Mega Rayquaza ex is Delta Reign's headline chase card, but it isn't the only pull collectors are specifically hunting for in this set.
Raikou ex, printed as a Special Illustration Rare and numbered 136/103, has emerged as the set's clearest secondary chase card.
This guide covers what makes this specific card stand out, and why it's earned that number-two spot in a set full of legitimate competition.
None of this requires already owning a copy to appreciate why it's in demand.
Raikou ex's Special Illustration Rare artwork depicts the Legendary in mid-leap, caught with pink and violet lightning crackling around it, framed as if captured a half-second too early by the camera. This kind of dynamic, almost candid-feeling composition is a hallmark of the strongest SIR pulls across recent Pokemon sets.
The energy and motion captured in this specific piece is a large part of why it's resonated so strongly with collectors beyond its rarity alone.
With Mega Rayquaza ex occupying the clear top chase-card slot in Delta Reign, Raikou ex has consistently emerged as the strongest competition for that second spot, ahead of the set's other Special Illustration Rares. Market behavior has borne this out since the set's reveal.
This isn't a close call by accident; a consistent combination of strong art and character demand is driving that outcome.
Raikou's Special Illustration Rare from Delta Reign's Japanese counterpart set, Storm Emeralda, has consistently ranked among that set's highest-priced non-Rayquaza cards, giving this English printing a strong precedent to follow. This kind of cross-market pattern is a reasonably reliable predictor for English-set pricing.
Collectors tracking Japanese set performance ahead of an English release often use exactly this kind of precedent to gauge where the real secondary demand will land.
As one of the original three Legendary Beasts introduced in the Gold and Silver era, Raikou carries significant nostalgia weight for collectors who grew up with those games specifically. This built-in fan base gives the card demand independent of Delta Reign's broader Mega Evolution theme.
A strong SIR treatment of a beloved, nostalgic Legendary is consistently one of the more reliable formulas for a set's secondary chase card.
Delta Reign includes several other Special Illustration Rares, but Raikou ex's combination of striking art and strong nostalgic character recognition has kept it ahead of the pack in secondary-market attention. Not every SIR in a set achieves the same level of sustained demand.
Reviewing a set's full SIR lineup before deciding which to prioritize chasing is a reasonable approach given how much variation exists even within the same rarity tier.
Given its status as the set's clear secondary chase card, a Raikou ex pull deserves the same rigid, long-term protection as any set's headline card, sleeved and held in a magnetic one-touch holder from the moment it leaves the pack. This is not a card to leave loose while sorting the rest of a box.
Considering grading for a pristine copy is a reasonable option once the card has been handled and stored properly from the start.
Given its position as a genuine secondary chase card, Raikou ex is unlikely to turn up in every box, making singles purchases a realistic option for a collector focused specifically on this card rather than the full set. Budgeting for a single, rather than chasing it purely through box odds, is often the more efficient approach.
Comparing singles prices across a few different sellers before buying helps avoid overpaying during any short-term demand spike.
A collector focused entirely on Mega Rayquaza ex risks overlooking a card with genuinely strong, independently sustained demand in Raikou ex, which can mean missing a worthwhile addition to a Delta Reign collection. Diversifying a want list across a set's top few chase cards, rather than fixating on just one, is a reasonable collecting approach.
Tracking both cards' price movements together over time gives a fuller picture of how the set's overall chase-card hierarchy is settling after release.
As more of the set enters circulation and completed sales data accumulates, Raikou ex's position relative to the set's other Special Illustration Rares should become clearer than early post-release estimates allow. Revisiting this comparison periodically is a reasonable habit for anyone actively tracking the set's chase cards.
Community discussion and price-tracking sites both remain useful ongoing resources for confirming whether this card's early strong reception holds up over the following months.
Special Illustration Rare, numbered 136/103.
No, Mega Rayquaza ex holds that spot; Raikou ex is the clear number two.
Yes, Raikou's Storm Emeralda SIR has consistently been a top non-Rayquaza card.
For a pristine copy, given its strong sustained demand, it's a reasonable option.
Whether you pull one or buy the single, protect it properly. EVORETRO's One Touch Magnetic Card Holder is built for exactly this kind of chase card.
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