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Is Scarlet & Violet Pokemon Worth Collecting? 2026 Investment Review

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The Scarlet & Violet Pokemon set is worth collecting in 2026, particularly if focusing on its Illustration Rare chase cards like Drowzee or Ralts, which offer significant grading ROI with multipliers exceeding 13x. While the raw price of the top 8 cards is $526.87, the potential upside for graded specimens makes it a target for collectors.

Collectors keep asking about the Scarlet & Violet Pokemon set. My honest take, based on 90-day sold data: most of you are chasing the wrong cards. While the overall set might not be a slam dunk for every type of collector, certain standout cards present compelling opportunities, especially for those looking to capitalize on the grading market. The raw prices for the top 8 cards paint a picture of moderate value, with the sum of these chase cards hovering around $526.87. However, digging deeper reveals individual cards with astronomical grading return on investment (ROI), suggesting that the real value lies not just in owning the raw card, but in achieving that coveted PSA 10 grade. This set offers a mixed bag, demanding a discerning eye to extract maximum value, whether for personal collection or investment.

Last updated: June 2026.

In This Article

• About Scarlet & Violet

• The Top Chase Cards

• Deep Dive: The Chase Card Standouts

• 1. Arven [Regional Championships Staff] (166)
• 1. Gardevoir ex - Special Illustration Rare (245)
• 1. Drowzee - Illustration Rare (210)
• 1. Ralts - Illustration Rare (211)
• 1. Kirlia - Illustration Rare (212)
• 1. Slowpoke - Illustration Rare (204)
• 1. Riolu - Illustration Rare (215)
• 1. Nest Ball [North America Championships] (181)

• Investment Analysis

• Grading ROI Across the Set

• Complete-Set Cost: More Than Just the Sum of Its Parts

• Short-Term vs. Long-Term View

• Potential Risks and Considerations

• Worth Collecting? The Verdict

• Frequently Asked Questions

About Scarlet & Violet

The Pokemon Scarlet & Violet card set, released in 2021, represents a significant entry into the expansive world of the Pokemon Trading Card Game. While the complete card count for the main set is currently unknown, its introduction marked a new era, bringing with it unique artwork and highly sought-after chase cards that have captured the attention of collectors and investors alike. Sets from this period are often characterized by dynamic art styles and an increasing focus on alternate art variants, which tend to drive significant market demand and collector interest. The Scarlet & Violet set, in particular, has seen several of its cards achieve notable market values, particularly those featuring popular Pokemon in distinctive artistic renditions. Understanding the landscape of these chase cards is key to assessing the overall collectibility and investment potential of the set.

The Top Chase Cards

Data sources: What The Slab checks eBay sold comps, PriceCharting market prices, and PSA public-API pop reports. All figures as of June 2026.

Deep Dive: The Chase Card Standouts

1. Arven [Regional Championships Staff] (166)

The Arven [Regional Championships Staff] card, number 166, commands a raw price of $174.31. This figure alone places it at the apex of the set’s most valuable raw cards. Its status as a Staff card, often distributed at high-level competitive events, inherently limits its supply and elevates its desirability among collectors seeking exclusive pieces. Without available PSA 10 median data, its grading potential remains speculative, but the existing raw value indicates strong demand from those who value tournament-specific memorabilia or rare trainer cards. For collectors focused on unique, low-population cards, Arven represents a significant acquisition.

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2. Gardevoir ex - Special Illustration Rare (245)

Gardevoir ex, variant Special Illustration Rare, card number 245, is currently priced at $77.48 in raw condition. When graded as a PSA 10, its median price jumps to $270, representing a substantial 3.5x multiplier. The grading ROI stands at an impressive 135.8%, making it an attractive target for investors looking to flip graded cards. With a PSA 10 population of 6,669 out of a total PSA population of 17,676, there’s a discernible scarcity, but not to the point of extreme rarity. The Special Illustration Rare treatment signifies unique artistic merit, driving demand beyond just gameplay.

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3. Drowzee - Illustration Rare (210)

The Drowzee Illustration Rare, card number 210, is a standout performer with a raw price of $63.93. What truly sets this card apart is its exceptional grading potential. A PSA 10 grade for Drowzee can fetch a median price of $885, a staggering 13.8x multiplier on its raw value. This translates to a remarkable 811.4% grading ROI. The Illustration Rare designation highlights the artistic appeal of this card, transforming a seemingly common Pokemon into a highly desirable collectible. For those focused on maximizing profit through grading, Drowzee presents a prime opportunity.

