There is no Umbreon VSTAR card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. While the VSTAR Universe set (S12a) released in Japan on December 2, 2022, has become one of the most coveted High Class Packs in recent years, Umbreon was never printed as a VSTAR variant. The Pokémon Company released Umbreon as a V card and a VMAX card, with the Evolving Skies Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art commanding particularly high prices, but the specific “Umbreon VSTAR” does not exist in any official set.
If you’re searching for this card, you may be thinking of one of Umbreon’s existing variants, or you may be interested in VSTAR Universe as an investment despite the absence of an Umbreon VSTAR card. This distinction matters significantly for collectors and investors. The VSTAR Universe set itself has appreciated to at least 3 times its original retail value of 550 yen per booster pack, making it one of the strongest performers in the Pokémon TCG secondary market. Understanding what actually exists versus what doesn’t is essential before committing capital to any card purchase or collection building strategy.
Table of Contents
- What Umbreon Cards Actually Exist in the Pokémon TCG
- The VSTAR Universe Set and Its Investment Performance
- Umbreon VMAX as a High-Value Umbreon Card
- Searching for Umbreon Cards in VSTAR Universe
- Authentication and Market Warnings for High-Value Cards
- Building an Umbreon Collection Within Realistic Budgets
- The Future of Umbreon Cards and VSTAR Universe as an Investment
- Conclusion
What Umbreon Cards Actually Exist in the Pokémon TCG
The pokémon Trading Card Game has produced two primary premium Umbreon variants: Umbreon V and Umbreon VMAX. Umbreon V appeared in multiple sets, including Brilliant Stars and Evolving Skies, with prices that vary considerably based on condition, rarity, and specific print version. These cards are substantially more affordable than the VMAX equivalent, typically ranging from $20 to $200 depending on the version and grading. The market for Umbreon V remains active but secondary compared to the demand for Umbreon VMAX cards.
Umbreon VMAX, particularly the Alternate Art version from Evolving Skies known colloquially as “Moonbreon,” has become one of the most expensive Umbreon cards ever printed. This card was valued at approximately $1,200 to $1,373 as of late 2024, with PSA 10 graded copies reaching $3,990 to $8,000 or higher depending on the specific variant and market conditions. The rarity, aesthetic appeal, and limited print run of this card have made it a cornerstone of high-end Umbreon collections. For comparison, a near-mint ungraded Umbreon V typically costs 90% less than an Umbreon VMAX.
The VSTAR Universe Set and Its Investment Performance
The VSTAR Universe (S12a) Japanese High Class Pack represents one of the strongest investment opportunities in recent Pokémon TCG history, though not specifically for Umbreon. Released on December 2, 2022, at 550 yen per booster pack, every out-of-print High Class Pack from this set has appreciated to at least 3 times its original retail value. This 200-300% return makes VSTAR Universe one of the most reliable performers in the secondary market, driven by limited print runs and sustained collector demand. However, a critical limitation is that VSTAR Universe booster packs are speculative investments—you don’t know which cards you’ll pull, and there’s no guarantee that your specific pack contains valuable cards.
The English version of VSTAR Universe has a different release timeline and availability than the Japanese High Class Pack, which affects pricing and investment potential. English booster boxes have not appreciated at the same rate as the Japanese release, as English Pokémon TCG products typically have larger print runs. Collectors targeting VSTAR Universe for investment purposes should understand this geographic distinction clearly. If you’re buying sealed product, Japanese High Class Packs offer better historical returns, but they’re also substantially more expensive to acquire now, with boxes trading at premium prices reflecting their past appreciation.
Umbreon VMAX as a High-Value Umbreon Card
Since no Umbreon VSTAR exists, the Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art represents the pinnacle of Umbreon card collecting and investment. This card has achieved iconic status within the Pokémon collecting community, partly due to its striking artwork featuring a dark aesthetic that appeals to fans of both Umbreon and premium card aesthetics. The Evolving Skies set, which contained this card, was released in August 2021 and has long since sold out at retail, creating scarcity that has driven prices upward. A collector who purchased a booster box of Evolving Skies at retail for approximately $100-120 could have pulled a Moonbreon worth nearly 15 times that investment.
The grading market has heavily influenced Umbreon VMAX pricing. PSA 10 copies have commanded the highest prices, but even raw or lower-graded copies remain expensive. A PSA 8 copy might trade for $1,500-$3,000, still representing a substantial investment. The downside risk here is significant: if the collecting market experiences a downturn, or if Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art falls out of favor, these high prices could decline substantially. Additionally, counterfeit Umbreon VMAX cards have become a concern in the secondary market, making authentication and purchase from reputable graders or dealers essential.
