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Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art Secret VMAX
#215/203Illus. KEIICHIRO ITO
Secret Rare

Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art Secret

#215/203 · from Evolving Skies · released August 27, 2021
Track this card
Holofoil
96/ 100
S-Tier Chase

Cardrake Chase Score

The most valuable pull of the Sword & Shield era, and the one most collectors chase first.

Does this score look right?

Quick take

  • Most valuable card from the Sword & Shield era
  • Part of the complete Eeveelution alternate art collection
  • Artwork by KEIICHIRO ITO tells a story instead of just showing the Pokemon
  • Pull rates made it genuinely difficult to obtain

Collector's readWhat it means for your master set

Set position
1 of 369
The single most expensive card in the set
Demand vs rarity Est.
244.4×
Well above its rarity · others at this rarity sell for about $9.61
Cost to complete
≈29%
of the ~$8207 to finish Evolving Skies
Completion difficulty Est.
Very Hard
One of the hardest cards to complete
Where it sits in the price lifecycle
Release Hype
Post-Release Correction
Stable / Reprint Risk
End-of-Print Spike
Out-of-Print Maturation
Buy timingOut of print for years — chase cards have held value through several market cycles.
Out of print · pricing stable · estimated

Set landscapeWhere this card sits in Evolving Skies

fewermore cards
Common
39
1
2
42
Uncommon
51
51
Rare
19
19
Rare Holo
8
4
12
Rare Holo V
2
10
2
14
Rare Holo VMAX
3
6
3
12
Ultra Rare
3
11
9
12
4
6
45
Secret Rare
7
14
5
3
5
34
Holo Rare
7
1
8
all
124
11
33
31
20
7
11
237
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 215/203 · $2348.62 — the only variant this card was printed in (no reverse holo or special pattern), so a master set needs just this one copy.

Collectors call it Moonbreon. The Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art from Evolving Skies became the most valuable card of the Sword & Shield era almost immediately after release in August 2021. KEIICHIRO ITO's artwork shows Umbreon on a rooftop under a full moon, watching over a sleeping city. That image, combined with Umbreon's popularity and the card's extreme rarity, turned it into the card everyone wanted to pull.

The storyThe Card That Defined Evolving Skies

Evolving Skies already had collectors excited. All eight Eeveelutions got VMAX forms with alternate artwork. But Moonbreon stood out from day one.

“Most valuable card from the Sword & Shield era”

The artwork does something different. Instead of showing Umbreon in battle or striking a pose, it tells a story. Umbreon stands alone on a rooftop at night, golden rings glowing against the dark city below. You're watching a quiet moment. That emotional pull, plus Umbreon being the most popular Eeveelution, made this the chase card of the set.

Years later, pulling a Moonbreon still feels like winning the lottery. The card set the standard for what a modern chase card can be.

By the numbersMarket analysis

Price context

The most expensive Sword & Shield card and one of the top 3 modern Pokemon cards by value. Other Eeveelution alternate arts from Evolving Skies sell for a fraction of Moonbreon's price.

Price trend

Prices dropped after the initial hype, like they always do. But Moonbreon held value better than most chase cards. It's proven stable through multiple market cycles while other cards declined.

Investment outlook

Umbreon stays popular. The artwork stays beautiful. The card stays rare. These fundamentals don't change, which is why Moonbreon has held up better than most modern cards.

Demand drivers
Umbreon is the most popular EeveelutionThe artwork has real emotional appeal (a favourite among collectors)Collector community treats it as a must-haveAlternate art VMAXs are extremely rareAppeals to both collectors and investors
Graded premium

PSA 10 copies sell for 1.5 to 2x raw card prices. Centering issues make gem mint copies harder to find than you'd expect.

Approx. pull rate

Alternate art VMAX cards show up roughly once every 400 to 500 packs. Hunting for a specific one gets expensive fast.

Rarity context

All alternate art VMAXs in Evolving Skies have similar pull rates. But demand for Moonbreon far exceeds the others. Same rarity, very different prices.

ArtworkWhy the art matters

Card artwork
Artist · KEIICHIRO ITO

KEIICHIRO ITO creates atmospheric scenes instead of standard Pokemon portraits. The Eeveelution alternate arts in Evolving Skies are some of the best work in modern Pokemon TCG.

