If you’ve been opening packs of Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Surging Sparks, you already know the rush. That shimmer at the back of the pack. The texture. Honestly, most of the time it’s a gold Energy or a duplicate Ace Spec. But then there’s the Salamence ex 187/159.
It hits different.
This card isn't just another game piece; it's a Special Illustration Rare (SIR) that has basically taken over the conversation for the Surging Sparks set. Collectors are losing their minds over it. It’s a Dragon-type powerhouse. It looks like a fever dream of high-altitude majesty.
Why? Because the artwork by akira egawa is genuinely breathtaking.
What Makes Salamence ex 187/159 Different?
Most Pokémon cards follow a formula. You get the Pokémon standing there, maybe looking tough, maybe firing a beam of light. But the Salamence ex 187/159 breaks the mold by focusing on scale and atmosphere. We see Salamence soaring above a jagged, crystalline landscape. The perspective makes the Pokémon feel massive. It’s not just a card; it’s a window into the Hoenn region’s most terrifying apex predator.
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The texture on this specific print is wild. If you run your thumb over it, you can feel the topographical etching that follows the mountain ridges in the background. It’s that level of detail that separates a $2 regular ex from a high-value Special Illustration Rare.
Price-wise, it’s been a rollercoaster. When the set first dropped in late 2024, everyone was chasing the Pikachu ex and the Latias ex. Salamence was a bit of a sleeper hit. But as people realized how low the pull rates were for the SIR slots in Surging Sparks, the value started to climb. You're looking at a card that fluctuates based on centering and surface quality, which is notoriously finicky with the silver-bordered Scarlet & Violet era cards.
Breaking Down the Gameplay Value
Let’s be real. Most people buying the Salamence ex 187/159 are putting it in a magnetic slab and hiding it in a safe. But if you're a degenerate like me who actually plays the game, is it any good?
The stats are interesting.
It’s a Stage 2 Pokémon. That’s the first hurdle. In a meta dominated by fast Basic ex cards and lightning-quick setups, evolving all the way from Bagon to Shelgon to Salamence ex is a chore. You need Rare Candy. You need Arven. You need a prayer that your opponent doesn't Iron Valiant you off the board before you can even move.
Its main attack, "Deft Blast," is why people keep trying to make it work. For a specific energy cost, it hits for massive numbers—enough to one-shot most Basic ex Pokémon. But it’s the "Stormy Dragon" ability or the secondary scaling that really matters. The problem? It’s a Dragon type. In the current TCG landscape, being a Dragon means you have no Weakness (awesome), but you usually require two different types of Energy to attack (annoying).
Usually, you're pairing this with some kind of Energy acceleration. Think Baxcalibur or maybe the new Tera support. If you can get it powered up, it’s a tank. 320 HP is no joke. It survives a hit from almost anything that isn't a boosted Charizard ex.
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The Akira Egawa Factor
If you collect modern Pokémon cards, you know the name Akira Egawa. This is the artist behind the legendary gold cards from Crown Zenith—the ones that form a mural of the Sinnoh gods. Bringing that same talent to the Salamence ex 187/159 was a brilliant move by The Pokémon Company.
Egawa uses color in a way that feels "heavy." The blues and greens on this card aren't just flat fills; they have depth. When the light hits the holofoil, the sky behind Salamence seems to shift from a pale dawn to a deep, bruised purple. It’s artistic choices like these that drive the "waifu" and "legendary" markets. People want art. They don't just want a game tool.
Pull Rates and the Secondary Market Reality
Let's talk numbers. Pulling an SIR from a booster box of Surging Sparks is roughly a 1-in-32 to 1-in-64 chance, depending on who you ask (and how much luck you have). Now, divide that by the number of SIRs in the set. You're looking at a "case hit" level of rarity for the Salamence ex 187/159.
If you're buying singles, check the back corners. The Scarlet & Violet era is famous for "whitening"—those tiny white dots on the blue back of the card that happen during the cutting process at the factory.
- PSA 10 Potential: Very high if you find a clean copy. The centering on these has been better than the previous Paldea Evolved runs.
- Raw Value: Expect to pay a premium. It’s the "cool" factor.
- Long-term hold: Historically, Dragon-type SIRs (like the Roaring Moon from Paradox Rift) hold their value significantly better than generic starters.
Why "Surging Sparks" Specifically?
This set is huge. It brought back the focus to Tera Pokémon with unique mechanics. While Pikachu is the face of the set, Salamence is the soul. It represents the nostalgia for Generation 3 while using the high-definition printing tech of 2024 and 2025.
I’ve seen people complain that Salamence gets too many cards. "Where’s the Flygon love?" they ask. Fair point. But when the cards look like the Salamence ex 187/159, it’s hard to stay mad. It’s an iconic design that actually feels legendary.
How to Protect Your Investment
If you’re lucky enough to pull this card, don’t just throw it in a binder.
First, penny sleeve. Always.
Second, top loader or a semi-rigid holder if you’re sending it to grading.
Third, keep it out of the sun. The pigments in modern cards can fade faster than you’d think if they’re sitting on a desk in direct UV light.
Most collectors are moving toward "Perfect Fit" sleeves inside a magnetic one-touch case. It looks professional. It keeps the card flat. And honestly, it makes the colors on the Salamence ex 187/159 pop.
Final Verdict on the 187/159
Is it the best card in the set?
Visually? Maybe.
Competitively? Probably not.
But the Pokémon TCG has always been a balance of those two worlds. The Salamence ex 187/159 sits right in the middle. It’s playable enough to be interesting and beautiful enough to be expensive.
If you’re a fan of the Bagon line or just a collector of high-end art cards, this is a must-have. Don't wait for the "market crash" that everyone says is coming. These high-tier SIRs from popular sets rarely bottom out. They usually dip slightly after the initial hype and then slowly climb as the set goes out of print.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
If you are looking to acquire the Salamence ex 187/159, follow these specific steps to ensure you get the best version for your money:
- Check the Texture: Scammers are getting better at faking cards, but they almost never get the fingerprint-like "swirl" texture of an SIR right. If the surface is smooth, it's a fake.
- Examine the Borders: Look for "silvering." This happens when the foil layer shows through the edge of the card. A clean, dark edge is what you want for a high grade.
- Compare Prices on TCGplayer and eBay: Don't just buy the first one you see. Look at "Sold" listings on eBay to see what people are actually paying, not just what sellers are asking.
- Consider Grading: If your copy looks flawless—no white dots on the back, perfect 50/50 centering—send it to PSA or BGS. A "10" grade can double or triple the value of a card like this.
- Wait for the Second Wave: Usually, about 3–4 months after a set's release, there's a slight price dip as the "hype" buyers move on to the next expansion. That is the golden window to buy.
The Salamence ex 187/159 is a landmark card for the Scarlet & Violet era. It captures the essence of what makes a Dragon-type intimidating and beautiful all at once. Whether it stays in your deck or your display case, it’s a piece of Pokémon history that actually lives up to the hype.