Mega Lucario ex Special Illustration Rare

In any other set, this would be the chase card. Just look at it: astonishing detail in every part (have you even noticed the two other battles taking place in the background?), and deliberately evoking the famous Charizard versus Mewtwo card battles of the TCG’s history. If it hadn’t been for the bizarre twist of Mega Evolution’s rarest cards going astronomical, I’d have won a bet at predicting this as the second highest-priced card. Thank goodness I didn’t make that bet.

It’s an unusual card to play, in that it’s an ex that requires a single evolution (usually they’re either none or two) and isn’t the most powerful. You get a whacking 270 damage with Mega Brave for just two Energy, but you then can’t use it the next turn. It’s actually far better for using Aura Jab to get your benched Fighting Pokémon loaded with Energy from your Discard pile.

How much? Unbelievably, right now this card will cost you a minimum of $286, and I’ve seen it listed as high as $350.