Team Rocket Japanese Singles Prices Plummet: What to Buy Now

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Team Rocket Japanese Singles Prices Plummet: What to Buy Now

May 27,25

As we eagerly await the arrival of Destined Rivals in the US on May 30, collectors are already jumping on the chance to grab singles from the Japanese Glory of Team Rocket sets. With the initial frenzy cooling down, prices are dropping significantly, making it an ideal time to start your collection.

This isn't just the usual post-release dip; it's a combination of increased stock availability and Pokébro investors moving on to new ventures. This shift makes it much more cost-effective to buy individual cards rather than taking a risk on overpriced sealed boxes—no matter how tempting they might seem! Here's why opting for singles could be the smartest strategy for US collectors right now.

TL;DR: Single Card Prices Are Crashing

Glory of Team Rocket Booster Box

$146.99 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 125/098

$370.77 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 124/098

$163.00 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 127/098

$107.00 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Nidoking ex - 126/098

$99.00 at TCG Player

Just take a look at the current prices of Japanese booster boxes for The Glory of Team Rocket set, which are now more than double their initial shelf price. We haven't seen such overpricing since the 151 set, but there's hope as we're seeing signs of relief from global Pokémon TCG stock shortages.

Consider Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR, which started at $500 on April 20th but has plummeted to around $370.77 in recent days. That's a significant market correction and a great opportunity for collectors.

Similarly, Team Rocket's Moltres ex SIR dropped from around $250 to $163—a $87 decrease within a week. These rapid price drops indicate that more scalpers are exiting the hobby, reducing the artificial inflation seen at release.

Most Affordable Team Rocket Cards

Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 130/098

$74.27 at TCG Player

Jamming Tower - 132/098

$32.00 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 131/098

$27.95 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 114/098

$38.75 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Nidoking ex - 116/098

$12.94 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 117/098

$14.97 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 112/098

$10.75 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Persian ex - 118/098

$12.99 at TCG Player

It's not just about the high-value chase cards. The Glory of Team Rocket's Super Rare ex and Hyper Rare ex variants are visually stunning and often overlooked. These cards offer great value for collectors like us.

For instance, Team Rocket's Mewtwo Super Rare ex has increased in value by over $6 since its release, now sitting at $38.75. These cards follow the Journey Together art style, featuring full-color Pokémon with an outline of their trainer in the background—definitely worth picking up.

Is it a Mewtwo trend? Team Rocket's Nidoking Super Rare ex has settled at $12.94 after dropping from $26. This iconic card, beloved by fans of the first generation and the original Pokémon anime, is a menacing addition to any collection. It's a card to buy now and watch appreciate in value over time, as are Moltres and Crobat.

Best Team Rocket Trainer Cards

Team Rocket's Giovanni - 129/098

$34.95 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Ariana - 128/098

$39.94 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Archer - 120/098

$14.99 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Ariana - 119/098

$18.95 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Giovanni - 121/098

$17.10 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Proton - 123/098

$15.00 at TCG Player

The nostalgia factor is strong with cards featuring characters from the first and second generations, especially Giovanni and Ariana. Giovanni, the notorious leader of Team Rocket in Kanto, and Ariana, the interim boss in Johto, bring back memories for long-time fans.

There's limited data on Giovanni 129/098, but it showcases Team Rocket's leadership alongside the boss himself. It's expected to maintain its value around the $17 mark, so if you spot it cheaper, it's a steal. With this set, if it's Giovanni or Mewtwo, expect to pay a premium.

Team Rocket's Ariana 128/098 boasts stunning artwork, with prices hovering between $17 and $18. Given the set's recent release, it's hard to gauge its long-term value, but any listing under $18 is a solid deal right now.

Best Team Rocket Art Rares

Team Rocket's Houndoom - 100/098

$12.49 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Raticate - 108/098

$7.96 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Wobbuffet - 103/098

$7.31 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Weezing - 105/098

$8.95 at TCG Player

Blaziken - 101/098

$9.40 at TCG Player

Kangaskhan - 110/098

$8.67 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Murkrow - 106/098

$6.96 at TCG Player

Zamazenta - 107/098

$4.49 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Orbeetle - 104/098

$2.95 at TCG Player

Clamperl - 102/098

$3.00 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Spidops - 099/098

$2.60 at TCG Player

Regirock ex - 115/098

$7.15 at TCG Player

Cetitan ex - 113/098

$3.50 at TCG Player

Glory of Team Rocket Booster Pack

$3.41 at TCG Player

Some of the most visually appealing cards in the Scarlet and Violet era are the illustration rares and art rares. These are affordable, stunning, and often underappreciated, making them a fantastic addition to any collection looking to expand and increase in value.

Currently, Team Rocket's Meowth 109/098 is priced at around $19.25, down nearly $20 from its launch price. Given the iconic link between Meowth and Team Rocket, this card remains a great deal below the $20 mark.

Surprisingly, Blaziken 101/098 is also dropping in price. Its incredible artwork and fan-favorite status from Generation III, along with its playable Infernal Legs attack (which can deal 120 damage to both an active and a benched Pokémon), make it a steal right now. This card has the potential to rise in value and is a smart pick-up.

If you're still tempted to open boosters of The Glory of Team Rocket despite the costs and smaller pack sizes, go for it. However, the bargains on single cards are too good to miss. Keep in mind that the prices mentioned here are current at the time of writing, and stock levels can fluctuate on TCG Player's live marketplace. That's part of the thrill of collecting!