Top 5 Pokémon Cards in Gem Pack Vol. 7

The seventh volume of the Chinese-exclusive Gem Pack series has some serious collector appeal, with a collection built around some familiar Pokémon and their iconic Trainers.

With this, we get a neat mix of nostalgia and character-themed artwork that carries us across generations through the collection. Think our key Kanto characters through to Hoenn heroines.

But it’s not just character-focused, with 28 different Pokémon and seven variations of each to collect. All feature various holographic treatments in keeping with the Gem Pack series, with four cards in every pack offering plenty of opportunities to find something special.

It’s exactly this that makes it so much fun to rip, but there’s always a chase list too.

Here’s the top 5 Pokémon cards in Gem Pack Vol. 7, from fifth to first:


5. N’s Zorua

First up, N’s Zorua – a particularly appealing addition for fans of the Unova games, bringing together one of the franchise’s most recognisable Pokémon trainers and his mischievous little companion.

For me, the artwork perfectly captures Zorua’s playful personality, making this a lovely character-focused addition to the collection.

The illustrator, Megumi Mizutani, is a familiar name to Pokémon TCG collectors, having worked on cards since Next Destinies in the Black & White era.

Her other notable contributions include N’s Zoroark ex from Journey Together, Morty’s Conviction from Temporal Forces and Serena from Silver Tempest.

While N’s Zorua was a promo in the English Journey Together set, Gem Pack Vol. 7 now gives fans a chance to land this card as a pull. 

4. Cynthia's Roserade

Cynthia is one of the Pokémon franchise’s most popular Champions, so it’s hardly surprising to see her partner Pokémon attracting collector attention.

Roserade is a particularly fitting choice, with the elegant Grass-type making an ideal companion for the Sinnoh Champion. Proper Diamond & Pearl vibes.

This card also has appeal beyond its character connection, thanks to its attractive illustration by Rika.

Rika brings her trademark elegance to Cynthia’s Roserade, much as we’ve seen with Dragonair from 151 and Sylveon ex from Prismatic Evolutions – the latter set to make its debut in the Chinese set Great Crystal Gathering.

3. Team Rocket’s Meowth

Team Rocket has plenty of iconic Pokémon, but Meowth is certainly the most recognisable of the bunch, thanks to its long-standing association with Jessie, James and Giovanni.

This card is a particularly fun addition, bringing Meowth together with Giovanni in an illustration that offers a slightly different perspective on the infamous villain.

Team Rocket’s Meowth naturally carries that long-standing appeal fans have with the original Team Rocket trio, giving us a modern twist on antagonists dating back to Kanto.

Rather than depicting the pair in the middle of some nefarious scheme, we get a much more relaxed scene, with Meowth sitting on the floor while Giovanni lounges in an armchair behind it. Team Rocket motifs get dotted around the artwork.

This reimagination comes from Shimaris Yukichi, who since debuting in the Scarlet & Violet era, has been responsible for creating character-focused cards with a distinctive 2D style. 

2.  Steven’s Beldum

Thinking back to my Pokémon Emerald playthroughs, some of my fondest memories involve those early encounters with Steven Stone and the long-standing chase to get my hands on his Beldum on Mossdeep Island.

That nostalgia makes this a particularly appealing card, with Beldum representing the starting point of one of Hoenn’s most iconic evolutionary lines, eventually leading to the formidable Metagross.

The illustration by hncl will also be familiar to collectors, having previously appeared on Steven’s Beldum as a Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promo, which was included in the Steven Rival Battle Deck.

While the artwork isn’t new, Gem Pack Vol. 7 gives collectors another opportunity to land this English promo, this time by pulling it from packs. It’s a nice alternative for those who missed the original release, and another welcome addition for fans of one of the franchise’s most popular Champions.


1.  Misty’s Psyduck

Every Gem Pack has its own personality, and Vol. 7 undoubtedly belongs to Psyduck.

The set’s official tagline roughly translates as “let your mind wander, tilt your head and find treasure”, which feels particularly fitting for everyone’s favourite confused duck.

That makes Misty’s Psyduck a fitting choice for the set’s headline card, bringing together one of the franchise’s most entertaining Pokémon and its equally iconic Kanto Gym Leader.

The illustration by Cona Nitanda takes a more relaxed approach, showing Psyduck enjoying a beachside break with Misty nearby. It’s a charming scene that captures the personality of both characters, while also fitting neatly with the set’s overall theme.

Perhaps most importantly, the artwork is exclusive to the Simplified Chinese release, meaning there’s no existing English version for collectors to pick up.

With its fresh illustration, character appeal and connection to the set’s playful identity, Misty’s Psyduck is an easy choice for the number one spot. A must-chase for me!

Order Gem Pack Vol.7 here

Written By Nick Witts