Market outlook
Stable Outlook 3/10
Prices for modern illustration rares of secondary Pokémon usually track overall set availability and grading demand more than sudden character hype. Without a major playability or collector catalyst, the card is likely to remain in a narrow price band.
Next months. Likely to trade mostly sideways, with small fluctuations based on grading population changes and set-wide demand.
Long term. Over 1-3 years, the card may see gradual appreciation if sealed product becomes scarcer, but gains are likely to be modest unless Noibat becomes unexpectedly popular or the artwork gains a stronger collector following.
History
Noibat is a bat-like Pokémon introduced in Generation VI of the Pokémon franchise. It is the pre-evolution of Noivern and is known for using sound-based abilities and echolocation themes, which fit its bat inspiration. As a collectible card subject, Noibat is notable mainly as a lower-rarity Pokémon that often appears in modern illustration and art-focused printings rather than as a flagship character.
The English Noibat 169/159 Illustration Rare first appears in Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together, which PriceCharting lists with a release date of March 28, 2025, and TCGplayer catalogs as Noibat 169/159 in SV09: Journey Together.
- The 169/159 numbering indicates it is a secret-style card beyond the main set numbering, even though it is cataloged as an Illustration Rare.
- The card is a Basic Pokémon with 60 HP and the attack Rapid Draw, which aligns with the TCGplayer product listing.
- A Japanese counterpart exists in Battle Partners as Noibat #111 Art Rare, released January 24, 2025, showing the design was also printed in the Japanese market before or around the English release window.
Rarity and print run
- Tier
- Rare
- Print run
- High
- First printed in
- Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together
- Demand
- Medium
- Supply
- High
- Illustration Rare treatment makes it less common than regular rares and holos.
- Modern Scarlet & Violet-era sets have substantial print volumes, which keeps availability high.
- The card is not a major chase Pokémon, so competitive scarcity is limited by demand rather than print frequency.
Collector notes
Condition. Check for whitening on edges and corners, surface scratches visible under light, centering on front and back, and any print lines or texture wear if the card has a textured illustration finish. Full-art-style modern cards commonly show silvering, roller marks, or small factory imperfections that can affect grade.
Storage. Store the card in a penny sleeve and rigid top loader or semi-rigid holder, keep it away from humidity and direct sunlight, and avoid friction from repeated handling. For long-term preservation, use archival-quality sleeves and a binder only if the pages are non-PVC and the card is protected in a sleeve.
Authenticity. Verify correct set numbering, font consistency, texture pattern, and print quality. Fakes often show blurry text, incorrect holo texture, weak color saturation, off-center borders, or inconsistent energy symbols and attack formatting. Compare against verified product images and graded/TCG listings for the correct 169/159 layout.
Sources: store.solesavy.com, pricecharting.com, alt.xyz, tcgplayer.com, misprint.com
