Rockets articuno ex – Team Rocket Returns (#96)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Rockets articuno ex (#96) is a Rare Holo Ex card from EX - Team Rocket Returns released in 2004. It showcases artwork by Ryo Ueda and the Freeze Solid attack (10 damage), Search your discard pile for a Water Energy card and attach it to Rocket's Articuno ex.. TCGplayer market price sits around $429.99, Cardmarket average sale is €226.66, Floor listings start near €69.99.
- TCGplayer market price: $429.99
- Cardmarket trend price: €244.56
- Recent low listing: €69.99
Card Details
- Set
- Team Rocket Returns
- Card Number
- 96
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Holo Ex
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Ryo Ueda
- HP
- 100
- Type
- 🌙 Darkness
- Weaknesses
- Metal ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
Abilities
-
Darkness Veil
As long as Rocket's Articuno ex has any Darkness Energy attached to it, prevent all effects, except damage, by an opponent's attack done to Rocket's Articuno ex.
Attacks & Strategy
-
Freeze Solid
[Colorless]
— 10
Search your discard pile for a Water Energy card and attach it to Rocket's Articuno ex. - Ice Wing [Water, Water, Colorless] — 50
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Rockets articuno ex from Team Rocket Returns (Rare Holo Ex) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2004, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Ryo Ueda.
Market Trends: Current market conditions show moderate interest in this card.
Investment Considerations: Vintage cards from this era have shown strong long-term appreciation potential.
⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability
This Rockets articuno ex 96 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Rockets articuno ex's Freeze Solid deals 10 damage for Colorless energy. Special effect: Search your discard pile for a Water Energy card and attach it to Rocket's Articuno ex.
Stats Overview: 100 HP • Darkness Type • Weak to Metal ×2
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Rockets articuno ex Cards
Looking for other Rockets articuno ex cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Rocket Returns #96 ← Current | 100 | 2 attacks | Rare Holo Ex | $429.99 |
�📦 Team Rocket Returns Set Context
This Rockets articuno ex is part of the Team Rocket Returns expansion , released as part of the EX series in 2004.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Ryo Ueda, whose distinctive illustration style has made their cards highly collectible. Explore more cards illustrated by this artist to discover similar art styles and collecting themes.
💎 Professional Grading Guide
Professional grading can significantly increase the value of your Rockets articuno ex card. Here's what you need to know:
Industry standard • Value multiplier: 2-4x
Best for: High-value cards, modern sets
Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 2-3x
Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering
Fast turnaround • Value multiplier: 1.5-3x
Best for: Budget-friendly option, bulk
💡 Should You Grade This Card?
- Yes, consider grading if: Card value exceeds $20 and is in excellent condition
- Grading cost: $20-100+ per card (depending on service level)
- Break-even point: Card should be worth $50+ raw to justify grading costs
- Turnaround time: 2 weeks to 6 months depending on service
Collector Notes
- Rare Holo Ex cards from Team Rocket Returns are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Ryo Ueda resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
- Darkness typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
More from Team Rocket Returns
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Rockets articuno ex 96 was released in 2004 in the Team Rocket Returns expansion. This set is part of the EX series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Ryo Ueda. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Team Rocket Returns is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.
Competitive History: Darkness type Pokémon like Rockets articuno ex with versatile attack options provide flexibility in deck building and can adapt to different matchups. Currently legal in Unlimited format.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Rockets articuno ex card with these essential products:
- Penny sleeves: Basic protection
- Perfect fit sleeves: Pre-grading
- Top loaders: Display & storage
- Binders with side-loading pages
- Storage boxes (800-count)
- ETB (Elite Trainer Box) storage
- Premium display cases
- Pair with Darkness energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Rockets articuno ex works best in Darkness type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.