If you were ripping through packs back in 2016, you probably remember the buzz. Pokémon was hitting a fever pitch with the XY era, and then Steam Siege arrived. Most people complain about that set because it was overprinted into oblivion, but it hid one of the most visually stunning cards ever printed: the mega shiny gardevoir card.
Specifically, I'm talking about M Gardevoir-EX #112.
It isn’t just a "pretty" card. It’s a design pivot. Usually, Gardevoir is all elegant white and green. But the Shiny Mega Evolution? It swaps the bridal white for a funeral-black gown that looks absolutely lethal. When you see that gold-bordered Full Art texture hit the light, you get why people are still obsessed with it ten years later.
What makes this card actually "Shiny"?
A lot of new collectors get confused because the word "Shiny" isn't printed on the cardboard. In the Pokémon TCG, they usually signify a Shiny Pokémon through the artwork color palette and, in the XY era, through specific "Secret Rare" or "Full Art" numbering.
For the mega shiny gardevoir card in the Steam Siege set, the shiny status is obvious the second you look at it. The Mega Gardevoir is wearing a black dress instead of white, and its "hair" is a blue-ish teal rather than the standard green.
There are actually two main versions people hunt for:
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- The Regular Ultra Rare (#79/114): This one has the black dress but is a standard "half-art" EX card.
- The Full Art Ultra Rare (#112/114): This is the holy grail for most. It features the black-dress Mega Gardevoir in a dynamic pose with a textured, holographic finish that covers the entire card.
Honestly, the #112 version is the one that really captures the "Shiny" vibe because the gold etching on the edges makes the black dress pop like nothing else in your binder.
The weird "Dual Type" mechanic
One reason this card stays relevant in historical TCG discussions is the Dual Type mechanic. Back in the Steam Siege days, The Pokémon Company experimented with cards that counted as two types at once.
This mega shiny gardevoir card is both Psychic and Fairy type.
Back then, this was a massive tactical advantage. You could hit for Weakness against a wider range of targets. It also meant the card could benefit from support cards meant for either type. If you were running a Fairy Garden deck or needed Psychic energy acceleration, this card fit right in. It’s a relic of a very specific era of competitive play that we haven't really seen since.
Is the Mega Shiny Gardevoir Card actually rare?
"Rare" is a relative term in Pokémon. If you compare it to a 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard, no, it's not "rare." But if you’re looking for a Near Mint copy today? That’s a different story.
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Steam Siege was notoriously difficult to get good "pulls" from because the set was bloated with less desirable cards. Finding the mega shiny gardevoir card in a PSA 10 (Gem Mint) condition is surprisingly tough. The centering on XY-era cards was often wonky, and the silver/gold borders show every tiny speck of "whitening" on the edges.
Current Market Reality
- Raw Copies: You can usually find a decent-looking raw copy of the Full Art #112 for somewhere between $45 and $65.
- Graded PSA 10: These have been known to climb well north of $500.
- The "Other" Shiny: Don't confuse the Mega with the Gardevoir-EX Secret Rare (#116/114) from the same set. That one features a Shiny Gardevoir (not Mega) and has a much higher price tag because it's a true Secret Rare.
Why collectors are still buying it in 2026
It’s the "Waifu" factor combined with genuine aesthetic quality. Gardevoir has always been a top-tier "fan favorite" Pokémon, right up there with Eevee and Lucario. When you take a popular Pokémon and give it a "Shiny" variant—especially one as cool as the black dress—it’s going to hold value.
Plus, Mega Evolution cards are no longer being printed. They are a dead mechanic in the modern TCG. This gives them a "vintage" feel even though they aren't actually that old. They represent a time when the game felt a bit more experimental before the VMAX and Tera eras took over.
How to spot a fake Mega Shiny Gardevoir
Because this card is popular, fakes are everywhere—especially on sites like eBay and Mercari.
First, check the texture. If the Full Art card is smooth like a playing card, it’s a fake. The real mega shiny gardevoir card has deep, thumbprint-like ridges etched into the surface.
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Second, look at the font. Fakes usually have "thinner" or slightly "off" lettering, especially in the attack description for Despair Ray.
Third, the "shine." Real cards have a diagonal or textured holographic pattern. Fakes often have a vertical, rainbow-ish "cheap" looking shine that just looks wrong to anyone who’s held a real Pokémon card before.
Practical steps for collectors
If you're looking to add this card to your collection, don't just buy the first one you see.
- Prioritize the Full Art (#112): It has much better long-term value retention than the regular EX (#79).
- Check the Edges: These cards are "full bleed" to the edge, meaning the foil goes all the way to the rim. Look for tiny white nicks on the back corners; these are the biggest killers of grade and value.
- Verify the Set Symbol: Ensure it has the Steam Siege gear-shaped icon in the bottom right.
- Watch the Price: If you see a "Mega Shiny Gardevoir" for $10, it's either a proxy or a scam. Know the market rates before you pull the trigger.
The mega shiny gardevoir card remains one of the most stylish pieces of cardboard from the mid-2010s. Whether you're a hardcore competitive player from the old days or just someone who appreciates the "Black Wedding Dress" aesthetic, it's a cornerstone piece for any serious Gardevoir collector. Just make sure you're buying for the art and the history, rather than just chasing a "get rich quick" investment.