{"id":403051,"date":"2025-01-21T10:25:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T02:25:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/?p=403051"},"modified":"2025-01-25T10:37:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-25T02:37:05","slug":"pokemon-tcg-the-rarest-cards-sar-in-battle-partners-sv9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/2025\/01\/21\/pokemon-tcg-the-rarest-cards-sar-in-battle-partners-sv9\/","title":{"rendered":"[Pok\u00e9mon TCG] The Rarest Cards (SAR) in Battle Partners [SV9]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Special Art Rare (SAR) cards, the rarest and usually most valuable of all Pok\u00e9mon TCG cards, are understandably the most sought-after cards of any set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are SAR Pok\u00e9mon TCG Cards?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But first, let’s discuss what SAR Pok\u00e9mon TCG cards are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every Pok\u00e9mon TCG card has a specific rarity. At the top of the rarity scale are the four Secret Rare rarities: Art Rare (AR), Super Rare (SR), Ultra Rare (UR), and at the absolute peak of the list\u2014SAR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ever since the revamping of the Pok\u00e9mon TCG rarity scale at the beginning of the ninth generation, the vast majority of the biggest pickups from each set have been SAR cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, with the release of Battle Partners [SV9] approaching, let’s take a closer look at every SAR card in this hotly-anticipated expansion set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: 14 Most Valuable Heat Wave Arena [SV9a] Cards: Market Price Vs. SNKRDUNK Price<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Every SAR Card in Battle Partners [SV9]<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The following are every SAR card in Battle Partners [SV9] (pending upcoming reveals):
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1. Volcanion ex<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"[Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>
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Card Number:<\/strong> SV9 124\/100<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Release Date:<\/strong> 24 January 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where To Buy:<\/strong> SNKRDUNK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First introduced in generation 6, this dual-type Fire\/Water Mythical Pok\u00e9mon has returned to the recent Battle Partners [SV9] expansion in the Pok\u00e9mon Trading Card Game. This card is one of the standout releases in this expansion, offering a perfect combination of stunning artwork and nostalgic appeal for the collectors and players of the Pok\u00e9mon TCG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This card’s Special Art Rare illustration showcases Volcanion ex amidst a fiery, volcanic landscape, surrounded by streams of steam and molten lava. This dramatic depiction ties directly to Volcanion’s Pok\u00e9dex lore, which describes it as being able to create explosive steam by releasing superheated water stored within its body. The fiery ambiance also emphasizes Volcanion’s Fire\/Water typing, a unique combination that has captivated fans since its debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volcanion’s connection to fire and steam is also reflected in its gameplay mechanics. Its attacks prominently feature Fire Energy requirements, complementing the thematic consistency between the card’s art and its strategic role in the Pok\u00e9mon TCG. As a Special Art Rare card, the intricate detailing and atmospheric illustration make this card an instant eye-catcher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Iono’s Bellibolt ex <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>
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Card Number:<\/strong> SV9 125\/100<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Release Date:<\/strong> 24 January 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where To Buy:<\/strong> SNKRDUNK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This card might become the biggest pull of the entire set\u2014but if it does, with all due respect to the Bellibolt fans out there, it will have almost nothing to do with the EleFrog Pok\u00e9mon. Instead, this card is almost entirely about Levincia Gym Leader Iono.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iono’s popularity among the Pok\u00e9mon TCG fanbase is truly on another level\u2014even when compared to other female characters. At the release of dual set Snow Hazard [SV2P] and Clay Burst [SV2D] in April 2023, Clay Burst [SV2D] sold out just about everywhere almost immediately, while Snow Hazard [SV2P] experienced relatively slow sales and was overshadowed by its counterpart. This happened for one reason and one reason only: the SAR Iono card was in Clay Burst [SV2D].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, it came as little surprise that Creatures Inc. selected Iono as one of the four Trainers to be brought into Battle Partners [SV9] following the re-introduction of Trainer’s Pok\u00e9mon to the Pok\u00e9mon TCG. With this being a SAR card with the Electric-type specialist shown on it, expect this to be one of the set’s most coveted cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Lillie’s Clefairy ex<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>
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Card Number:<\/strong> SV9 126\/100<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Release Date:<\/strong> 24 January 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where To Buy:<\/strong> SNKRDUNK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This card is also a strong contender for the status of the set’s most desired card\u2014and once again, it’s almost completely because of the Trainer who’s depicted on it. While Clefairy is certainly a more popular Pok\u00e9mon than Bellibolt, this card’s value will almost certainly be carried by Fairy-type specialist Lillie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lillie is an iconic character within the Pok\u00e9mon TCG community because of the Full Art Lillie card from the SM-P Promotional Cards which was distributed at participating stores in Japan during the Extra Battle Day tournaments of October and November 2019. To this day, that card still sells for massive sums of money and is a contender for the title of “greatest Pok\u00e9mon card of all time”. For that reason, Lillie’s reintroduction to the Pok\u00e9mon TCG caused quite a stir among the fans\u2014especially when it was revealed that she’d be on an SAR card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, Clefairy’s presence on the card is also likely to play a role in boosting this card’s value. It should be kept in mind that Clefairy was initially intended by the developers at Game Freak to be the face of the Pok\u00e9mon franchise before they ultimately settled on Pikachu. Due to Clefairy’s unique status in this regard, it has always occupied a role as something of a “cult favorite” among the fanbase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. N’s Zoroark ex<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>
