Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
The Lillie’s Clefairy ex Special Illustration Rare has emerged as a surprisingly highly sought-after Pokémon TCG trading card, commanding a notable card value in the secondary market. Despite originating from a set that some regard as otherwise modest, this particular card currently sells for approximately $199, having previously peaked at around $320. Its elevated status warrants an examination into the factors driving its unexpected popularity.
Competitive Impact in the Pokémon TCG Meta
A primary driver of the card’s value is its significant influence within the current competitive play meta, often referred to as the “Journey Together” meta. Recent developments have seen Dragon type decks gain considerable prominence. Lillie’s Clefairy ex directly counters these powerful strategies, making it a pivotal card for players aiming to compete at a high level.
Strategic Role and Abilities
This basic Pokémon card possesses abilities that can fundamentally alter matchups against Dragon types. Its key effect allows it to change a defending Dragon type Pokémon’s weakness to Psychic. This modification results in damage being doubled when attacked by a Psychic type Pokémon. Critically, this ability can be active even while Lillie’s Clefairy ex is positioned on the Bench, significantly bolstering Psychic decks against the prevailing Dragon-focused strategies.
Beyond its weakness-altering effect, Lillie’s Clefairy ex also features a potent attack. It gains an additional 20 damage for every Pokémon on both players’ benches. This can lead to a potential base damage of 220 in a full-bench scenario, which is then doubled to a substantial 440 against a now Psychic-weak Dragon type opponent.
Card Value and Artistic Contribution
The card’s competitive utility has translated into elevated market prices across its different versions. The popularity of the Special Illustration Rare has increased demand and price for other rarities, with the Ultra Rare version currently valued around $16, and the standard ex variant starting at approximately $5—a price point significantly higher than many other ex cards in the set.
Adding to its appeal is the artwork by Susumu Maeya. Previously recognized for illustrations like Deerling and Sawsbuck in the Temporal Forces set, Maeya’s artistic contribution to Lillie’s Clefairy ex is widely appreciated and contributes to the card’s desirability among collectors and players alike, helping it achieve its notable valuation.
Speculation on Future Card Values
Looking ahead, there is anticipation regarding the potential value of other cards illustrated by Susumu Maeya. Notably, the forthcoming Marnie’s Morpeko card, slated for release in the Destined Rivals set, is expected by some to surpass the current value of Lillie’s Clefairy ex. Early predictions suggest this upcoming card could command a price exceeding $400, indicating continued strong interest in both competitively relevant cards and those featuring highly regarded artwork.