Searching for Umbreon Cards in VSTAR Universe
If you’re specifically hunting within VSTAR Universe booster packs for Umbreon cards, you should know that the set contains various VSTAR and VMAX cards, but Umbreon was not among them. The set does feature popular Pokémon like Lugia VSTAR, Giratina VSTAR, and many others, creating a broad appeal for collectors opening packs. This reality means if Umbreon is your specific target, buying sealed VSTAR Universe product is not the efficient path—you’d be paying a premium price for a set with no guaranteed Umbreon pull.
Instead, buying the specific Umbreon card you want on the secondary market through TCGPlayer, eBay, or specialized card retailers offers better certainty and often better value. The trade-off in this decision is clear: sealed product offers the excitement of pulling unknown cards and has historically appreciated well, but specific card purchases guarantee you get what you want without the gambling element. For Umbreon collectors, direct purchase of the Umbreon V or Umbreon VMAX cards you’re seeking is more practical than hoping to pull them from expensive VSTAR Universe booster packs. This approach also lets you allocate your budget to the specific rarity grade and condition level you’re willing to accept.
Authentication and Market Warnings for High-Value Cards
As Umbreon VMAX prices have climbed into the thousands of dollars for high-grade copies, authentication has become critically important. Counterfeit high-end Pokémon cards, including Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art, circulate in the market, and casual buyers are at significant risk if purchasing from unvetted sources. Always verify that any expensive card you purchase has been professionally graded by PSA, Beckett, or CGC, or purchase directly from authorized retailers. A seemingly legitimate $2,000 card that turns out to be counterfeit represents total financial loss. Graded cards from reputable services provide certification and chain-of-custody documentation that reduces this risk substantially.
The market for high-end Pokémon cards is also subject to speculative bubbles. Umbreon VMAX prices peaked in certain markets during 2021-2022, and while they remain expensive, they have not continued to appreciate at the same rate. Newer collectors entering the market should understand that purchasing at current prices is not guaranteed to generate returns. The card is unlikely to decline dramatically in value given its status, but it’s also not a reliable investment that automatically appreciates. Market saturation, shifts in collector preference, and the eventual release of other premium Umbreon cards in the future all represent potential headwinds to maintaining current price levels.
Building an Umbreon Collection Within Realistic Budgets
For collectors who want Umbreon cards but can’t justify four-figure purchases, building around Umbreon V variants and regular-art Umbreon VMAX copies offers a more accessible entry point. Regular-art Umbreon VMAX copies trade for $200-$500 depending on condition, allowing collectors to own the card without the four-figure commitment of Alternate Art versions. These cards represent 80-90% of the aesthetic and collectibility of the premium versions at a fraction of the cost.
A collector might build a collection with multiple Umbreon variants at different grade levels, creating a comprehensive display without excessive spending. Japanese versions of Umbreon cards often trade at different price points than English versions, with some variants cheaper due to lower collector demand. A near-mint Japanese Umbreon VMAX might cost significantly less than the English equivalent while offering the same card in a different language. This geographic arbitrage opportunity exists throughout the Pokémon TCG and allows budget-conscious collectors to diversify their holdings while reducing per-card costs.
The Future of Umbreon Cards and VSTAR Universe as an Investment
The Pokémon Company has not released an Umbreon VSTAR variant despite the success of VSTAR variants in other Pokémon lines, which raises the question of whether one will ever be printed. If Umbreon VSTAR eventually releases, existing Umbreon V and VMAX prices could shift, though not necessarily downward—often new releases increase interest in a character across all price tiers. The VSTAR set format itself appears to be cyclical, with newer Pokémon TCG expansions rotating through different card types. This means VSTAR Universe’s scarcity and historical performance will likely remain notable but will not guarantee future appreciation for every card in the set.
Looking forward, VSTAR Universe booster packs and high-value cards from the set will likely remain strong holds for long-term collectors and investors. The set’s historical appreciation, limited print run, and the strong character lineup all support continued demand. However, new collectors entering the market now are buying into an asset that has already appreciated significantly from retail. Realistic expectations are that these products maintain their current value with modest long-term appreciation, not the 300% gains early buyers experienced.
Conclusion
The Umbreon VSTAR card does not exist, but the Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art from Evolving Skies represents one of the most expensive and sought-after Umbreon cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. For collectors interested in VSTAR Universe as an investment vehicle, the set has demonstrated strong appreciation from its December 2022 retail release, with Japanese High Class Packs reaching at least 3 times their original 550 yen price.
The absence of an Umbreon VSTAR means that if you’re specifically seeking Umbreon cards, direct purchases from the secondary market are more efficient than speculating on sealed VSTAR Universe product. Before committing significant capital to any high-value Pokémon cards, ensure proper authentication, understand current market valuations, and set realistic expectations about future appreciation. Umbreon cards at all price tiers—from affordable V variants to four-figure VMAX Alternate Art copies—remain collectible and available, allowing you to build an Umbreon collection at the budget level that makes sense for your goals.