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Card Number:<\/strong> SV9 127\/100<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Release Date:<\/strong> 24 January 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where To Buy:<\/strong> SNKRDUNK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Among the many gems in the Battle Partners expansion, the N\u2019s Zoroark ex Secret Art Rare (SAR) card stands out as an instant classic, combining breathtaking artwork with rich storytelling that connects deeply to Pok\u00e9mon lore. This card highlights not only the iconic bond between the enigmatic Trainer N and his loyal Zoroark but also their shared legacy in the Pok\u00e9mon universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The connection between N and Zoroark is palpable, evoking nostalgia for fans who followed their journey in Pok\u00e9mon Black & White. This card\u2019s art also ties back to N\u2019s character as a protector of Pok\u00e9mon, often standing against those who would exploit them. Zoroark\u2019s fierce yet graceful stance alongside N embodies that unwavering bond and loyalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This card is honestly more than just a card. It\u2019s a work of art, a piece of history, and a valuable addition to both competitive decks and curated collections. Whether you\u2019re drawn to the stunning artwork, its ties to N\u2019s lore, or its strategic potential in the game, this card is sure to leave a lasting impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Hop’s Zacian ex<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>
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Card Number:<\/strong> SV9 128\/100<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Release Date:<\/strong> 24 January 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where To Buy:<\/strong> SNKRDUNK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of the three rival characters in eighth-generation main series video games Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield, Hop encounters and eventually comes to own Legendary Pok\u00e9mon Zacian (though this is specifically in Pok\u00e9mon Shield). This card depicts the Warrior Pok\u00e9mon in its Crowned Sword form, in which it gains the Steel type in addition to its usual Fairy type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The card has a Full Art illustration that depicts Hop in the Slumbering Weald of the Galar region where Hop is calming Zacian following its battle against the player character’s Zamazenta after Zacian was put into a berserk state after having been exposed to Dynamax energy by Sordward and Shielbert. This would go on to be the incident that led to Hop taking up the position as the assistant of Sonia, a Pok\u00e9mon Professor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to this card’s high rarity and appealing Full Art illustration containing a direct reference to the video games, Zacian itself is a Pok\u00e9mon with an impressive Pok\u00e9mon TCG history gameplay-wise. The Zacian V card from Sword [S1W] was a crucial part of the Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX\/Zacian V deck\u2014one of the most dominant decks, if not the most dominant, in the history of the Pok\u00e9mon TCG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Salamence ex<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"[Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>
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Card Number:<\/strong> SV9 129\/100<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Release Date:<\/strong> 24 January 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where To Buy:<\/strong> SNKRDUNK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gen 3 was the only Pok\u00e9mon generation to debut two pseudo-Legendary Pok\u00e9mon. One of those two pseudo-Legendaries was Dragon\/Flying-type Pok\u00e9mon Salamence\u2014a Pok\u00e9mon which over the years has featured on some seriously epic cards. The SAR Salamence ex card from Battle Partners [SV9] is poised to be another megahit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This card’s Full Art illustration depicts Salamence ex flying through the clouds\u2014a direct reference to several of its Pok\u00e9dex entries which state that when Salamence sprouts wings upon its evolution from Shelgon, it’s the realization of its lifelong dream to take to the skies. The Pok\u00e9dex also states that Salamence often spouts flames as it flies in sheer exuberance; this is reflected on this card by the fact that both of its attacks require a Fire Energy card to be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to its status as an SAR card, another factor which will draw many collectors to this card is the fact that it’s not only the first Salamence card of Gen 9; it’s also the first time a Salamence card has been printed in more than three years. The last time Salamence was seen in the Pok\u00e9mon TCG was in Blue Sky Stream [S7R]\u2014a set released in July 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Now that you’ve read this, why not browse the SNKRDUNK App for our selection of Battle Partners [SV9] cards, packs, and boxes<\/a>? Whether it’s one of these SAR cards or anything else, we’re sure there’ll be some items on that page that you’ll be taken by and will, therefore, want for your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the 14 Most Valuable Heat Wave Arena [SV9a] Cards: Market Price Vs. SNKRDUNK Price<\/a> reveals the largest savings on Heat Wave Area cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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