Articles
Best Metagross Cards in Pokémon TCG (2026 Ranked)
Metagross has been a Steel/Psychic wrecking ball since Hoenn, and its Pokémon TCG print run reflects that reputation — six major cards across four decades of sets, ranging from a scrappy 2004 ex to a 250 HP Tag Team GX. If you're deciding which Metagross card actually deserves a slot in your binder or deck in 2026, the answer depends on whether you're chasing nostalgia, tournament utility, or resale upside.
- Metagross & Melmetal-GX (2019, 250 HP) is the strongest overall pick among the best Metagross cards for collectors and players.
- Metagross Prime (2010, 130 HP) is the safest vintage buy for anyone building a HeartGold & SoulSilver-era binder.
- Metagross ex from 2004 is the historically significant pick but the hardest to find in clean condition.
- Skip the 2022 Pokemon GO Metagross for competitive play — it's a casual/budget entry only.
Why this matters
Metagross never got the Charizard-level hype, which is exactly why it's a sneaky-good category to know well. Steel-type pseudo-legendaries with two evolution stages tend to get overlooked by casual buyers chasing the shiny full-art of the month, which keeps prices grounded compared to something like the metal-type Pokémon cards that dominate current Standard.
That matters whether you're a player who needs a Stage 2 attacker that hits for real damage, or a collector filling out a Hoenn-era or Sinnoh-era binder. Delightful TCG's inventory of Japanese Pokémon cards rotates through vintage and modern stock regularly, so knowing which Metagross print is worth the wait versus which one you can grab anytime saves you from overpaying on the wrong card in 2026.
How this list was ranked
Cards on this list are ranked by a combination of in-game relevance at release, card rarity tier, and collector demand as reflected in how consistently each print shows up in graded submissions and long-term want lists. Six Metagross cards across four TCG eras made the cut — from the original ex-series in 2004 through the most recent Pokémon GO set release in 2022. Every entry gets a plain verdict: Buy, Hold, Wait, or Skip, based on what it actually delivers for players and collectors right now.
The ranked list
1. Metagross & Melmetal-GX (Unified Minds, 2019) — the modern chase card
The 250 HP Tag Team GX print is the strongest answer to "best Metagross cards" for anyone building a 2026 collection with resale in mind. Tag Team GX cards from the Sun & Moon era have aged into a collector-favorite tier precisely because the format only lasted a few years before Sword & Shield replaced it.
The card pairs Metagross with Melmetal for a dual-typed attacker with GX-level damage output, which made it a genuine deck option during its legal window, not just a collector piece. Full art and rainbow rare versions both exist, giving buyers a lower and higher entry point in the same print. Verdict: Buy — it's the rare case where playability and long-term collector interest line up on the same card.
2. Metagross Prime (HeartGold & SoulSilver: Triumphant, 2010) — the safe vintage pick
Metagross Prime clocks in at 130 HP and represents the HGSS Prime mechanic — bordered, holo-foil Stage 2 cards that only ran for one set cycle in 2010. That short print window is the whole reason this card holds steady interest sixteen years later.
It's a Fighting-type attacker in-game, an odd typing choice compared to Metagross's usual Steel/Psychic lean, which makes it a curiosity for players who track how TCG typing has shifted over generations. For collectors specifically targeting the HGSS Triumphant set or Prime-era holos, this is the anchor card. Verdict: Buy for the vintage binder, Hold if you already own one — Prime holos aren't getting reprinted.
3. Metagross ex (EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua, 2004) — the historical pick
At 90 HP, Metagross ex from 2004 was part of the very first wave of ex-series cards, released the same year the mechanic debuted alongside the Ruby & Sapphire generation. It's the earliest meaningful Metagross card in the TCG and the one most tied to the character's original game debut.
Condition is the real risk here — early-2000s ex cards were printed with softer edges and are notorious for whitening and edge wear after two decades in binders. Raw copies in near-mint condition are getting scarce, which pushes serious buyers toward graded slabs instead. Verdict: Buy graded, Skip raw unless you're prepared to grade it yourself.
4. Metagross-GX (Sun & Moon era, 2018) — the mid-tier competitive option
The standalone Metagross-GX print sits at 210 HP, a step down from the Tag Team version but still a legitimate Stage 2 attacker from its era. It ran as a straightforward single-Pokémon GX without the pairing gimmick, which makes it cheaper to find as a single and easier to slot into a budget Metal-type deck build.
