You’ve probably seen it. That explosive burst of blue and gold, the iconic "Rising Fist" text written in Japanese across the artwork, and the textured finish that feels like a thumbprint. It’s the m lucario ex full art. If you were around the TCG scene in 2014, this card was the "it" pull from Furious Fists. It wasn't just a pretty face for your binder; it was a genuine menace on the competitive table.
Fast forward to 2026, and things have gotten weirdly interesting for Lucario fans. With the recent "Mega Evolution" era revival in the TCG, everyone is looking back at the original Mega cards. People are realizing that the old-school m lucario ex full art has a certain grit that the modern "Special Illustration Rares" can't quite replicate. Honestly, if you're holding one of these in a PSA 10, you're sitting on a piece of history that’s currently holding its own against the newest hyper-rares.
The Secret Identity of 55a/111 vs. 113/111
One thing that trips up collectors is the numbering. It’s kinda confusing if you aren't paying attention. Most people think there's just one "Full Art" Mega Lucario, but there are actually two distinct versions that look nearly identical.
The original "Secret Rare" from the XY—Furious Fists set is numbered 113/111. This was the gold-bordered trophy card of 2014. Then, in 2017, Pokémon dropped the Mega Powers Collection. That box included an "Alternate Art" promo numbered 55a/111.
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Spotting the Difference
- The Numbering: 113/111 is the OG Secret Rare; 55a/111 is the 2017 Promo.
- Texture Patterns: The 113/111 has that classic, tight grain texture.
- Availability: 55a was a guaranteed promo in a premium box, so you’d think it’s cheaper, but its popularity has kept the price surprisingly high.
Back in the day, pulling the 113/111 was a "scream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs" moment. Even now, the market value reflects that. While a raw, lightly played copy of the promo might run you $50 to $70, a gem mint 113/111 Secret Rare is a different beast entirely. We’ve seen PSA 10s of the promo version hovering around $1,500 lately, but the original Secret Rare from the set remains the "holy grail" for many set completionists.
Why the Rising Fist Still Hits Hard
Let's talk about the actual card mechanics for a second. M Lucario EX has 220 HP—which was massive back in 2014—and its "Rising Fist" attack does a flat 140 damage for three Fighting energies. The kicker? It also discards an energy from your opponent’s active Pokémon.
In the current 2026 meta, 140 damage feels like a mosquito bite compared to the 300+ HP behemoths we see now. But collectors don't care about the damage math anymore. They care about the 5ban Graphics art style. This card was the peak of the "Full Art" era where the Pokémon actually felt like it was leaping out of the frame. The blue energy swirls around Lucario's dreadlocks (or sensors, if we’re being technical) create a sense of movement that most modern 3D renders lack.
Market Reality: What Is It Actually Worth?
If you're looking to buy or sell a m lucario ex full art today, don't just look at the first eBay listing you see. The "market price" is a moving target. Currently, the raw market for a Near Mint (NM) copy of the 55a promo is sitting around $67.68. If you have the 113/111 Secret Rare in NM condition, you're looking at closer to $150 to $190 depending on the centering.
The Graded Premium
Grading is where the real money is. A PSA 9 is a solid "collector" grade, often selling for $300 to $400. But the jump to a PSA 10 is astronomical. Why? Because these cards were notoriously hard to find with perfect centering. The gold borders on the 113/111 are magnets for "whitening" (those tiny chips on the edges).
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If you find a copy at a garage sale or in an old binder, check the back immediately. If the blue edges are clean and there are no silver specks on the front, you might be looking at a four-figure grading candidate. Honestly, it's one of the few cards from the XY era that has stayed consistently "relevant" while others faded into the "bulk EX" bin.
How to Avoid the "Fakes" in 2026
The unfortunate side effect of a card being popular is that the scammers come out of the woodwork. The m lucario ex full art is one of the most counterfeited cards from the XY era.
Watch out for the "Vertical Shine." Real Full Arts have a diagonal or wavy holofoil pattern that interacts with the physical texture of the card. If you see a card where the light just reflects in a straight vertical line, it’s a fake.
Feel the card. A real Mega Lucario EX Full Art has ridges. If you run your fingernail (carefully!) over the surface and it feels as smooth as a kitchen counter, put it back. You should be able to feel the texture following the lines of the artwork.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
If you're thinking about adding this card to your collection or digging yours out of the attic, here is what you should do right now:
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- Identify the Version: Check the bottom right corner. Is it 113/111 (Secret Rare) or 55a/111 (Promo)? The 113 is generally more prestigious.
- Assess the Texture: Look at the card under a bright LED light. Ensure the texture is "etched" into the surface and not just printed on.
- Check the Edges: These cards are prone to "silvering" on the front edges. If your edges are perfectly blue and gold with no silver showing through, the value goes up significantly.
- Consider Grading: If your card looks perfect, sending it to PSA or CGC is worth the $20-$30 fee. A "Gem Mint" grade can increase the value by 10x compared to a raw copy.
The m lucario ex full art isn't just a card; it’s a timestamp of when Mega Evolutions first took over the world. Whether you're a player or an investor, it’s one of those pieces that simply defines an entire generation of the Pokémon TCG.