Pokémon 30th Celebration: The Chase Cards Collectors Are Hunting

The Pokémon 30th Anniversary TCG set, Pokémon 30th Celebration, is here, and collectors have plenty of new cards to chase. With over 150 cards, 30 different Pikachu rares, a Classic Collection, and brand-new rarities, this anniversary set is packed with exciting pulls.

Whether you're building a master set, hunting for the Pokémon 30th Celebration chase cards, or just looking for your favourite Pokémon, there are plenty of cards worth adding to your wishlist. As a collector myself, I've already got a few personal favourites—and I'm definitely guilty of the “okay, one more pack” mentality.

Here are some of the cards—and subsets—that have caught my attention so far.

Gengar ex Special Illustration Rare

I'm starting with the obvious one for me: Gengar.

As a Gengar fan, this was immediately one of the cards at the top of my personal chase list. The Special Illustration Rare artwork gives Gengar the spotlight it deserves and is definitely one I'd be happy to pull from a pack rather than buy as a single.

Gengar collectors already know the drill: if there's a new Gengar card, we're probably going to want it.

The Connecting Meowth Cards

One of my favourite parts of this set isn't even one of the big ultra-rare hits. It's the connecting Meowth artwork.

The cards are designed to work together, creating a larger scene when you put them side-by-side. I'm a sucker for cards that reward you for collecting more than one copy, and these are exactly the kind of cards that make a binder feel like a collection rather than just a checklist.

They're definitely going straight into my personal want list.

Pikachu's 30-Card Collection

It wouldn't be a Pokémon anniversary set without Pikachu—and 30th Celebration goes all in.

There are 30 different Pikachu rare cards, with one Pikachu rare guaranteed in every booster pack. That makes this one of the most fun subsets for collectors who enjoy completing mini-collections within a larger set.

And yes, having 30 different Pikachu cards means there will inevitably be duplicates. But that's what trading is for.

Mew & Mewtwo

Two of the set's biggest Pokémon are also represented by some of its most interesting cards.

Mew ex and Mewtwo ex both have Special Illustration Rare versions, while the set also introduces the brand-new Futuristic Rare rarity with another Mew ex and Mewtwo ex.

The Futuristic Rare cards have a completely different visual style, making them stand out even among the set's other big hits.

The Classic Collection

For collectors who love Pokémon TCG nostalgia, the Classic Collection brings back 30 iconic cards from the game's history.

It's a nice balance to all the new artwork and rarities in the set—and honestly, there's something really satisfying about seeing classic cards get another moment in the spotlight.

What's on Your Chase List?

Between the big SIRs, 30 Pikachu cards, the Classic Collection, and fun details like the connecting Meowth artwork, 30th Celebration has a little something for every type of collector.

Personally, I'm chasing Gengar and those Meowth cards first. What are you hunting for?

- Rafeena