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The EX era continued to expand rare “chase” designs and set the template for high-value collectible cards and powerful competitive cards that followed. This era helped shape the modern collector market.

New mechanics and evolving set design changed competitive balance and collector preferences.  The TCG matured into distinct “eras” that collectors track today.

Evolutions deliberately recreated Base-Set style art and prints for modern players. It ignited nostalgia demand and became one of the most talked-about modern sets for collectors who wanted vintage vibes with current print runs.

COVID lockdowns massively accelerated interest in the hobby. Sealed product sold out, auction prices climbed, and grading companies saw huge increases in submissions, a major market turning point. Reuters and industry coverage documented the surge.

Ultra-rare vintage cards hit headline prices. The Pikachu Illustrator card, long the trophy of Pokémon collecting, set an eye-catching private-sale valuation in the millions, drawing mainstream media attention and framing cards as alternative assets.

Grading backlogs and sustained speculative buying kept prices and interest high; vintage and modern “hot” printings both rose sharply.