We’ve finally got round to getting a box of the popular 2021 Evolving Skies collection, as we needed to make a purchase from the Pokémon Center to be eligible for a Special Delivery Charizard. 

Evolving Skies has proven to be one of the more interesting sets released in 2021, packed full of hits that are worth more than an Elite Trainer Box. It focuses on Eeveelutions, with lots of rare VMAX cards to chase. 

Here’s a rundown with 10 of the best 2021 Evolving Skies Pokémon cards to collect, along with what to expect when opening packs and boxes.

2021 Evolving Skies: What to Expect 

Here’s what to expect from the 2021 Evolving Skies Pokémon collection. We’ve included key stats and important information about the set below. 

• Cards in set: English: 237, Japanese: 180
• Set number: English: 89, Japanese: 82
• Release date: English: August 27, 2021, Japanese: July 9, 2021
• Made up of of cards from the Japanese Skyscraping Perfection and Blue Sky Stream expansions, plus cards from the Eevee Heroes subset, and more from Peerless Fighters, Silver Lance, and Jet-Black Spirit
• Focuses on Eeveelutions, all of which are included as Pokémon V
• Evolving Skies reprints appear to have made their way to the market in many regions 

The Best 2021 Evolving Skies Pokemon Cards

Here are ten of the best 2021 Evolving Skies Pokémon cards to collect, listed in order of importance and overall value. For the purposes of this list, we’ll be looking at PSA 10 graded Pokémon cards. 

10. Glaceon V (Alternate Full Art) (eBay)

Glaceon V is the first card to make the list. It’s easy to see why the Eeveelution is a fairly popular option, thanks to a unique art style which sees the Pokémon resting against a snowy backdrop. 

Alternate Art cards often have a softer take on the subject Pokémon, and this is no exception. 

In a hobby in which the quality of the illustration will have an effect on the asking price, it’s easy to see how Gem Mint PSA 10 graded copies have slowly crept up to the $200 mark. 

Check prices of 2021 Evolving Skies Glaceon V on eBay 

9. Dragonite V (Alternate Full Art) (eBay)

One of the few non-Eevee related cards to make the list, Dragonite is a popular Pokémon that has been around since the turn of the millennium. The illustration sees it dozing as it soars amongst the clouds. 

Another bonus is the Dragon-type card style, featuring claw marks behind the type symbol. 

In terms of values, a PSA 10 copy of the full art Dragonite V card recently sold for $250. 

Check prices of 2021 Evolving Skies Dragonite V on eBay 

8. Leafeon VMAX (Alternate Secret Art) (eBay)

Leafeon is next up, in an illustration which sees the dynamaxed Pokémon rolling a hay bale with a giant paw in a rural setting. 

The first Evolving Skies VMAX card to make the list, they tend to show off Pokémon in a range of surreal scenarios. (Of course, this card is no exception.)

In a set focused on Eevee, they were always going to turn the cuteness factor up to 11. 

Gem Mint graded copies sell for roughly $250 at the current time of writing. 

Check prices of 2021 Evolving Skies Leafeon VMAX on eBay

7. Umbreon V (Alternate Full Art) (eBay)

Umbreon has proven to be one of the most popular Pokémon introduced in Generation II, perhaps because of its association with Eevee and the other evolutions. If not for the VMAX version listed below, this card would probably be much higher up the list. 

It’s featured looking down on a range of Pokémon underlings, exuding power against a moonlit backdrop. Once again, they’ve really stepped it up in terms of the artwork used for Evolving Skies. 

A more affordable Umbreon release, PSA 10 copies currently sell for roughly $200. 

Check prices of 2021 Evolving Skies Umbreon V on eBay

6. Glaceon VMAX (Alternate Secret Art) (eBay)

The VMAX version of Glaceon is another Evolving Skies card that has proven to be especially popular with collectors. Maybe it’s the inclusion of multiple fan favorites like Pikachu in the background, or the fact they’re all having a nice time playing in the water. 

Whatever the reason, Glaceon VMAX is another valuable card when wrapped in a PSA 10 slab. Expect to pay $250+ to add a copy to your personal collection. 

