Our latest selection of TCG products features eight items which all have two things in common. First off, all eight are Pokémon singles from the eighth generation. Secondly, every card we’ve chosen here, as of 21 July 2025, can be purchased on the SNKRDUNK app for less than US$75—thus proving that you don’t have to shell out the big money to score yourself some seriously impressive cards.

As an aside, there’s a surprise waiting for you right at the end, so keep reading.

Now then, here are the cards we’re recommending this time around.

Duraludon VMAX (VMAX Climax [S8b] 253/184)

First printed as part of Skyscraping Perfection [S7D], Duraludon VMAX received a reprint in VMAX Climax [S8b]—this time around as a Trainer Gallery card featuring Hammerlocke Gym Leader Raihan in its eye-catching Full Art illustration. Duraludon VMAX has been shown to have Gigantamaxed—a reference to the Pokémon Sword and Shield video games in which Dragon-type specialist Raihan’s Duraludon is Gigantamaxed in the player’s battle against him.

The bottom-up angle of the illustration is used to highlight the awe-inspiring size of the now-gargantuan Steel/Dragon-type; Raihan can also be seen standing on Duraludon VMAX’s head. The glowing city lights of Hammerlocke create a spectacular backdrop for the illustration while the clouds of Dynamax energy surrounding Duraludon VMAX further add to the stunning visual impact seen on this Character Super Rare (CSR) card.

Entei V (VSTAR Universe [S12a] 213/172)

The original version of Entei V came as part of Start Deck 100 [SI]; however, only the VSTAR Universe [S12a] reprint has the rarity of Special Art Rare (SAR). It’s a card which references Entei’s lore as according to multiple Pokédex entries, Entei’s roar causes volcanic eruptions; this is seen in the illustration. Entei is shown ferociously roaring in the foreground while in the background, a violent volcanic eruption can be seen. It’s an image that speaks to the sheer power of the Fire-type Legendary Pokémon.

This card also has a connection to its two counterparts: Raikou V from Start Deck 100 [SI] and Suicune V from Skyscraping Perfection [S7D], both of which were also reprinted in VSTAR Universe [S12a]. All three Pokémon V forms of the Legendary beast trio, including Entei V, have the Ability of Fleet-Footed which enables the player to draw a card once per turn if the Pokémon in question is in the Active Spot.

Enamorus V (Dark Phantasma [S10a] 088/071)

Dark Phantasma [S10a] was a subset based on spin-off Pokémon video game Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and one of the leading pulls from it was its CSR version. The card’s Full Art illustration depicts the Incarnate Forme of the Fairy-type Legendary Pokémon alongside Cogita, the Trainer who befriended the fourth of the Legendary forces of nature and traveled across the Hisui region with Enamorus.

As is so often the case, the presence of a female character—in this case Cogita—on the card’s illustration adds to its value. The illustration is also a reference to the video game as in the post-game, Cogita summons Enamorus to grant the player the chance to capture it. Additionally, the flower petals swirling around Enamorus V relate to its lore; according to its Pokédex entry, Enamorus is the being that brings new life to the Hisui region.

Zeraora V (Jet-Black Spirit [S6K] 074/070)

Mythical Pokémon Zeraora made an appearance on a Super Rare (SR) card in Jet-Black Spirit [S6K]. The card’s Full Art illustration clearly references The Crown Tundra, the second DLC of the Pokémon Sword and Shield video games. In the distance, the Crown Shrine and Dyna Tree Hill can both be seen. While this illustration is canonically incorrect because Zeraora isn’t obtainable within the DLC, it’s nevertheless an impressive card despite that.

There’s a narrative element in play within the illustration as well; a Kecleon and a Weavile can be seen standing behind Zeraora V—almost as though both are looking towards the Electric-type Pokémon and awaiting its next move. That said, once again this isn’t possible canonically because Kecleon cannot be encountered anywhere in the Crown Tundra—but with regard to the card itself, that barely does anything to reduce its value in any way.

Noivern V (Skyscraping Perfection [S7D] 074/067)

One of two Noivern V cards of the SR rarity found in Skyscraping Perfection [S7D], this card ranks as one of the set’s more underrated pulls. The Sound Wave Pokémon is shown descending from the skies; the layer of holofoil adds a layer of visual realism by providing a visual effect making it seem as though the light from the building windows is being reflected around Noivern V.

Part of this card’s appeal also has to do with the fact that it was a Dragon-type card in the dual set that reintroduced the Dragon type to the Pokémon TCG. Following Tag All Stars [SM12a], the last set of the Pokémon TCG’s seventh generation, Dragon types were removed from the TCG. It wasn’t until the dual set of Skyscraping Perfection [S7D] and Blue Sky Stream [S7R] that they made a return—and this additional anticipation added further hype to the card.

Unown V (Paradigm Trigger [S12] 103/098)

It isn’t often that one of the standout features of a card has to do with a visual pun. However, this is exactly the case with the Unown V card from Paradigm Trigger [S12]. The name “Unown V” is intended to refer to the fact that this is the Pokémon V version of Unown; on top of that, the specific Unown being depicted is, in fact, Unown V (there are 28 Unown forms—one for each letter of the English alphabet as well as an exclamation point and a question mark). That alone is likely to draw much interest.

On top of that, the Full Art illustration of this SR card directly relates to the lore surrounding Unown. In the background are ruins from which 13 Unown are emerging—a reference to how Unown is found in ancient ruins in the Pokémon universe. Finally, led by Unown V, all 13 of the Unown shown in the illustration together spell out the words “Victory Symbol”—the name of Unown V’s second attack. Thus, there are multiple layers to this card.

Tapu Lele GX (Promo Card Pack 25th Anniversary Edition [S8a-P] 025/025)

Tapu Lele GX was originally released as part of Gen 7 set Alolan Moonlight [SM2L]; its Hyper Rare (HR) version ended up becoming one of the set’s leading pulls. It’s a card that has frequently been reprinted; in just a little over eight years there have been a total of 13 versions of this card—including the one from Promo Card Pack 25th Anniversary Edition [S8a-P], the special set created to honor the Pokémon TCG’s 25th anniversary.

The Full Art illustration of this card featuring the guardian deity of Akala Island alludes to its Pokédex entry. Tapu Lele GX is shown standing in a meadow, unleashing an attack that’s caused flower petals to fly up and swirl around the Psychic/Fairy-type Pokémon—a reference to the flowers that serve as its source of power. This card is also well-known among serious players as when it was tournament-legal, it was a staple of many different decks.

Serperior V (Incandescent Arcana [S11a] 084/068)

Rounding out our selection is Serperior V from Incandescent Arcana [S11a]. This CSR card’s Full Art illustration features the final form of Gen 5’s Grass-type starter Pokémon alongside Rosa, the female protagonist of the Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 video games. Reversal Mountain, a volcano located in the Unova region, can be seen in the background; in Black 2 and White 2, this is where the Legendary Pokémon Heatran can be encountered.

As is usually the case, the presence of a female character on this Trainer Gallery card elevates its value; the fact that Serperior is on this card further contributes to demand for the card as Serperior is among the most popular Gen 5 ‘mons. In addition, the inclusion of details from the video games makes this card one which might appeal to those who play the video games and are interested in the games’ lore. 

That’s it for our list… but wait! Remember how we mentioned that there’d be a surprise?

Well, we’d like to finish with this: scroll back up and look at the first letter of each card’s name. 😉

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