Honestly, if you've been anywhere near a card shop or scrolled through PokeTwitter lately, you know the absolute chaos that is Prismatic Evolutions. It is the Eeveelution set we all begged for. But while everyone is losing their minds over the Special Illustration Rare Umbreon, there’s a fighter in the corner getting a ton of attention for very different reasons. I’m talking about Lucario ex Prismatic Evolutions (card #51/131).
It isn't just another shiny piece of cardboard to stick in a binder. Well, it is, but it's also a weirdly pivotal card for collectors trying to navigate the "brutal" pull rates of this 2025 special expansion.
What’s the Deal with Lucario ex Prismatic Evolutions?
Let’s get the stats out of the way first. This is a Stage 1 Fighting-type Pokémon with 260 HP. Not bad. Not "Snorlax-level tanky," but it survives a hit. Its first move, Aura Uppercut, hits for 50 damage for just one Fighting energy. Simple. Clean.
The real meat is Tornado Rush. It costs one Fighting and one Colorless energy. It does 100 damage base, but the text is where it gets interesting: "During your next turn, this Pokémon's Tornado Rush attack does 100 more damage."
Basically, if you can keep Lucario alive for two turns, you’re swinging for 200. That’s enough to knock out most basic ex cards and pressure the big Stage 2s.
Is it meta-breaking? Kinda... no. Not really. Most competitive players are looking at the new Budew or the Tera Eeveelutions for their deck builds. But for a "Double Rare" (RR), it's a solid, punchy card that feels like classic Lucario gameplay.
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The Sam's Club Factor
Here’s where things get actually interesting for your wallet. You've probably seen the Lucario ex & Tyranitar ex Premium Collection. This was a Sam's Club exclusive that released around the same time as the main set, and it's basically the "cheat code" for getting packs.
While people were fighting over Elite Trainer Boxes at Target, this box was sitting there with 14 booster packs of Prismatic Evolutions. 14!
It includes:
- A foil promo of Lucario ex
- A foil promo of Tyranitar ex
- An oversize "Jumbo" version of the Lucario ex
- Two smaller stamped cards of the regular Lucario and Tyranitar
Because Prismatic Evolutions has such "abysmal" pull rates—we're talking 1 in 45 packs for a Special Illustration Rare—this box became a gold mine. People weren't buying it for the Lucario; they were buying it for the 14 chances to find a gold Pikachu or a Sylveon. But as a result, the market is currently flooded with these Lucario promos.
The Collector’s Trap: Master Balls and Poke Balls
If you're trying to "Master Set" this expansion, Lucario ex is going to be one of those cards that haunts your dreams.
This set brought back the Master Ball Reverse Holo pattern from the Japanese 151 set. Every single card in the main set (up to 131) has a Poke Ball reverse holo version and a Master Ball reverse holo version.
Pulling the regular Lucario ex is easy. It’s a 1 in 6 pack "hit." But pulling the Lucario ex Master Ball Foil? That’s a nightmare. With 67 different Master Ball cards in the pool, your odds of hitting the specific Lucario one are roughly 1 in 1,362 packs.
Yeah. You read that right. It’s actually harder to find a Master Ball Lucario than it is to find some of the ultra-expensive full-art cards.
Is It Actually Good in the Game?
If you’re a player and not just a "investor" (god, I hate that word for card games), Lucario ex is... fine.
The problem is the current meta is dominated by Stellar Tera cards and high-speed setups. Lucario needs to stay active for two turns to reach its 200-damage potential. In a world where Dragapult ex can snipe your bench and Raging Bolt ex can hit for 280 damage on turn one, Lucario feels a bit like bringing a knife to a laser-gun fight.
However, players have been experimenting with it alongside Garganacl (the one that heals) to keep Lucario on the field long enough to get those repeat Tornado Rush attacks off. It’s a "rogue deck." It’ll win you a local tournament if your opponents aren't prepared, but it's not winning a Regional anytime soon.
Why You Should Care Anyway
- The Art: The illustration by PLANETA Tsuji is crisp. It’s got that classic "ex" shine that actually looks like the Pokémon is leaping off the card.
- Availability: If you just want a cool Lucario for your kid or your desk, the Double Rare version is dirt cheap (under $2 in most shops).
- The Jumbo Card: If you’re into the big cards, the one from the Premium Collection is one of the better-looking ones they've done in the Scarlet & Violet era.
How to Get Your Hands on One Without Overpaying
Don't buy individual packs of Prismatic Evolutions. Just don't. The pull rates are way too volatile.
If you want the Lucario ex, your best bet is to go straight to the secondary market like TCGPlayer or eBay. Because of the Sam's Club box, the supply of the promo version is massive. You can pick up the "Stamped" promo for basically the price of a cup of coffee.
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If you’re hunting the Master Ball version, wait. Prices on those usually spike right at launch because of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and then dip about three months later when the second and third waves of product hit the shelves.
Actionable Steps for Your Collection
- Check Sam’s Club first: If you can find the Lucario & Tyranitar Premium Collection at the $58 MSRP, buy it. The 14 packs alone are worth more than the box price.
- Skip the "Gamble": If you specifically want the Lucario ex card for a deck, buy the "Double Rare" singles. They are currently trending at less than $1.50.
- Verify the Stamp: If you're buying online, make sure you know the difference between the Set version (#51/131) and the Promo version. The promo has a specific star icon or a "Prismatic Evolutions" stamp on the art. The set version does not.
- Sleeve the Master Balls: If you lucky-pull a Lucario with a "M" in a circle (the Master Ball pattern) on the foil, get it in a top-loader immediately. Even if it's not a "Charizard," those Master Ball foils are the rarest part of this 2026 market.
Prismatic Evolutions is a marathon, not a sprint. Lucario might not be the "main character" of this set, but he's the reliable workhorse that's going to be in almost every collector's box by the end of the year.