Check prices of 2021 Evolving Skies Glaceon VMAX on eBay

5. Rayquaza VMAX (Rainbow Secret) (eBay)

Introduced in Generation III, Rayquaza has historically proven to be one of the more popular Pokémon cards to collect, no matter the set.  

The Dragon/Flying type has been featured on 37 cards at the current time of writing since making its debut in the 2003 EX Dragon expansion. (in fact, it’s featured three times on this list alone!)

The Evolving Skies Rainbow Rayquaza VMAX card is first up. 

You should be able to find pristine copies for less than $200, as Rainbow Rare versions aren’t the most collectible cards from modern sets. 

Check prices of 2021 Evolving Skies Rayquaza VMAX on eBay

4. Rayquaza V (Alternate Full Art) (eBay)

Rayquaza makes its second appearance on this list. This time, the popular Pokémon is paired with OmegaRuby/AlphaSapphire’s Zinnia, who is a dragon-type trainer. 

As you might have guessed, the majority of the value is derived from Rayquaza, and PSA 10’s are selling for $200+. 

The Gen III legendary Pokémon has a strong following, and it was the focus of the 2021 Evolving Skies set.

Check prices of 2021 Evolving Skies Rayquaza V on eBay

3. Sylveon VMAX (Alternate Secret Art) (eBay)

The addition of various bonus Pokémon like Eevee makes this Sylveon VMAX card one of the most valuable options from the set. It’s another with strong artwork and a large potential aftermarket of buyers.

It’s exceptionally difficult to pull dynamax cards from Evolving Skies packs, and Sylveon is no exception. In terms of values, PSA 10 copies are slowly rising past the $250 mark.

Check prices of 2021 Evolving Skies Sylveon VMAX Alt Art on eBay

2. Umbreon VMAX (Alternate Secret Art) (eBay)

The Alternate Secret Art Umbreon VMAX card is another that highlights a giant Pokémon in an interesting setting. This time, Umbreon is curled around a tower in front of a full moon. 

There’s a significant increase in terms of values for graded versions, as PSA 10 copies will sell for $550-$650. 

It’s one of the best hits from the set, offering a mix of rarity and extreme popularity. It’s only beaten by one Evolving Skies card. 

Check prices of 2021 Evolving Skies Umbreon VMAX Alt Art on eBay

1. Rayquaza VMAX (Alternate Secret Art) (eBay)

The Rayquaza VMAX Alternate Art card features the supersized Pokémon as it towers over everything in the full-bleed image. 

It’s the undisputed chase card from the set, and it’s still reasonably valuable, even with the latest influx of reprints. 

It’s a great place to start if you’re looking for the best modern Rayquaza card. Expect to pay roughly $200 for an ungraded copy, or twice as much for a PSA 10 version. 

Check prices of 2021 Pokemon Evolving Skies Rayquaza VMAX card on eBay 

2021 Evolving Skies: What We Got

We missed out on any cards from the top 10 when we opened our Evolving Skies Elite Trainer Box, but we were still able to recoup the money spent with the duo of cards seen above. (Mostly thanks to the Sylveon V seen on the left.)

It’s not a bad result, and goes to show that the set is packed full of hits. 

2021 Evolving Skies: Buyers Guide 

We’ve put together a buyer’s guide for anyone interested in the best cards found in 2021 Evolving Skies. 

Some of the cards on the list are still relatively affordable if you’re looking at ungraded singles. They can sometimes be found for less than $100. 

Alternatively, you could look at lower PSA grades, which can be cheaper than raw versions depending on the overall condition. 

The Rayquaza VMAX is the most valuable card in the Evolving Skies set by a wide margin. This is especially true if you’re looking at pristine graded copies. As such, it’s our top investment option overall. 

2021 Evolving Skies: Final Thoughts 

2021 Evolving Skies Pokémon cards are some of the more interesting recent releases, and that’s impressive considering the lack of a Charizard base card. 

A set packed with fan favorites and valuable options, it looks to be one of the best to hold onto if you’re looking at sealed boxes. 

It’s also great if you want to rip packs, and it’s one of the few ETBs  where we didn’t lose money if we sold the best cards straight away. (Of course, your own experiences may vary.)