"Pokémon TCG Pocket: Sun & Moon Top Picks Amid Crisis"

Watching the trailer for Extradimensional Crisis instantly transported me back to the Sun and Moon era—that pivotal time when I first realized how innovative and unpredictable the Pokémon TCG could truly be.

The return of Ultra Beasts with their bizarre designs and chaotic energy in Pocket reminded me of opening Crimson Invasion packs, marveling at creatures that seemed to defy reality. It was messy, daring, and somehow perfect. So, let’s revisit Alola and explore some standout cards from the Sun and Moon expansions.

Top Sun and Moon Pokémon Cards

Umbreon GX 154/149

$58.99 at TCG Player

Espeon GX 152/149

$36.69 at TCG Player

Sylveon GX 158/145

$194.00 at TCG Player

Charizard GX 150/147

$350.00 at TCG Player

Mewtwo GX 78/73

$373.99 at TCG Player

Shining Mew 40/73

$70.37 at TCG Player

Mewtwo GX 76/73

$54.49 at TCG Player

Shining Rayquaza 56/73

$54.94 at TCG Player

Raichu GX 75/73

$42.00 at TCG Player

Lucario GX 135/131

$98.02 at TCG Player

This new set channels the spirit of that era—Buzzwole, Nihilego, Type Null, even Lusamine with her niche energy effects—feeling nostalgically familiar. It echoes Forbidden Light’s unpredictability, Ultra Prism’s flair, and Hidden Fates’ dazzling shine.

Cosmic Eclipse

Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX 226/236

$170.00 at TCG Player

Blastoise & Piplup GX 215/236

$264.99 at TCG Player

Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX

$394.00 at TCG Player

Solgaleo & Lunala GX 216/236

$330.00 at TCG Player

Reshiram & Zekrom GX 222/236

$340.00 at TCG Player

Cosmic Eclipse closed the Sun and Moon era with Character Rares—a highlight. The Arceus, Dialga, and Palkia GX card was breathtaking when displayed at trade events. Rosa’s Full Art exuded quiet strength, and the Pikachu Character Rare made me grin instantly—warm and unique among the artwork.

Hidden Fates: Shiny Vault

Mewtwo GX SV59/SV94

$64.00 at TCG Player

Espeon GX SV60/SV94

$100.00 at TCG Player

Sylveon GX SV76/SV94

$124.00 at TCG Player

Umbreon GX SV69/SV94

$223.00 at TCG Player

Charizard GX SV49/SV94

$470.00 at TCG Player

Hidden Fates, released in August 2019, set a new standard for hype. The Shiny Vault was legendary—Shiny Charizard GX was the crown jewel. Though I never pulled it, witnessing someone else’s pack reveal was electrifying. My shiny Rowlet pull hinted at how deep this set ran, with Umbreon GX, Mewtwo GX, and the bird trio making every pack feel explosive.

Unified Minds

Raichu & Alolan Raichu GX 241/236

$199.50 at TCG Player

Dragonite GX 248/236

$151.29 at TCG Player

Mewtwo & Mew GX 242/236

$199.11 at TCG Player

Raichu & Alolan Raichu GX 221/236

$200.64 at TCG Player

Mega Sableye & Tyranitar GX 226/236

$284.96 at TCG Player

Unified Minds continued the momentum. Mewtwo and Mew GX felt like a fan-fiction crossover turned reality—powerful without even owning it. Slowpoke & Psyduck GX amused at first glance, then intimidated in play. Cherish Ball, though unassuming, became an essential staple.

Unbroken Bonds

Red's Challenge 213/214

$107.38 at TCG Player

Marshadow & Machamp GX 199/214

$169.99 at TCG Player

Reshiram & Charizard GX 217/214

$204.99 at TCG Player

Greninja & Zoroark GX 201/214

$219.98 at TCG Player

Gardevoir & Sylveon GX 205/214

$526.12 at TCG Player

Unbroken Bonds fully embraced Tag Teams. Reshiram & Charizard GX was the holy grail—a friend pulled one, stunned by his luck. Gardevoir & Sylveon GX combined elegance with tactical strength, while Dedenne GX became the Swiss Army knife of decks—functional and irreplaceable.

Detective Pikachu

Psyduck SM199 Stamped

$9.49 at TCG Player

Detective Pikachu SM190 Stamped

$7.91 at TCG Player

Charizard 5/18

$7.45 at TCG Player

Detective Pikachu - SM170 (Stamped)

$12.33 at TCG Player

Detective Pikachu SM170

$38.00 at TCG Player

Detective Pikachu (April 2019) capitalized on the movie’s hype but felt uncanny—live-action CGI Pokémon stared unnervingly from the cards. Though I skipped most packs, a friend’s Mewtwo GX pull became legendary for its menacing design.

Team Up

Eevee & Snorlax GX 191/181

$269.99 at TCG Player

Gengar & Mimikyu GX 186/181

$183.20 at TCG Player

Gengar & Mimikyu GX 164/181

$319.95 at TCG Player

Magikarp & Wailord GX

$500.00 at TCG Player

Latias & Latios GX 170/181

$2,200.00 at TCG Player

Team Up revolutionized gameplay with Tag Team GX cards. Latias & Latios GX looked like an anime poster—visually stunning. Pikachu & Zekrom GX dominated tournaments, while Gengar & Mimikyu GX balanced mischief and menace.

Lost Thunder

Tyranitar GX 223/214

$105.95 at TCG Player

Suicune GX 220/214

$89.99 at TCG Player

Professor Elm's Lecture 213/214

$80.08 at TCG Player

Mimikyu GX 226/214

$109.99 at TCG Player

Lugia GX 227/214

$175.00 at TCG Player

Lost Thunder (Pokémon’s largest set then) packed legendary heft. Lugia GX remains a Sun and Moon masterpiece, radiating dominance. Alolan Ninetales GX shone again, and Zeraora GX inspired lightning decks built for pure fun.

Dragon Majesty

Dragonite GX 67/70

$28.00 at TCG Player

Ultra Necrozma GX 78/70

$89.94 at TCG Player

Zinnia 70/70

$67.40 at TCG Player

Reshiram GX 71/70

$86.42 at TCG Player

White Kyurem GX 74/70

$80.00 at TCG Player

Dragon Majesty (September 2018) celebrated dragons in style—no booster boxes, only special collections. A local’s gold Ultra Necrozma GX pull caused a frenzy. Dragonite GX’s bold artwork and Reshiram GX’s drama still resonate. The Shiny Charizard here remains a collector’s dream.