Pikachu ex vs Pikachu ex
Pikachu ex (Ascended Heroes) and Pikachu ex (Surging Sparks) are frequently compared because they share the same Pokémon identity across different printings. This page breaks down which one is the better buy right now.
Current TCGPlayer market prices put the two at $989.88 for Pikachu ex and $306.34 for Pikachu ex — a gap of $683.54 (223%). Prices update daily, and the two charts below show how each has moved.
Stat comparison
| Market price | $989.88 | $306.34 |
| Set | Ascended Heroes | Surging Sparks |
| Number | #276 | #238 |
| HP | 200 | 200 |
| Type | Lightning | Lightning |
| Subtypes | Basic, ex | Basic, Tera, ex |
| Retreat cost | 1 | 1 |
| Rarity | Special Illustration Rare | Special Illustration Rare |
Price history
Price History
Price History
Which should you buy?
When comparing Pikachu ex (Ascended Heroes #276) against Pikachu ex (Surging Sparks #238), the most immediate difference is price. Pikachu ex currently trades at roughly $989.88 while Pikachu ex sits near $306.34 — a gap of about $683.54 (223%). That spread alone is often the deciding factor for buyers weighing the two. Both cards sit at 200 HP, so raw survivability on the active spot is roughly equivalent. Both are Lightning-type Pokémon, which means they compete for the same energy slots and archetype shells. Running both in the same deck is usually overkill unless the strategy specifically wants redundancy. Both are printings of the same character. One comes from Ascended Heroes (2026/01/30) and the other from Surging Sparks (2024/11/08). Competitive players usually pick whichever printing is currently legal in the format they play, while collectors often want both for visual variety. For buyers, the practical question is usually about use-case. If you are chasing value or planning to flip, the cheaper card carries less downside risk. If you are building a deck, the shared-deck or evolution relationship matters more than the sticker price. And for collectors, the two printings or variants together tend to form a more complete set than either alone. Always check the live TCGPlayer and Amazon listings before buying, since prices move.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more expensive, Pikachu ex or Pikachu ex?
Pikachu ex (Ascended Heroes) is more expensive at $989.88, versus $306.34 for Pikachu ex (Surging Sparks) — a difference of $683.54 (223%). Prices refresh daily from TCGPlayer market data.
Are Pikachu ex and Pikachu ex used in the same decks?
Not in the archetypes tracked on this site. They may still see play in rogue or tournament-specific builds that aren't listed here.
Which is more recent?
Pikachu ex comes from Ascended Heroes (2026), while Pikachu ex is from Surging Sparks (2024). Newer printings are typically more likely to be legal in current rotation formats.
Where should I buy Pikachu ex or Pikachu ex?
Both cards are typically available on TCGPlayer (the largest individual-card marketplace) and Amazon (where sealed product and bundles dominate). Use the buy links above to see live listings by condition and seller.