Whether you choose the +1/+1 counter or haste, its still an overcosted card
Originally awarded to winners of the CoroCoro Comic illustration contest in Japan in the late 1990s, the Pikachu Illustrator is the single most valuable Pokemon card in existence, and as of February 2026 it holds a bigger title still: the sole PSA Gem Mint 10 copy sold at Goldin Auctions for $16.49 million, the most expensive trading card of any kind ever sold at auction, surpassing every legendary sports card that had been considered untouchable for decades
Setting aside the more expensive options like Haughty DjinnHaughty Djinn, Wizards of ThayWizards of Thay, and Archmage of RunesArchmage of Runes, that still leaves you Curious HomunculusCurious Homunculus
What has Murktide Regent done to deserve such care and feeding
Whats worse is that these guys can chain off one another, constantly buying each other back as a recurring threat until they are ready to buy back something of more value
Modular decks are eating good with this one