Top Pokémon Cards of 2025 – My 3 Favourites From Every Set 

2025 has quietly become one of the most exciting years for the Pokémon TCG in a long time. After completing our 151 Master Set, I promised myself I wouldn’t start collecting another full expansion… and somehow, I’ve mostly stuck to that. 

But that hasn’t stopped me from keeping a close eye on the new releases — and honestly, this year has delivered everything from gorgeous Illustration Rares to the long-awaited return of Mega Evolutions. 

So, to celebrate the year so far, here are my top three favourite cards from every 2025 Pokémon TCG expansion. Not just the rarest or the most competitive — but the cards that caught my eye, sparked nostalgia, or simply had artwork I couldn’t ignore. 

Prismatic Evolutions – My Top 3 Cards 

• Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex 

• Iron Crown ex 

• Espeon ex 

Overall Thoughts on Prismatic Evolutions 

I’ll be honest — Prismatic Evolutions didn’t land for me the way I hoped. The full-art style felt a bit overwhelming, with a lot of cards being so visually busy that the actual Pokémon got lost in the chaos. The Eeveelutions especially were surprisingly hard to appreciate because there was simply too much going on. 

Despite that, Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex stood out massively and is easily my favourite card from the set. It has presence, power, and artwork that feels focused rather than crowded. But overall, this expansion was one I didn’t feel super connected to. 

Journey Together – My Top 3 Cards 

• Noibat 

• Volcanion ex 

• Lycanroc 

Overall Thoughts on Journey Together 

A huge improvement. Journey Together felt like a clean reset after Prismatic Evolutions — calmer artwork, more personality, more storytelling. Noibat’s illustration in particular is one of those cards that grabs you instantly, and the Volcanion ex design is bold without being overdone. Lycanroc rounds out the trio with a striking pose that feels dynamic and alive. 

This was the first 2025 set where I genuinely found myself excited again. 

Destined Rivals – My Top 3 Cards 

• Team Rocket’s Moltres ex 

• Ethan’s Typhlosion 

• Cynthia’s Garchomp ex 

Overall Thoughts on Destined Rivals 

Destined Rivals hit the nostalgia button hard. Bringing back iconic characters alongside their partner Pokémon was such a good move. Team Rocket’s Moltres ex is arguably one of the coolest “villain-energy” cards we’ve had in ages, and Ethan’s Typhlosion is full of warmth and Johto nostalgia. 

Cynthia’s Garchomp ex is exactly what you’d expect — elegant, fierce, and a must-have for long-time fans. 

This was easily one of the strongest sets of the year. 

Black Bolt and White Flare – My top 3 Cards

Black Bolt

• Zekrom ex 

• Cobalion 

• Tirtouga

White Flare

• Zoroark 

• Terrakion 

• Swanna 

Overall Thoughts on Black Bolt & White Flare 

These twin expansions landed with a surprisingly unique energy. Black Bolt gives us heavy hitters and metallic, powerful designs, while White Flare leans more elegant and expressive. 

Zekrom ex is the obvious standout from Black Bolt — bold lines, fierce expression, everything you want in a legendary card. Meanwhile, Zoroark in White Flare is one of the best poses it’s had in recent years. 

Both sets feel well-balanced. Not groundbreaking, but consistently solid with a handful of real gems. 

Mega Evolution – My Top 3 Cards 

• Mega Latias ex 

• Vulpix 

• Mega Lucario ex 

Overall Thoughts on Mega Evolution 

The long-awaited return of Mega Evolutions was a massive nostalgia hit — and honestly, the set delivered exactly what I hoped for. Mega Latias ex and Mega Lucario ex both lean into that classic XY-era feel, while Vulpix adds a softer, charming contrast. 

The artwork throughout feels like a love letter to longtime players, and even though I didn’t collect the set heavily, it’s one I’ve really enjoyed viewing from afar. 

Phantasmal Flames – My Top 3 Cards 

• Mega Charizard X ex

• Mega Sharpedo ex 

• Mega Heracross ex 

Overall Thoughts on Phantasmal Flames 

Let’s be real: Mega Charizard X ex is one of the best cards we’ve seen in years. The artwork is phenomenal — the kind of card people will still be talking about in five years. 

Outside of that? The set is a little underwhelming. Mega Sharpedo ex and Mega Heracross ex are fun, but nothing hits the same level as Charizard. It feels like the entire expansion was built around one show-stopping card… and once you’ve seen it, the rest fades into the background a bit. 

Final Thoughts

2025 has been a rollercoaster for the Pokémon TCG — a mix of experimental styles, surprising comebacks, nostalgic hits, and standout artworks. Even though I’m not collecting this year, watching the releases unfold has been a lot of fun. And it’s honestly made me appreciate just how creative the TCG has become. 

Let me know what your favourite cards from 2025 are — did I miss any big ones? And if you’ve built any master sets this year, I’d love to hear about it!