The artwork

Umbreon stands on a rooftop at night. The full moon lights the scene from behind. Below, city lights dot the darkness. Umbreon's golden rings glow warm against the cool blues of the nightscape. The pose is confident but calm. It looks like a guardian watching over the city.

Technical details

The textured holofoil adds depth to the night scene. Move the card and the moonlight shifts, the city lights shimmer. The foil treatment makes the nocturnal atmosphere feel real.

What makes it special

Most Pokemon cards show action. This one shows a moment. You're not watching Umbreon fight. You're watching it exist in its element, alone at night, doing what Dark-types do. That storytelling is why collectors connect with this card beyond just wanting a rare pull.

BackgroundAbout Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art Secret

Umbreon debuted in Pokemon Gold and Silver (1999) alongside Espeon. You evolve Eevee into Umbreon by maxing friendship at night. That connection to darkness and moonlight made Umbreon feel distinct from other Eeveelutions. It also represented the new Dark type that Gen II introduced.

Why fans love it
  • ›Clean, sleek design that works for any age group
  • ›Strong in competitive play across games and TCG
  • ›Dark-type mystique appeals to fans who want something edgier
  • ›Part of the Eeveelution family everyone loves
  • ›Starter Pokemon in Pokemon Colosseum gave it a starring role
Notable appearances
  • ›Your starter in Pokemon Colosseum (GameCube)
  • ›Gary Oak's Umbreon in the anime
  • ›Regular feature in Pokemon GO community events
  • ›Consistent pick in competitive VGC
Competitive relevance

Umbreon has been a competitive staple for decades. Bulky, reliable, and hard to take down. TCG players have used Umbreon cards across multiple formats.

Own it wellCollector guide

Condition notes

Watch for off-center printing and edge whitening. The dark border shows wear more than lighter cards. Print lines in the texture happen but usually don't hurt grades much.

Grading recommendation

Worth grading if your copy looks clean. Check centering carefully before submitting. PSA 10 requirements are strict for this card. CGC and BGS work well too. Read the grading guide →

Storage advice

Double sleeve in a perfect fit, then into a top loader or magnetic holder. Graded slabs work best for long-term storage. Keep it away from sunlight and humidity. See the storage guide →

Buying advice

TCGPlayer and eBay have the most listings. Check seller ratings carefully. For expensive purchases, graded copies remove authenticity concerns. Know what condition you're actually getting. See the singles buying guide →

Authentication tips

Counterfeits exist because the card is valuable. Real copies have distinct texture patterns on the holofoil. The foil should shift smoothly with light. When spending serious money, buy graded.

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

The community decided this was the card of the Sword & Shield era. That status hasn't changed. Pull videos with Moonbreon still get massive engagement years after release.

Notable sales
  • ›PSA 10 copies regularly hit premium prices at auction
  • ›One of the most watched cards on price tracking sites
Social buzz

Active discussion on r/PokemonTCG and r/PokeInvesting. The Moonbreon nickname stuck. YouTube creators know a Moonbreon pull means views.

Good to knowFrequently asked questions

The nickname comes from the full moon in the artwork. Collectors started using it to distinguish this card from the regular Umbreon VMAX. Now everyone calls it that.
If your copy looks clean, yes. The card is valuable enough that grading makes sense. Check the centering first. PSA 10 and BGS 10 copies sell for significantly more, but a lower grade on an off-center card won't help you.
Umbreon is the most popular Eeveelution. The artwork is widely considered the best of the set. And as a VMAX instead of just a V, it's rarer. All three factors push the price up.
Real copies have a specific textured holofoil pattern. The card should feel textured, not smooth. The foil shifts naturally with light. Print quality should be sharp with no blur. If you're buying expensive, go graded.

Keep collectingRelated cards

Zinnias Resolve Full ArtSame PokemonZinnias Resolve Full ArtSylveon VMAX SecretEeveelution SetSylveon VMAX SecretRayquaza VMAX Alternate Art SecretSame Set Chase CardRayquaza VMAX Alternate Art Secret
Game data
Type
Pokémon
Element
Darkness
Stage
VMAX
HP
310
Rarity
Secret Rare
Artist
KEIICHIRO ITO
AbilityDark Signal
When you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokémon during your turn, you may switch 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokémon with their Active Pokémon.
DCCMax Darkness
160
Weakness
GGrassx2
Resistance
DDragonone
Retreat
CC

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