Salamence ex
Quick take
- Second most valuable card in Journey Together at approximately $56
- Pure Pokemon showcase without a Trainer pairing
- Salamence is a Generation III pseudo-legendary with lasting collector appeal
- Dragon-type cards maintain consistent demand across sets
Collector's readWhat it means for your master set
Set landscapeWhere this card sits in Journey Together
VariantsCard variants
Holofoil 187/159 · $47.59 — the only variant this card was printed in (no reverse holo or special pattern), so a master set needs just this one copy.
The storyDragon Power in Journey Together
Journey Together's central theme is Trainer and Pokemon bonds, but not every card in the set follows that format. Salamence ex is one of the cards that showcases a Pokemon without a Trainer counterpart, letting the Pokemon carry the card entirely. For a Pokemon with Salamence's design and reputation, that's a reasonable bet.
“Second most valuable card in Journey Together at approximately $56”
Salamence is one of the original pseudo-legendary trio alongside Metagross and Tyranitar from Generation III. It has appeared on competitive teams across nearly every generation of VGC and has maintained a collector following through the entire Scarlet and Violet era. The Dragon type commands consistent interest in TCG collecting.
At $56, this sits clearly below the Lillie's Clefairy ex at the top but well above the mid-tier SIRs in the set. Salamence premium is real — Dragon-type pseudo-legendaries consistently find buyers across different collector demographics.
By the numbersMarket analysis
Clear second tier in Journey Together pricing. Significantly below Lillie's Clefairy ex but meaningfully above other SIRs in the set. The Dragon type and pseudo-legendary status justify the premium over non-legendary Pokemon SIRs.
New release prices tend to run higher. Salamence will likely see some correction as more product is opened, but pseudo-legendary Dragon types historically hold reasonable floors. The collector base for this card is broad rather than dependent on a single character's fanbase.
Dragon pseudo-legendaries have a reasonable long-term track record. Salamence is not at Charizard tier, but it reliably finds buyers. Expect post-hype stabilization in the $35-50 range based on comparable modern SIR trajectories.
PSA 10 and CGC 10 copies typically command 1.5 to 2x raw value. Salamence artwork tends to use dark, high-contrast colors that can reveal print line defects on closer inspection — worth checking before submission.
Special Illustration Rares appear roughly once every 36 packs. Journey Together has multiple SIRs, so the odds of specifically pulling Salamence ex are lower than the base SIR rate.
Among Journey Together SIRs, Salamence ex is the strongest pure-Pokemon card without a Trainer pairing. The pseudo-legendary status puts it above most other Pokemon-only SIRs in the set.
ArtworkWhy the art matters
5ban Graphics is one of the Pokemon TCG's core illustration studios, responsible for many of the set's main art cards. Their work tends toward dramatic, power-forward compositions.
The artwork presents Salamence mid-flight against a dynamic sky backdrop. The dragon's full wingspan is visible, emphasizing its imposing scale. The blue body and red wing membranes read clearly against the background, and the composition gives the sense of something genuinely large in motion.
The SIR foil treatment adds shimmer to the sky and wing surfaces. Salamence's dark body sections contrast against the foil background, making the dragon pop when tilted. The full-bleed artwork format lets the composition breathe in a way the standard framed cards don't.
Salamence looks the part here. The composition doesn't try to make a friendly scene — this is a Dragon showcasing what it actually is. Collectors who want a powerful Dragon card in their collection get exactly that from this illustration.
BackgroundAbout Salamence ex
Salamence was introduced in Generation III as part of the Hoenn pseudo-legendary trio alongside Metagross and Tyranitar. Bagon evolves through Shelgon into Salamence at level 50, making it one of the later-game pseudo-legendaries to obtain. Its Dragon/Flying typing and high base stats made it a VGC staple almost immediately.
- ›One of three original Hoenn pseudo-legendaries
- ›Dragon/Flying typing makes it visually distinctive and competitively powerful
- ›High base Attack stat made it a go-to physical attacker in VGC formats
- ›Hoenn nostalgia is strong — Ruby and Sapphire players grew up with this Pokemon
- ›Consistently available in modern games through Scarlet and Violet
- ›Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire as a powerful lategame Dragon
- ›Regular VGC usage during the Battle Frontier and early competitive eras
- ›Pokemon Pinball Ruby and Sapphire
- ›Recurring appearance in competitive formats since Generation III
Salamence has been a competitive presence since the early VGC days. Dragon Dance sets were viable physical sweepers throughout multiple generations. In the TCG, the ex variant has legitimate competitive applications in current Standard format.
Own it wellCollector guide
Dark-colored Pokemon artwork can show print line defects that lighter artwork obscures. Inspect under direct lighting before sleeving. Centering issues are the main grade-risk for this card.
At $56 raw, grading is borderline. A clean PSA 10 at 1.5-2x raw value ($85-$112) covers submission and makes sense for high-grade copies. Less confident copies are better kept raw. Read the grading guide →
Perfect fit sleeve into a rigid toploader or magnetic one-touch case. Standard binder pages are fine for short-term organization but not ideal for long-term storage of a card this valuable. See the storage guide →
TCGPlayer offers the most pricing transparency with sales history. Compare sold listings rather than active listings to understand what buyers are actually paying. Supply will increase over the first few months as more product is opened. See the singles buying guide →
Protect your card
High Chase Score — protect and consider grading. · Amazon affiliate links · Storage guideWord on the streetCommunity sentiment
Recognized as the top pure-Pokemon SIR in Journey Together. The Salamence collector community welcomed the full-art treatment. Pack openers pulling this card post strong engagement in opening content.
Discussion focuses on Salamence's place as the non-Trainer chase in Journey Together. Some collectors prefer pure-Pokemon SIRs for their collections over Trainer cards, and Salamence is the answer in this set.
Good to knowFrequently asked questions
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