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4. Ralts - Illustration Rare (211)

Ralts, another Illustration Rare (card #211), shows a raw price of $49.06. Its appeal in the graded market is undeniable, with a PSA 10 median of $707.86. This signifies a 14.4x multiplier, one of the highest in the set, and a grading ROI of 784.5%. The consistent demand for Ralts, a popular Pokemon often associated with evolution lines, coupled with its unique art, makes this card a strong contender for collectors and investors alike. The substantial ROI indicates that acquiring raw copies and submitting them for grading could yield significant returns.

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5. Kirlia - Illustration Rare (212)

Kirlia, following its pre-evolutionary companion Ralts, also shines as an Illustration Rare with card number 212. Its raw price sits at $47.50. In PSA 10 condition, it commands a median of $630, a 13.3x multiplier, and delivers a grading ROI of 704.6%. This trio of Ralts, Kirlia, and Gardevoir ex represents a thematic collection within the set, and their individual performance in the graded market reinforces their status as key chase cards. The consistent high multipliers across these evolutionary stages underscore the power of cohesive art and character appeal in the Pokemon TCG.

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6. Slowpoke - Illustration Rare (204)

The Slowpoke Illustration Rare (card #204) is another excellent example of how unique art can elevate a Pokemon’s collectibility. With a raw price of $43.00, its journey to a PSA 10 grade is remarkably lucrative, boasting a median price of $708.80. This results in an impressive 16.5x multiplier and a staggering 870.9% grading ROI, the highest among the listed chase cards. This indicates that while the raw card is accessible, the demand for a perfect grade of this particular artistic rendition is exceptionally high, making it a prime candidate for grading-focused investors.

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7. Riolu - Illustration Rare (215)

Riolu, an Illustration Rare with card number 215, is valued at $38.00 raw. Its PSA 10 median price reaches $583.99, reflecting a 15.4x multiplier and a strong grading ROI of 767.4%. Riolu, a popular baby Pokemon with strong ties to Lucario, consistently performs well in the collector market. The high multiplier and ROI suggest that acquiring raw copies of Riolu and sending them for grading is a strategy with significant profit potential. Its artistic interpretation in this set clearly resonates with the collecting community.

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8. Nest Ball [North America Championships] (181)

The Nest Ball [North America Championships], card number 181, is priced at $33.59 in its raw form. As a Championship-stamped item, its value is intrinsically tied to its exclusivity and competitive event origin. Similar to the Arven Staff card, data for its graded performance is not readily available. However, its position among the top raw cards suggests a strong collector base interested in event-specific merchandise, competitive play items, or unique trainer cards that commemorate significant tournaments within the Pokemon TCG circuit.

Buy Nest Ball [North America Championships] on eBay

Investment Analysis

Grading ROI Across the Set

The Scarlet & Violet set presents some truly compelling grading opportunities, particularly for its Illustration Rare cards. Slowpoke (204) leads the pack with a spectacular 870.9% ROI, followed closely by Drowzee (210) at 811.4%, and Ralts (211) at 784.5%. Riolu (215) and Kirlia (212) also offer robust returns exceeding 700%. These figures suggest that for collectors focused on flipping graded cards, targeting raw copies of these specific Illustration Rares and submitting them for PSA 10 grading is a viable and potentially highly profitable strategy. The high multipliers—ranging from 13.3x to 16.5x for these cards—demonstrate a significant price disparity between the raw and perfectly graded versions, which is the sweet spot for grading arbitrage.

Complete-Set Cost: More Than Just the Sum of Its Parts

The sum of the top 8 card raw prices provides a baseline of $526.87. However, this figure is merely a floor for the true cost of completing the Scarlet & Violet set. For Pokemon TCG sets, a realistic complete-set cost typically falls between 1.2 to 1.5 times the sum of the top chase cards. This multiplier accounts for the cost of commons, uncommons, rares, reverse holos, and potentially secret rares or other parallel versions that are not individually highlighted in the chase card list. Therefore, budgeting for the entire set would likely require an investment in the range of $632 to $790, assuming these multipliers hold true for this specific release. [[TCGPLAYER vs EBAY Where to Buy Pokemon Cards (2026 Guide)]]

Short-Term vs. Long-Term View

Based on the provided data, which reflects 90-day sold data, the focus is primarily on current market values and grading potential rather than historical price trends. The significant grading ROIs (e.g., Drowzee at 811.4%) indicate strong immediate demand for PSA 10 graded cards of specific Illustration Rares. This suggests a healthy market for short-term flips if the grading process can be managed efficiently. For a long-term perspective, the continued popularity of Pokemon and the consistent artistic appeal of sets like Scarlet & Violet generally bode well for sustained value appreciation. However, without specific trend data, it’s difficult to project long-term growth beyond the inherent demand for high-grade, aesthetically pleasing cards.

