Most Popular Gen IV Pokémon
Fan-demand snapshot for Gen IV — the Pokémon collectors talk about most, plus one flagship card per species.
2026-03-28
Popularity matters for trades, singles prices, and binder flex pages. Here are the Gen IV standouts fans search for most — including Lucario, Garchomp, Luxray, Piplup, and Infernape — with one flagship card and quick jumps to our full species guides.
Popularity ranks blend normalized vote shares from two r/pokemon “favourite Pokémon” surveys (2025, u/Jawnysparklez; 2019, u/mamamia1001), weighted 60/40 toward the newer results. This list does not use Pink Binder collection tags — separate from our cute and card-collecting roundups. Each entry includes one flagship TCG print.
Fan-favorite standouts
Each entry shows sprite references plus one flagship TCG print fans search for most.
- #1Lucario#0448
Lucario is an all-time top favorite in our blended r/pokemon favourite surveys — #5 overall in our combined index, #6 in the 2025 survey, #7 in the 2019 survey.
Most popular Lucario card
Sprite references
For most fans, M Lucario-EX (Furious Fists (Rare Ultra)) is the iconic Lucario card — a staple in themed collections.
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- #2Garchomp#0445
Garchomp is an all-time top favorite in our blended r/pokemon favourite surveys — #15 overall in our combined index, #11 in the 2025 survey, #25 in the 2019 survey.
Most popular Garchomp card
Sprite references
The Garchomp card everyone knows is Garchomp from Hidden Fates Shiny Vault (Rare Shiny) — a familiar face in the TCG scene.
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- #3Luxray#0405
Luxray is an all-time top favorite in our blended r/pokemon favourite surveys — #16 overall in our combined index, #15 in the 2025 survey, #21 in the 2019 survey.
Most popular Luxray card
Sprite references
The most-searched Luxray single for many collectors is Luxray from Ultra Prism (Rare) — a familiar print fans recognize even outside chase-art hunts.
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- #4Piplup#0393
Piplup is an all-time top favorite in our blended r/pokemon favourite surveys — #27 overall in our combined index, #9 in the 2025 survey, #70 in the 2019 survey.
Most popular Piplup card
Sprite references
Collectors often chase Piplup from DP Black Star Promos (Promo) — it's the flagship Piplup card for display and trades.
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- #5Infernape#0392
Infernape is an all-time top favorite in our blended r/pokemon favourite surveys — #28 overall in our combined index, #39 in the 2025 survey, #18 in the 2019 survey.
Most popular Infernape card
Sprite references
Collectors often chase Infernape from Plasma Storm (Rare) — it's the flagship Infernape card for display and trades.
Official artwork
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Dream World vector
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- #6Torterra#0389
Torterra is an all-time top favorite in our blended r/pokemon favourite surveys — #44 overall in our combined index, #74 in the 2025 survey, #20 in the 2019 survey.
Most popular Torterra card
Sprite references
If you only get one Torterra, make it Torterra from Plasma Storm (Rare) — it's the print most collectors recognize.
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- #7Leafeon#0470
Leafeon is an all-time top favorite in our blended r/pokemon favourite surveys — #48 overall in our combined index, #24 in the 2025 survey, #102 in the 2019 survey.
Most popular Leafeon card
Sprite references
For most fans, Leafeon-GX (Hidden Fates Shiny Vault (Rare Shiny GX)) is the iconic Leafeon card — a staple in themed collections.
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- #8Glaceon#0471
Glaceon ranks among the most popular Pokémon in our blended r/pokemon favourite surveys — #63 overall in our combined index, #50 in the 2025 survey, #75 in the 2019 survey.
Most popular Glaceon card
Sprite references
If you only get one Glaceon, make it Glaceon-GX from Hidden Fates Shiny Vault (Rare Shiny GX) — it's the print most collectors recognize.
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- #9Empoleon#0395
Empoleon ranks among the most popular Pokémon in our blended r/pokemon favourite surveys — #66 overall in our combined index, #107 in the 2025 survey, #33 in the 2019 survey.
Most popular Empoleon card
Sprite references
For most fans, Empoleon (Legendary Treasures (Rare)) is the iconic Empoleon card — a staple in themed collections.
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- #10Gallade#0475
Gallade ranks among the most popular Pokémon in our blended r/pokemon favourite surveys — #76 overall in our combined index, #84 in the 2025 survey, #58 in the 2019 survey.
Most popular Gallade card
Sprite references
Collectors often chase Gallade from Cosmic Eclipse (Secret Rare) — it's the flagship Gallade card for display and trades.
Official artwork
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Related posts
More lists and guides in the same series.
Cutest Pokémon From Gen IV: Card & Binder IdeasBest Gen IV Pokémon Cards to CollectGeneration IV & Sinnoh: Pokémon Generation GuideMost Expensive Gen IV Pokémon Cards (TCGPlayer Prices)How to Collect Lucario Cards: Standout Art, Sets, and FavoritesGarchomp Card Guide: Iconic Prints, Chase Cards, and Display PicksThe Cutest Luxray Cards: Illustration Rares, Promos, and Display PicksPiplup Collector Guide: Building a Birds & Bats Page That Actually Pops
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