Zekrom ex – Black Bolt (#172)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Zekrom ex (#172) is a Black White Rare card from Scarlet & Violet - Black Bolt released in 2025. It showcases artwork by takuyoa and the Slash attack (50 damage). TCGplayer market price sits around $404.22, Cardmarket average sale is €350.27, Floor listings start near €250.99.
- TCGplayer market price: $404.22
- Cardmarket trend price: €323.27
- Recent low listing: €250.99
Card Details
- Set
- Black Bolt
- Card Number
- 172
- Rarity
- ✨ Black White Rare
- Illustrator
- 🎨 takuyoa
- HP
- 230
- Type
- ⚡ Lightning
- Regulation Mark
- Regulation I ✓ Legal in Standard
- Weaknesses
- Fighting ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 2 (Colorless, Colorless)
Attacks & Strategy
- Slash [Colorless, Colorless] — 50
-
Voltage Burst
[Lightning, Lightning, Colorless]
— 130+
This attack does 50 more damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken. This Pokémon also does 30 damage to itself.
💡 Excellent damage-to-energy ratio (43.3 per energy).
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Zekrom ex from Black Bolt (Black White Rare) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2025, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator takuyoa.
Market Trends: Current market conditions show moderate interest in this card.
Investment Considerations: As a modern release, this card offers accessible entry points for new collectors while maintaining good liquidity.
⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability
This Zekrom ex 172 is legal for tournament play in Standard, Expanded, Unlimited formats. The card bears Regulation Mark I, indicating its current competitive viability.
Key Attack: Zekrom ex's Slash deals 50 damage for Colorless + Colorless energy.
Stats Overview: 230 HP • Lightning Type • Weak to Fighting ×2
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Zekrom ex Cards
Looking for other Zekrom ex cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bolt #172 ← Current | 230 | 2 attacks | Black White Rare | $404.22 |
�📦 Black Bolt Set Context
This Zekrom ex is part of the Black Bolt expansion , released as part of the Scarlet & Violet series in 2025.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by takuyoa, 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 Zekrom 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
- Black White Rare cards from Black Bolt are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by takuyoa 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 Black Bolt
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Zekrom ex 172 was released in 2025 in the Black Bolt expansion. This set is part of the Scarlet & Violet series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by takuyoa. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Black Bolt is a modern release that benefits from high print quality and readily available supply, making it accessible for collectors.
Competitive History: Lightning type Pokémon like Zekrom ex with high HP make excellent tank options in competitive play, often serving as cornerstone Pokémon in control decks. Currently legal in Standard, Expanded, Unlimited formats.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Zekrom 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 Lightning energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Zekrom ex works best in Lightning type decks. With high HP, consider including healing and damage reduction cards to maximize survivability. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies. For Standard format play, check the current rotation for legal support cards.