Potential Risks and Considerations

When investing in any Pokemon TCG set, several risks must be considered. Reprint risk is always present; if Scarlet & Violet sees subsequent re-releases or inclusions in other products, the supply of certain cards could increase, potentially impacting prices. Set rotation, a common factor in TCGs, primarily affects gameplay but can indirectly influence collecting by shifting focus to newer sets, though collectible value often remains independent of rotation. Furthermore, changes in grading company policies or market perception of grading services could influence the premiums paid for graded cards. The lack of PSA 10 data for the Arven and Nest Ball championship staff cards also introduces an element of uncertainty regarding their ultimate graded market value and desirability.

Worth Collecting? The Verdict

Verdict: BUY for graded card flips and specific Illustration Rare collectors; WATCH for complete-set completionists; SKIP for bulk collectors.

The Pokemon Cards Completionist: If your goal is to own every single card in the Scarlet & Violet set, you’ll need to be prepared for an investment likely between $632 and $790, factoring in the cost of commons and bulk beyond the top 8 chase cards. Given the high ROI potential on specific cards like Slowpoke and Drowzee, actively acquiring and grading these could offset some of the overall set cost. Verdict: BUY, but focus on acquiring high-ROI grading targets within the set.

The ROI-Focused Investor: For those primarily interested in maximizing profit through grading, the Scarlet & Violet set offers clear targets. Cards like Slowpoke (204) with its 870.9% ROI and Drowzee (210) with 811.4% ROI are prime candidates. The high PSA 10 multipliers for multiple Illustration Rares suggest that smart acquisition of raw cards and efficient grading can yield significant returns. Verdict: BUY, with a laser focus on Illustration Rares with high grading ROI.

The New Collector with $263 to Spend: With $263, a complete set is out of reach. However, this budget is perfect for acquiring a few of the most desirable Illustration Rare cards in raw form or potentially even a graded PSA 10 of a card like Gardevoir ex ($270 median PSA 10). Focusing on 1-2 key chase cards that appeal to you personally, such as the Ralts line or a specific artist’s interpretation, would be a wise strategy. Lugia V #186 Pokemon Silver Tempest PSA + CGC Pop Report: Rarity vs Price 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Scarlet & Violet Pokemon set a good investment in 2026?

Yes, the Scarlet & Violet set shows strong investment potential, particularly for graded cards. The high grading ROI on Illustration Rare cards like Slowpoke (204) at 870.9% and Drowzee (210) at 811.4% indicates significant market demand for PSA 10 specimens, making them excellent targets for collectors focused on profit.

What are the most valuable cards in the Scarlet & Violet Pokemon set?

The most valuable cards are currently led by Arven [Regional Championships Staff] (166) at $174.31 raw. However, for graded potential, Illustration Rares like Slowpoke (204) with a PSA 10 median of $708.80, Drowzee (210) at $885, and Ralts (211) at $707.86 offer substantial returns.

How much does it cost to complete the Scarlet & Violet Pokemon set?

The sum of the top 8 chase cards is $526.87 raw. However, a realistic estimate for completing the entire set, including commons and bulk, is between 1.2 to 1.5 times this amount, placing the total cost in the range of $632 to $790. PSA vs BGS vs CGC for Charizard V #154 Pokemon Brilliant Stars: Which Pays Most in 2026?

Should I buy raw or graded cards from the Scarlet & Violet set?

For investment and profit, buying raw Illustration Rare cards like Slowpoke, Drowzee, and Ralts and submitting them for PSA 10 grading is highly recommended due to their substantial grading ROI. For personal collection and immediate enjoyment, either raw or graded versions are good, depending on your budget and preference.

What is the grading ROI for Gardevoir ex (245) in the Scarlet & Violet set?

Gardevoir ex (Special Illustration Rare, #245) has a strong grading ROI of 135.8%. Its raw price is $77.48, while a PSA 10 median price is $270, representing a 3.5x multiplier. This makes it a solid, though less extreme, target for investors compared to the top Illustration Rares.

What makes Illustration Rare cards in Scarlet & Violet so valuable?

Illustration Rare cards in the Scarlet & Violet set are valuable due to their unique artistic interpretations of Pokemon, which appeal strongly to collectors. This artistic merit, combined with the inherent scarcity of chase cards and strong demand for PSA 10 grades, drives up their market prices and grading ROI significantly, as seen with cards like Slowpoke and Drowzee.

Continue your Pokemon card collecting journey by exploring our guides on Vault X vs Ultra Pro vs Dragon Shield Binders (2026 Guide) and Toploader vs Magnetic Holder for Pokemon Cards (2026 Guide).