Scarlet & Violet Base Set: Top 5 Chase Cards
The Scarlet & Violet base set introduced the Special Illustration Rare treatment to the modern era. Here are the five most valuable and sought-after cards from the set.
Scarlet & Violet Base Set: Top 5 Chase Cards
Released in March 2023, the Scarlet & Violet base set kicked off a new era of Pokemon TCG — and with it, a new tier of collectible card: the Special Illustration Rare (SIR). These full-art, textured cards depict Pokemon and trainers in cinematic, painterly scenes that quickly became the most sought-after pulls of the modern era.
The SV base set introduced Paldea's legendary mascots — Koraidon and Miraidon — along with a fresh roster of ex Pokemon and beloved Paldean characters. Here are the five cards that collectors and investors are chasing hardest.
1. Miraidon ex — Special Illustration Rare (~$209)
The undisputed chase card of the set. The Miraidon ex SIR depicts the futuristic legendary serpent-dragon in a sweeping electric-blue cityscape, full of motion and neon energy. Miraidon was also one of the most-played cards in the competitive game throughout 2023–2024, which kept demand consistently high well beyond its release window.
If you're pulling packs of Scarlet & Violet, this is the hit everyone is hoping for.
2. Miriam — Illustration Rare (~$105)
One of the biggest surprises of the SV base set was how high Miriam's Illustration Rare climbed. Miriam is a secondary NPC from the games, but her IR card — depicting her surrounded by study notes in a warm, intimate academic setting — showcases exactly why collector crossover cards punched above their weight throughout the SV era.
Trainer IRs with exceptional artwork regularly outperform Pokemon cards of equal or higher rarity, and Miriam is the proof.
3. Gardevoir ex — Illustration Rare (~$80)
Gardevoir has a massive, loyal collector base — and the Illustration Rare from the base set gave them exactly what they wanted. The card features Gardevoir in an ethereal forest setting with soft lighting and flowing detail. Combined with Gardevoir ex being one of the most-played competitive decks throughout the SV era, this card maintained strong demand from both collectors and players alike.
4. Koraidon ex — Illustration Rare (~$65)
The ancient counterpart to Miraidon, Koraidon ex's IR places the prehistoric lizard-dragon in a sun-drenched landscape reminiscent of Area Zero's depths. As the box legend of Scarlet, Koraidon holds the same iconic status as Miraidon and sees similar collector demand — though Miraidon's competitive viability gives it a slight edge in market value.
5. Penny — Illustration Rare (~$30)
Penny was an instant fan favourite from the Scarlet & Violet games — the shy, awkward student hiding her Team Star past. Her Illustration Rare card captures that personality perfectly, and the SV era's crossover between game fans and card collectors ensured strong demand for beloved character cards throughout the run.
What to Look For When Opening Packs
The Scarlet & Violet base set introduced a format that would define the next two years of the hobby:
- Special Illustration Rares — Full-art cards with a textured, raised design on the foiling
- Illustration Rares — Artwork that bleeds to the edges of the card with no border
- Hyper Rares — Gold card treatment for Pokemon and trainer cards
The SIR Miraidon ex is the card to beat in this set. If you're building a complete set or hunting hits, track your collection progress and see exactly which cards you're still missing.
Ready to start tracking your collection?
Join ReverseHolo to organize your Pokemon TCG collection
Get Started Free →