The 7 Most Valuable Paradox Rift Chase Cards: Prices, Artwork, And Why They’re Skyrocketing

The Pokémon Trading Card Game’s Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift expansion, released on November 3, 2023, has completely redefined the modern chase. This set, which officially introduces the mysterious Ancient and Future Paradox Pokémon to the TCG, is packed with stunning Special Illustration Rares (SIR) that have sent the collector market into a frenzy. The ultimate question for any collector cracking packs today is: which cards are the true "chase cards," and what are they actually worth?

This deep dive provides the most current, up-to-date market data on the top pulls from the *Paradox Rift* set, focusing on the breathtaking artwork and competitive playability that drives their high price tags. From the terrifying Roaring Moon ex to the majestic Groudon, these are the cards you need to know about right now.

The Ultimate Paradox Rift Chase Card List: Special Illustration Rares & Top Value

The chase in *Paradox Rift* is almost entirely centered on the full-art, textured Special Illustration Rare (SIR) cards, which feature cinematic scenes and incredible detail. The following list ranks the most valuable chase cards based on recent raw market data, giving you the clearest picture of what a major pull is worth as of December 2025.

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1. Roaring Moon ex (Special Illustration Rare) - 251/182

The undisputed king of the *Paradox Rift* chase is the Special Illustration Rare version of Roaring Moon ex. This card immediately captivated collectors not only for its powerful Ancient Pokémon status—a past relative of Salamence—but for its stunning, dark artwork. The illustration depicts the ferocious Pokémon descending from the sky with a dramatic, textured finish that highlights its aggressive design.

• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Paradox Type: Ancient Pokémon
• Current Market Price: Approximately $37.87 – $46.00 (Raw, Near Mint)
• Why It’s a Chase: It’s a highly sought-after competitive card with a devastating attack, and the artwork perfectly captures the primal, untamed nature of Ancient Pokémon. It was one of the first cards in the set to command a price over the $100 mark upon release and remains a cornerstone chase card.

2. Groudon (Illustration Rare) - 199/182

While not a Paradox Pokémon, the legendary Groudon has unexpectedly become one of the most expensive and desirable pulls in the entire set. Its Illustration Rare (IR) card features a breathtaking, full-art landscape of the titan of the land emerging from a volcanic eruption, which has been hailed by many as one of the greatest pieces of TCG artwork ever printed.

• Rarity: Illustration Rare (IR)
• Current Market Price: Approximately $73.48 – $90.00 (Raw, Near Mint)
• Why It’s a Chase: The sheer quality and scope of the artwork set this card apart. While Roaring Moon ex is the most valuable SIR, Groudon’s Illustration Rare often holds a higher raw price point, with some sources listing it as the single most expensive card in the set, making it the ultimate artistic chase for collectors.

3. Garchomp ex (Special Illustration Rare) - 245/182

The Garchomp ex SIR is a massive pull for fans of classic Pokémon and competitive players alike. The card features an incredible illustration of Cynthia's iconic Pokémon in a dynamic, full-art style that is both beautiful and intimidating. As a popular Dragon-type Pokémon, Garchomp always draws high interest, and its powerful Tera Pokémon ex mechanic makes it a viable deck option.

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• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Current Market Price: Approximately $29.52 – $53.00 (Raw, Near Mint)
• Why It’s a Chase: It’s a fan-favorite Pokémon receiving the highest rarity treatment, and the Illustration Rare version of the Garchomp ex line is arguably the best-looking card of the entire evolutionary family. The card’s value is a perfect storm of nostalgia, playability, and top-tier artwork.

4. Iron Valiant ex (Special Illustration Rare) - 249/182

Iron Valiant ex is the flagship Future Paradox Pokémon of the set, serving as the counterpart to Roaring Moon ex. Representing a futuristic version of a fusion between Gardevoir and Gallade, the SIR showcases a sleek, high-tech design that contrasts sharply with the Ancient Pokémon. Its unique 'Future' mechanic and strong competitive potential ensure its status as a premier pull.

• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Paradox Type: Future Pokémon
• Why It’s a Chase: It's the face of the Future Paradox cards, a brand-new concept in the TCG. The artwork emphasizes its crystalline, robotic nature and is highly desirable for those building a complete collection of the new Paradox entities.

The Most Desirable Trainer & Supporting Chase Cards

Beyond the Pokémon themselves, *Paradox Rift* features some of the most beautiful and valuable Trainer Special Illustration Rares in recent memory. These cards are essential for competitive decks and are highly sought after by collectors for their unique character art.

5. Professor Sada's Vitality (Special Illustration Rare) - 257/182

Professor Sada is the main professor from the *Scarlet* video game, and her SIR card is a must-have for any collector. The card’s value is driven by two factors: its stunning, full-art illustration that captures a moment of discovery or reflection, and its competitive utility as a powerful Supporter card for decks utilizing Ancient Pokémon like Roaring Moon ex and Slither Wing.

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• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Why It’s a Chase: High playability in Ancient Pokémon decks and beautiful character art that appeals directly to fans of the *Scarlet* game.

6. Tulip (Special Illustration Rare) - 259/182

Tulip, the Psychic-type Gym Leader from the Paldea region, has one of the most vibrant and colorful SIR cards in the set. Her card features a highly detailed, charming illustration that has made her a fan favorite. Like Professor Sada's card, Tulip's value is a combination of its exquisite artwork and its function as a useful Supporter card in competitive play.

• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Current Market Price: Approximately $7.45+ (Raw, Near Mint)
• Why It’s a Chase: Exceptional character artwork and the general high demand for female character SIRs in the Pokémon TCG.

7. Iron Hands ex (Special Illustration Rare) - 248/182

Rounding out the top chase cards is Iron Hands ex, a Future Paradox Pokémon that is a relative of Hariyama. While the Ultra Rare version is valuable, the SIR version is the true collector's item. Its value is heavily influenced by its competitive power, as its "Amp You Very Much" attack is a game-changer that can take extra Prize Cards, making it a staple in many top-tier decks.

• Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR)
• Paradox Type: Future Pokémon
• Why It’s a Chase: Its incredible competitive utility makes it a high-demand card for players, which in turn drives up the price for the most beautiful, full-art version.

The Rise of Paradox Pokémon: Topical Authority and LSI Entities

The *Paradox Rift* expansion (SV04) is a landmark set because it fully integrates the Ancient and Future mechanics into the TCG. Understanding these new entities is key to recognizing the long-term value of the chase cards. The set features a total of 182 cards plus 84 Secret Rares, bringing the total to 266 cards to collect.

The set is not just about the big ex cards; it also introduces a variety of supporting Paradox Pokémon and specialized Trainer cards:

• Ancient Pokémon Entities: Roaring Moon ex, Scream Tail (an Ancient Jigglypuff relative), Slither Wing (an Ancient Volcarona relative), and Sandy Shocks.
• Future Pokémon Entities: Iron Valiant ex, Iron Hands ex, Iron Moth, and Iron Bundle.
• Special Trainer Cards: Beyond the professors and gym leaders, the set includes powerful new tools like the Ancient Booster Energy Capsule and the Future Booster Energy Capsule, which grant specific buffs to their respective Paradox Pokémon types, increasing the playability and therefore the demand for all related cards.
• Tera Pokémon ex: The set also continues the trend of type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex with a crystalline appearance, such as the powerful Water-type Garchomp ex, adding another layer of chase to the set.

The combination of these new mechanics, the stunning Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare artwork, and the inclusion of fan-favorites like Groudon has solidified *Paradox Rift* as one of the most exciting and valuable expansions in the Scarlet & Violet series. Whether you are a collector focused on the art or a player chasing the most powerful cards, the ultimate pulls from this set represent a significant investment and a major win.