The Surging Sparks card list has 252 cards: 191 in the main set and 61 secret rares. Released in November 2024 as the eighth main expansion of the Scarlet and Violet series, Surging Sparks is led by a Stellar Tera Pikachu ex whose Special Illustration Rare has become one of the most famous cards of the era. This guide explains how the card list works, ranks the Surging Sparks chase cards and helps you choose a product.
Collecting other Pikachu cards? Our Journey Together card list and Destined Rivals card list cover the two main sets that followed in 2025.
Surging Sparks at a glance
| Detail | Surging Sparks |
|---|---|
| Series | Scarlet and Violet |
| Set code | SV08 (printed SSP) |
| Release date | 8 November 2024 |
| Total cards | 252 |
| Main set | 191 cards |
| Secret rares | 61 |
| Headline card | Pikachu ex (Stellar Tera) |
| Special feature | Stellar Tera Pokémon ex and ACE SPEC cards |
What is Surging Sparks?
Surging Sparks is a large main set with a strong focus on Lightning and Dragon Pokémon. Its headline card is Pikachu ex in its Stellar Tera form, a special type of Terastallised Pokémon introduced in the Scarlet and Violet games. Stellar Tera Pokémon ex appear throughout the set, alongside standard Pokémon ex, powerful Dragon-type cards and a group of ACE SPEC cards for players.
The Surging Sparks release date was 8 November 2024 and it was the main English release of that winter.
How the Surging Sparks card list works
Cards 001 to 191 make up the main set, and cards 192 to 252 are secret rares. The official line-up includes Stellar Tera Pokémon ex, standard Pokémon ex and eight ACE SPEC cards, plus these secret rares:
| Rarity | Cards |
|---|---|
| Illustration Rare | 23 |
| Ultra Rare (full-art Pokémon and Trainers) | 21 |
| Special Illustration Rare | 11 |
| Hyper Rare (gold) | 6 |
With 11 Special Illustration Rares and 23 Illustration Rares, the Surging Sparks card list has one of the deepest chase lists of the era. The gold Hyper Rares include a Pikachu ex and the Trainer card Night Stretcher.
Surging Sparks chase cards
These are the Surging Sparks chase cards collectors look for first:
1. Pikachu ex Special Illustration Rare (238/191)
The undisputed top card in the set. Illustrated by GIDORA, it shows Stellar Tera Pikachu standing in a field of yellow foliage against a bright white sky. It became even more famous when ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot took a copy to the International Space Station for World Space Week, making it one of the first Pokémon cards ever to reach space.
2. Latias ex Special Illustration Rare (239/191)
The Eon Pokémon soaring through the sky. Latias has a loyal following, and this card is the clear number two in the set.
3. Milotic ex Special Illustration Rare (237/191)
Milotic has long been called the most beautiful Pokémon, and its Special Illustration Rare lives up to that reputation.
4. Pikachu ex Hyper Rare (247/191)
The gold Pikachu ex. Gold cards are not always popular, but this one has held its own thanks to the Pokémon on it.
5. Hydreigon ex, Durant ex and Archaludon ex
More Special Illustration Rares, numbered 240, 236 and 241. Durant ex in particular has become a fan favourite for its playful artwork of a line of ants.
6. Lisia’s Appeal and Jasmine’s Gaze
The Trainer Special Illustration Rares. Lisia’s Appeal (246) and Jasmine’s Gaze (245) are popular with collectors of character art.
Illustration Rares worth pulling
The 23 Illustration Rares are the most common of the secret rares, and they cover a wide range of Pokémon. Many collectors start with these, because there are enough of them to make every booster box feel rewarding, and a full run of Illustration Rares looks superb in a binder.
If you are opening a small number of packs, an Illustration Rare is the hit you are most likely to find, so it is worth deciding in advance which ones you would most like to keep.
The four Pikachu ex cards
Pikachu ex appears in several versions in Surging Sparks. The standard Double Rare is in the main set, the full-art Ultra Rare is 219/191, the Special Illustration Rare is 238/191 and the gold Hyper Rare is 247/191. All share the same attack, so for players the cheapest version does the same job.
If you collect Pikachu, decide early which version you want most. The Special Illustration Rare is by far the hardest to buy, while the Ultra Rare and gold versions are more achievable.
