8 Best Zekrom Pokémon Cards Ever Released

18th June 2025 EDT RELEASES

8 Best Zekrom Pokémon Cards Ever Released

Taking a deep look at some of the best Zekrom cards Pokémon TCG has ever released. Some of these are considered "Holy Grail" cards due to card price as well as difficulty in obtaining them.

8 Best Zekrom Pokémon Cards Ever Released

Fueled by growing nostalgia for the Unova region and renewed interest in Generation V, especially following the release of the Japanese set Black Bolt [SV11B], Zekrom has once again surged into the spotlight within the Pokémon TCG community. As one of the franchise’s most iconic Legendary Pokémon, Zekrom continues to gain momentum among both competitive players and collectors. This resurgence is driven not only by its striking and powerful card designs but also by rising anticipation for potential Unova-themed content in future games or expansions.

As players revisit the legacy of Pokémon Black and White, Zekrom cards from across different TCG eras are becoming more sought-after. From electrifying full-art prints to game-changing GX and EX cards, Zekrom’s legacy in the trading card game is cemented through bold artwork and formidable mechanics. These standout cards represent the best of what this Legendary Dragon/Electric-type has brought to the TCG, and their growing popularity reflects the timeless appeal of Unova’s most thunderous force.

Best Zekrom Pokémon Cards Ever Released

Now, let us take a deep look at some of the best Zekrom cards Pokémon TCG has ever released in history. Some of these are considered a “Holy Grail” due to when it was released, the price, and the rarity of obtaining a copy. Let us dive straight into the list!

8) Zekrom ex SAR

Card Number: 169/086

Rarity: Special Art Rare (SAR)

From: Black Bolt [SV11B]

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A visually appealing card from the Black Bolt [SV11B] set, this Zekrom ex Special Art Rare (SAR) card has quickly become a fan favorite among collectors for its cinematic full-art treatment and nostalgic callback to Unova’s electrifying legacy. This Special Art Rare captures Zekrom in a dramatic storm-filled scene, emphasizing the Legendary Pokémon’s raw, thunderous power.

Though it’s a chase card from the set, its popularity hasn’t skyrocketed its price just yet, making it a surprisingly attainable piece for collectors looking to secure a modern-era Zekrom with appeal. As interest in Generation V continues to rise, this card stands out as one of the most visually impressive and potentially enduring releases in recent memory.

Still hoping to add this card to your collection? We recommend closely monitoring its price and picking one up when the timing feels right. With its striking artwork and rising popularity, this card has strong potential to increase in value over time.

7) Zekrom ex BWR

Card Number: 174/086

Rarity: Black & White Rare (BWR)

From: Black Bolt [SV11B]

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Another visually appealing card from the Black Bolt [SV11B] set, this Zekrom ex BWR has quickly become a fan favorite, not because of its artwork, but it is due to how rare and textured this card is. This Black & White Rare (BWR) Zekrom is arguably one of the hardest cards to pull from the recent Black Bolt [SV11B]. To pull this, you’ve got to be very lucky.

This card is definitely the chase card from the set; the popularity of this card has skyrocketed even before the set was released, when the card was first revealed to the community. Its valuation for a raw card alone has reached US$500 on the release day.

If you’re still looking to add this card to your collection, a bit of patience might pay off. With prices beginning to stabilize in the secondary market, keeping a close eye on it will be key. This card is highly sought after by collectors, and demand is likely to grow as more attention shifts to the Black Bolt [SV11B] set.

6) Zekrom ex BW-P

Card Number: 159/BW-P

Rarity: NA

From: BW-P Promotional Cards

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One of the most striking Full Art promotional cards from the Black & White era, this promotional Zekrom ex card was released on 3 August 2012 as part of the Premium Holo Card Special Pack Zekrom. This special pack featured an exclusive full-art version of Zekrom ex, which originally debuted as a regular card in the Zekrom-EX Battle Strength Deck. In addition to the promo card, the pack came bundled with a selection of booster packs from sets like Dragon Blast [BW5], Dark Rush [BW4], Hail Blizzard [BW3], and Red Collection [BW2], offering players and collectors a robust sampling of various Gen 5 sets. Also included was an application form for a booster box/deck campaign running at the time.

Over the years, this Zekrom promo has become a true collector’s gem, with copies in good condition becoming increasingly difficult to find on the secondary market or in card shops across Japan. If you happen to come across one, it’s well worth considering. With its bold full-art design and strong ties to Gene 5, this card remains a standout piece for both collectors and fans of the Black & White era.

5) Zekrom

Card Number: 009/027

Rarity: Rare (R)

From: Legend Shine Collection [CP2]

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A visually unique addition to any Zekrom collection, this Zekrom card was released in 2015 as part of the Legendary Shine Collection [CP2], a special subset launched alongside the Japanese premiere of Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages. This set stood out for its distinctive glossy coating and radiant Holofoil inset, giving each card, including Zekrom, a vibrant, sparkling finish. Packs from this subset contained only four cards instead of the usual five, making pulls feel especially curated and exciting.

