CGC Cards Hot List — Glory of Team Rocket

In this monthly series, CGC explores the diverse world of TCG, sports card and non-sports card collecting, closely examining the popular sets that are currently making an impact in the market. Leveraging valuable insights derived from CGC submission data and Gem Rate, the hobby’s source for grading trends, we delve into the latest chase cards, interesting promos and new fan favorites.

June’s hot list focuses on cards from Glory of Team Rocket, the Japanese Pokémon TCG set that became Destined Rivals in English. Glory of Team Rocket re-introduces Team Rocket’s Pokémon, a feature that hasn’t been in the TCG since its early days. Here are the top five cards from Glory of Team Rocket based on CGC submission data.

CGC Cards' Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Glory of Team Rocket Hot List

Team Rocket’s Meowth (109/98)

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You can’t have a Team Rocket set without Meowth! This beautiful art rare shows Meowth hanging out with Giovanni — the big bad boss of Team Rocket — in a dimly-lit room. Meowth’s moves are nothing to sneeze at, either: Paw-cket Pilfer only costs one energy to use and forces the opponent to shuffle a card in their hand back into their deck. Fury Swipes costs two energy but can do a maximum of 60 damage with lucky coin flips. The overwhelming cuteness of the card’s artwork along with a viable play strategy makes Team Rocket’s Meowth a desirable card among collectors and TCG players alike, with many sending theirs to CGC to get graded.

Team Rocket’s Houndoom Art Rare (100/98)

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Houndoom has become a fan favorite among TCG players and collectors. The hellhound has been featured in dozens of art rare cards in the last few years, with Team Rocket’s Houndoom being the most recent. Just look at that artwork: Houndoom is in the air preparing a Fire-type attack, while Archer stares in the background, flashing a smile that only a Team Rocket Admin could pull off. Everything about this card is intimidating, which is just right for Houndoom as a Fire/Dark type.

Blaziken Art Rare (101/98)

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Starter Pokémon are special because they’re the first Pokémon available to players in the Pokémon video games. Many players stick with their starter Pokémon throughout the entire game, using them as powerhouses in battle and as partners in contests, showcases and other minigames. Because of their popularity, starter Pokémon — such as Blaziken — are often featured in the TCG.

Although the Mudkip line is usually considered the most popular starter of Generation 3, Blaziken (the final evolved form of Torchic) often sees more representation in the TCG. Besides being gorgeous to look at, this Blaziken is a force to be reckoned with in play. Each of its two attacks only take a maximum of three energy cards to use, which makes it incredibly easy to set up on the bench. Then, once switched into the active spot, Blaziken can clean house with its 120 base power move, Inferno Legs, which also does 120 damage to one of the opponent’s benched Pokémon.

Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet Art Rare (103/98)

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Anyone who grew up with the Pokémon anime remembers Jessie’s goofy and bumbling Psychic-type. Although Wobbuffet rarely saw combat in the show, it still cemented itself as a core member of Team Rocket — so much so that it is now considered a Team Rocket staple in other pieces of media, such as the TCG. Although Jessie and James aren’t featured in this card, the Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet art rare shows off Wobbuffet’s personality in a charming way familiar to the entire Pokémon community, which is likely why so many collectors have sent theirs into CGC to be graded.

Zamazenta Art Rare (107/98)

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Mitsuhiro Arita’s artwork for the Zamazenta art rare featured in Glory of Team Rocket has spurred many collectors to grab and hold their examples. Just take a look: In this card, Zamazenta calls out with a howl from the top of a rocky structure, the sun setting sharply to give it an almost eerie background. Zamazenta is also viable in TCG matches because of its Strong Bash attack, making it the perfect card for collectors and players alike.

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