Stellar Tera Pokémon ex explained
Stellar Tera Pokémon ex are Pokémon that have Terastallised into the Stellar type, shown on the card with a sparkling crystal effect. In the video games, the Stellar type is a special Tera type that boosts moves of every type, and the cards carry that idea over with strong attacks. For collectors, the Stellar Tera artwork gives the set a distinctive, shimmering look.
ACE SPEC cards in Surging Sparks
Surging Sparks includes eight ACE SPEC cards. These are especially powerful Trainer cards, and a deck can contain only one ACE SPEC card in total. They matter more to players than collectors, but they are worth keeping if you pull them.
Surging Sparks and the Dragon Pokémon
Alongside Pikachu, Surging Sparks has a strong Dragon theme. Latias ex, Hydreigon ex and Archaludon ex all have Special Illustration Rares, and Dragon-type Pokémon appear right through the main set. If you love Dragon Pokémon, this is one of the best sets of the era to collect by type.
What is in a Surging Sparks booster pack?
Each English Surging Sparks booster pack contains a mix of commons, uncommons and at least one rare, plus reverse holo slots and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live. One reverse holo slot can be replaced by an Illustration Rare or better, which is where most secret rares come from.
The Pokémon Company does not publish pull rates. Community estimates suggest a Special Illustration Rare turns up roughly once every few dozen packs, and any specific one, such as the Pikachu ex, is far rarer than that.
Surging Sparks for players
The eight ACE SPEC cards and the Stellar Tera Pokémon ex made Surging Sparks an important set for competitive play. If you play at a local store, a Booster Bundle is a good way to pick up useful cards while still chasing the Surging Sparks chase cards.
Surging Sparks products
| Product | Packs | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Booster Bundle | 6 | Simple pack opening |
| Elite Trainer Box | 9 | Packs plus sleeves, dice and storage |
| Elite Trainer Box and Booster Bundle twin pack | 15 | Two products in one, ideal for opening with a friend |
| Booster Box | 36 | The most packs and the best chance at chase cards |
Which Surging Sparks product should you buy?
- For the most packs: the Surging Sparks Booster Box gives you 36 packs and the best chance at the Pikachu ex.
- For a gift: the Elite Trainer Box includes accessories a new collector will use.
- For value: the twin pack combines an Elite Trainer Box and a Booster Bundle.
- For a smaller spend: the Booster Bundle gives you six packs.
Surging Sparks has been one of the most popular sets of the Scarlet and Violet era, so sealed product is now harder to find. If you want a box to open or keep, it is worth buying while stock is available.
How big is a Surging Sparks master set?
A master set includes every card plus the reverse holo version of the main-set cards. With 191 main cards, a Surging Sparks master set comes to more than 400 cards. Secret rares do not have reverse holo versions.
Tips for collecting the Surging Sparks card list
- Use a big binder. You need 22 pages of a 9-pocket binder for the main set alone.
- Group by type. With so many Lightning and Dragon cards, sorting by type makes the set easier to track.
- Sleeve every hit. Put Illustration Rares and above into a penny sleeve and top loader straight away.
- Buy singles for the top card. The Pikachu ex Special Illustration Rare is very hard to pull, so buying it is usually cheaper.
Is Surging Sparks worth collecting?
Yes. Surging Sparks has one of the most iconic Pikachu cards ever printed, a deep list of Special Illustration Rares and some of the best Dragon-type artwork of the era. It is a large set, but there is something to chase in almost every pack.
Browse every English set in our English Pokémon cards range, compare boxes in English booster boxes, or see upcoming releases on our pre-orders page.
Surging Sparks card list FAQs
How many cards are in Surging Sparks?
There are 252 cards: 191 in the main set and 61 secret rares.
When was Surging Sparks released?
Surging Sparks was released on 8 November 2024.
What is the best card in Surging Sparks?
The Pikachu ex Special Illustration Rare, 238/191, is the top chase card.
What is a Stellar Tera Pokémon ex?
A Pokémon ex that has Terastallised into the Stellar type, shown on the card with a sparkling crystal effect.
Where can I see the official card list?
The Pokémon Company publishes set details on the official Pokémon TCG website.
