When you are going hunting for rare Pokemon cards, it’s important to know what you are looking for. Shining Fates is a set with a lot of fantastic Pokemon cards in it, both in terms of the art design and financial value.
Below I have put together a list of the Shining Fates best cards so you know exactly what you should be aiming for during your pack cracking sessions!
Shining Fates Best Cards
1. Poké Kid (Full Art Ultra Rare, SHF #070)
Pokémon can be cute. Kids can be cute. So, what about kids cosplaying as Pokémon? Cuteness up to eleven!
The adorable kids in a Pokémon costume first appeared in Nintendo DS Gen IV games. They then made their TCG debut, pretending to be Pikachu, in 2020’s Sword & Shield set. Poké Kid graces us once again in Shining Fates. This time, ramping up their adorability in Full Art with a new Eevee getup.
Full Art Trainer cards are generally in high demand, and Poké Kid is no different. Collectors captivated by the sweet charm of Shining Fates‘ Ultra Rare Poké Kid may need to spend anywhere between $60 to $110 for PSA-graded gem mints.
2. Shiny Ditto V (Full Art, SHF #SV118)
Do you recall the 2005 EX Delta Species expansion where Ditto practically invaded the set with several Pokémon doppelgangers?
That Pikachu-Ditto face is equal parts sad and creepy. Shining Fates doesn’t have as many Dittos, but … it’s still a lot.
We got a pair of Holo Rare V and VMAX and another Shiny pair of V and VMAX. Ditto, fortunately, appears in Shining Fates in its true form. The Pokémon just seem the happiest to be their usual shapeless self.
Shiny Rare Ditto V (SHF #SV118) is the first of the two priciest Dittos from the set. PSA gem mints of this card can top $100. If Ditto continues to perform excellently, surely no one mind seeing more of the amorphous blob.
3. Shiny Suicune (SHF #SV022)
Hailing from the Generation II Johto region, Suicune plunges into the Shining Fates expansion as the only legendary Pokémon to get the Shiny Rare sparkly treatment.
There are other legendaries on the set, but all are Amazing Rares.
Shiny Suicune may not be a Pokémon V nor a VMAX. It’s neither a Full Art nor an exceptionally strong card. But its gallant Shiny form made waves by emerging as one of the most coveted cards from the expansion, beaten out by only one card. Everyone just really loves Suicune.
If you can pull only one regular Shiny (also popularly called Baby Shiny), then better hope it’s Suicune! A PSA 10 Shiny Suicune sells for around $200 and once peaked at $380.
4. Shiny Lapras V (Full Art, SHF #SV110)
If there’s a definitive ranking of the gentlest Pokémon ever, then Lapras would very likely be a top contender.
It’s known to enjoy helping people, ferrying them on their backs. It is basically a tiny ship, but none can sail the seas as majestically as Lapras does.
Shiny Lapras V‘s Full Art captures the Pokémon’s magnificence and innocence that fans like about it so much. It’s awe-inspiring to see a Generation I Pokémon that wasn’t really prominently featured in the franchise build an enduring fanbase throughout the years.
Lapras lovers have traded a PSA 10 Shiny Lapras V card to a $132 high. Its herd is still quite large, with a PSA population of 99 gem mints.
5. Amazing Rare Kyogre (SHF #021)
The legendary Water-type Pokémon, Kyogre, makes a thunderous splash in Shining Fates as one of the three Amazing Rares from the set.
And no, the other two aren’t its Gen III super-ancient contemporaries, Groudon and Rayquaza.
Amazing Rare Kyogre has an insane attack that can potentially wipe out all the opponent’s Pokémon in one move. Truly an exhilarating finisher fit for a legendary Pokémon. Aesthetics-wise, it’s definitely nice-looking. The Pokémon’s colossal mid-jump figure soars above a lovely splatter of rainbow colors, a visual trademark of all Amazing Rares.
PSA tallies a 245 count for Amazing Rare Kyogre gem mints. It’s an amazing catch that can be traded for as high as $130 for PSA 10s.
