Best Graded Exploud Cards: Collector & Investor Guide

Why Exploud Cards Are Worth Collecting

Exploud sits in a sweet spot for specialist Pokémon collectors: it is recognizable, firmly tied to the Hoenn era, and featured in several sets that are much harder to grade at the top level than many modern releases. That combination gives Exploud cards more long-term appeal than raw demand alone might imply, especially for collectors who enjoy underappreciated species with genuine EX-era history.

Artwork also plays a big role. Exploud cards often emphasize the Pokémon's loud, forceful design language, making even non-chase cards visually distinctive in a binder or slab case. For collectors building Hoenn character runs, Pokédex collections, or EX-era graded sets, Exploud offers a compact but interesting checklist.

What Makes a Graded Exploud Card Valuable?

• Grade (PSA 10 commands highest premiums)
• Set and era (vintage vs modern sets)
• Rarity and print run
• Population report scarcity
• Recent sold comps on eBay
• Japanese vs English versions
• PSA 10 vs raw comparison

The Best Graded Exploud Cards to Collect

1. Exploud ex - EX Emerald 92/106

Exploud ex is the obvious centerpiece of any Exploud collection. As the only ex-era ultra-rare centered on the Pokémon, it carries the strongest crossover appeal between character collectors, EX-era specialists, and slab investors looking for scarcer Hoenn ex cards outside the usual blue-chip names.

English copies can be condition-sensitive, especially on holo surfaces and edges. PSA 10 examples tend to stand apart sharply from raw or lightly played copies, so patient buyers should prioritize eye appeal and cert verification over simply chasing the lowest available price.

2. Exploud - EX Dragon 3/97

This holo rare from EX Dragon is one of the best early Exploud cards in English. It comes from a landmark EX-era set with strong collector demand, and that halo effect helps the card stay relevant even though it is not an ultra rare.

For graded buyers, EX Dragon holos are far tougher in gem mint than many assume. If you're targeting a PSA 10, watch for print lines and silvering. Japanese-era alternatives can sometimes present cleaner, but English EX Dragon still tends to hold stronger recognition with set collectors.

3. Exploud - EX Emerald 2/106

EX Emerald gives Exploud another strong holo appearance and makes an excellent companion piece to Exploud ex. Collectors who want a mini rainbow of the Pokémon within one set often target both cards together, which adds nice portfolio symmetry for slab-focused collectors.

Because this is a regular holo instead of an ex card, it can be overlooked. That creates opportunities when high-grade copies surface. In PSA 9 or PSA 10, it often looks far more premium than its broader market profile suggests.

4. Exploud - EX Deoxys 6/107

EX Deoxys remains one of the most collected sets of the era, and Exploud's holo rare benefits from that set prestige. The artwork and Deoxys-era card design give it one of the more collectible standalone looks among non-ex Exploud cards.

This is a card where pop scarcity matters more than headline demand. Even if raw copies are obtainable, true gem-mint slabs can be much less common in the marketplace. For collectors balancing budget and rarity, this is one of the best targets.

5. Exploud - Power Keepers 6/108

Power Keepers closed out the EX era in English, and cards from the set carry extra nostalgia because of that position in the timeline. Exploud's holo rare here is a strong choice for collectors who want an end-of-era card with a classic late-EX feel.

High-grade copies are worth monitoring because late EX sets still suffer from factory and handling issues. It's a good card for collectors who enjoy historical significance as much as pure rarity.

6. Exploud - Crystal Guardians 18/100

Crystal Guardians is better known for Crystal-type cards and other set standouts, but Exploud is a very solid non-holo rare from the release. It is an accessible entry point for collectors who want an EX-era graded Exploud without paying ex-card premiums.

In PSA 10, even non-holo EX-era rares can become surprisingly difficult to source consistently. This makes the card attractive for registry-minded collectors completing a full English Exploud run.

7. Exploud - Great Encounters 28/106

By the Diamond & Pearl era, Exploud had shifted from niche EX-era holo appearances into more affordable set cards. Great Encounters is a useful bridge card for collectors who want representation outside Hoenn-exclusive nostalgia while still staying in older eras of the TCG.

This card is usually more budget-friendly in high grade than the EX-era holos, making it a practical pickup for newer slab collectors. It also works well as a low-risk registry addition while you wait for scarcer pieces.

8. Exploud - Supreme Victors 42/147

Supreme Victors gives Exploud another DP-era appearance and one that often appeals to species collectors filling out every major English release. It may not be the flashiest card on the list, but it matters for completeness and can be tougher than expected in pristine condition.

Collectors should compare raw pricing with slab premiums carefully here. Cards like this can be inexpensive raw, but gem-mint certified copies may still command meaningful collector premiums because relatively few people submitted them.

9. Exploud - Plasma Blast 106/101

This Secret Rare from Plasma Blast is one of the most visually distinct Exploud cards ever printed in English. As a BW-era shiny treatment, it offers a completely different collecting angle than the EX-era holos and gives Exploud collectors a true modern-era chase piece.

Because it is a secret rare, this is one of the first cards many advanced collectors target after the EX Emerald ex. PSA 10 demand can be strong relative to raw value, and centering plus surface quality are especially important when evaluating copies.

10. M Exploud EX - XY Black Star Promos XY173

Although it is a promo and a Mega card rather than a standard set release, M Exploud EX is an easy inclusion for collectors who want the broadest possible Exploud family representation in slabs. It brings a modern full-art-style promo presentation that contrasts nicely with the earlier ADV cards.

This card is often easier to source in clean condition than EX-era pieces, so it can be a good place to start if you're building a graded Exploud display. Promo collectors may also appreciate its distinct identity outside normal numbered set runs.

Vintage vs Modern Exploud Cards

For Exploud, the strongest long-term collector interest still leans toward the EX era, especially EX Dragon, EX Emerald, EX Deoxys, and Power Keepers. Those cards combine age, lower surviving gem-mint supply, and stronger nostalgia. Modern and later-era cards like Plasma Blast secret rares or promos can still perform well, but they usually appeal more through unique artwork, rarity treatment, or lower PSA 10 supply rather than pure historical importance.

How to Track Exploud Card Prices

Use eBay sold listings, PriceCharting, and PSA pop reports to gauge value. Slabfolio lets you look up graded card prices, upload your slab, and track your portfolio in one place.

FAQ

What is the rarest Exploud card?

In English, Exploud ex from EX Emerald and the shiny secret rare Exploud from Plasma Blast are usually the toughest headline cards for collectors to chase in top grade. Japanese-exclusive or lower-pop slabbed variants can be rarer in practice, but those two are the most recognizable scarcity drivers.

Is PSA 10 Exploud worth buying?

Yes, especially for EX-era cards where gem-mint supply can be much thinner than raw availability suggests. The key is buying cards with genuine condition scarcity rather than assuming every Exploud slab will appreciate equally.

How do I find Exploud card prices?

Check eBay sold listings, PriceCharting, and PSA population reports to compare raw versus graded demand. Slabfolio is useful for tracking individual slabs and monitoring market movement over time.