Series: Sword & Shield
Brilliant Stars Release Date: February 25, 2022
Set Abbreviation: BRS
When Brilliant Stars hit shelves in early 2022, it became an instant benchmark for the Sword & Shield era. It introduced the Trainer Gallery, a now-beloved subset that fused character-driven storytelling with competitive powerhouses and strong visual design. Between memorable alt arts, fan-favorite Eeveelutions, and a few gold staples that remain fixtures in competitive decks, Brilliant Stars continues to command respect from both players and collectors.
If you’re looking to understand why this set still drives sealed demand and secondary-market activity, here’s the breakdown of the top 10 cards shaping its legacy.
10. Ultra Ball — $23.17
Rarity: Secret Rare
Card Number: #186/172
A competitive staple elevated by premium design. The gold Ultra Ball blends practical value with collectible appeal; it’s simple, instantly recognizable, and universally playable. For collectors, it’s the kind of “evergreen” gold card that holds value even as metas rotate a safe, aesthetically pleasing anchor for any Sword & Shield binder.
9. Mimikyu VMAX (Trainer Gallery) — $45.22
Rarity: Trainer Gallery
Card Number: #TG17/TG30
Mimikyu’s VMAX art is organized chaos: vibrant hues, swirling psychic energy, and just enough unease to feel hauntingly alive. It captures the Pokémon’s deceptive charm better than almost any of its prior prints. Add in strong character synergy from Acerola and you have a mid-tier card that behaves like a top-tier collectible.
8. Sylveon V (Trainer Gallery) — $46.91
Rarity: Trainer Gallery
Card Number: #TG14/TG30
Soft pastels, a cozy composition, and emotional storytelling make Sylveon V one of the most approachable chase cards for casual collectors. It’s less about flash and more about warmth exactly why Trainer Gallery cards resonated. The approachable price point keeps it in steady circulation without ever feeling common.
7. Umbreon V (Trainer Gallery) — $52.81
Rarity: Trainer Gallery
Card Number: #TG22/TG30
Umbreon V leans into its noir aesthetic: sharp lighting, cool tones, and urban backdrops that frame the Pokémon’s trademark confidence. It’s a standout example of how lighting direction can elevate a standard V card. The demand from Umbreon collectors alone ensures its spot as one of Brilliant Stars’ most liquid assets.
6. Sylveon VMAX (Trainer Gallery) — $55.91
Rarity: Trainer Gallery
Card Number: #TG15/TG30
Where the V radiates comfort, the VMAX radiates spectacle. Candy-colored tones swirl across a dreamlike background, emphasizing Sylveon’s fairy-type vibrancy without overwhelming the viewer. It’s cheerful, visually dense, and perfectly in step with the Trainer Gallery’s character-art identity high-impact without being gaudy.
5. Charizard VSTAR (Rainbow Rare) — $59.20
Rarity: Rainbow Rare
Card Number: #174/172
This Charizard VSTAR checks every box: recognizable art, competitive utility, and a foil treatment that actually complements the composition. While later Zards would grab bigger headlines, this version delivers consistent demand from both players and collectors. Think of it as the “benchmark Charizard” of the Sword & Shield era, dependable and unmistakably iconic.
4. Arceus V (Alternate Art) — $59.22
Rarity: Alternate Art
Card Number: #166/172
Arceus V set a new standard for composition in alt art design. The god of Pokémon floats amid a cinematic sky, rendered with clean perspective and subdued color grading. It’s one of those cards that feels balanced no matter the angle, art, theme, and rarity all in sync. That restraint gives it staying power in both aesthetic and value terms.
3. Mimikyu V (Trainer Gallery) — $60.70
Rarity: Trainer Gallery
Card Number: #TG16/TG30
A perfect storytelling card. Mimikyu and Acerola share a frame that mixes whimsy with melancholy, a pairing that captures collector attention instantly. Its strength lies in tone, neither too dark nor too cute, and in how it represents the Trainer Gallery’s emotional range. It’s proof that the atmosphere can hold as much value as rarity.
2. Umbreon VMAX (Trainer Gallery) — $77.49
Rarity: Trainer Gallery
Card Number: #TG23/TG30
The “Moonbreon line” continues its dominance here. This Umbreon VMAX composition perched high against a glowing night sky is a masterclass in lighting and focus. The contrast between the teal highlights and dark silhouette builds drama without excess. For many collectors, it’s the spiritual prelude to Evolving Skies’ Moonbreon, and its price reflects that connection.
1. Charizard V (Alternate Art) — $345.36
Rarity: Alternate Art
Card Number: #154/172
The undisputed heavyweight of Brilliant Stars. Charizard V’s alt art captures an intense battle with Venusaur in a cinematic tableau that reads more like concept art than card design. Dynamic composition, motion, and recognizable characters combined to create an instant classic. Years later, it still anchors Brilliant Stars’ market value and defines what a modern chase card should feel like.
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Final Thoughts
Brilliant Stars marked a turning point for the TCG’s modern era. It balanced competitive staples with art-driven collectability, introduced the Trainer Gallery, and proved that narrative artwork could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with golds and rainbows in market performance.
For collectors, it remains a sweet-spot set with strong value retention, high display appeal, and accessible mid-tier chases. Whether you’re a competitive player chasing Ultra Balls or an art collector building out the Eeveelutions line, Brilliant Stars continues to shine as one of the most complete experiences of the Sword & Shield generation.
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