You’ve seen the hype. You’ve probably felt that little itch in your wallet when looking at a fresh, sealed booster box of Scarlet & Violet—Surging Sparks. Honestly, this set has been a wild ride since it dropped back in late 2024, and now that we're well into 2026, the market has finally settled into something we can actually analyze without the "new set" blinkers on.
Collecting is weird. One day a card is worth a used car payment, and the next, it’s basically just a shiny coaster. But surging sparks chase cards have held onto a strange kind of prestige. It isn't just about the gold or the sparkles anymore. It's about which cards actually survived the "hype cycle" and which ones turned out to be overinflated fluff.
Why Surging Sparks Chase Cards Still Matter
Look, if you're hunting for the Pikachu ex Special Illustration Rare (SIR), you're not alone. It’s the card that everyone wanted on day one, and remarkably, it's still the card everyone wants today. It’s number 238/191 for those keeping track. This card is basically the "North Star" of the set. Even with the newer Mega Evolution era sets like Phantasmal Flames currently eating up the headlines, that Pikachu ex SIR remains a heavy hitter.
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The market price for a raw, near-mint copy is sitting around $260 to $270 right now in January 2026. If you've got a PSA 10? You’re looking at something closer to $850. It’s crazy. But here’s the thing: most people think "chase card" only means the most expensive one. That’s a mistake. A real chase is about the pull rate vs. the demand.
The pull rate for a specific SIR in this set is roughly 1 in 960 packs. Think about that for a second. You could open twenty-six booster boxes and still not see that specific yellow mouse. That's why the price stays sticky.
The Latias and Latios Connection
While everyone was screaming about Pikachu, the smart collectors were eyeing the Eon duo. The Latias ex SIR (239/191) and the Latios Illustration Rare (203/191) are a masterclass in why art matters more than power sometimes.
They share a connecting art piece.
When you put them side-by-side, they form a panoramic view of them flying over a city. Latias is the "big" hit, currently hovering around $150 to $160. Latios is "just" an Illustration Rare, so it's way easier to pull, usually going for about $20 to $25. But you basically can’t have one without the other. It feels incomplete.
The Cards People Are Sleeping On
Everyone talks about the "Waifu" cards—Lisia’s Appeal and Jasmine’s Gaze. Yeah, they're valuable. Lisia’s Appeal (246/191) is a solid $30 card. But honestly? The real value often hides in the competitive staples that have "blinged-out" versions.
Take a look at the Gold Hyper Rare Night Stretcher (251/191). It’s a gold card. Most collectors find them a bit boring compared to the SIRs. However, because players actually use this card in their decks to grab things from the discard pile, it stays relevant. It’s currently around $11. That might not sound like "chase" money, but for a card you’ll actually play with, it’s a pride-and-joy pull.
The Alolan Exeggutor Factor
Then there's the Alolan Exeggutor ex SIR (242/191). This card is sort of a meme, but in the best way possible. The art is tropical, vibrant, and frankly, hilarious. It’s been steady at $27. It represents that "Stellar" mechanic—those rainbow borders that were introduced in Stellar Crown and perfected here. It's a vibe. If you’re collecting for the "look" of the Scarlet & Violet era, this is a top-five card, no question.
Pull Rates Are a Cruel Mistress
If you're going to hunt surging sparks chase cards, you need to understand the math. It’s not pretty.
- Special Illustration Rares: About 1 in 87 packs.
- Hyper Rares (Gold): About 1 in 188 packs.
- ACE SPEC Cards: About 1 in 20 packs.
Basically, if you buy a single booster box (36 packs), you aren't guaranteed an SIR. You might get a couple of Illustration Rares and an ACE SPEC, and that’s it. It’s a gamble. Always has been. The "gold" cards are actually harder to pull than the SIRs statistically, yet they usually cost less. Markets are weird like that. People want the art, not just the rarity.
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Is It Worth Buying Singles or Ripping Packs?
Honestly? At this stage in 2026, ripping packs is for the thrill, not the value. If you want the Pikachu, just buy the Pikachu. You’ll save thousands of dollars.
But I get it. There's nothing like that smell of fresh ink and the feeling of sliding a hit out from behind a common weedle. If you are going to rip, look for the "Booster Bundles" or the "Elite Trainer Boxes" if you can find them at MSRP. The booster boxes have spiked in price since the set went out of print, making the "cost per pack" pretty high for a gamble.
The Milotic ex SIR (237/191) is another one to watch. It’s beautiful. It’s blue, serene, and currently sits around $95. It’s one of those cards that feels like it’ll be a "classic" in five years. If you pull it, sleeve it immediately. The surface on these cards is notoriously finicky, and even a tiny scratch can drop it from a PSA 10 to a 7.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
If you're looking to capitalize on this set before it becomes a "vintage" relic, here is what you should actually do:
- Prioritize the Eon Duo: Buy the Latios and Latias as a pair. They are the most iconic "story" cards in the set and tend to hold value better because they appeal to two different types of collectors.
- Check Your Bulk for Night Stretcher: If you have the regular version, keep it. If you have the Gold one, decide if you're a player or a seller. If you don't play, sell it now while it's still meta-relevant.
- Watch the Pikachu Floor: If the Pikachu ex SIR drops below $230, that’s usually a strong "buy" signal. It hasn't stayed that low for long in the past year.
- Grade Your SIRs: If you pulled an SIR and it looks perfectly centered with no white spots on the back, get it to PSA or BGS. The "10" premium for Surging Sparks is massive compared to the raw price.