Empoleon ex

Empoleon ex sits at #70 in Phantasmal Flames, released in January 2026. Phantasmal Flames is part of the modern English Pokémon TCG era and uses the standard contemporary card frame and rarity tiers. Illustration by 5ban Graphics. In the games, Empoleon ex evolves from Prinplup, which makes it a late-stage card in the line.

Phantasmal Flames shipped in Holofoil, Reverse Holo, Mega ex, Full Art, and Special Illustration prints. Mega ex cards are the headline rarity tier of the Mega Evolution era and use the new mega-treatment artwork distinct from standard ex cards.

For graded buyers, modern cards have cleaner cardstock than the Wizards-era prints, so the grading bar is higher. A PSA 10 on a modern holo or alt-art requires close to flawless centering and pristine surface. PSA 9 populations are large; PSA 10 populations on the marquee chases (Special Illustration Rares, alt arts) are the cards that actually move price. Submission math favors clear PSA 10 candidates and stays away from PSA 8 or 9 outcomes.

If you are buying this card, the order of operations is rarity tier first, then condition. Confirm whether you are looking at the standard holo, an alt art / Special Illustration variant, or a Hyper Rare; the price spread between tiers is often 10x or more. For raw purchases on chase-tier modern cards, insist on photo or video showing the holo surface and edges. Modern cardstock is stiffer than Wizards-era stock but the high pull rates mean PSA 10 supply is large; price your buy against PSA 10 population reports.