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So far, fan reception seems extremely positive, as the set seems to have more generous hit rates on some of the set’s most sought-after cards than other modern releases. That should also help keep singles at reasonable prices on the secondary market once valuations settle in and that new car(dboard) smell wears off.

But just what are the cards that trainers and collectors alike are on the hunt for? Here are some of the most intriguing cards in 30th Celebration, from Classic Collection bangers and stunning Special Illustration Rares to the newly unveiled Futuristic Rares.

Mew ex and Mewtwo ex – Futuristic Rare, 158/128 and 157/128

Images: The Pokémon Company

Speaking of Futuristic Rares, these striking full-art cards feature a singular art style unlike anything seen before in Pokémon TCG history. Illustrated by modern artist YOSHIROTTEN, Mew and Mewtwo are depicted in a cyberpunk-esque environment and feature a chromed-out finish that wouldn’t look out of place in a Blade Runner fever dream.

These cards are extremely scarce, and while their prices have plummeted from the skyscraping prerelease highs, they remain two of the defining chase cards from 30th Celebration.

All 30 Pikachu Rares

Image: The Pokemon Company

A nice touch from The Pokémon Company is that every five-card 30th Celebration booster pack is guaranteed to contain one of 30 unique Pikachu Rares, with one new artwork for each year of Pokémon’s existence.

That’s not the only special treatment inside each pack, either, as the Basic Energy cards are also illustrated by YOSHIROTTEN, the artist behind the set’s two Futuristic Rares.

The artists who produced these Pikachu artworks are a who’s who of notable names from throughout the game’s history, with Shinji Kanda, Tomokazu Komiya, sowsow, OKACHEKE, Asako Ito, and even original Pokémon designer Ken Sugimori delivering distinctive takes on the most famous ’mon in the world. "Pika pika," indeed.

Crystal Lugia – 30th Celebration Classic Collection

Image: The Pokémon Company

One of the main appeals of ripping 30th Celebration is the presence of the beloved “Classic Collection,” which returns after appearing in 2021’s 25th-anniversary Celebrations set with another batch of iconic cards from throughout the game’s history.

While Base Set Charizard, Paldea Evolved Magikarp Illustration Rare, and Neo Destiny Shining Celebi all deserve plaudits, the most desirable – and currently most valuable – of these cards is Crystal Lugia, originally printed way back in 2003’s Aquapolis. Sure, the 30th version can be had for a fraction of the price of the original, but the original also doesn’t have a sick gold border and a striking foil finish.

Greninja ex – Special Illustration Rare, 148/128

Image: The Pokémon Company

Myriad SIRs are present in 30th Celebration alongside some of the higher-rarity pulls, but these full-art beauties are sure to garner supreme interest from collectors and fans alike when opening sealed product of 30th.

Perhaps the most popular SIR from the set will be this striking Greninja ex with artwork by GIDORA. This Greninja SIR comes hot on the heels of Mega Greninja ex SIR serving as one of the biggest chases from Chaos Rising, but that quick succession is unlikely to stop collectors from hunting this stunning full-art card.

Gengar ex – Special Illustration Rare, 154/128

Image: The Pokémon Company

If there’s one Pokémon almost genetically engineered to become a sought-after SIR, it’s Gengar, and artist CHORISO certainly understood the assignment with this Gengar ex SIR.

The Ghost-type sports a devilishly mischievous expression while lurking amid an environment that looks ripped straight from an after-school Halloween cartoon, giving the card a playful, slightly sinister aesthetic that fits Gengar flawlessly. It’s also a milestone for CHORISO, as this marks the artist’s first-ever full-art Pokémon TCG card after contributing illustrations to recent Mega Evolution-era sets.

Gengar cards already have a habit of attracting collectors like moths to a particularly spooky flame, so pairing one of the franchise's perennial fan favorites with such distinctive artwork makes this an easy inclusion among 30th Celebration’s biggest chases.

30 Years Later, Pokémon TCG Still Delivers the Thrill of the Chase

30th Celebration has plenty more lurking inside its tiny booster packs, and narrowing the set down to just a handful of standouts means leaving plenty of eminently attractive cardboard still in the box.

Still, between futuristic chrome Mews, 30 flavors of Pikachu, a golden dose of Lugia nostalgia, and a deep bench of striking full-arts, the set certainly isn’t hurting for cards worth chasing. Thirty years into the Pokémon TCG, 30th Celebration is a fitting reminder that great artwork, fan-favorite 'mon, and a well-placed dose of nostalgia remain an extremely potent combination.