Surging Sparks Card List: Pikachu ex, Latias and the Top Chase Cards

Pokémon guide

Pikachu ex on the box, a gorgeous Latias in the packs and over 250 cards to collect. Surging Sparks was one of the big hits of late 2024, and it’s still a set we sell plenty of. If you’re looking for a straightforward Surging Sparks card list guide, here’s everything worth knowing.

We’ll cover the basics, the chase cards, how we’d collect it and which box makes the most sense, with a few honest opinions along the way.

Surging Sparks at a glance

Scarlet & Violet, Surging Sparks released in English on 8 November 2024. It’s led by Pikachu ex, with Stellar Tera Pikachu on both Elite Trainer Boxes, and it’s mostly based on the Japanese set Super Electric Breaker, with some cards from Paradise Dragona.

• Set size: 252 cards, with 191 in the main set and 61 secret rares.
• Lead Pokémon: Pikachu ex.
• Japanese equivalents: Super Electric Breaker, plus cards from Paradise Dragona.

The Surging Sparks card list is large, so it’s a set you can enjoy for months. The 191-card main set is a solid goal, while the full list with secret rares is a proper long-term project.

The chase cards on the Surging Sparks card list

These are the cards collectors want most. We’ve left out prices, because they change often, but this is roughly the order of demand.

Pikachu ex (238/191)

The Special Illustration Rare of Pikachu ex is the headline card. Pikachu is the face of Pokémon, and this artwork is a modern classic.

Latias ex (239/191)

For many collectors, this is the prettiest card in the set. Latias always seems to get beautiful artwork, and this one is no exception.

Milotic ex (237/191)

Milotic is one of the most elegant Pokémon, and its Special Illustration Rare is a firm favourite with binder collectors.

Pikachu ex (247/191)

The gold Hyper Rare version. It’s flashy and rare, and it’s the kind of card that makes a pack opening video go viral.

Hydreigon ex, Durant ex and Latios

Hydreigon ex (240/191) and Durant ex (236/191) are the other popular Special Illustration Rares, and the Latios Illustration Rare (203/191) pairs perfectly with the Latias ex. Put them side by side and you’ve got a lovely little page.

How to collect the Surging Sparks card list

With more than 250 cards, a little planning saves a lot of money.

• Start with the main set. 191 cards is achievable from a booster box or two plus some trading.
• Keep a checklist. Have the Surging Sparks card list on your phone and tick cards off as you open. It stops you buying duplicate singles.
• Collect a theme. If the whole set feels like too much, try collecting just the Dragon types or just the Illustration Rares. It’s a fun, affordable alternative.
• Buy chase cards as singles. Waiting to pull a specific Special Illustration Rare can take a very long time.

We’d also recommend sorting cards by number as you go. It sounds dull, but finding gaps in a 252-card set is much easier when everything’s already in order.

Which product should you buy?

Surging Sparks is a main expansion, so you’ll find the full range.

Booster box

The booster box is the best value per pack and the best way to make progress on the main set.

Elite Trainer Box

The Elite Trainer Box has packs, a promo, sleeves and dice. With Stellar Tera Pikachu on the front, it’s also a great display piece. If you want more packs, there’s an Elite Trainer Box bundle too.

Booster bundle

The booster bundle is perfect if you just want to open some packs.

Is Surging Sparks worth collecting?

Yes, especially for Pikachu fans and binder collectors. The set has a big, varied list of chase cards, so you’re not relying on one card to make a box feel worthwhile. The Dragon-type theme is a nice touch, and Latias and Latios fans are well served.

The only real downside is size. If you want a set you can finish quickly, look at something smaller like our Pitch Black card list guide. But if you enjoy a big project, the Surging Sparks card list will keep you busy for a long time.

Love Pikachu? Every pack in the Pokémon 30th anniversary set has a Pikachu rare, so it’s worth a look too.

Who it suits

Pikachu collectors, Dragon-type fans and anyone who enjoys a big set to work through slowly. It’s also a good choice for parents, as Pikachu on the box tends to go down well with younger fans.

Looking after your cards

Whatever you pull, keep your best cards in penny sleeves and top loaders, and store binders upright rather than stacked. Heavy piles of binders can bend pages and leave marks on the cards inside, which is the last thing you want after all that effort.

For players

The Surging Sparks card list isn’t only about collecting. The set brought some strong Pokémon ex and Trainers into the Standard format, and many players picked up a booster box purely to build decks. If you play, look carefully before trading away your uncommons and rares. Some of the most useful cards aren’t the shiniest ones.

Frequently asked questions

How many cards are on the Surging Sparks card list?

There are 252 cards: 191 in the main set and 61 secret rares.

When did Surging Sparks come out?

It released in English on 8 November 2024.

What’s the best card in Surging Sparks?

The Pikachu ex Special Illustration Rare (238/191) is the most wanted card, with Latias ex close behind.

See the official expansion page on pokemon.com, or find more guides on the TCG blog.