The time has come for another new addition to the Pokémon TCG and that new arrival is Temporal Forces. With this new expansion, the Pokémon TCG is both stepping back into the past and leaping forward into the prospective future as the headlining acts of this set are the Legendary Paradox Pokémon introduced in The Indigo Disc DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. These awe-inspiring and creative takes on iconic Legendaries like Raikou, Suicune, Virizion, and Cobalion will make a splash for collectors and trainers alike. Of course, there’s also the long list of Illustration Rares that crystallize precious moments of a Pokémon for us all to admire.
Temporal Forces contains 217 cards, making it one of the smaller sets in the Scarlet and Violet TCG. Despite that, there are still plenty of excellent cards to collect, including ten new Special Illustration Rares. This set also marks the reintroduction of ACE SPEC cards, powerful Trainer cards that can change the TCG game and are limited to one per deck. Between the fantastical new cards for collectors and the domineering new ACE SPECs for competitors, Temporal Forces has a little something for everyone, even if they will cost you a pretty penny.
Here are the top 10 best and most expensive cards from Temporal Forces, the latest expansion in the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet TCG. As for how we’ll be ranking these, we’ll primarily be using TCGPlayer’s Temporal Forces price chart which you can find for yourself here.
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Blast to the Past (and the Future)
Top 10 Most Expensive Pokémon TCG Temporal Forces Cards
Ghastly, Illustration Rare
The first card on our list and the tenth most expensive care of Temporal Forces is the Illustration Rare variant of Ghastly, one of the most iconic and beloved Ghost Pokémon from Generation 1. This card is number 177/162 in the Temporal Forces card list and it’s the only card of its type to breach the top ten.
Illustrated by Mousho, whose previous work includes the Drowzee line from Pokémon 151, this card cheekily depicts the grim charm of the Ghastly evolution line and all other Ghost-type Pokémon as a hoard of them parade down an empty city street. The bright yellow of the moonlight contrasts wonderfully with the pale purples of the Ghost Pokémon, making for an incredibly pleasing card to look at.
As of writing, Ghastly’s Illustration Rare is running for a market price of $25 on TCGPlayer.
Ghastly, Illustration Rare
ACE SPEC Prime Catcher, Rare
The ninth most valuable card in Temporal Forces is arguably the most interesting card in the whole list, mainly because it isn’t one of the conventionally desirable cards like an Illustration Rare or Special Illustration Rare. Instead, it’s an ACE SPEC card, ACE SPEC Prime Catcher 157/216 to be more specific, which has been newly reintroduced with Temporal Forces.
As for why Prime Catcher is so prized that it can end up in the top ten valuable cards list, it’s mainly down to the card’s effect. When played, ACE SPEC Prime Catcher lets you switch your opponent’s active Pokémon with one on their bench, which is effectively the same effect as the extremely popular Boss’ Orders. As an additional effect, if you switch your opponent’s Pokémon, you must also switch your active Pokémon with one on your bench. When used correctly, this card has incredible potential, especially when going up against high-price card targets.
In terms of cost, a powerful card like Prime Catcher is going to run you a decent amount of cash, especially when compared to other Trainer Cards. As of Temporal Forces release, ACE SPEC Prime Catcher has a market price of $27.
ACE SPEC Prime Catcher
Eri, Special Illustration Rare (Alternative Art)
In eighth place, we have the first, but certainly not last, Special Illustration Rare Trainer card and that honour goes to Eri, leader of Team Star’s Caph Squad. Eri is one of the last Team Star members to receive an Alternative Art and this card – which is 210/162 in Temporal Forces – is an excellent addition.
Eri’s Alternative Art proudly showcases the Fighting-type trainer’s brazen, brash energy. Between the poppy neon colour palette and the intimidating collage of Fighting Pokémon, this wonderfully illustrated card by DOM perfectly encapsulates Eri as a character. As for what Eri does in battle, she forces your opponent to reveal their hand and lets you discard up to 2 Item cards you find there. Against certain decks, this is a brutal effect that can completely cripple an opponent’s playstyle.
As for how much this card is going to run you, Eri’s Special Illustration Rare has a market price of $29 to $30. This is a drastic increase to the regular Eri Full Art which has a market price of only $7.