6. Amazing Rare Yveltal (SHF #046)
It’s a testament to Yveltal‘s fierce design and reputation that it still looks dangerously ominous despite having a lively rainbow whirlpool as its background.
And look at that Amazing Destruction attack! Sure, it’s got a troublesome energy requirement, but that’s still a savage instant knockout. Nothing less for a vengeful legendary Dark/Flying Pokémon.
Like the other two Amazing Rares from the set, Yveltal is missing its two other legendary gen-mates. Will we eventually see Xerneas and Zygarde as Amazing Rares? Unlikely. But that’s what makes this batch a bit more valuable.
A PSA 10 Amazing Rare Yveltal reached a $135 high, with a current PSA population of 170+ gem mints. While the Amazing Rare Reshiram (SHF #017) didn’t take a spot on this list, it’s still a great collectible worth as high as $95.
7. Shiny Galarian Rapidash (SHF #SV048)
Rapidash sheds its fiery mane and tail and dons cotton candy, silky locks.
Its beguiling, deep purple horn highlights its new Psychic and Fairy dual-type transformation. First appearing in the Sword & Shield expansion, Galarian Rapidash instantly had fans swooning at how pretty it is.
Shiny Galarian Rapidash is one of the best pulls out of all the Shiny Rares, second only to Shiny Suicune. It has a very small PSA population of only 13 perfect mints, one of which has sold as high as $75. Fans’ love for this Galar native extends to its arguably more delightful Stage 1 Pokémon. Galarian Ponyta (SHF #SV047) is another collector’s darling, trading for around $60.
8. Shiny Ditto VMAX (Full Art, SHF #SV119)
As if shouting to the entire world that it’s now blue, Shiny Ditto VMAX almost devours the whole card with its new Shiny form.
And true to the Gigantamax concept, the usually teeny Ditto looks incredibly massive.
This Shiny Ditto VMAX is arguably the best pull out of all the SHF Ditto versions. The card’s PSA population for gem mints isn’t few at 171, but it’s still one of the priciest cards from the set. One Shiny Ditto VMAX with a perfect PSA grade can be traded for around $100.
If you got a different Ditto, then don’t feel too gloomy. Another one has already made the list. While the other two didn’t make the cut, they still got good value. Holo Rare Ditto VMAX (SHF #050) can be traded for over $40, while Holo Ditto V (SHF #050) goes for around $20.
9. Shiny Lapras VMAX (Full Art, SHF #SV111)
The Shiny Lapras V artwork has this air of pureness.
But Lapras VMAX strips it all away to present the Pokémon as a major threatening force. Despite its Herculean size, Lapras’ Gigantamax upgrade still retains its original form’s majesty.
Shiny Lapras is one of the best collectibles from the Shining Fates set. Both its V and VMAX prints are top valued. A rare feat that’s only rivaled by Shiny Ditto. While Lapras V (SHF #SV110) peaked slightly higher, Shiny Lapras VMAX has traded for as high as $121. It’s probably due to its high PSA population of 193 for gem mints, which is almost double its V counterpart.
10. Rainbow Alcremie VMAX (Full Art Ultra Rare, SHF #073)
Any Shining Fates VMAX card is a decent pull.
They’re not just a Full Art Gigantamax print like any other edition; they’re the fancier Shiny variant. Of course, there’s one Shiny Rare VMAX that everyone’s been absolutely pining for, but all the others aren’t bad.
Ditto and Lapras have already planted their VMAX prints on this list. They even got their V forms in. And this list entry can go to any other VMAX, but Alcremie VMAX is slightly more appealing as the only rainbow-styled card from the entire set. It’s officially an Ultra Rare from the regular Shining Fates group (not the Shiny Vault), but people like to dub Alcremie VMAX as the set’s rainbow secret rare.
Rainbow Alcremie VMAX had a peak sale of $63 for graded perfect mints. Honorable VMAX mentions include Shiny Rillaboom VMAX (SHF #SV106) with a tallied high of $90, Shiny Toxtricity VMAX (SHF #SV113) at $73, and Shiny Grimmsnarl VMAX (SHF #SV117) at $66.
