Verdict: Wait for October 30 and buy at the $19.99 retail price. Pre-orders on TCGplayer already run $45.50 for the Espeon ex deck and $69.41 for Umbreon ex, more than three times retail for Umbreon. Both decks come with the same extras: 60 foil cards, an exclusive promo, a playmat, a deck box and a coin.
Updated October 6, 2026 · Retail price from Best Buy’s listing · Pre-order prices are TCGplayer market prices and sales, checked October 6, 2026
Who this is for: newer players who want a deck they can play out of the box, Espeon and Umbreon fans, and anyone shopping for a $20 Pokémon gift.
What’s in the 30th Celebration Battle Decks?
Same contents in both decks. Product image: The Pokémon Company International.
A complete 60-card deck where every card is foil, plus a promo you can’t get anywhere else. That matches the rest of 30th Celebration, which is all foil down to the Basic Energy.
| Espeon ex deck | Umbreon ex deck | |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | October 30, 2026 | October 30, 2026 |
| Retail price | $19.99 | $19.99 |
| Lead Pokémon | Espeon ex, 260 HP | Umbreon ex, 270 HP |
| Exclusive promo | Victini | Zeraora |
| Also inside | Playmat, deck box, coin | Playmat, deck box, coin |
Pokémon calls each promo an “illustration rare-style” card. Both boxes are marked Play Level 2, so they’re a step up from the starter products for kids.
Why is the Umbreon ex deck already $69?
TCGplayer market price, Oct. 6, 2026. Product image: The Pokémon Company International.
Umbreon demand, and sellers pricing pre-orders before anyone has stock. Umbreon has been one of the hobby’s most chased Pokémon for years, and the Umbreon deck’s price has climbed all of September.
| Deck | Early Sept. | Oct. 6 | Latest sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umbreon ex 598 sales in 3 months | $39.72 | $69.41 | $64.95 to $71.93 |
| Espeon ex 514 sales | about $37 | $45.50 | $46.08 to $49.99 |
Paying those prices means paying $25 to $50 extra for a deck that hits shelves in about three weeks. The premium isn’t for the ex card either: the regular Umbreon ex from the main 30th Celebration set (092/128) sells for about $0.92 as a single. You’re paying for the sealed deck and the Zeraora promo.
How to get one for $19.99
- Best Buy lists both decks at $19.99 for October 30, but online orders are random: you get Espeon or Umbreon, not your pick. It’s one deck per purchase, you need an account, and the listing is flagged as high demand with a reservation process.
- Pokémon Center and other stores will carry both, according to Pokémon’s product page.
- If you specifically want Umbreon, shop in person so you can see which box you’re buying. Best Buy itself suggests visiting a store for the best selection.
Espeon ex or Umbreon ex: which deck should you buy?
Card details from the official box art. Graphic: NerdSnack.
The one whose Pokémon you like, at retail. Both cost the same and come with the same extras. Full decklists hadn’t been published as of October 6, so here’s what the boxes themselves show.
Espeon ex has 260 HP, and its Solar Beatdown attack does 30 damage for each of your Pokémon in play, so it hits harder the fuller your Bench is. Its Victini promo fits that plan: Call for Family searches your deck for up to 2 Basic Pokémon and puts them onto your Bench.
Umbreon ex has 270 HP, and its Lunatic Claw does 100 damage, plus 140 more if the opponent’s Active Pokémon already has damage counters. Its Zeraora promo can draw a card with Rapid Draw, or attack with Electrobullet for 50 damage plus 20 to one Benched Pokémon.
If you’re buying to collect or resell, Umbreon is the one the market wants. It’s about $24 more than Espeon on TCGplayer right now.
What to skip
Skip pre-orders much above the $19.99 retail price, and don’t order several from Best Buy’s site hoping to land Umbreon, since you can’t choose. Pre-order prices on sealed products can drop once retail stock lands. We’ll update this page after October 30 with real post-release sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the 30th Celebration Battle Decks come out?
October 30, 2026.
How much are the 30th Celebration Battle Decks?
$19.99 each at retail, based on Best Buy’s listing. Pre-orders on TCGplayer were $45.50 (Espeon ex) and $69.41 (Umbreon ex) on October 6, 2026.
What promo comes with each deck?
The Espeon ex deck has an exclusive Victini promo, and the Umbreon ex deck has an exclusive Zeraora promo.
Can I choose Umbreon when ordering from Best Buy online?
No. Best Buy’s online listing ships one deck at random. Buy in a store if you want a specific one.
Next step: set a reminder for October 30 and check your local stores first. For the rest of the set, see our 30th Celebration buying guide, our best Pokémon gifts for 2026, and the Delta Reign prerelease guide.
Sources: release date and contents from Pokémon’s product page. Price and ordering terms from Best Buy’s listing, checked October 6, 2026. Pre-order prices and sale counts from TCGplayer price history, checked October 6, 2026. Card details read from the official box art. Product images: The Pokémon Company International.
TCGPlayer has the best prices on Magic, Pokemon, Dragon Ball, and Riftbound singles — with seller ratings and buyer protection.
