That raw Mega Gengar ex (284/217) Special Illustration Rare from "Ascended Heroes" selling for over $1,100, it's a pretty clear signal for the hobby. The Pokémon market, especially for these top-tier chase cards, isn't just hot; it's, I'd say, scorching. We've been tracking this latest release, "Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes," since its January 30th drop, and it feels like a really important set for the 30th anniversary year.
Why "Ascended Heroes" Is a Big Deal
This set, "Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes," is a big one. It's the largest English set ever, packing 295 cards, and it introduced 13 Mega Evolution Pokémon ex along with the new Mega Hyper Rare rarity. We've seen the Card Ladder Pokémon Index climb 116% over the last year, and releases like this are fueling that fire. The franchise's 30th anniversary is in full swing, and collectors are definitely feeling the hype. I think the timing couldn't be better for a set with this kind of depth and new mechanics. It's got substance, not just hype.
Top Chase Cards and Their Movement
So, what are the big pulls here? We've seen a lot of movement on the Mega Gengar ex SIR (284/217). That one's been a standout, pushing well over $1,100 raw. It's a prime example of the kind of modern high-demand card that can appreciate fast. We also saw a Mega Charizard Y Ex (294) in a PSA 8 go for $405.00 just yesterday. That's for a PSA 8, which is interesting. Usually, we're talking PSA 10s for the real action on these modern sets, but even mid-grades are getting some solid traction. The Lillie's Clefairy ex SIR (280/217) also sold raw for $160.00, which is a good baseline for one of the other strong chase cards.
It's clear the market has picked its favorites, and these Mega Evolution cards, especially the Illustration Rares, are leading the charge. I'd guess we'll see the Mega Charizard Y Ex (294) and other Mega Evolution ex cards hold strong, particularly if they have killer artwork. The Mega Hyper Rare rarity for cards like Mew and Mewtwo in the upcoming "30th Celebration Collection" feels like it's building on the energy "Ascended Heroes" created.
Raw vs. Graded: What's the Play?
This is where it gets a little tricky, and we've been talking about grading a lot lately. Beckett paused Base/Standard submissions back on August 5th, and PSA's Value tiers closed on June 2nd. Cheap and quick grading just isn't happening right now. That means if you're pulling a Mega Gengar ex SIR (284/217) from a pack, sending it in for grading might mean a long wait and a higher cost. The raw price, currently around $960, reflects that demand even without the slab. We saw that Lillie's Clefairy ex SIR (280/217) sell raw for $160.00. For a lot of these cards, buying raw at retail, if you can find it at a good price, could be the play, especially if you're willing to hold through the grading backlog.
However, the K-shaped market is still very much a thing, and PSA 10s from top-tier modern rookies are still pulling serious money. A 2024 Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Temporal Forces Full Art Gengar ex #193 PSA 10 GEM MINT sold for $350.00 just yesterday. That's not the same card as the Mega Gengar ex SIR from "Ascended Heroes," but it shows the power of that perfect grade for a popular Pokémon. We've got to weigh the cost and time of grading against the premium a PSA 10 will fetch. For me, if you're chasing the absolute top-end for your portfolio, a high-grade slab is still probably the way to go, but you might need to buy it already graded.
What to Watch and What to Do
The "First Partner Illustration Collection" Series 2 saw a 25% price drop recently, and Series 3 just dropped on August 7th. That could be a signal for "Ascended Heroes" cards too, especially if more supply hits. But the Mega Evolution ex cards and the new Mega Hyper Rare rarity are different than those promo sets. We're talking about chase cards from a main expansion tied to the 30th anniversary.
If you're looking for a cheaper entry point, keep an eye on some of the less hyped Mega Evolution ex cards from "Ascended Heroes." While the Mega Gengar ex SIR (284/217) is commanding big money, there might be other Mega Evolution ex cards that haven't quite caught on yet. Perhaps a cool full-art variant that isn't a Charizard or Gengar, but still has great artwork. These could probably be found raw for under $50, offering a lower-risk entry. We've often said the real trick is identifying breakout cards before mainstream collectors catch on. For now, the sentiment for "Ascended Heroes" is bullish, especially on those top chase cards. I'd say if you're after the top Mega Gengar ex SIR, you either buy it raw now and hold, or you bite the bullet for a PSA 10 when you see one.