The release of Heat Wave Arena [SV9a] is almost here, so let’s take a look at the set’s rarest cards—the coveted Special Art Rare (SAR) cards.

What Are SAR Pokémon TCG Cards?

But first, a refresher on what SAR cards are.

Every Pokémon TCG card has a specific rarity. The rarest cards are those of the four Secret Rare rarities: Art Rare (AR), Super Rare (SR), Ultra Rare (UR), and at the absolute peak: SAR cards. Not surprisingly, many of the most sought-after cards since the Pokémon TCG rarity scale was retooled at the beginning of Gen 9 have been SAR cards.

Without further ado, let’s now take you through…

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Every SAR Cards from Heat Wave Arena [SV9a] Cards List

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The following are the SAR cards in the Heat Wave Arena [SV9a] card list:

1. Yanmega ex

Yanmega, the evolved form of Yanma introduced during Pokémon’s fourth generation, will be featured on an SAR card—Yanmega ex—in the upcoming Heat Wave Arena [SV9a] expansion set. It forms half of a combined illustration with the Art Rare (AR) Yanma card from the same set.

On the surface, this card might not be the first choice of collectors when pulling cards from a booster pack despite its exceptional rarity, as the set appears to include several more desirable cards. That said, there’s a chance that it could turn out to be a “sleeper hit”.

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2. Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex

One of the standout SAR cards in the Heat Wave Arena [SV9a] set card list is Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex. The card showcases Ho-Oh soaring majestically through the sky while its trainer, Ethan—the protagonist of the Pokémon Gold and Silver video games—stands firmly on land below. Their journey together is not just a tale of battle and triumph but a testament to trust, destiny, and the enduring bond between Pokémon and trainer. This SAR card is one that collectors are eager to pull from the card list, as it is expected to hold significant value.

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3. Cynthia’s Garchomp ex

Another SAR card within the set’s card list that caught collectors’ attention when Heat Wave Arena [SV9a] set was first teased is Cynthia’s Garchomp ex. The card’s artwork beautifully captures the bond between Cynthia and Garchomp, showcasing not just their strength but also their deep respect, loyalty, and unwavering friendship. If you’re a collector or someone seeking value in opening booster packs, Cynthia’s Garchomp ex from the Heat Wave Arena card list is a card you’ll want to pull.

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4. Arven’s Mabosstiff ex

Path of Legends, the questline of the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet video games centered around Arven and his attempt to heal his ailing Mabosstiff, contained some of the games’ most gripping and emotionally charged scenes. This card’s Full Art illustration, though, depicts a scene after the end of the storyline after the Dark-type Pokémon has been brought back to health via the five Herba Mystica.

It’s a card which will hold great appeal not only to those who played the video games; it also reflects the close bond between Arven and his Pokémon, highlighting the lengths to which he went to save his Mabosstiff. Unquestionably, it’ll be one of the set’s leading pulls.

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5. Ethan’s Adventure

Ethan makes an appearance on a second SAR card in this set—this time on Supporter card Ethan’s Adventure. The card’s Full Art illustration depicts Ethan excitedly making his way down a forest path with three of his Pokémon—Cyndaquil, Pichu, and Slugma—beside him.

The inclusion of fan favorites Cyndaquil and Pichu will immediately garner much interest despite the illustration’s canonical error (at the early stage of his journey at which Ethan is shown, Slugma wouldn’t yet be available to him). Also playing a role in elevating this card’s popularity will be the nostalgia factor, which will be especially present among those who grew up with Gen 2.

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For the complete list of the cards in Heat Wave Arena [SV9a], look no further than the SNKRDUNK App. We sell the set’s single cards of all rarities including SAR as well as its booster packs and boxes, granting all buyers the option to select whichever rarity and quantity best suits their tastes and budgets.

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