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.
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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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