Since many of the Pokémon featured in the set appeared in the film, this version of Zekrom holds strong appeal for fans of both the movie as well as Gen 6. Although this card has been out for about a decade, it remains a charming and priced collectible that continues to shine in any binder of collectors.

4) Pikachu & Zekrom GX

Card Number: 101/095

Rarity: Super Rare (SR)

From: Tag Bolt [SM9]

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One of the most iconic TAG TEAM cards from the Sun & Moon era, Pikachu & Zekrom GX—a Super Rare (SR) card—made its debut in Japan within the Tag Bolt [SM9] expansion, released on 7 December 2018. The set was heavily inspired by Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, spotlighting Kanto-region favorites with a modern twist. This special full-art version, featuring dynamic artwork by renowned illustrator kawayoo, instantly captured the attention of collectors and players.

Although prices for this card have fluctuated over the years, it’s still occasionally available in selected card shops, making it a desirable grab for fans of Pikachu, Zekrom, or collectors of seventh-generation cards. You can also grab this card from our website here.

3) Zekrom

Card Number: 055/053

Rarity: NA

From: 15th Anniversary Premium Set

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A true collector’s centerpiece, the Zekrom 15th Anniversary BW-P Promotional card was exclusively released as part of the Pokémon Card Game 15th Anniversary Premium Set on 20 October 2011. Commemorating fifteen years since the TCG’s debut in Japan, this card reprints the original full art from the White Collection, now enhanced with an elegant embossed gold foil “15th Anniversary” stamp.

The premium box set also included a matching Reshiram promo, two sets of 65 anniversary-themed card sleeves, a collector’s coin bearing “The 15th Anniversary Limited Edition” inscription, a set of acrylic counters, and two specially designed playmats. Initially available only through Pokémon Centers across Japan, this exclusive release was produced in limited quantities.

Today, this Zekrom card is a “Holy Grail” among Black & White era promos and remains a sought-after gem for those building a premium Gen V or full art-focused collection.

2) Zekrom GX

Card Number: 239/SM-P

Rarity: NA

From: SM-P Promotional Cards

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A key highlight of the Sun & Moon era, this Zekrom GX promotional card was released in conjunction with the Thunderclap Spark [SM7a] subset and is considered a standout among Zekrom cards. Unlike your typical promotional releases, the card comes in three variants: ordinary, Full Art, and Rainbow Rare. These were distributed through exclusive event-based channels, making them particularly unique and desirable for dedicated collectors of Japanese promos.

In this case, the Full Art version could only be obtained by winning the Zekrom SR Competition, July’s format for the monthly DeckBuildBattle event series. Participants built their decks using 15 Thunderclap Spark [SM7a] booster packs and an equal number of Basic Energy cards from five types: Grass, Fire, Water, Electric, and Steel. These competitions were held across Pokémon Card Gym locations throughout Japan from 6 July to 31 July 2018.

However, due to disorganization at some venues during the early stages of the Zekrom SR Competition, the Pokémon Company issued official apologies on July 11 and 13, 2018. In these statements, they acknowledged the potential for delays or rescheduled events and clarified that around only 1,000 copies of the Full Art version were planned for distribution throughout the campaign.

As a result, due to its limited availability and the competitive nature of their distribution, this Zekrom GX promotional card has become a significant find for collectors focused on mega-rare Gen 7 cards or promotional releases tied to official tournament formats. Even for a raw card, this will cost you four figures.

1) Zekrom GX

Card Number: 240/SM-P

Rarity: NA

From: SM-P Promotional Cards

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Finally! The Holy Grail of all Zekrom cards ever released by Creatures Inc.

A pinnacle release among Sun & Moon era promos, this promotional Zekrom GX card stands out as one of the rarest and most exclusive Rainbow Rare promotional cards from Japan. Released alongside the Thunderclap Spark [SM7a] set, this card was never made available through standard retail or product bundles; instead, it was awarded only to top finishers in the highly competitive Zekrom HR Competition.

To enter the event, participants were given 15 Thunderclap Spark [SM7a] booster packs and a set of Basic Energy cards which they used to construct their decks on the spot, a format similar to Limited tournaments held outside Japan. The number of Zekrom GX cards awarded at each venue was strictly capped based on participant capacity. Venues with up to 32 players distributed just 1 copy, while the largest venues hosting 129 or more participants gave out no more than 5 copies.

The competition was held at select Pokémon Card Gym locations between 7 July and 2 August 2018 and continued at specific Pokémon Centers from 3 August to 31 August. An exclusive, invitation-only HR Competition was also held on 5 July 5 2018, at NicoNico Honsha in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, serving as a prerelease event and crowning the first recipient of the card.

In total, only 100 copies of this Zekrom GX card were awarded across all venues, instantly elevating its status as one of the most elusive and rarest Pokémon GX promos ever released. The combination of event-based exclusivity and strict distribution numbers has cemented this Zekrom GX card as a truly incredible pickup for collectors of tournament promos as well as mega-rare Gen 7 cards. For many, having one on hand is nearly impossible due to its limited availability.

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