11. Skyla (Full Art Ultra Rare, SHF #072)
The bubbly Mistralton City Gym Leader has been consistently flying high with lots of affection from fans and collectors.
Skyla’s 2016 BREAKpoint Full Art (BKP #122) still tops $400 for gem mints. While her OG Full Art from the 2012 Boundaries Crossed (BCR #122) can even go over $800. In her third Full Art print, Skyla gets no less love.
Shining Fates Skyla is a tough gal to catch with an estimated pull rate of one out of 270 packs. It has a current PSA population of 348 for gem mints. While it may not be as high as her previous versions, a PSA 10 SHF Full Art Skyla has soared to $155.
The waifu energy is truly strong in this one.
12. Eternatus V (Full Art Secret Rare, SHF #SV121)
The sleek black and gold style was first seen in the Sword & Shield Promo cards, Zacian V (SWSH #076) and Zamazenta V (SWSH #077).
Those cards were a hit and have become valued collector’s items. Shining Fates expansion brings the bling back with Shiny Eternatus V and VMAX as the set’s premier Secret Rares.
But since it’s all black and gold, how can we tell if it’s the ShinyEternatus, though? Or was it not supposed to be the alternate Shiny version? Nonetheless, the golden Eternatus V card is stunning. And it’s made more attractive because the legendary Pokémon is an absolute beast in TCG battles.
Gold Eternatus V has a moderately high PSA population of 170 gem mints. One can be sold for as high as $90.
13. Eternatus VMAX (Full Art Secret Rare, SHF #SV122)
Shining Fates Eternatus VMAX is a hot mess.
The Pokémon is naturally spindly, so re-illustrating it in monotone becomes challenging. But Eternatus V works. However, its powered-up Eternamax form is somewhat confusing to look at if you weren’t familiar with its earlier prints. The gold outline on a black backdrop is still sleek and classy. But yeah, hot mess.
Eternatus V may be the better-looking card, but the duo has only reached its heights of popularity because of Eternatus VMAX. The card slays. Eternatus VMAX has an OP ability that expands the bench to eight slots and can boost its two-energy attack for every Dark-type Pokémon in play. That’s a max of 270 damage for two energies!
The estimated pull rate for either gold Eternatus V or VMAX is one out of 155 packs. Players and collectors are drawn in by this rarer Eternatus VMAX print, going as high as $150 for a gem mint.
14. Ball Guy (Full Art Ultra Rare, SHF #065)
Ball Guy is the unofficial Galar Pokémon League mascot that first appeared in the 2019 Pokémon Sword & Shield game.
No one knows who’s behind the costume, neither their age nor gender. Their one defining trait is gifting Poké Balls. This character gimmick was once used by The Pokémon Company‘s Twitter campaign in 2019. Ball Guy “hijacked” the handle and would give out Poké Balls whenever the social media missions were completed.
Shining Fates is Ball Guy’s TCG debut. When the expansion came out, only a few fans anticipated this guy (or girl) would become one of the hottest cards on the set. A gem mint Full Art Ball Guy has gone as high as $199. Its low 41 PSA population is likely further pushing up its market rate.
Will Ball Guy enter the pantheon of prized Trainer character cards? Only subsequent prints will tell. But for the moment, Ball Guy has scored a great start.
15. Shiny Charizard VMAX (Full Art, SHF #SV107)
Taking up the final spot on the list is the undefeated king, Charizard VMAX!
Fans have seen this a mile away. On Charizard VMAX’s previous outings in the Darkness Blaze and Champion’s Path expansions, it trumped all the other cards from the set. It again sets everything ablaze in the Shining Fates expansion, nailing a three-for-three win.
Shining Fates stands out by showing Shiny Charizard‘s luminous black skin in its glorious Gigantamax form. Its popularity is a few steps behind Champion’s Path’s rainbow Charizard VMAX. But the Shiny print still has steep demand and remains hot on secondary markets.
