Honestly, it’s been years since Silver Tempest dropped in late 2022, and yet, here we are. You can’t walk into a local Pokémon TCG tournament or log onto PTCG Live without seeing that familiar white-and-blue bird staring you down. Lugia VSTAR 139/195 isn't just a card. It’s a literal engine of chaos that has survived more rotation cycles and "counter" cards than almost any other archetype in the modern era of the game.
You’ve probably seen the "Rainbow" version or the jaw-dropping Silver Tempest alternate art that costs a small fortune. But the "regular" Ultra Rare—number 139/195—is the workhorse. It’s the card that actually gets played. While the collectors are busy slabbling the alt-art in PSA 10 cases, the competitive players are sleeved up with 139/195, ready to ruin someone's afternoon with a turn-two Summoning Star.
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The Broken Reality of Summoning Star
Let’s talk about why people actually play this card. It isn't for the Tempest Dive attack, though hitting for 220 and discarding a Stadium is fine. It’s the VSTAR Power. Summoning Star allows you to take two Colorless Pokémon that don’t have a Rule Box from your discard pile and put them straight onto your Bench.
In a vacuum? That sounds okay. In reality? It’s arguably the most "cheating" mechanic we’ve seen in years.
Everyone knows the target: Archeops. Normally, Archeops is a Stage 2 Pokémon. You’re supposed to evolve it from a Fossil. It’s a slow, painful process that usually isn't worth the effort. Lugia VSTAR looks at those rules and says "nah." By discarding two Archeops early (usually with Ultra Ball or Professor's Research), you can cheat them both onto the field instantly. Once they're there, their Primal Turbo ability lets you search your deck for two Special Energy cards and attach them to one of your Pokémon. Every. Single. Turn.
Basically, by turn two, you have infinite energy acceleration. It’s absurd.
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What is Lugia VSTAR 139 195 Worth Right Now?
If you’re looking at your binder and wondering if you’re sitting on a gold mine, the answer is... sort of. Because this card was printed so heavily and has been a "regular" Ultra Rare, it’s surprisingly affordable for how good it is.
Currently, in 2026, a Near Mint raw copy of Lugia VSTAR 139/195 typically hovers around $6 to $9.
Wait, only ten bucks for the king of the meta? Yeah. Supply and demand is a funny thing. Since it’s a necessary four-of (well, usually a 3-3 line) in the deck, there are millions of these in circulation. However, if you have one that looks perfect—we're talking flawless centering and no white dots on the back—getting it graded might be worth it. A PSA 10 Lugia VSTAR 139/195 has recently been selling for anywhere between $50 and $65.
- Raw (Near Mint): $7.16 (Market Average)
- PSA 9: ~$22.00
- PSA 10: ~$55.00
- Jumbo Version: ~$15.00 (People love these for some reason)
Comparing this to the Alternate Art (186/195), which can still fetch $150+, the 139/195 is the "budget" way to dominate. But don't let the price fool you. This card has higher "table equity" than almost anything else from the Sword & Shield era.
Why the Deck Still Works in 2026
You’d think the Pokémon Company would have printed a card that says "Lugia can't play the game" by now. They tried. We had Path to the Peak. We had Temple of Sinnoh. We had Iron Leaves ex. None of it stuck.
The reason Lugia VSTAR stays relevant is its adaptability. Because Primal Turbo attaches Special Energy, Lugia can effectively use any "color" of attack as long as there’s a Special Energy that provides it. Back in the day, it was Powerful Colorless Energy. Then it was Single Strike Energy with Tyranitar V. Now, players are messing around with Legacy Energy and Mist Energy to protect against "instant KO" effects.
The Cinccino Factor
Lately, the deck has shifted. You aren't always attacking with Lugia. Instead, you're using Lugia to set up Cinccino from Temporal Forces. That little chinchilla has an attack called Special Roll that deals 70 damage for every Special Energy attached to it. With two Archeops on the board, you can suddenly swing for 350 damage with a one-prize Pokémon. It's disgusting.
Is It Too Late to Buy In?
If you're a player, no. Lugia is a "forever deck" in the Expanded format and continues to be a high-tier threat in Standard depending on which Special Energies are currently legal. If you’re a collector? Honestly, the 139/195 is the "safe" pick. It’s never going to be the most expensive card in the set, but it will always be the most iconic representation of the Silver Tempest meta.
The pull rates for a specific VSTAR in Silver Tempest are roughly 1 in 189 packs. If you’re ripping packs hoping to find one, stop. Just buy the single. It’s cheaper than two booster packs at this point.
Practical Steps for Owners and Buyers
If you’ve got a stack of these in a box, here is what you should actually do:
- Check the "V" alignment: The 139/195 often suffers from "bottom-heavy" borders. If yours is perfectly centered, sleeve it and top-load it immediately.
- Watch the Energy listings: The value of Lugia VSTAR is tied directly to whatever Special Energy is legal. If a new, broken Special Energy gets announced in a 2026 or 2027 set, expect the price of this Lugia to jump as people scramble to rebuild the deck.
- Play the "Grey" Market: Many people overlook the Japanese version (Paradigm Trigger). If you're a collector, the Japanese "S-P" promos or the high-gloss Japanese VSTARs often hold value better than the English counterparts over long periods.
Lugia VSTAR 139/195 is the definition of a "meta-defining" card. It changed how the game was played by proving that Stage 2 Pokémon are only good when you don't actually have to evolve them. Whether you love it or hate it (and most people who play against it definitely hate it), its place in history is secure. Check your bulk—you might have a $50 bill hiding in a PSA 10 candidate.