn, draw 8 cards instead.
This card can give you a much-needed head start if you play it on your first turn (and you go second), but it still holds value as the game progresses. You’ll have to shuffle your hand into your deck, but it’s better than discarding your hand, and it can act as a reset when you don’t have the right cards in your hand.
Are You Ready to Begin Your Paradox Rift Collection?
While most people measure their life by the season (summer, fall, winter, spring), Pokémon fans measure their life by the expansion set – referring to the 4-5 TCG expansion sets The Pokémon Company releases every year. From January to December, we’re blessed with a never-ending supply of new card designs.
In 2023, we welcomed five new expansions to the Scarlet & Violet series – here’s a quick recap:
- Crown Zenith (Sword & Shield) – January 20, 2023
- Scarlet & Violet (Scarlet & Violet) – March 31, 2023
- Paldea Evolved (Scarlet & Violet) – June 9, 2023
- Obsidian Flames (Scarlet & Violet) – August 11, 2023
- 151 (Scarlet & Violet) – September 22, 2023
- Paradox Rift (Scarlet & Violet) – November 3, 2023
The newest release, Paradox Rift, features 182 base set cards and 84 secret rare and ultra rare cards – alternate arts, special illustration rares, hyper rares, etc. The set is already receiving an overwhelming amount of love and support from loyal Pokémon fans around the world as they start opening packs.
Are you new to Paradox Rift? Are you confused by the Future and Ancient Pokémon in this set? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
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