Eri, Special Illustration Rare
Bianca’s Devotion, Special Illustration Rare (Alternative Art)
Following Eri’s Alt Art is another Special Illustration Trainer card. This time, the seventh most valuable card in Temporal Forces is Bianca’s Devotion, Special Illustration Rare variant. This version of Bianca’s Devotion is number 209/162 in Temporal Forces.
Illustrated by Cono Nitanda, this card captures a moment of tranquillity and calm of Bianca as she dozes away on a sofa beside her beloved Musharna. This card is one of the softest and most visually appealing of Temporal Forces’ card list, primarily because of its sweet colour palette and calming atmosphere. In battle, Bianca’s Devotion heals all damage from one Pokémon so long as it has 30 health or lower remaining, making this Supporter capable of some incredible clutch plays.
If you’re looking to take this card home with you and add it to your collection, Bianca’s Devotion Special Illustration Rare currently has a market price of $36, making it the second most valuable Supporter on this list.
Bianca’s Devotion, Special Illustration Rare
Gouging Fire ex, Special Illustration Rare (Alternative Art)
Just narrowly missing out on the top five is the Special Illustration Rare variant of Gouging Fire ex, the first Past Paradox Alternative Art to make the list. Gouging Flame ex’s Alternative Art is number 204/162 in the set list.
Illustrated wonderfully by Teeziro, the artist behind all three Past Paradox Special Illustration Rares in Temporal Forces, Gouging Fire manages to prove itself the apex of its environment. The card’s composition and framing make Gouging Fire appear menacing, its gigantic crown and bulky body illuminated by a pillar of bright light. Additionally, the surrounding foliage and bright green leafage only make it stand out more, calling back to other classic Scarlet and Violet cards like Koraidon ex Special Illustration Rare from base SV.
If you’re looking to add Gouging Flame ex to your collection, it currently has a market price of $38. This is the cheapest of the three Ancient Paradox Pokémon, with both Walking Wake and Raging Bolt appearing later in the list.
Gouging Fire ex, Special Illustration Rare
Morty’s Conviction, Special Illustration Rare (Alternative Art)
At number five on our Pokémon TCG Temporal Forces valuable cards list, we have the Special Illustration Rare version of Morty’s Conviction. Morty is a Ghost-type Gym Leader from Johto and a surprisingly memorable character who reappeared as a Supporter in this set. His Trainer Card is number 211/162 in Temporal Forces.
Like with most of the other Trainer Alt Arts in this set, Morty’s Conviction depicts our Johto Gym Leader in a moment of calm as he sips on a nice cuppa with his partner Pokémon Gengar. While this card isn’t anything extravagant or bombastic, it captures the moment superbly and is full of little moments of charm, such as Gengar being half submerged in the floor. As a Support, Morty lets you draw a card for each of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon, so long as you discard a card from your hand to play it.
As the most expensive Supporter in Temporal Forces, Morty’s Conviction Special Illustration Rare is going to run you about $39, which is the current market price on TCGPlayer. From here on out, all of the remaining cards are Special Illustration Rare Pokémon.
Morty’s Conviction, Special Illustration Rare
Walking Wake ex, Special Illustration Rare (Alternative Art)
At number four, we have Walking Wake ex’s Special Illustration Rare. This is the second Ancient Paradox Legend to make the list and was the first Past Paradox Pokémon to join Scarlet and Violet via an exclusive Tera Raid Battle after Pokémon Day last year. Walking Wake is based on Suicune and it’s number 205/162 in the card list.
Compared to Gouging Flame and Raging Bolt, Walking Wake’s Special Illustration Rare depicts it in a more active environment, clambering around tall branches, likely in pursuit of its prey. Like with Teeziro’s other cards, the colours in this Alt Art are spectacular, with Walking Wake’s bright blue colour palette managing to stand out amongst the cool, watery tones of the forest around it. As for Walking Wake ex’s Ability, Aure Seas, it allows Walking Wake’s attacks to be unaffected by any effects on your opponent’s active Pokémon, which could prove very useful against Tool-heavy compositions.
Walking Wake ex Alternative Art has a current market price of $43 on TCGPlayer.
