The Pokémon card market posted a modest gain in the week ending October 14, 2026, with tracked cards priced at $5 or higher rising 1.3% overall, according to the latest weekly market digest.
The movement was mixed across the hobby. Out of 10,592 tracked Pokémon cards, 32% increased in value, 27% declined, and 41% held steady, showing a market that is still moving—but not evenly. Some vintage and promo-heavy categories caught strong momentum, while several high-profile sets and Pokémon names cooled off.
Among the strongest-performing sets, HGSS Promos led the board with a 15.9% gain, followed by Secret Wonders at 13.2%, EX Power Keepers at 9.2%, Diamond and Pearl Promos at 8.6%, and Platinum at 8.1%. The gainers show renewed collector attention around older-era sets, especially those with nostalgic appeal and harder-to-find cards.
On the other side, Plasma Storm saw the steepest weekly drop at 9.6%, followed by ME: Ascended Heroes at 7.8%, Aquapolis at 6.8%, SV10: Destined Rivals at 6.5%, and SV: Prismatic Evolutions at 4.0%. The dip in newer Scarlet & Violet-era sets suggests some modern releases may still be settling as more supply enters the market.
By Pokémon, Latias and Latios were the week’s biggest winners, rising 14.3% and 13.6%, respectively. Banette, Marill, and Sceptile also posted notable gains, pointing to collector movement beyond the usual headline names. But not every fan favorite held up: Lugia dropped 10.4%, while Charmeleon, Tornadus, Lapras, and Haunter also saw declines.
Illustrator-based collecting also showed clear winners and losers. Cards illustrated by Kazuyuki Kano rose 19.0%, followed by Sanosuke Sakuma, Katsura Tabata, Takashi Yamaguchi, and Daisuke Ito. Meanwhile, cards tied to Naoyo Kimura fell 13.7%, with Ayaka Yoshida and Kyoko Umemoto also among the biggest illustrator-linked decliners.
Collectors are also being advised to watch newer releases carefully. Sets under three months old—including ME05: Pitch Black, ME: 30th Celebration, and ME: 30th Celebration Classic Collection—can spike early before prices settle as more packs are opened and supply becomes clearer.
The week’s read is simple: Pokémon cards are still moving up overall, but the money is rotating. Older promos and select fan-favorite Pokémon are catching heat, while some modern sets and major names are pulling back. For collectors, this is less of a full-market boom and more of a selective chase market—where timing, set choice, and demand matter more than hype alone.
Image from Polkastarter