As we eagerly await the arrival of Destined Rivals in the US on May 30, collectors are already diving into the Japanese Glory of Team Rocket sets. Now is an opportune moment to join them, as the initial frenzy has subsided, and inflated prices are rapidly declining. This isn't just the typical post-release dip; it's a result of increased stock availability and Pokébro investors moving on to other ventures. This shift makes purchasing individual cards a more cost-effective choice compared to investing in overpriced sealed boxes, no matter how tempting they may seem. Here's why opting for singles is a strategic move for US collectors right now.
TL;DR: Single Card Prices Are Crashing
--------------------------------------### Glory of Team Rocket Booster Box
4$146.99 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 125/098
2$370.77 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 124/098
1$163.00 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 127/098
1$107.00 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Nidoking ex - 126/098
1$99.00 at TCG Player
Just consider the current value of Japanese booster boxes for The Glory of Team Rocket set, which are now more than double their shelf price. We haven't witnessed such overpricing since the 151 set, but there's hope on the horizon as we see signs of global stock shortages easing for Pokémon TCG.
Take Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR as an example; it was selling at around $500 starting on April 20th, but its price has plummeted to approximately $370.77 over the past few days. This is a significant market correction.
Similarly, Team Rocket's Moltres ex SIR has dropped from around $250 to $163, a decrease of $87 within a week. These rapid price drops indicate that more scalpers are exiting the hobby, reducing artificial inflation at release.
Most Affordable Team Rocket Cards
---------------------------------### Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 130/098
0$74.27 at TCG Player### Jamming Tower - 132/098
0$32.00 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 131/098
0$27.95 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 114/098
0$38.75 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Nidoking ex - 116/098
0$12.94 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 117/098
0$14.97 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 112/098
0$10.75 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Persian ex - 118/098
0$12.99 at TCG Player
While the focus often lands on the pricey chase cards, the Glory of Team Rocket's Super Rare ex and Hyper Rare ex variants offer stunning visuals that are often overlooked. These cards are a gem for collectors like us.
Interest in these cards is evident; for instance, Team Rocket's Mewtwo Super Rare ex has risen by over $6 since its release, now valued at $38.75. These cards follow the art style seen in Journey Together, featuring full-color Pokémon with an outline of their trainer in the background, making them a must-have.
It's not just about Mewtwo; Team Rocket's Nidoking Super Rare ex is performing as expected, dropping from $26 to a stable $12.94. An iconic card for fans of the first generation and watchers of the initial Pokémon anime, it's a menacing card to add to your collection now and watch appreciate over time. The same goes for Moltres and Crobat.
Best Team Rocket Trainer Cards
------------------------------### Team Rocket's Giovanni - 129/098
0$34.95 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Ariana - 128/098
0$39.94 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Archer - 120/098
0$14.99 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Ariana - 119/098
0$18.95 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Giovanni - 121/098
0$17.10 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Proton - 123/098
0$15.00 at TCG Player
These cards evoke strong nostalgia, particularly for fans of generations one and two, with Giovanni and Ariana standing out. Giovanni, the notorious leader of Team Rocket in Kanto, and Ariana, the interim boss in Johto, are key figures in the Pokémon universe.
There's limited data on Giovanni 129/098, but it showcases Team Rocket's leadership and is likely to maintain its value around the $17 mark. If you find it cheaper, it's a great buy. A general rule for this set: if it features Giovanni or Mewtwo, expect to pay a premium.
Team Rocket's Ariana 128/098 features a stunning variant of the standard trainer art, with prices ranging from $17 to $18. Given the set's recent release, it's hard to predict its long-term value, but any listing below $18 is a good deal.
Best Team Rocket Art Rares
--------------------------### Team Rocket's Houndoom - 100/098
0$12.49 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Raticate - 108/098
0$7.96 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Wobbuffet - 103/098
0$7.31 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Weezing - 105/098
0$8.95 at TCG Player### Blaziken - 101/098
0$9.40 at TCG Player### Kangaskhan - 110/098
0$8.67 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Murkrow - 106/098
0$6.96 at TCG Player### Zamazenta - 107/098
0$4.49 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Orbeetle - 104/098
0$2.95 at TCG Player### Clamperl - 102/098
0$3.00 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Spidops - 099/098
0$2.60 at TCG Player### Regirock ex - 115/098
0$7.15 at TCG Player### Cetitan ex - 113/098
0$3.50 at TCG Player### Glory of Team Rocket Booster Pack
0$3.41 at TCG Player
The Scarlet and Violet era boasts some of the best artwork in illustration rares and art rares. These cards are not only affordable but also visually stunning, often overlooked in the TCG. If you're aiming to expand your collection with cards that are both valuable and aesthetically pleasing, this is the way to go.
Currently, Team Rocket's Meowth 109/098 is priced at around $19.25, a drop of nearly $20 since the launch of The Glory of Team Rocket. Given its iconic connection to Team Rocket, this card is still on a downward trend, making anything below $20 a fantastic deal.
Blaziken 101/098 is another card experiencing a price crash. Its incredible artwork showcases why this generation three starter is a fan favorite. Despite its potential for value growth and playability with its Infernal Legs attack, which can deal 120 damage to both an active and a benched Pokémon, it's currently undervalued. This makes it a prime card to purchase now.
If you're still tempted to open boosters of The Glory of Team Rocket despite their high prices and the five-card count of Japanese packs, go for it. However, there are significant bargains to be found in single cards. Note that the prices mentioned in this article are accurate at the time of writing, and stock availability on TCG Player may fluctuate due to its live secondary marketplace nature. This dynamic environment is part of the fun. If you missed out on the Charizard Sam's Club deal, it's worth checking back to see if it's still available.
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