61 English cards · 8 sets · 2021–2022
Alternate art Pokémon cards
Alternate arts, or “alt arts”, are the Sword & Shield V, VMAX and VSTAR cards reprinted with full-scene artwork in place of the standard full art. The catalogue files them under Ultra Rare or Secret Rare, so they are identified here by card: the higher-numbered of two same-rarity prints of one card in a set. The most valuable is Umbreon VMAX 215/203 from Evolving Skies, at about $1,785 ungraded; the most valuable in PSA 10 is Umbreon VMAX at $3,550.
Most valuable first
All 61 alternate arts
8 sets
Most valuable alternate arts by set
| Set | Alt arts | Most valuable |
|---|---|---|
| Silver TempestNov 11, 2022 | 4 | Lugia V 186/195 $457 |
| Lost OriginSep 9, 2022 | 4 | Giratina V 186/196 $745 |
| Astral RadianceMay 27, 2022 | 6 | Machamp V 172/189 $160 |
| Brilliant StarsFeb 25, 2022 | 4 | Charizard V 154/172 $255 |
| Fusion StrikeNov 12, 2021 | 7 | Gengar VMAX 271/264 $833 |
| Evolving SkiesAug 27, 2021 | 17 | Umbreon VMAX 215/203 $1,785 |
| Chilling ReignJun 18, 2021 | 13 | Blaziken VMAX 201/198 $292 |
| Battle StylesMar 19, 2021 | 6 | Tyranitar V 155/163 $200 |
How to spot an alternate art
An alternate art is the same V or VMAX card with a different illustration: one scene that runs to the card’s edges and shows the Pokémon in its surroundings, in place of the standard full art.
14 of the 61 carry a number above the set’s printed total, as on Umbreon VMAX 215/203, and every one of those is a VMAX. The other 47 are numbered inside it, as on Giratina V 186/196.
The catalogue files them under Rare Ultra (47) and Rare Rainbow (14), the same as other cards of those rarities, so the rarity alone does not identify one. This page covers the Sword & Shield sets, from Battle Styles (Mar 19, 2021) to Silver Tempest (Nov 11, 2022). See the rarity chart for the rest.
Earlier alternate arts
Sun & Moon had tag team alternate arts too. They are not part of the Sword & Shield list above: Latias & Latios-GX 170/181 from Team Up (about $3,150) and Togepi & Cleffa & Igglybuff-GX 143a from Cosmic Eclipse (about $311).
Common questions
What is an alternate art Pokémon card?
An alternate art is the same V or VMAX card with a different illustration: one scene that runs to the card’s edges and shows the Pokémon in its surroundings, in place of the standard full art.
Which alternate art Pokémon card is worth the most?
Umbreon VMAX 215/203 from Evolving Skies, at about $1,785 ungraded. In PSA 10 the most valuable is Umbreon VMAX 215/203, at about $3,550.
How many alternate art Pokémon cards are there?
61 English Sword & Shield alternate arts across 8 sets, from Battle Styles (Mar 19, 2021) to Silver Tempest (Nov 11, 2022).