With the recent news that three eighth-generation Pokémon TCG sets—Lost Abyss [S11], Incandescent Arcana [S11a], and Paradigm Trigger [S12]—were to receive reprints, interest and demand in some of the best Pokémon cards from these three sets has been accelerating rapidly.

Some of you might be wondering just which cards from each of these three sets are the ones to seek. Thus, we’ve picked out three standouts from each set. From the day the sets were first released almost two years ago until this day, they have ranked among the three sets’ flagship cards, generating tremendous demand and selling at impressive prices.

Lost Abyss [S11]

Rotom V (104/100) (PSA 10 Price: ~US$80)

First introduced as a gimmicky, static (pun maybe intended?) encounter way back in fourth-generation video games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Rotom gained a far greater prominence within the Pokémon fandom following the launch of seventh-generation games Pokémon Sun and Moon. In those games, the Electric/Ghost-type Pokémon inhabited the player’s Pokédex; that Pokédex is thus referred to as the “Rotom Dex”.

This Super Rare (SR) card has a Full Art illustration directly referencing Rotom’s in-universe lore. It isn’t just the Pokédex—in the Pokémon universe, Rotom can inhabit any electronic device. What’s more, a closer look reveals that some of the devices depicted are a washing machine, a microwave oven, a fan, a refrigerator, and a lawnmower. These devices represent the other forms that Rotom can take.

Rotom V is also highly coveted by serious players due to its gameplay versatility. Instant Charge, its Ability, serves as a viable early-game draw engine, allowing the player to draw three cards but forcing an early end to the player’s turn. This drawback, however, isn’t an issue if the player can’t even attack at all—highly likely in the early game.

Aerodactyl V (106/100) (PSA 10 Price: ~US$325)

There are several reasons why Aerodactyl V is one of the most prized cards of Lost Abyss [S11]. First and foremost, this Super Rare (SR) card features a Full Art illustration of a scene from the prehistoric Pokémon world. It therefore provides a glimpse into a part of the Pokémon canon that has frequently been overlooked. Even other cards that have depicted prehistoric Pokémon don’t allude to it as directly as this one does.

For those whose favorite Pokémon include other prehistoric Pokémon such as Archeops, Bastiodon, or Rampardos, there’s an added bonus. Look closely in the background and these Pokémon can be seen. Their addition adds tremendous depth and character to the card, creating a story that can be told through the illustration.

Aerodactyl V also boasts a decent level of gameplay viability. Its Rock Crush attack is both offensive and defensive, inflicting 120 damage and discarding one of the opponent’s Pokémon’s Energy cards. Evolving it into Aerodactyl VSTAR is also an option.

Giratina V (111/100) (PSA 10 Price: ~US$781)

You knew it was coming. Giratina V is by far the most valuable and iconic card of Lost Abyss [S11]. This card’s standout feature has to be the Full Art illustration by Shinji Kanda depicting the ruler of the Distortion World in its Origin Forme, roaming its dimension located beyond the usual confines of space-time. For perspective, the Distortion World hasn’t been revisited in the video games since Pokémon Platinum back in Gen 4.

The multi-colored holofoil and abstract array of patterns, colors, and images across the background add to the visual effect as well as the card’s narrative. The Distortion World can only be described as “chaotic”—an idea that the illustration truly encapsulates.

Finally, Giratina’s status among the Pokémon fanbase has recently been elevated. Less than a year before the launch of Lost Origin [S11], Pokémon Legends: Arceus—a video game that’s a prequel to Diamond and Pearl—was released. In Legends: Arceus, Giratina (in both of its forms) serves as the final boss, appearing in an extremely memorable and unexpected manner. Add in the recency of that game’s launch to that of Lost Origin [S11] and all the pieces for a truly epic card are in place.

Incandescent Arcana [S11a]

Alolan Vulpix VSTAR (087/068) (PSA 10 Price: ~US$45)

In general, prices of cards from Incandescent Arcana [S11a] don’t quite hit the same heights that those from Lost Abyss [S11] and Paradigm Trigger [S12] do. Nevertheless, there are several gems waiting to be unearthed such as the Alolan Vulpix VSTAR card in its Hyper Rare (HR) form—the only non-fully evolved Pokémon to ever be featured on a Pokémon VSTAR card.

Like other cards of HR rarity, Alolan Vulpix VSTAR comes in rainbow-colored holofoil. Since this regional Vulpix variant is an Ice-type Pokémon with pure white fur, the rainbow holofoil can be thought of as a more striking, vibrant take on the reflection of light off Alolan Vulpix VSTAR as well the ice it creates through its attacks.

On top of all of that, Vulpix’s Alolan regional variant is one of the most popular forms particular to a specific region with many even preferring it to the Fire-type original. Thus, while the high value of and demand for Alolan Vulpix VSTAR might surprise some at first, it ultimately makes lots of sense.

Articuno (Holofoil) (024/068) (PSA 10 Price: ~US$69)

First off: nice.

