Identifying the best cards in aPokemon TCGexpansion is often easy for tabletop players and collectors alike, simply by identifying cards with the best artwork or play styles. While collectors are usually only concerned with the artwork and rarity, players get to reap all the benefits.
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The second expansion in theScarlet and Violetseries, Paldea Evolved, is preparing to release on July 15, 2025, boasting over 190 cards in the set with plenty of Special Illustrations to gawk over. Here are some of the best cards in the set.
10Sprigatito
If one of your hobbies is gardening alongside collectingPokémoncards, then this Sprigatito Special Illustration is the pull for you. Nestled in among bunches of brightly-colored followers isthe Grass creaturesleeping, and the artwork is every bit as refreshing as the Pokémon is cute.
Our bet is this card will look even better in hand, and it’s a worthy card to kick-start this list — especially with its Gather Sunlight attack in check that allows you to search your deck for two Basic Energy Cards.
9Skeledirge Ex
There is a lot going on and a lot to be admired in thisSkeledirgeex Secret Rare, showing the Fire Pokémon walking down a cobbled high street with its trainer, scouring all the goods up for sale in nearby shopfronts.
In terms of setting the scene, this full art nails it, and despite the monster’s Vitality Song healing 30 damage from each of your Pokémon, this card stays in the lower ranks as it’s mostly a card to be admired for its picturesque setting.
8Squawkabilly Ex
Squawkabilly can be one of those annoying Pokémon, and this ex card is not one for collectors to become wide-eyed over. The bird can be seen swooping out of the art box claws first, with a narrowing stare on its prey. It’s not the prettiest card, but it does allow players to draw a special hand.
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The Squawk and Seize ability allows you to discard your hand in favor of drawing six more cards, but the catch is you can only use this Ability once per turn. It’s a handy play to refresh the field and stock up on those all-important Energy Cards on the bench and a worthy place in the low ranks.
7Boss’s Orders
There’s no doubt over how badass Ghetsis looks from Pokémon Black and White and beyond, and the villain’s charm and aesthetic are on full show in this Trainer card while he plays a quiet game of chess with himself.
The overhead view on this Secret Rare card is particularly unique, as we see one white chess piece being cornered by two black. Its play also forces your opponent to switch one of their benched Pokémon to an Active Slot, and its entry on this list is valid for the artwork alone.
6Chien-Pao Ex
While many of the ex cards have shiny appeal for collectors, they often don’t match the artistic spread of the Special Illustrations. However, the Double Rare Chien-Pao ex makes up for its lack of full-art appeal with some handy tools for battle that award it a higher place in the ranks.
This sabertooth Pokémon flaunts the Shivery Chill Ability that allows you to search your deck for two Basic Water Energy cards to add them to your hand — providing you already have this monster in an Active Spot on the field.
Kicking off the top 5 is a full art that looks like it could belong in your local art gallery, flaunting the silver-haired Gym Leader, Grusha, who is enjoying a hot drink while looking out her window to the snowy expanse ahead.
The validity of this entry hinges on the artwork alone, and its scene is cemented in the world of Pokémon thanks to the two Starly that are perched on the tree outside of Grusha’s window, making collectors feel like it’s Christmas already.
Another entry that has made its way on this list for the artwork alone is Raichu, the Generation 1 evolved Pokémon from Pikachu who is happily napping upside down on a bed with purple sheets. Giving the same vibe as the sleepingTyranitarfrom Battle Styles, this card is one to have in your collection.
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This beloved Pokémon will be a favorite of the set and its muted colors offer a more relaxed feel to this full art instead of the other vibrant, bold entries on this list. This change of tone combined with the popular Raichu’s appearance awards it fourth place.
Taking third place is the card with the most eye-catching artwork, superseding any of its contributions to the play. The Fire Pokémon is perhaps the cutest monster on this list as he munches on an apple while sitting in the shopping cart.
Taking into consideration the aesthetic of the trainer and the products around is enough to give this stunning card a high place on our list.Fuecocoalso lets you flip a coin with heads healing 30 damage through Spacing Out.
2Tyranitar
Tyranitar’s artwork on full-art Special Illustrations is always a winner in every expansion, and Paldea Evolved is no exception. Looking at the kaiju from beneath the rubble on ground level, we can see the Pokémon advancing among a swarm of birds like the King of the Monsters.
In addition to the sun-kissed artwork paintingthe mighty Tyranitarin an eye-catching light, its Rout attack allows an excess of 30 damage for each of your opponent’s benched Pokémon, and Dread Mountain allows you to discard the top four cards of your own deck. Artwork and play combined, Tyranitar is a no-brainer for second place.
In addition to being one of the more eye-catching cards in this expansion, the Iono Trainer card will also give you the upper hand on the tabletop by messing up your opponent’s calculated hand, and it’s the obvious first-place entry. When Iono is placed, each player shuffles their hand and surrenders it to the bottom of the deck, allowing competitors to then draw a card for each Prize card.
This full-art Special Illustration shows the Trainer surrounded by delicious-looking desserts, some of them Pokémon-themed, including thePikachu pancakes. Iono looks ready to devour them with her sharp teeth, and the rarity of this card only serves to make it all the more valuable.
