If you’re chasing the Most Valuable Pokémon Cards, Umbreon’s haunting elegance and Dark-type mystique make it a crown jewel for serious collectors. Unlike the fiery spectacle of Charizard, Umbreon’s allure lies in its moonlit sophistication, with cards that blend alternate-art innovation, vintage scarcity, and tournament-exclusive prestige. This guide dives into the ten Most Expensive Umbreon Cards reshaping the 2024–2025 market, where modern masterpieces like the Evolving Skies VMAX (#215) now rival legendary prints such as the POP Series 5 Gold Star (#17) in both artistry and value.

For insights into grading strategies and investment trends, explore our companion piece, The Dark Side of Collecting: A Guide to Pokémon TCG Appreciation.

Why Umbreon Commands Premium Prices in the Pokémon TCG

A Dark-Type Icon with Cross-Generational Appeal

As the evolved form of Eevee under moonlight, Umbreon’s 1999 debut in the Pokémon Gold & Silver games cemented its status as a fan favorite. However, its TCG journey began with deliberate scarcity—early cards like the Neo Discovery 1st Edition (#13) were printed in limited quantities, creating instant collector demand. Today, Umbreon’s value stems from three key factors:

1. Alternate-Art Revolution: Modern sets like Evolving Skies and Prismatic Evolutions have redefined Umbreon’s visual storytelling, with artists like aky CG Works crafting cinematic scenes that command four-figure prices. The VMAX #215 Alternate Art, depicting Umbreon prowling a neon-lit cityscape, has become a grail for Gen Z collectors.

2. Vintage Rarity: Pre-2006 Umbreon cards, such as the Skyridge Holo #H30, benefit from Japan’s discontinued e-Card scanning system—a defunct technology that adds historical intrigue.

3. Promotional Exclusivity: Tournament prizes like the Regional Championship Staff #60 (2016) leverage Umbreon’s competitive viability, merging playability with ultra-low distribution.

Unlike Eeveelutions tied to starter Pokémon, Umbreon’s evolution method (friendship + darkness) mirrors the dedication required to collect its rarest cards—a thematic synergy that deepens its mythos.

10. Umbreon #H29

Set: Pokemon Aquapolis
Ungraded Value: $210.93

9. Umbreon V #189

Set: Pokemon Evolving Skies
Ungraded Value: $221.51

8. Umbreon [Master Ball] #59

Set: Pokemon Prismatic Evolutions
Ungraded Value: $238.27

7. Umbreon EX #112

Set: Pokemon Unseen Forces
Ungraded Value: $252.21

6. Umbreon [Regional Championship Staff] #60

Set: Pokemon Promo
Ungraded Value: $340.04

5. Umbreon [1st Edition] #13

Set: Pokemon Neo Discovery
Ungraded Value: $475.00

4. Umbreon #H30

Set: Pokemon Skyridge
Ungraded Value: $564.38

3. Umbreon ex #161

Set: Pokemon Prismatic Evolutions
Ungraded Value: $1,293.63

2. Umbreon VMAX #215

Set: Pokemon Evolving Skies
Ungraded Value: $1,391.60

1. Umbreon [Gold Star] #17

Set: Pokemon POP Series 5
Ungraded Value: $2,196.24

Navigating Umbreon’s Shadows in the Modern Collecting Era

As the Pokémon TCG market evolves, Umbreon’s cards have emerged as a litmus test for savvy collectors. The staggering $2,196.24 valuation of the Gold Star #17 (POP Series 5) underscores the premium on early promotional prints, while the $1,391.60 Evolving Skies VMAX Alternate Art (#215) proves modern hits can eclipse vintage classics. Key takeaways for 2024–2025 include:

• Condition Dictates Destiny: A PSA 10 Umbreon ex #161 (Prismatic Evolutions) recently sold for $3,800—triple its ungraded value—highlighting the grading imperative.
• Modern Sets Are Goldmines: Over 60% of Umbreon’s top 10 cards debuted post-2016, debunking the myth that only 90s-era cards appreciate.
• Playability Powers Demand: Championship-winning decks featuring Umbreon VMAX (#215) have driven a 72% price surge since 2023, merging competitive utility with collectibility.

With Pokémon’s Prismatic Evolutions set introducing new holographic treatments, Umbreon’s reign shows no signs of fading into darkness. Whether you’re drawn to the shimmering mystery of Skyridge #H30 or the avant-garde beauty of the Master Ball Holo #59, each Umbreon card offers a moonlit path into the heart of Pokémon’s most enigmatic collectibles.