Gengar is one of the most iconic Pokémon from the original 151, known for its mischievous grin, ghostly abilities, and powerful presence in battles. It’s no surprise that Gengar has been featured on several memorable Pokémon cards over the years. If you are a Gengar fan or a Pokémon card collector, you might be wondering which Gengar cards stand out in terms of artwork, rarity, and market value. Here is a comprehensive guide to the best Gengar Pokémon cards, featuring detailed information about their artists, release sets, dates, current market values, and unique characteristics.
Sabrina’s Gengar – Gym Challenge
- Set: Gym Challenge
- Release Date: October 2000
- Artist: Ken Sugimori
- Market Value: Approximately $80 – $150 (Near Mint)
This card features Gengar under the ownership of Sabrina, the Psychic Gym Leader from the Kanto region. The art by Ken Sugimori captures Gengar in a dynamic pose, and its Psychic attack synergy with the rest of Sabrina’s cards makes it valuable in both play and collection. This card also features the unique Gym Leader badge icon, which adds to its collectible appeal.
Ken Sugimori designed many of the cards from the Gym Challenge set, including Giovanni’s Gyarados and Blaine’s Arcanine
Sabrina’s Gengar – Gym Heroes
- Set: Gym Heroes
- Release Date: August 2000
- Artist: Ken Sugimori
- Market Value: Around $70 – $120 (Near Mint)
This version of Sabrina’s Gengar is a bit more elusive due to its lower print run compared to the Gym Challenge version. The artwork by Ken Sugimori gives it a more eerie vibe, with Gengar appearing to fade into a shadowy mist. This card is a favorite among those who appreciate the darker aesthetic of Gengar’s ghostly character.
Gengar – Generations & BREAKthrough
- Set: Generations & BREAKthrough
- Release Date: November 2015
- Artist: Saya Tsuruta
- Market Value: $5 – $15 (Near Mint)
Gengar appears in both the Generations and BREAKthrough sets with the same artwork, featuring a more modern and vibrant depiction by Saya Tsuruta. The design showcases Gengar with glowing red eyes and an ominous grin, set against a burst of purple and pink colors. While not as rare or valuable as some older cards, it’s an accessible option for newer collectors.
Gengar – Lost Origin Trainer Gallery
- Set: Lost Origin (Trainer Gallery)
- Release Date: September 2022
- Artist: Akira Komayama
- Market Value: $25 – $50 (Near Mint)
This Gengar card from the Lost Origin Trainer Gallery is a recent favorite due to its stunning artwork by Akira Komayama, which features Gengar playing with two ghostly flames. It is a Full Art card, which means it has extended artwork that covers the entire card, making it particularly beautiful and eye-catching. Its value has been steadily increasing due to its popularity and the relatively recent release.
Gengar VMAX – Fusion Strike
- Set: Fusion Strike
- Release Date: November 2021
- Artist: sowsow
- Market Value: $100 – $200 (Near Mint)
Gengar VMAX is a powerhouse card in both gameplay and design. The artwork by sowsow shows Gengar in its Gigantamax form, which is larger than life and embodies the spirit of the Pokémon Sword and Shield era. This card is highly sought after for its competitive playability and visual appeal. Its textured holographic surface and brilliant colors make it a standout piece in any collection.
Gengar & Mimikyu-GX – Team Up
- Set: Team Up
- Release Date: February 2019
- Artist: Midori Harada
- Market Value: $40 – $100 (Near Mint)
Illustrated by the legendary Midori Harada, this Tag Team card features both Gengar and Mimikyu, two of the most beloved Ghost-type Pokémon. The card shows the pair causing mischief together, making it a favorite among fans of the spooky duo. Its GX attack, “Horror House GX,” is powerful in gameplay, allowing the user to lock down the opponent’s moves for a turn, which adds strategic depth.
Gengar-EX – Phantom Forces
- Set: Phantom Forces
- Release Date: November 2014
- Artist: Eske Yoshinob
- Market Value: $20 – $50 (Near Mint)
The Gengar-EX from Phantom Forces is known for its sinister grin and haunting purple glow, masterfully captured by the artist Eske Yoshinob. This card’s “Dark Corridor” attack is particularly devastating in battle, allowing for strategic retreats after dealing significant damage. It was highly played in the competitive scene, adding to its popularity and value among collectors.
Gengar – Legend Maker
- Set: Legend Maker
- Release Date: February 2006
- Artist: Kouki Saitou
- Market Value: $50 – $90 (Near Mint)
Gengar from the Legend Maker set has a unique, eerie vibe thanks to the artwork by Kouki Saitou. The card’s background features a foggy graveyard setting, fitting for a Ghost-type Pokémon like Gengar. This card is part of the EX Series, which is well-regarded for its thematic artwork and collectible nature, making it a sought-after piece.
Gengar – Skyridge
- Set: Skyridge
- Release Date: May 2003
- Artist: Kyoko Umemoto
- Market Value: $500 – $1000 (Near Mint)
One of the rarest Gengar cards, the Skyridge Gengar is famous for its stunning holographic artwork by Kyoko Umemoto. This card showcases Gengar floating amidst a mysterious cityscape, with an intricate pattern that adds to its mystique. Skyridge was the last set produced by Wizards of the Coast, making all cards from this set, including Gengar, highly collectible and valuable. This card is very difficult to find, with some streamers on Whatnot occasionally selling the card.
Morty’s Confidence – Temporal Forces
- Set: Temporal Forces
- Release Date: September 2023
- Artist: Megumi Mizutani
- Market Value: $10 – $25 (Near Mint)
“Morty’s Confidence” is a Trainer card from the Temporal Forces set, featuring Morty, the Ghost-type Gym Leader from Ecruteak City, with his trusty Gengar by his side. The artwork by Megumi Mizutani captures a moment of intense focus, with Morty exuding a calm and mysterious aura. The card’s ability, which allows players to strategically manipulate their hands, has made it popular in both competitive play and casual decks. Its market value has been rising due to its practical use and unique illustration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Gengar Skyridge card is valuable because it comes from the final set produced by Wizards of the Coast, has a limited print run, and features unique, highly regarded artwork by Yukiko Baba. Its rarity and historical significance make it a prized item among collectors.
The Gengar VMAX – Fusion Strike is currently one of the best Gengar cards for competitive play due to its powerful Gigantamax form, great HP, and versatile moves that can deal significant damage to opponents.
Sabrina’s Gengar cards from the Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge sets are unique because they feature Gengar under the ownership of Sabrina, a notable Psychic Gym Leader. They include her Gym Leader badge icon, making them special collectibles.
Yes, Gengar cards from modern sets like Lost Origin are worth collecting, especially if they are full art or secret rare editions. They often feature stunning artwork and can appreciate over time as they become harder to find.
The value of a Gengar card can be determined by its condition, rarity, demand, and recent sales. Use online marketplaces like eBay or TCGPlayer to compare prices and get an estimate of your card’s value.
This is subjective, but many collectors love the Gengar – Skyridge card for its intricate and mysterious cityscape artwork by Kyoko Umemoto. Others might prefer the Gengar VMAX – Fusion Strike for its bold and colorful Gigantamax depiction.