Rockets zapdos – Gym Challenge (#15)

Rockets zapdos Pokémon card — Gym Challenge #15, Rare Holo
Rare Holo artwork from Gym Challenge.

Price Overview & Key Facts

Rockets zapdos (#15) is a Rare Holo card from Gym - Gym Challenge released in 2000. It showcases artwork by Shin-ichi Yoshida and the Plasma attack (20 damage), If there are any Lightning Energy cards in your discard pile, attach 1 of them to Rocket's Zapdos.. Cardmarket average sale is €166.20, Floor listings start near €16.95.

  • Cardmarket trend price: €194.59
  • Recent low listing: €16.95
Current Prices: €194.59 (CM)

Card Details

Set
Gym Challenge
Card Number
15
Rarity
✨ Rare Holo
Illustrator
🎨 Shin-ichi Yoshida
HP
70
Type
⚡ Lightning
Resistances
Fighting -30
Retreat Cost
2 (Colorless, Colorless)

Attacks & Strategy

  • Plasma [Lightning] — 20
    If there are any Lightning Energy cards in your discard pile, attach 1 of them to Rocket's Zapdos.
  • Electroburn [Lightning, Lightning, Lightning, Colorless] — 70
    Rocket's Zapdos does damage to itself equal to 10 times the number of Lightning Energy cards attached to it.

💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential

Rockets zapdos from Gym Challenge (Rare Holo) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2000, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Shin-ichi Yoshida.

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 zapdos 15 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.

Key Attack: Rockets zapdos's Plasma deals 20 damage for Lightning energy. Special effect: If there are any Lightning Energy cards in your discard pile, attach 1 of them to Rocket's Zapdos.

Stats Overview: 70 HP • Lightning Type • Resistant to Fighting -30

Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.

� Compare Rockets zapdos Cards

Looking for other Rockets zapdos cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.

Set HP Attacks Rarity Avg Price
Gym Challenge #15 ← Current 70 2 attacks Rare Holo N/A

Browse all Rockets zapdos cards →

�📦 Gym Challenge Set Context

This Rockets zapdos is part of the Gym Challenge expansion , released as part of the Gym series in 2000.

Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Shin-ichi Yoshida, 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.

View all chase cards from Gym Challenge →

💎 Professional Grading Guide

Professional grading can significantly increase the value of your Rockets zapdos card. Here's what you need to know:

🥇 PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)

Industry standard • Value multiplier: 2-4x

Best for: High-value cards, modern sets

🥈 BGS (Beckett Grading Services)

Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 2-3x

Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering

🥉 CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)

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 cards from Gym Challenge are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
  • The illustration by Shin-ichi Yoshida resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
  • Lightning typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.

More from Gym Challenge

Blaine's Charizard – #2
Blaine's Charizard – #2
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Rocket's Mewtwo – #14
Rocket's Mewtwo – #14
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Sabrina's Alakazam – #16
Sabrina's Alakazam – #16
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Erika's Venusaur – #4
Erika's Venusaur – #4
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Misty's Gyarados – #13
Misty's Gyarados – #13
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$250
Blaine's Arcanine – #1
Blaine's Arcanine – #1
Gym Challenge · #1
$240
Giovanni's Gyarados – #5
Giovanni's Gyarados – #5
Gym Challenge · #5
$238
Giovanni's Nidoking – #7
Giovanni's Nidoking – #7
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$155
Lt. Surge's Raichu – #11
Lt. Surge's Raichu – #11
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$132
Brock's Ninetales – #3
Brock's Ninetales – #3
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$114
Giovanni's Machamp – #6
Giovanni's Machamp – #6
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Giovanni – #18
Giovanni – #18
Gym Challenge · #18
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📚 Card History & Trivia

Release Information: Rockets zapdos 15 was released in 2000 in the Gym Challenge expansion. This set is part of the Gym series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.

Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Shin-ichi Yoshida. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →

Set Popularity: Gym Challenge is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.

Competitive History: Lightning type Pokémon like Rockets zapdos 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 zapdos card with these essential products:

🎴 Card Protection
  • Penny sleeves: Basic protection
  • Perfect fit sleeves: Pre-grading
  • Top loaders: Display & storage
📦 Storage Solutions
  • Binders with side-loading pages
  • Storage boxes (800-count)
  • ETB (Elite Trainer Box) storage
  • Premium display cases
⚔️ Deck Building
  • Pair with Lightning energy cards
  • Energy acceleration trainers
  • Draw support & consistency cards

💡 Deck Building Tip: Rockets zapdos works best in Lightning type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.

🛒 Where to Buy Rockets zapdos & Explore More

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