There are over 3,000 gem mints of the card graded by PSA. It’s the highest PSA population within the Shining Fates card set. But rather than its price dropping because of an abundant supply, Charizard proves to be a widely popular, first-rate collectible. A gem mint of Shiny Charizard VMAX can go for over $500.
Does Shining Fates have good pulls?
The best card from Shining Fates is hands-down the Shiny Charizard VMAX (SHF #SV107). It has a sampled pull rate of one out of 271 packs, which is pretty standard for Charizard chase cards from other sets at around 1:250.
Other awesome pulls include the two golden Secret Rare Eternatus, any of the three Amazing Rares, most Full Art Trainers and VMAX, and a few Shiny V and Baby Shiny cards. The Amazing Rares are known to have a moderately easy pull at 1:20.
It’s similar to the estimated pull rate of Vivid Voltage, the one other expansion that featured Amazing Rares. With all these great collectibles, you can potentially get one exciting card for every eight packs.
But do note that these aren’t official pull rates. Collectors gathered this data from tabulated results after opening thousands of packs. These rates aren’t guaranteed. Getting the best cards is ultimately down to luck.
What Shining Fates product has the best pull rates?
Regular boosters have a bit more reliable guestimates from pulls sampled over a thousand packs. While we may not have figures, popular feedback says that these Shining Fates products give significantly better pull rates:
- Shining Fates Elite Trainer Box comes with ten TCG packs, and a Full Art Eevee VMAX (SWSH #087) promotional card, among other items. SHF ETB may only have ten booster packs, but the Eevee promotional card also has good value, selling for $20 to $40 for graded mints.
- Shining Fates Tins have three variants: Eldegoss V, Boltund V, or Cramorant V. For each tin, you’ll get one Shiny V promotional card (SWSH #084 to #086) that has PSA 10s trading for $30 on average, and six TCG booster packs.
- Shining Fates Mad Party Pin Collection is a set of four Mad Party-themed boxes based on Bunnelby, Dedenne, Galarian Mr. Rime, and Polteageist. The promotional cards are less popular than other SHF promos, and each box contains only three TCG packs. But it’s still widely believed that these fewer boosters offer decent chances for amazing pulls.
Do Shining Fates cards go up in value?
There’s no blanket answer for all the cards in the Shining Fates set since the TCG market’s trend heavily relies on each card’s popularity.
Some cards will be perpetual favorites, such as the expansion’s best card, Shiny Charizard VMAX. The going rate got into a sweet spot of around $500 but is still expected to grow higher, as all Charizard prints do.
Full Art Supporter cards are becoming more popular and have enjoyed a steady price increase. Graded mints of Trainer cards found on our list have almost doubled in value in 2022 compared to the previous year.
As for the set’s various Shiny Pokémon, we can use the Shinies in the 2019 Hidden Fates special expansion as a reference. Most Hidden Fates’ Shiny GXprices have dipped but have shown resilience by keeping rates around $100 to $200. Shining Fates’ Shiny collection mirrors the same pattern. Though there are a few exceptions, such as the well-liked SHF Shiny Lapras VMAX (SHF #SV111), with rising prices.
In conclusion, trends depend on each card’s favorability. But Shining Fates is a special expansion with a distinct offering, so we can expect potential long-term growth in its demand as more collectors seek out unique Shiny prints of beloved Pokémon.
Does Shining Fates have amazing Rares?
Shining Fates has three Amazing Rares: Reshiram, Kyogre, and Yveltal.
Each card bears the beautiful signature visuals of a colorful backdrop that spills over the frame. Aside from the look, people like the cards for their incredible playability. Some of these Amazing Rares have insanely powerful moves.
Amazing Rares are all legendary Pokémon. And we’ve only got nine cards so far, one for each Pokémon type. The first batch was introduced in the Vivid Voltage expansion and the final three in Shining Fates.
Since Amazing Rares have been missing from newer sets since then, it’s likely no more will follow. And what we have now may be the final and complete collection of TCG Amazing Rares.
