As time separates us from the release of popularPokemon TCGsets in the Black & White era and beyond, the cards from these sets continue to command high prices. Dark Explorers isone of the most valuable sets from the Black & White era, boasting a beautiful selection of cards to collect focused primarily on legendary Pokemon.
However, if you’re not a fan of legendary Pokemon, there are some surprises for you to enjoy. Shiny Pokemon appear as Secret Rares in Dark Explorers, adding to the set’s overall appeal with valuable cards featuring rare depictions of some of the best Pokemon from the Black & White era.
Cards are ordered according to theirTCGPlayerMarket Price –what you might pay on average for a copy of the cards below.
Given the age and rarity of these cards, only those with anestablished market price on TCGplayerare included.
However,sale prices vary depending on the card’s condition,so this market price is just a rough idea of the card’s value.
10Groudon EX (Ultra Rare) – $27.69
A Simplistic Start
Groudon starts things off in Dark Explorers with an Ultra Rare card that you may not expect to see make the list, but Groudon’s popularity takes precedence over this card’s lower rarity tier.
This isn’t the only time we’ll see this Ground-type legendary Pokemon, as its battle against Kyogre rages on.
Groudon comes with a hefty price tag, considering it’s just a regular Ultra Rare card, with copies available across the condition spectrum. Heavily played(HP)copies can be had for roughly ten dollars, with moderately played(MP)copies commanding about $15. On the high end, lightly played(LP)can jump as high as $25, whileNM copies command about $30.
9Tornadus EX (Full Art) – $34.23
Rising To The Sky
Tornadus' price takes to the skies, as it jumps out to a solid lead over Groudon. However, this Tornadus falls well short of the most example cards that await, serving as a blip on their radar.
NM copies of this card can fetch up to $34, but there’s a massive drop-off if you want to settle for one in worse condition. MP copies can sink to $14 whereas LP copies only offer a small discount at about $30.
8Archeops (Secret Rare) – $74.95
An Unexpected Appearance
Archeops rarely appears among the most valuable cards due to its relatively lukewarm popularity, as this Pokemon unfortunately fails to impress on most occasions. However, leave that preconception behind, as this gorgeous Secret Rare stands tall with an impressive price tag.
This Archeops is unexpectedly difficult to find data for, though there’s more to reference than some of the rarest cards to come. Archeops sells for $47 in HP condition, while LP copies carry a premium, jumping up to the $70 mark in some cases, though earlier sales were much lower than the HP copy.
7Raikou EX (Full Art) – $86.66
A Good Look At A Skittish Legendary
Raikou rarely stays in one place for long, as this fleet-footed legendary typically flees before it can be battled. However, this card gives us a gorgeous full-art depiction of this flighty Pokemon, as it boasts a beautiful composition that rivals itsexpensive cousin from Neo Revelation.
Copies of this card range from $37 to$90, with NM copiescommanding the high end of the range. However, LP copies can be purchased at a happy medium of about $62 if you’d like one in nice condition, but don’t need to grade the card.
6Kyogre EX (Full Art) – $94.00
A Titanic Rise
Kyogre claims a respectable spot among the most expensive cards in Dark Explorers, and it claims victory over one version of its most heated rival, Groudon.
However, this victory is short-lived for Kyogre, as Groudon has more to offer.
Kyogre can be found for as low as $18 in damaged condition, though HP copies jump to $37 for your best chance at a bargain. Once you get into the better conditions, this card pops, boastinga $94 value for an LP copy, leaving room for an NM to eclipse that mark.
5Entei EX (Full Art) – $104.73
Full Arts On Fire
Entei EX stands tall, as this powerful Fire-type legendary Pokemon breaks the triple-digit barrier that even the mighty Kyogre couldn’t conquer. WhileEntei boasts an incredible set of valuable cards,this one stands out as one of the most unusual, given that many ofthis Pokemon’s best cards were released before full-art cards even existed.
You’ll rarely find this card on TCGplayer in any condition, with NM copies commanding the $105 premium, but LP copies drop to a much more affordable $65 price tag.
4Pokemon Catcher (Secret Rare) – $109.48
No, Not A Poke Ball
Considering the existence of the Poke Ball, it might be obvious that this device has more to it than its simplistic name suggests, with more nefarious purposes in mind. Team Rocket is a huge fan of this device intended to separate Pokemon from their trainers.
Similarly, Pokemon Catcher excels at separating you from your money, with a massive $100+ price tag for this gold Secret Rare. Luckily, this card isn’t hard to find on TCGplayer, so there are plenty of competitive listings that keep the price relatively stable.NM copies cap out at about $125,with HP copies dropping to as low as $65.
3Groudon EX (Full Art) – $167.50
Making A Bold Statement
Groudon falls short in a hotly contested battle for the runner-up position, losing out to the legendary Pokemon to come by less than one dollar. Groudon’s burning anger is evident in its glowing eyes, as it won’t take kindly to its defeat.
With such a minuscule difference separating two big-ticket items, Groudon might have its revenge soon if it’s able to turn the tables and gain enough value to leapfrog its competition.
If you thought some of the other cards were difficult to find, then this Groudon card will be an even bigger challenge, boasting a handful of sales to support its market price.Two separate NM copiessold for significantly different amounts: $200 and $135, with LP copies dropping between $100 and $110.
2Darkrai EX (Full Art) – $167.70
Lurking In The Shadows
Darkrai rarely sees the light of day, as it’s available via extremely rare event releases in video games and is usually reserved for special occasions in the Pokemon TCG. Darkrai’s features are usually shrouded in mysterious haze, but thisfantastic full-art depictiongives a close-up of the finer details.
Darkrai ebbs and flows in a wide range, selling for as little as$73 in HP condition and as much as $200 for an NM copy.While you may need to break out the cash to buy a clean copy of this card, it’s still nothing compared to what you’d need to pay for the most expensive card in Dark Explorers.
1Gardevoir (Secret) – $242.28
An Elegant Shiny At The Top
Gardevoir isone of the most expensive cards from the Black & White era,as this shiny Pokemon stuns the competition with its sky-high price tag. Even though it’s not a full art, this card is special, as it boasts a beautiful background for a shiny Gardevoir to pose in front of.
Shiny Pokemon always command a premium, especially when they’re as popular as Gardevoir.
This card is difficult to find and harder to afford, as its price will hover around$180 for the worst possible copy (damaged).If you want one in better shape than that, you’ll need to shell out somewhere between $215 and $300, depending on how clean the card is, thougha lack of NM sales leaves the sky as the limit.