It shares shelf space conceptually with cards covered in the Scizor cards roundup — both are Steel-type Stage 2 GX-era attackers that never got the hype of Charizard or Pikachu variants but held their own in casual play. Verdict: Consider if you want a playable GX without paying Tag Team prices.
5. Metagross (Legends Awakened, 2008) — the nostalgia-only print
A plain 100 HP Stage 2 from the Diamond & Pearl era, this Metagross has no special mechanic attached — no ex, no Prime, no GX. It's a straightforward vintage collector card from 2008 that mostly appeals to people specifically completing a Legends Awakened set run.
Don't expect competitive relevance or major price movement from this one. It's a completionist card, not a centerpiece. Verdict: Wait — pick it up cheap as part of a set-completion lot rather than hunting it individually.
6. Metagross (Pokémon GO, 2022) — the budget entry point
Released in the Pokémon GO crossover set in 2022, this non-EX, non-GX Metagross sits at 150 HP and functions as an accessible, affordable print for newer collectors who just want a Metagross in the album without the vintage price tag. It has no tournament relevance in 2026's Standard format.
If you're new to collecting and just want a clean, modern Metagross without hunting down a fifteen-year-old holo, this is the low-friction option. Verdict: Skip for investment purposes, Buy if you just want the character in your binder.
Comparison table
| Card | Year | HP | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metagross & Melmetal-GX | 2019 | 250 | Collectors + players | Buy |
| Metagross Prime | 2010 | 130 | Vintage HGSS collectors | Buy |
| Metagross ex | 2004 | 90 | Historical/graded collectors | Buy graded |
| Metagross-GX | 2018 | 210 | Budget competitive play | Consider |
| Metagross (Legends Awakened) | 2008 | 100 | Set completionists | Wait |
| Metagross (Pokémon GO) | 2022 | 150 | New/casual collectors | Skip for value |
Where to buy Metagross cards
Three rules keep you from overpaying or getting a fake in 2026:
- Check the holo pattern against the era. Prime-era holofoil and 2004 ex-series foil have distinct textures — sellers photographing under harsh light to hide reprint-style foil is a common flag on marketplace listings.
- Buy graded for anything pre-2010. Raw Metagross ex and Legends Awakened copies are cheap enough that a bad-condition surprise isn't worth the risk versus a PSA or CGC slab.
- Compare Japanese vs. English print runs. Japanese Metagross singles often run cleaner centering out of the pack than English prints from the same era, which matters if you're chasing grading upside rather than just a binder filler.
FAQ
What is the best Metagross card overall?
Metagross & Melmetal-GX from Unified Minds (2019) is the best overall pick at 250 HP, combining tournament-era playability with strong collector demand. It edges out Metagross Prime and Metagross ex because it works for both players and collectors.
Is Metagross ex from 2004 worth buying?
Yes, but only in graded condition. Metagross ex from EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua is the earliest significant Metagross print and holds historical value, but raw copies from 2004 are prone to edge wear and whitening.
Is Metagross Prime rare?
Metagross Prime is uncommon rather than ultra-rare, but its one-set print window in HeartGold & SoulSilver: Triumphant (2010) keeps demand steady among vintage collectors. It's one of the safer vintage Metagross buys in 2026.
Does Metagross have a VMAX or V card?
No confirmed mainstream Metagross V or VMAX print exists in the current TCG catalog. Its most recent major print is the 2022 Pokémon GO set version at 150 HP.
Which Metagross card is best for competitive play?
Metagross-GX and Metagross & Melmetal-GX both saw play during their legal Standard windows, with the Tag Team version's 250 HP giving it more staying power against aggressive decks. Neither is legal in current Standard rotation as of 2026.
Are Japanese Metagross cards worth more than English ones?
Japanese prints often carry a premium for cleaner centering and earlier release dates within a set's print run, not because the card itself differs. Value depends more on condition and grading than language for most Metagross prints.
What's the cheapest way to start a Metagross collection?
The 2022 Pokémon GO set Metagross at 150 HP is the most accessible modern entry point for new collectors in 2026. It won't hold competitive or investment value, but it's a clean, affordable way to add the character to a binder.
One last thing
Metagross's Fighting typing on the 2010 Prime card trips up a lot of collectors who assume every Metagross print is Steel or Psychic — it's the one outlier in the whole lineup, and that oddity alone makes it a fun pickup for anyone tracking how the TCG's type assignments have shifted since Generation III. If you're only grabbing one Metagross card in 2026, that quirk is worth knowing before you buy.