While Lugia often takes the spotlight as Gen 2’s TCG darling, its counterpart Ho-Oh has flown under the radar for years. Despite being the very first Legendary seen in the anime and a symbol of rebirth and mystery, Ho-Oh’s cards rarely command the same hype or prices as other legendary Pokémon. This is true even when the artwork or design matches some of the best in the hobby.
Whether because of limited competitive play or being overshadowed by flashier mascots, Ho-Oh remains one of the most underrated Legendary Pokémon in the TCG. For collectors who appreciate Gen 2 or want standout cards that haven’t surged in value, these five Ho-Oh prints—from both vintage and modern sets—deserve a second look.
5. Ho-Oh – Celebrations (CLB)
Release Year: 2021
Part of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations set, this card features clean, vibrant artwork that reflects Ho-Oh’s legendary aura. Despite being one of the only Gen 2 representatives in the set, it often takes a back seat to the reprints of the original Kanto starters and Pikachu.
Graded Note: Raw copies are widely available and inexpensive. PSA 10 examples are a low-risk pickup for collectors of modern milestone sets, with populations relatively high due to the card’s print volume and strong modern centering.
4. Shining Ho-Oh (SM70) – SM Promos (SMP)
Release Year: 2017
Released as a promo tied to Shining Legends, this card showcases a golden-bodied Ho-Oh with textured foil and revived the classic Shining mechanic from the Neo era. It blends modern card design with deep nostalgia for early-era collectors.
Graded Note: These promos often arrived in factory packaging that caused edge wear or surface marks. Clean PSA 10 copies are more desirable for long-term holding than raw or PSA 8–9 examples.
3. Ho-Oh ex (119 Full Art) – Dragons Exalted (DRX)
Release Year: 2012
This full art Ho-Oh EX from the Black & White era delivers bold texture and vibrant color, capturing a dynamic pose with glowing energy effects. The card is often overlooked in a set that has gained attention from full art and Gen 5 collectors.
Graded Note: Like many older full arts, it is susceptible to whitening and edge wear. High-grade copies are less common and becoming more sought after as interest in the era grows.
2. Ho-Oh ex (088) – Rage of the Broken Heavens (Japanese XY9)
Release Year: 2016
This Secret Rare full art from the Japanese-exclusive Rage of the Broken Heavens set features rainbow gradients and refined detailing that fit Ho-Oh’s mythic image. It stands out as one of the most visually striking cards from the XY era.
Graded Note: Japanese print quality is excellent, and PSA 10 copies exist in moderate supply. However, demand remains relatively low compared to other high-end Japanese secret rares from the same period.
1. Ho-oh – Skyridge (SK)
Release Year: 2003
This Crystal-type Secret Rare from Skyridge is a standout in both design and collectibility. Featuring a surreal crystal body and ethereal background, it represents the end of the Wizards of the Coast era with one of the most ambitious card mechanics of its time.
Graded Note: PSA 10 copies are extremely scarce and command a significant premium. Even PSA 7 to 9 copies are solid long-term holds given the card’s age, limited print run, and unique place in TCG history.
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