Walking Wake ex, Special Illustration Rare
Raging Bolt ex, Special Illustration Rare (Alternative Art)
The final Past Paradox Legendary, Raging Bolt, comes in at number 3 on the most expensive cards list with Raging Bolt ex Special Illustration Rare. In the Temporal Forces card list, Special Illustration Rare Raging Bolt ex is number 2018/162.
This version of Raging Bolt ex displays the raw size and power of this twisted Pokémon, with Raging Bolt’s long neck towering over the nearby landscape and bursting into the stormy clouds above. Everything in the image is tailor-made to make Raging Bolt’s imposing form stand out, from the bright shocks of purple lightning that dance around the Pokémon’s body to the more muted colours compared to Raging Bolt’s hazardous yellow coat. As the last Paradox Pokémon illustration by Teeziro, it’s a perfect depiction of this somewhat goofy Legendary.
Despite being in third place, Raging Bolt ex Special Illustration Rare is still going to cost you a decent chunk of change as it has a current market price of $55 on TCGPlayer. That means, if you want to get all three of the Past Paradox Pokémon – Gouging Flame, Walking Wake, and Raging Bolt – it’s going to cost you about $120.
Raging Bolt ex, Special Illustration Rare
Iron Leaves ex, Special Illustration Rare (Alternative Art)
The top two are where things get competitive. The two Paradox Pokémon in contention for the top spot – Iron Leaves, the future form of Virizion, and Iron Crown, the future form of Cobalion – have been battling for the top spot since the set was released a few days ago. As of right now, though, Special Illustration Rare Iron Leaves ex has lagged behind just slightly, causing it to come in at number 2 on the top ten most valuable Temporal Forces cards. This version of Iron Leaves ex is number 203 in the set, the first of the Special Illustration Rare Paradox Pokémon.
Illustrated by the incredibly talented nagimiso – who actually illustrated all three of the Future Swords of Justice Paradox forms – this card depicts Iron Leaves with a frantic, almost alien energy. The bright greens of both the Pokémon and the background give this card a distant, foreboding tone which is perfectly mirrored by the harsh shadows on Iron Leave’s metallic body. What makes this even better is that Iron Leaves ex’s Rapid Vernier Ability has incredible potential in the TCG, allowing you to immediately swap it into the active slot as soon as you play it.
As we mentioned, Iron Leaves ex and Iron Crown ex have both claimed the top spot in terms of valuable cards but, as of writing, Iron Leaves ex Special Illustration Rare has a market price of about $58 on TCGPlayer. However, seeing as it’s taken the crown once, it has a high likelihood of doing it again in the future so keep an eye on it for the future.
Iron Leaves ex, Special Illustration Rare
Iron Crown ex, Special Illustration Rare (Alternative Art)
Finally, we arrive at the most expensive card in Temporal Forces (at least, the most expensive a few days after release) which we’ve already spoiled. That card is the Special Illustration Rare variant of Iron Crown ex, the Future Paradox form of Cobalion.
Illustrated once again by nagimoso, Iron Crown ex has a completely different vibe to either Iron Leaves or Iron Boulder, with Cobalion’s alternative self radiating both intimidation and awe. The way that Iron Crown is framed by the moon gives it a sombre aura that sets it apart from all other cards in the set, befitting the defacto leader of the Swords of Justice. As for what it does in battle, Iron Crown ex makes the perfect pairing in any Future-themed deck is it’s ability, Cobalt Command, makes all other Future Paradox Pokémon deal 20 more damage with their attacks.
If you want to add Iron Crown ex’s Special Illustration Rare to your own collection, you’re looking at a market price of $68, only $10 more than Iron Leaves ex. Compared to some of the other top ballers of the Scarlet and Violet era, Iron Crown ex Special Illustration Rare is actually quite affordable, at least compared to the monstrous heights of Special Illustration Rare Charizard ex.
Iron Crown ex, Special Illustration Rare
Those were the 10 most expensive and valuable cards in Pokémon TCG Temporal Forces, the newest set in the Scarlet and Violet era. If you want to check out these cards for yourself, or you want to check the price of other cards in the set, you can find them here on the TCGPlayer website.
