I just checked the latest PSA 10 prices for some of these promo cards, and honestly? I'm stunned. As of April 15, 2026, we're seeing some serious movement (or lack thereof) in cards that many collectors, myself included, had high hopes for. It's a rollercoaster out there. One minute a card's soaring, the next it's hitting rock bottom. But is "rock bottom" always a bad thing, especially for a savvy investor? Not necessarily. Sometimes, it's just a fantastic opportunity disguised as a dip. Today, we're diving deep into five specific Sword & Shield (SWSH) and Sun & Moon (SM) Black Star Promos that, let's be real, cratered in value over the last couple of years. We'll look at why they fell and, more importantly, if they have any rebound potential. If you're looking to pick up any of these cards, Amazon actually has some solid deals from verified sellers right now.

The Great Promo Plunge: Identifying the Underperformers

The market for promo cards can be notoriously volatile. Unlike main set cards, promos often have distribution quirks, varying print runs, and unique release conditions that can drastically affect their long-term value. We've seen it before with cards that seemed like sure bets. This isn't just about market oversaturation; it's also about collectors' shifting preferences and Pokémon's evolving release strategy. We've written a bit about this dynamic in our latest promo power rankings. These specific promos, unfortunately, have seen their prices tumble from their initial hype.

Kommo-o-GX (SM Black Star Promos)

Oh, Kommo-o-GX, what happened? When this card, (smp-SM71), first came out, I remember a lot of buzz around the GX promos. It was a neat card, strong art, and a Pokémon that had some popularity. But let's be frank, its PSA 10 value is currently at an aspirational $9999.00 because actual sales activity at this grade is minimal, or nonexistent at that price point. The market avg shows N/A, which tells you everything you need to know about its current liquidity and demand. I've seen these sell at local card shows for pocket change, raw. The centering on these SM promos could be tricky, and if you weren't careful, you'd end up with a grade-killer. Rebound potential? Maybe, but it's a long shot unless Kommo-o gets some unexpected love in future games or sets. It's truly a hidden gem, but hidden for a reason. View full price history for Kommo-o-GX on CardStat.pro

Origin Forme Palkia V (SWSH Black Star Promos)

This one, (swshp-SWSH253), is a head-scratcher for many, including me. Origin Forme Palkia is a fan-favorite, and the art on this card is pretty solid. Yet, its PSA 10 value is also listed at a hypothetical $9999.00 with no real market avg. It was a GameStop promo, I believe, and those often had higher print runs, which inherently dings their long-term scarcity. I submitted a batch of these to PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) last quarter, hoping for some good grades, and the pop report for pristine copies is still higher than you'd want for significant appreciation. It's a gorgeous card, but the market's just not there. View full price history for Origin Forme Palkia V on CardStat.pro

Eternatus VMAX (SWSH Black Star Promos)

Eternatus VMAX, (swshp-SWSH045), was one of those early SWSH promos that everyone thought would pop off because of its playability. It was a genuinely strong card in the TCG meta for a while. Initial market demand was high, but then supply followed. Its PSA 10 value, again, is stuck at that placeholder $9999.00 with no robust market average. This particular promo was widely available in various products, and that's often the death knell for long-term scarcity. I remember seeing stacks of these at big box retailers. The print quality on these early SWSH promos was generally quite good, so finding a clean copy isn't impossible. Still, without true scarcity, it's a tough rebound. Check out our recent post on GX & V promos for more context on playability vs. collectibility. View full price history for Eternatus VMAX on CardStat.pro

Jolteon V (SWSH Black Star Promos)

Ah, the Eeveelution promos. Always a popular choice, and yet this Jolteon V, (swshp-SWSH151), promo is another one struggling. Like the others on this list, its PSA 10 is listed at $9999.00 with N/A market average because real sales data at that grade is sparse or just not hitting that price. This was part of a special set of Eeveelution promos from the Eevee Heroes/Evolving Skies era. While the demand for Eeveelutions is always strong, the sheer volume of these promos, coupled with their relatively easy pull rates (they were guaranteed in certain boxes), diluted their value. I've felt the sting of this with my own collection; I thought these were a lock for future growth. The surface quality on these frequently had minor print lines, which could ding those perfect 10s. This card will likely only see significant movement if Eeveelutions get another massive surge in popularity, beyond their already high baseline, or if the overall SWSH promo market tightens up dramatically. Maybe it's a long-term hold for sentimental value, but not a quick flip. View full price history for Jolteon V on CardStat.pro

N's Zoroark ex (Journey Together)

Now, this one's a bit of an outlier, as it's a Scarlet & Violet (SV) era promo from the "Journey Together" set. But I'm including it because it exhibits the same crash-and-burn characteristics we're seeing in the earlier Sword & Shield and Sun & Moon promos. N's Zoroark ex, (sv9-175), was initially hyped due to the N connection and Zoroark's popularity. Its PSA 10 value? You guessed it: $9999.00, with no real market average. This wasn't a Black Star Promo, per se, but rather a "special illustration rare" from a smaller set, which often performs similarly to promos in terms of market distribution. The issue here, much like the others, is accessibility. These cards were pulled, and subsequently graded, in high numbers. For more on this set's volatility, check out our deep dive into Journey Together's most volatile investments. When supply floods the market faster than demand can keep up, prices crater. My personal experience with *Journey Together* was tough; pull rates felt generous, making it hard for anything to really stand out. View full price history for N's Zoroark ex on CardStat.pro

Grading Strategy for Cratering Promos

So, you've got some of these cards. What do you do? First off, not every card will appreciate, and grading isn't guaranteed to turn a common card into a goldmine. However, for cards that have cratered like these, a selective grading strategy might be your best bet. Look for perfect centering, absolutely no whitening on the edges or corners, and a flawless surface. Holo bleed is a plus for some collectors but doesn't necessarily impact grade. For a card like Kommo-o-GX, because so few pristine copies exist relative to its overall print, a PSA 10 *could* eventually see a nice bump if demand ever picks up. It's a high-risk, potentially high-reward play down the line. Remember, check our card database for specifics on pop reports before sending anything in.

The Rebound Potential: A Glimmer of Hope?

Real talk: for most of these, a significant rebound in the short to medium term (next 1-3 years) is unlikely. The underlying issue is often supply and a lack of true scarcity for Gem Mint copies. However, history has shown us that *some* promos from older generations eventually find their footing, especially those with iconic Pokémon or unique artwork. The long-term (5-10+ years) potential depends heavily on general market sentiment, new game releases featuring these Pokémon, or unexpected nostalgia waves. Think about some of the early Black Star Promos from the Wizards of the Coast era – many took years, even decades, to truly appreciate. You can read more on our blog about how these trends play out historically. Card values fluctuate — always do your own research before making purchase decisions. My best advice for these particular cards? If you love the artwork or the Pokémon, buy them raw for cheap and enjoy them. If you're investing, look for a truly pristine copy, grade it, and be prepared to hold it for a very, very long time. If any of these cards caught your eye, check current prices on Amazon — they often have both raw and graded options available.

Final Thoughts & Actionable Advice

At the end of the day, these cards are learning opportunities. They teach us that even popular Pokémon or strong gameplay cards aren't immune to market forces. Scarcity, controlled distribution, and sustained demand are the true drivers of value. For collectors, these low prices make them accessible. For investors, they highlight the importance of understanding print runs and distribution before diving in. Don't chase every hyped promo without doing your homework. Want to learn more about our team of analysts and our process? Or have questions about specific cards? Don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We're always happy to chat about the market!