As a dedicated Pokémon TCG enthusiast, I’ve always marveled at the game’s iconic high-value cards that have captivated fans since its introduction in the ’90s. From the legendary First Edition Charizard cards to the sought-after Alternate Illustration rares of contemporary sets, we’ve been on a perpetual quest for those elusive lucky draws for decades. Yet, there’s one card that often commands a premium price that leaves me somewhat puzzled: Umbreon.
Among Eevee enthusiasts, it’s likely that Sylveon and the Kanto trio are the Eeveelutions they first recall. Since its introduction in X and Y, Sylveon has often served as a symbol of Eeveelution, showing up frequently in the anime or on premium franchise merchandise.
1. In recent collections, there’s been a consistent appearance of Flareon, Vaporeon, and Jolteon, much like Charizard, stirring up feelings of nostalgia.
2. Just as Charizard is frequently found in new sets, so are Flareon, Vaporeon, and Jolteon, evoking similar sentiments of nostalgia.
3. Similar to the recurrence of Charizard in new sets, Flareon, Vaporeon, and Jolteon often make appearances, triggering a sense of nostalgia.
4. Much like Charizard, Flareon, Vaporeon, and Jolteon have consistently been added to new collections, creating a similar wave of nostalgia.
5. In the same way that Charizard is frequently reintroduced in new sets, Flareon, Vaporeon, and Jolteon are often seen, stirring up feelings reminiscent of the past.
Yet, it’s Umbreon that has won over many fans, outshining its companion, Espeon, as well as all the other forms of Eevee, in terms of popularity.
When did Umbreon debut in Pokemon?
Umbreon and its Psychic-type counterpart Espeon made their initial appearance in the Pokemon series when Gold and Silver were released in October of 2000. Unlike many others, they didn’t boast incredible power, but they captured the hearts of fans as some of the earliest Dark-types featured within the franchise.
As a dedicated gamer, I spent countless hours nurturing an Eevee to boost its friendship level and waited for the perfect moment – nighttime – to witness its transformation into Umbreon. The thrill was undeniable when its Shiny form unveiled mesmerizing blue stripes that contrasted sharply with its standard golden hue. In comparison, the Shiny Espeon’s sickly green was nothing compared to the charm of Umbreon, making it a beloved sensation in the Johto region.
Why is Umbreon coveted by Pokemon TCG Fans?
The reason this question might be tricky to respond to is because it’s generally viewed as a seldom encountered card.
Despite not being as prominent as Charizard, Umbreon shares the same level of appeal and nostalgia among players, who eagerly grab hold of Umbreon-themed expansion packs. Unlike Charizard, which boasts over 50 English release cards, Umbreon has a total of just 26.
Beyond this, you’ll find that Umbreon is typically part of restricted editions, such as the Prismatic Evolutions from 2025. This makes it harder to obtain booster packs and significantly boosts the scarcity of a highly desired pull like an Umbreon Special Illustration rare card.
As a dedicated Pokémon fanatic, I’ve been noticing an intriguing pattern. The intense affection we hold for Umbreon, coupled with its scarcity in card releases, seems to have created a unique situation. This combination has driven up the value of any Umbreon card release significantly, skyrocketing it to unprecedented heights.
How the 2020 card shortage impacted Umbreon card values
A key aspect to bear in mind when examining Umbreon’s card values is that the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) franchise has experienced a significant surge in popularity since the year 2020.
Between late 2020 and 2023, the TCG gained widespread popularity due to online streamers unboxing packs, a spike in enthusiasm from Sword & Shield enthusiasts who had been playing the games and DLC throughout 2020, and a significant rise in YouTubers uploading videos of Shiny hunts and speedruns.
During this period, the value of old playing cards suddenly increased significantly, even though these cards had never been particularly valuable in the past. Items from older collections became highly sought-after auction items, and the excitement surrounding new, scarcely illustrated cards from recent releases caused a craze that led to stores restricting customer purchases of trading card game products.
With increasing demand, it became common and vexing for Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) shortages to occur within the hobby. On release days, stores would swiftly run out of items in just a few minutes, while resellers were marking up products, selling them for hundreds of dollars despite their original retail price being significantly less.
At the height of these scarcities, the Sword & Shield Evolving Skies expansion became available. Similar to the Prismatic Evolutions, this collection was particularly centered around Eeveelutions, featuring a card list brimming with visually striking Special Illustration rares of VMAX cards.
Beyond what we’ve discussed, it’s worth noting that the collection pull rates were abysmal because of the extensive list of 237 cards. This massive number was predominantly composed of common cards, which made it incredibly challenging to obtain any of the Eeveelution cards.
Among the tough-to-obtain cards, the Umbreon VMAX Special Illustration Rare stood out as particularly elusive. This scarcity significantly boosted the card’s value, as well as the prices of other Umbreon cards. This scarcity sparked a fervor that rekindles with every new Umbreon card release.
What are the most expensive Umbreon Cards?
At present, the priciest Umbreon card known is the Sword & Shield Evolving Skies Special Illustration Rare, valued at approximately $1,800 by TCGPlayer. Even a Near Mint Holofoil version isn’t cheap, as graded cards can sell for over $3,000.
The Prismatic Evolutions Umbreon ex Special Illustration, which is worth around $1,600 on TCGPlayer, and the Unseen Forces Umbreon ex, priced at approximately $400 on TCGPlayer, are subsequent.
This version maintains the original meaning while using simpler language that should be easy to understand for a wider audience.
It’s noticeable that there’s a significant increase in price when comparing the older Umbreon cards to the more recent ones released during periods of scarcity.
Among the evolutions of Eevee, it’s Sylveon that typically has the highest price tag. The special illustration card depicting its Prismatic Evolution, titled “Evolutions Special Illustration,” usually sells for around $450.
Essentially, Umbreon’s worth in the Pokémon Trading Card Game is a blend of nostalgic affection, current collector excitement, and scarcity challenges. This mix has transformed an Eeveelution adored for decades into a coveted treasure that everyone desires to acquire. Although Umbreon cards are not prevalent in competitive TCG decks, fans yearn for them to complement their collections and boast about the prestige associated with owning such uncommon cards.
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2025-02-07 02:33