We Ranked the 10 Best First Partner Pokémon TCG Cards of All Time

Discover the top 10 First Partner Pokemon cards of all time, ranked by artwork, market affordability, and lasting historical impact as the Pokemon TCG celebrates its 30th Anniversary milestone. Whether you collect vintage Base Set classics or vibrant modern Special Illustration Rares, find out which starter Pokemon cards deserve a spot in your collection today.

With 2026 marking Pokemon's monumental 30th Anniversary, there is no better way to celebrate than taking a nostalgic stroll down memory lane with the creatures who started our gaming journeys. Between the First Partner collection flying off store shelves faster than a swift Regieleki and the global drop of the 30th Anniversary expansion set, these original starter creatures are dominating trading card tabletop conversations like never before.

No matter which partner you selected on your very first journey through Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, or beyond, there is a gorgeous card out there waiting for you. In this guide, we are breaking down the top 10 First Partner Pokemon cards ever made, evaluating each entry on its visual art quality, current price accessibility, and overall nostalgia.

Before diving into the detailed rankings, collectors hunting for 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) should request an invite directly from Amazon for the ETB, at least. Ordering directly through Amazon ensures a price much closer to retail compared to inflated secondary market listings, and invitations will be rolling out soon!

Quick List: Top First Partner Pokemon Cards at a Glance

Here is a quick overview of our top 10 rankings before we take a deep dive into the artistic details, market prices, and set backgrounds for each card:

1. Greninja ex — ME: 30th Celebration #148/128
2. Pikachu ex — ME: Ascended Heroes #276/217
3. Torchic Star — EX Team Rocket Returns #108/109
4. Tepig — SV: White Flare #096/086
5. Scorbunny — ME: Ascended Heroes #225/217
6. Venusaur & Snivy-GX — SM Promos #SM229
7. Piplup (Secret) — SM: Cosmic Eclipse #239/236
8. Charizard — Classic Collection #4/102
9. Mudkip — ME: Mega Evolution Promo #057
10. Primarina — ME05: Pitch Black #088/084

How We Ranked These Starter Pokemon Cards

Selecting the top entries out of hundreds of card prints across nine generations is no easy task. To build a balanced and accurate top 10 list, we used three key criteria:

• Artwork and Design: We evaluated the creativity, lighting, composition, and emotional resonance of the illustration.
• Affordability and Value: We checked current TCGplayer market prices to see whether a card is an accessible pickup or an elusive luxury item.
• Historical Impact and Nostalgia: We weighed how much each card defined its set era or captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

Detailed Ranking of the Top 10 First Partner Pokemon Cards

Below is our full breakdown of the absolute best First Partner Pokemon cards available for collectors today, ranked from number ten all the way to the top chase card spot.

10. Primarina — ME05: Pitch Black #088/084

This card is genuinely one of the most stunning card prints in recent memory, regardless of generation! While first-stage starter Pokemon usually receive the majority of cute Illustration Rares, artist satoma's work on this final-stage Primarina from the ME05: Pitch Black set is pure class.

The artwork features a glowing golden sun casting warm light over a glittering beach scene. This coastal environment provides Alola's siren starter with a spotlight that is completely worthy of a legendary stage performer.

The best news for collectors is that you can pick up this secret rare on TCGplayer for approximately $4.49. That low barrier to entry makes it an extraordinarily affordable piece of fine Pokemon TCG art that looks brilliant in any binder display.

9. Mudkip — ME: Mega Evolution Promo #057

Taking the ninth spot on our list is an absolute fan favorite from Generation 3. This promo card from the First Partner lineup captures Hoenn's adorable Water-type looking completely irresistible while splashing around.

Artist Saboteri packed the background of this card with subtle Gen 3 lore details that long-time video game fans will instantly recognize. For anyone who started their adventure in the Hoenn region on the Game Boy Advance or Nintendo 3DS, this card hits all the right nostalgic notes.

Completing a Hoenn starter trio with Mudkip remains a key milestone for many long-time Trainers. Currently, raw copies of this ME promo card are holding steady at around $20.56 on TCGplayer, making it an accessible mid-range pickup for Hoenn lovers.

8. Charizard — Classic Collection #4/102

It was impossible to leave this classic off the list! As the card that arguably launched the global collecting phenomenon in 1999, Mitsuhiro Arita's Base Set Charizard art is the absolute king of nostalgic card designs.

The iconic Shadowless variant—defined by the missing drop shadow along the right border of the art window—remains one of the most coveted cards in hobby history. Thanks to the 30th Anniversary reprints, more Trainers than ever have the opportunity to own a piece of trading card history without paying astronomical vintage prices.

While the modern 151 Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare deserves an honorable mention, keeping this list focused on distinct entries gives other starters room to shine. Raw copies of the original Base Set print command around $1,160 on TCGplayer depending heavily on condition, but anniversary reprints give everyday collectors a fun way to join the legacy.

7. Piplup (Secret) — SM: Cosmic Eclipse #239/236

Before subset galleries became a standard feature in modern booster packs, Sun & Moon: Cosmic Eclipse gave fans this unforgettable pairing of Dawn and her headstrong Piplup. It remains one of the most beloved full-art secret cards from the Sun & Moon era.

Artist Tomomi Kaneko captured the strong bond between trainer and partner at the Canalave City docks in Sinnoh. The dynamic lighting and expressiveness make it stand out as a premier example of narrative storytelling within card art frame borders.

Because of its legendary reputation among Generation 4 fans and character collectors, market values for this card stay strong. You can expect to pay around $88.24 on TCGplayer for a clean raw copy of this Sinnoh classic.

