Market Watch: Journey Together's Post-Launch Price Correction
Following the success of Surging Sparks and Prismatic Evolutions, expectations were high for Journey Together to continue the momentum. However, inflated launch prices have led to significant market corrections across nearly all chase cards.
Illustration Rares: Where the Biggest Drops Hit
Articuno initially surged to $55 before stabilizing around $35 - though savvy collectors can now find near-mint copies for under $20. Wailord experienced one of the most dramatic falls, dropping 64% from its $60 peak to $22.49 market value.
The standout value play appears to be N's Reshiram. This fan-favorite illustration rare has dipped to $17.44 (-79.5% from launch) with the Journey Together stamped variant available for just $14 - making it one of the most accessible chase cards from the set.
Special Illustration Rares: Reality Check for Premium Cards
Lillie's Clefairy ex (184/159) serves as a cautionary tale - after peaking at $400, it's now hovering around $180 with potential to drop further to $150. Salamence ex exemplifies the market correction, dropping from $250 to $106 as collectors recalibrate expectations.
Full Arts: The Steadiest Segment
While still affected by the correction, full arts show more stability. Iono's Bellibolt ex maintains its $7-8 range after early hype, while Lillie's Clefairy ex has found equilibrium at $17-19. N's Zoroark ex presents solid value at $12 given its artwork quality and character appeal.
Collector's Note: Current prices reflect a healthier market balance. While further drops are possible, we're now seeing fair valuations on most cards. The window for opportunistic buying is open.
Looking Ahead: What's Next for Journey Together?
With the initial hype fading, the set's true collectible value is emerging. Cards with exceptional artwork or strong character connections (like N's Reshiram) hold the best long-term potential. For players, the correction makes competitive pieces more accessible.
As always, focus on collecting what you genuinely appreciate rather than chasing short-term gains. The market has spoken - Journey Together is a good set, but not the explosive investment vehicle some early speculators hoped for.
