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Lt Surges Bargain Supporter
#185/132
Special Illustration Rare

Lt Surges Bargain

#185/132 · from Mega Evolution · released September 26, 2025
Track this card
Holofoil
76/ 100
A-Tier Chase

Cardrake Chase Score

A top chase card for this set.

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Quick take

  • Electric-type Gym Leader from Kanto
  • Special Illustration Rare with full artwork treatment
  • Military background gave unique characterisation
  • Original 151 nostalgia factor

Collector's readWhat it means for your master set

Set position
16 of 310
Among the higher-value cards in the set
Demand vs rarity Est.
0.3×
Below its rarity · others at this rarity sell for about $60.69
Cost to complete
≈1%
of the ~$1578 to finish Mega Evolution
Completion difficulty Est.
Medium
A moderate pickup for the set
Where it sits in the price lifecycle
Release Hype
Post-Release Correction
Stable / Reprint Risk
End-of-Print Spike
Out-of-Print Maturation
Buy timingMega Evolution is still in print, so prices can soften if it gets reprinted. No rush unless you spot a good deal.
Still in print · pricing trending down · estimated

Set landscapeWhere this card sits in Mega Evolution

fewermore cards
Common
67
67
Uncommon
41
2
43
Rare
12
12
Double Rare
9
1
10
Ultra Rare
16
5
1
22
Illustration Rare
14
5
3
22
Special Illustration Rare
3
4
3
10
Mega Hyper Rare
2
2
all
120
11
31
10
7
4
5
188
0.5
1
5
15
50
150
150+
Columns = resale price up to $X (log) · shade = cards in cell (log) · right & bottom = totals · white ring = this card

VariantsCard variants

Holofoil 185/132 · $16.84 — the only variant this card was printed in (no reverse holo or special pattern), so a master set needs just this one copy.

Lt. Surge's Bargain Special Illustration Rare from the Mega Evolution set features the Electric-type Gym Leader from Kanto. Lt. Surge's military background and brash personality made him one of the more distinctive original Gym Leaders. The SIR treatment gives this classic character premium presentation.

The storyThe Lightning American

Lt. Surge stands out among Kanto's Gym Leaders. Military background. American accent in Japanese media. Electric-type specialist who called his Raichu a war buddy. That characterisation was unusual for a Pokemon game.

“Electric-type Gym Leader from Kanto”

He's the third Gym Leader in Red and Blue. The difficulty spike hit players hard. His Raichu outsped everything and hit like a truck. Many trainers remember that battle.

Trainer cards featuring classic characters attract collectors with Kanto nostalgia. Lt. Surge has his fans, especially among those who grew up with the original games.

By the numbersMarket analysis

Price context

Lower tier among Mega Evolution trainer SIRs. Below Lillie and Acerola. Kanto nostalgia provides baseline interest.

Price trend

Following Mega Evolution set patterns. Lt. Surge has niche appeal among Kanto fans. Should maintain accessible positioning.

Investment outlook

Lt. Surge has proven recognition from 25+ years of Pokemon. Niche appeal but consistent. Accessible entry for trainer collectors.

Demand drivers
Kanto Gym Leader nostalgiaElectric-type trainer collector appealOriginal 151 character recognitionDistinctive military personalityAccessible SIR price point
Graded premium

PSA 10 copies command modest premiums at this tier. Trainer cards with character recognition grade reasonably.

Approx. pull rate

SIRs in Mega Evolution sets have low pull rates. Trainer SIRs are pulled at the same rate as Pokemon SIRs.

Rarity context

Lower-priced trainer SIR in Mega Evolution. Accessible for Kanto character collectors.

ArtworkWhy the art matters

Card artwork
Artist · Unknown

Artist information pending verification from card database updates.

The artwork

Lt. Surge featured with his characteristic military styling and confident expression. The bargain theme suggests negotiation or dealing. Electric elements may accent the composition. The SIR treatment provides full character illustration.

Technical details

Special Illustration Rare with textured holofoil. The military colours and Electric-type accents create visual identity. Premium production quality.

What makes it special

Lt. Surge's design screams personality. The sunglasses, the military jacket, the attitude. He looked like someone who'd been through things before becoming a Gym Leader. That backstory came through in his appearance.

BackgroundAbout Lt Surges Bargain

Lt. Surge appeared in Pokemon Red and Blue (1996) as the third Gym Leader. His military background was referenced through dialogue mentioning war and his Raichu as a partner from that time. He returned in Gold/Silver, appeared in the anime, and featured in Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee.

Why fans love it
  • ›Original Kanto Gym Leader with unique personality
  • ›Military backstory added character depth
  • ›Memorable difficulty spike in Red/Blue
  • ›Electric-type specialist with recognisable team
  • ›Appeared across games and anime
Notable appearances
  • ›Third Gym Leader in Red/Blue/Yellow
  • ›Returns in Gold/Silver/Crystal
  • ›Featured in original anime
  • ›Appears in Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee
Competitive relevance

The card has playable competitive effects. Trainer cards see play based on utility. The SIR is typically collected rather than played.

Own it wellCollector guide

Condition notes

Character artwork should be crisp. Military uniform colours should be consistent. Check centering on both axes.

Grading recommendation

Optional at this price tier. For clean copies you want protected long-term, grading works. Verify centering first. Read the grading guide →

Storage advice

Sleeve immediately in perfect fit. Use rigid protection for valued copies. See the storage guide →

Buying advice

TCGPlayer and eBay have listings. Accessible price point. Appeals to Kanto and Electric-type collectors. See the singles buying guide →

Authentication tips

At this price point, counterfeit risk is lower. Standard authentication awareness applies.

Protect your card

High Chase Score — protect and consider grading. · Amazon affiliate links · Storage guide
Inner sleeveVault X Exact Fit SleevesA snug perfect-fit inner layer — double-sleeve valuable cards with these before the matte sleeve goes on.View on Amazon →Outer sleeveDragon Shield Matte SleevesMatte, archival-safe outer sleeves — the everyday standard for keeping surfaces and edges clean.View on Amazon →Rigid holderCardboard Gold Top LoadersPSA-recommended acid-free top loaders — rigid protection against bends and scratches on raw high-value cards.View on Amazon →Premium binderDragon Shield Card Codex 360A 360-card side-loading portfolio with a padded cover for long-term, display-safe storage.View on Amazon →

Word on the streetCommunity sentiment

Reception

Kanto fans appreciate this classic character representation. Electric-type collectors take interest. Part of complete trainer SIR collecting.

Notable sales
  • ›Consistent trading at accessible prices
  • ›Part of Mega Evolution trainer discussions
Social buzz

Featured in Mega Evolution trainer content. Lt. Surge nostalgia from original game players. Military backstory occasionally discussed.

Good to knowFrequently asked questions

The games reference him serving in a war where his Electric Pokemon saved his life. That backstory was darker than typical Pokemon content. It gave his character depth and explained his tough approach to battles.
In Japanese media, he's portrayed as American with corresponding mannerisms. The nickname combined his nationality with his Electric-type specialty. It made him stand out among Japanese Gym Leaders.
More accessible than Lillie or popular female trainers. Appeals specifically to Kanto nostalgic collectors and Electric-type fans. Different collector base with some overlap.
Optional at this price tier. For clean copies seeking long-term protection, grading works. Many collectors use quality holders at this value level.

Keep collectingRelated cards

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Game data
Type
Trainer
Element
Trainer - Supporter
Stage
Supporter
Rarity
Special Illustration Rare

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