Anyway, sticking with the icy theme, next on our list is the holofoil version of Articuno. The only one of Gen 1’s Legendary bird trio to show up in Incandescent Arcana [S11a], Articuno’s value is largely derived from the illustration displayed on its card.

The imagery shows Articuno unleashing its Wild Freeze attack with the full moon in the background. The setting gives the image a touch of mystique apt for one of the original Legendaries while the holofoil accentuates the card’s visual impact by making it seem as though the ice that Articuno is sending out is gleaming in the light.

Finally, the fact that this is a Gen 8 card featuring Articuno’s Kantonian form, not its Galarian one, jacks up the card’s value. Almost all Articuno cards from Gen 8 feature the Legendary bird’s Galarian form. As one of just two such Gen 8 Pokémon TCG cards out of a total of 12 Articuno cards, this card thus has a novelty factor that increases its appeal.

Serena (081/068) (PSA 10 Price: ~US$185)

It’s the single most coveted card of the set with a value that dwarfs those of every other card—and for good reason. Of course, being a card that depicts a Full Art illustration of a female character, this card has always been a major get due to demographic reasons.

In addition, with the recent announcement that Pokémon Legends Z-A, the prequel to sixth-generation main series Pokémon video game Pokémon X and Y, is now in the making, demand for all things related to Gen 6 has increased. Since Serena is the female rival from X and Y, the increased level of focus on those games has in turn driven further demand for this card.

What’s interesting about this card is that its SR form has a heftier price tag than its rarer HR form. However, this does make sense in context. While the rainbow-colored holofoil of cards of HR rarity does give them a visual niche of their own, in this case it would actually detract from the card by making Serena appear less immediately recognizable. The SR version, meanwhile, doesn’t have this issue.

Paradigm Trigger [S12]

Lugia VSTAR (118/098) (PSA 10 Price: ~US$81)

Here’s a card that’s as desired by serious players as it is by collectors. Ever since Lugia VSTAR’s introduction, it’s served as the cornerstone of one of the Pokémon TCG’s strongest decks. The Lugia VSTAR deck has remained a mainstay of the meta for almost two years and will likely feature heavily at the upcoming World Championships.

Featuring the usual rainbow-colored holofoil that cards of HR rarity have, this card’s striking visual imagery matches its impressive rarity. Lugia VSTAR is shown in flight with a supernova near it—a reference to Summoning Star, its VSTAR Power.

Furthermore, ever since its debut as the box Legendary of second-generation video game Pokémon Silver, Lugia has been one of the single most iconic Pokémon with a major fan following. When all these factors are combined, it’s no wonder this card is a seriously impressive pull.

Unown V (103/098) (PSA 10 Price: ~US$94)

This SR card occupies a unique status among all Pokémon TCG cards—it is the only one with a name that’s inherently a pun. That’s because the Unown depicted is Unown V (the 28 forms of Unown represent each letter of the English alphabet as well as an exclamation point and a question mark); this card is also a Pokémon V card. That fact alone is sure to draw attention.

On top of this, the card’s Full Art illustration shows the featured Unown V leading a group of 13 Unown that together spell out the words “Victory Symbol”. Victory Symbol is the name of one of Unown V’s attacks—and it’s one that’s seldom seen. It’s an insta-win when used—but only when the player has just one Prize card remaining. This combination of somewhat gimmicky features adds to the card’s allure.

Finally, the illustration is a direct reference to Unown’s canonical lore. In the Pokémon universe, Unown is typically found in ancient ruins—referencing its similarities to hieroglyphs. The imagery clearly shows those ruins in the background, infusing some world-building details into this card. 

Lugia V (110/098) (PSA 10 Price: ~US$411)

This is the standout card of Paradigm Trigger [S12] and it isn’t even close. This SR card has a Full Art illustration showing Lugia V creating a vortex in the sky as an awestruck bystander looks on. This is a reference to the in-universe lore about Lugia—just the flapping of the Legendary Pokémon’s massive wings stirs up a vicious storm.

As is the case with the Lugia VSTAR card, this card is greatly sought-after by those interested in the gameplay aspect of the Pokémon TCG as well. Since Lugia V evolves into Lugia VSTAR, the Lugia VSTAR deck would not be able to function without this card.

Finally, this card is shrouded in a dark, shadowy background that not only further emphasizes Lugia V’s sheer power—it also makes Lugia V itself appear nearly black. Introduced in spin-off video game Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Shadow Lugia was a one-off Lugia form that’s one of its most memorable iterations to date. While this card doesn’t depict Shadow Lugia, the resemblance is not only obvious, but likely intentional—and this factor also likely plays a role behind this card’s status.

That concludes our selection of the best Pokémon TCG cards from these eighth-generation sets which have just been reprinted. These are some of the most coveted Gen 8 Pokémon TCG cards for a variety of reasons—but whatever the reason for the hype behind the card, all of them rank as some of the era’s standout pulls.

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