The four LV.X ultra-rares — Cresselia LV.X #103, Darkrai LV.X #104, Dialga LV.X #105 and Palkia LV.X #106 — are the only Great Encounters cards routinely worth grading. Grading means third-party authentication and a 1-10 condition score. Submit pack-fresh, near-mint copies that clear a strict value test.
Diamond and Pearl–Great Encounters is the 36th Pokemon TCG set and 20th released by Pokemon USA, according to Wikipedia. It launched in February 2008 with 106 cards marked by a triskelion-in-hexagon symbol. LV.X cards are level-up ultra-rares that sit above normal holos in rarity and price.
Table of Contents
- The four LV.X cards to check first
- When does grading pay for itself?
- How do you pre-screen a 2008 card?
- Which cards should stay raw?
The four LV.X cards to check first
The set's chase cards are the four Rare Holo LV.X cards listed in the 2008 CardRodeo checklist. They are Cresselia LV.X #103, Darkrai LV.X #104, Dialga LV.X #105 and Palkia LV.X #106. Focus grading decisions here before reviewing other holos. According to TheGamer, Dialga LV.X #105 is tracked as the set's most expensive raw card at about $81, with market price around $125, in TheGamer's Great Encounters value ranking.
That near-mint value makes clean copies the strongest grading candidates. Darkrai LV.X #104 carries similar weight for a different reason. According to the Sports Card Investor price guide, Darkrai LV.X #104 last sold raw near-mint around $82–$85, detailed in Sports Card Investor's Darkrai LV.X price guide. The guide links demand to its LV.X mythical status and Rise of Darkrai tie-in. That collector demand supports graded copies when condition is high.
When does grading pay for itself?
According to ZeroPop, a card is generally worth submitting only if raw near-mint value exceeds $50–$100 and PSA 10 value is at least 2x raw, explained in ZeroPop's 2026 grading guide. The margin must leave profit after fees, shipping and a 60-day wait. All four Great Encounters LV.X cards can meet the raw-value side in near-mint shape.
Palkia LV.X shows why the multiple matters. According to Sports Illustrated Collectibles, the original holds about $215 current market price, versus only about $14 for the Pokemon 30th Celebration reprint, compared in Sports Illustrated's reprint versus original comparison. Collectors must verify original 2008 printing before grading. A reprint will not carry the same graded premium.
How do you pre-screen a 2008 card?
According to Pokemon Price Tracker, PSA 10 requires 55/45 or better centering, sharp corners without whitening, and clean edges and surface. Pre-screen Great Encounters LV.X cards under bright light and magnification. Submit only pack-fresh candidates with strong centering on front and back.
Cost and time set a second filter. According to Pokemon Price Tracker and PreGradeCards, PSA Regular costs about $80 with 40–50 day turnaround while Value tiers were paused in 2026. An $80 submission plus shipping both ways needs a clear PSA 10 upside.
- Centering stays 55/45 or better
- Corners show no whitening or bends
- Edges and surface look clean under light
- Original 2008 card, not a later reprint
Which cards should stay raw?
According to Non-Sport Cards, non-LV.X holos and reverse holos generally do not cover grading fees unless gem-mint with low PSA 10 population or featuring high-demand Pokemon. High-demand names include Darkrai, Dialga, Palkia or starters. Even then, only top-condition copies merit the cost. That rule protects most binder cards.
Light edge wear, soft corners, off-centering or print lines remove the PSA 10 case. Keep those copies raw, in sleeves and top-loaders, or sell them as near-mint singles. Verify Palkia LV.X is the 2008 Great Encounters printing before spending about $80 on grading.
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