Team Rocket Japanese Singles Prices Plummet: What to Buy Now

As we eagerly await the US release of Destined Rivals on May 30, savvy collectors are already diving into the Japanese Glory of Team Rocket sets, taking advantage of a unique window of opportunity. The initial frenzy has subsided, and prices are plummeting rapidly, making it an ideal time to snag some singles.

This isn't your typical post-release price drop; it's a confluence of increased stock availability and a shift in focus from Pokébro investors, resulting in more affordable prices for individual cards. This scenario makes buying singles a strategic choice for US collectors looking to avoid the gamble of overpriced sealed boxes. Here's why jumping on single card purchases could be your best move right now.

TL;DR: Single Card Prices Are Crashing

### Glory of Team Rocket Booster Box

4$146.99 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 125/098

2$370.77 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 124/098

1$163.00 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 127/098

1$107.00 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Nidoking ex - 126/098

1$99.00 at TCG Player

Just look at the current market value of Japanese booster boxes for The Glory of Team Rocket set, which are more than double the shelf price right now. We haven't seen such overpricing since the 151 set, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel for global Pokémon TCG stock shortages.

Take Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR as an example; it was fetching around $500 on April 20th, but it has since plummeted to $370.77 in just a few days. That's a strong sign of market correction.

Then there's Team Rocket's Moltres ex SIR, which dropped from about $250 to $163—a $87 decline in roughly a week. These early price drops indicate that more scalpers are exiting the hobby, reducing artificial price inflation at release.

Most Affordable Team Rocket Cards

### Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 130/098

0$74.27 at TCG Player### Jamming Tower - 132/098

0$32.00 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 131/098

0$27.95 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 114/098

0$38.75 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Nidoking ex - 116/098

0$12.94 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 117/098

0$14.97 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 112/098

0$10.75 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Persian ex - 118/098

0$12.99 at TCG Player

It's not just about the high-priced chase cards; the Glory of Team Rocket's Super Rare ex and Hyper Rare ex variants are visually stunning and often overlooked. This is great news for collectors like us.

However, we're not alone in appreciating these cards. For instance, Team Rocket's Mewtwo Super Rare ex has seen a $6 increase in value since release, now sitting at $38.75. These cards follow the Journey Together art style, featuring full-color Pokémon with their trainers in the background, making them a must-have.

Is it just a Mewtwo phenomenon? Not quite. Team Rocket's Nidoking Super Rare ex is holding steady, dropping from $26 to a stable $12.94. It's a fan-favorite from the first generation and the Pokémon anime, and its menacing look is iconic. This card, along with Moltres and Crobat, is one to buy now and watch its value grow over time.

Best Team Rocket Trainer Cards

### Team Rocket's Giovanni - 129/098

0$34.95 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Ariana - 128/098

0$39.94 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Archer - 120/098

0$14.99 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Ariana - 119/098

0$18.95 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Giovanni - 121/098

0$17.10 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Proton - 123/098

0$15.00 at TCG Player

There's a strong dose of nostalgia here from generations one and two, especially with Giovanni and Ariana. Giovanni, the notorious leader of Team Rocket in Kanto, and Ariana, the interim boss in Johto, evoke memories for many fans.

While there's limited data on Giovanni 129/098, its value is expected to hold around $17. If you find it cheaper, it's a great buy. With this set, if it features Giovanni or Mewtwo, expect to pay a premium.

Team Rocket's Ariana 128/098 features stunning artwork, with prices currently ranging from $17 to $18. Since the set is still new, it's difficult to predict its long-term value, but any listing under $18 is a steal right now.

Best Team Rocket Art Rares

### Team Rocket's Houndoom - 100/098

0$12.49 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Raticate - 108/098

0$7.96 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Wobbuffet - 103/098

0$7.31 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Weezing - 105/098

0$8.95 at TCG Player### Blaziken - 101/098

0$9.40 at TCG Player### Kangaskhan - 110/098

0$8.67 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Murkrow - 106/098

0$6.96 at TCG Player### Zamazenta - 107/098

0$4.49 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Orbeetle - 104/098

0$2.95 at TCG Player### Clamperl - 102/098

0$3.00 at TCG Player### Team Rocket's Spidops - 099/098

0$2.60 at TCG Player### Regirock ex - 115/098

0$7.15 at TCG Player### Cetitan ex - 113/098

0$3.50 at TCG Player### Glory of Team Rocket Booster Pack

0$3.41 at TCG Player

Some of the most captivating artwork in the Scarlet and Violet era can be found in illustration rares and art rares. These cards are not only affordable but also visually stunning, often overlooked by the broader collecting community. If you're aiming to build a collection that's both valuable and aesthetically pleasing, these cards are the way to go.

Currently, Team Rocket's Meowth 109/098 is priced at around $19.25, a significant drop from its launch price of nearly $40. Given its iconic connection to Team Rocket, this card is still on a downward trend, making anything below $20 a fantastic deal.

Blaziken 101/098 is another card experiencing a sharp decline. Its stunning artwork and fan-favorite status from generation three make it a card to watch. Plus, its Infernal Legs attack, which can deal 120 damage to both an active and a benched Pokémon, makes it a strategic choice for gameplay, suggesting its value should rise in the future.

If you're still tempted to open boosters of The Glory of Team Rocket despite their high cost and limited five-card packs, go for it. However, the real bargains are in the single cards. Keep in mind that the prices mentioned here are accurate at the time of writing, and stock availability on TCG Player can fluctuate due to its live marketplace nature. That's part of the excitement of collecting!

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