6. Venusaur & Snivy-GX — SM Promos #SM229

Coming in at number six is a unique Tag Team entry that combines two fantastic Grass-type starters across generations. While two Pokemon share this card, its innovative physical production style earns it a single unified spot on our list.

Artist Yuka Morii is famous across the Pokemon TCG community for hand-sculpting each featured Pokemon out of real clay before photographing them inside custom outdoor dioramas. Seeing her physical clay models on display at major events like the European International Championships (EUIC) in 2025 emphasizes the tactile craftsmanship involved in making these cards.

This creative physical art format gives the card an charming, organic look that standard digital illustrations cannot match. If you want to add this custom clay tag team to your collection, current market prices hover around $146.63 on TCGplayer.

5. Scorbunny — ME: Ascended Heroes #225/217

Securing the fifth position is Galar's energetic Fire starter, Scorbunny, from the ME: Ascended Heroes expansion. Veteran artist Yuu Nishida hit a complete home run with this relaxed and heartwarming depiction.

Instead of showing the hyperactive rabbit mid-kick or surrounded by flames, the illustration shows Scorbunny resting peacefully on a lush bed of fresh green leaves. The peaceful scene offers a soft contrast to Scorbunny's usual high-energy personality seen in the Galar games.

Adding this card to your personal collection will not burn a hole in your wallet either. It remains one of the best budget-friendly modern illustration rares available, currently averaging just $9.26 on TCGplayer.

4. Tepig — SV: White Flare #096/086

When it comes to pure cozy charm, very few cards in the Scarlet & Violet era can match this Tepig print from SV: White Flare. Unova's Fire starter gets a stunning spotlight in this fall-themed art piece.

Artist Orca utilized warm golden light to show Tepig happily rolling around on its back in a giant heap of crisp autumn leaves. The simple joy radiating from the illustration brings an immediate smile to anyone flipping through their collection binder.

This simple, cozy concept has proven immensely popular among modern card collectors. On the secondary market, copies of this Unova secret rare sell for approximately $52.50 on TCGplayer.

3. Torchic Star — EX Team Rocket Returns #108/109

Generation 3 holds a massive place in card collecting history, and while the entire mid-2000s TCG era produced incredible hits, Torchic Star stands out as one of the rarest starter Pokemon cards ever printed.

Illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda, Gold Star cards transformed TCG art by letting the Pokemon's limbs and attack effects break straight out of the standard image frame. Combined with the shiny color palette of Torchic, this card became an immediate grails item upon release.

Because Gold Star cards were notoriously difficult to pull from booster packs in the mid-2000s, surviving high-grade copies are extremely scarce today. Market listings on LimitlessTCG show raw copies averaging a massive $4,500.00, making it the ultimate high-end target for serious vintage investors.

2. Pikachu ex — ME: Ascended Heroes #276/217

While Pikachu is a unique choice when compared to standard Grass, Fire, and Water starter trios, games like Pokemon Yellow and Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! make the electric mouse the original starter for millions of long-time fans around the globe.

Artist USUMON delivered an electric masterpiece for this ME: Ascended Heroes print. The high-contrast, lightning-charged art style makes the global franchise mascot practically leap off the holofoil background with energetic power.

Executing such a bold artistic style on a major set mascot card has driven immense demand from high-end collectors. This high-voltage Pikachu ex commands a heavy secondary market price of roughly $935.99 on TCGplayer.

1. Greninja ex — ME: 30th Celebration #148/128

Taking the crown at number one on our list is Greninja ex from the highly anticipated ME: 30th Celebration set. Kalos's iconic Water ninja starter receives a unforgettable visual treatment that completely stole the show during the 30th Anniversary festivities.

Artist GIDORA designed this card with a vibrant, urban street-art theme packed with personality and color. Attentive collectors will even spot hidden background cameos from other franchise favorites, including Eevee and Lucario blending seamlessly into the environment scenery.

Between Greninja's massive popularity in competitive play, the energetic street art design, and the overall hype surrounding 30th Anniversary releases, this card is easily one of the most exciting chase cards in modern Pokemon TCG history. Because the card is a recent market addition, prices remain somewhat volatile, currently hovering around $70.99 on TCGplayer.

What to Consider When Collecting First Partner Pokemon Cards

Building a complete binder dedicated to starter Pokemon is one of the most rewarding collection goals in the hobby. Before purchasing high-value single cards or opening booster boxes, consider these important collecting factors:

• Set Rarity vs. Artwork Appeal: Do not judge a card strictly by its market price tag. Budget cards like the $4.49 Primarina or $9.26 Scorbunny feature artwork that rivals $100+ chase cards.
• Card Condition and Authenticity: High-ticket items like Base Set Charizard or Torchic Star require careful authentication. Always check seller feedback ratings on trusted market platforms like TCGplayer or inspect raw cards in person.
• Anniversary Reprints: Special milestone expansions like the 30th Celebration set give collectors an affordable way to enjoy classic artwork that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars on the vintage market.
• Storage and Protection: Always protect high-value full art cards inside penny sleeves and top loaders or high-quality side-loading binder pages to prevent edge wear and surface scratching over time.

Final Thoughts on the Best Starter Pokemon Cards

From nostalgic Base Set grails to modern full-art secret rares, collecting these iconic First Partner Pokemon cards reminds us why we fell in love with the franchise in the first place. Whether your heart belongs to Gen 1 Kanto classics or modern Paldean favorites, adding these top-ranked cards to your binder is a fantastic way to celebrate Pokemon's 30th Anniversary milestone.

from IGN India
-via DynaSage