Altaria ex – Paradox Rift (#253)

Altaria ex Pokémon card — Paradox Rift #253, Special Illustration Rare
Special Illustration Rare artwork from Paradox Rift.

Price Overview & Key Facts

Altaria ex (#253) is a Special Illustration Rare card from Scarlet & Violet - Paradox Rift released in 2023. It showcases artwork by Jiro Sasumo and the Light Pulse attack (140 damage), During your opponent's next turn, prevent all effects of attacks used by your opponent's Pokémon done to this Pokémon. (Damage is not an effect.). TCGplayer market price sits around $37.57, Cardmarket average sale is €45.54, Floor listings start near €30.99. Market price has increased 2.8% versus the 30-day average.

  • TCGplayer market price: $37.57
  • Cardmarket trend price: €50.11
  • 30-day Cardmarket average: €44.30
  • Recent low listing: €30.99
  • Market price has increased 2.8% versus the 30-day average.
  • PSA 10 average: $349 across 41 sales
Current Prices: €50.11 (CM) $37.57 (TCG)

Card Details

Set
Paradox Rift
Card Number
253
Rarity
✨ Special Illustration Rare
Illustrator
🎨 Jiro Sasumo
HP
260
Type
🐉 Dragon
Regulation Mark
Regulation G ✓ Legal in Standard
Retreat Cost
1 (Colorless)

Abilities

  • Humming Heal
    Once during your turn, you may heal 20 damage from each of your Pokémon.

Attacks & Strategy

  • Light Pulse [Water, Metal] — 140
    During your opponent's next turn, prevent all effects of attacks used by your opponent's Pokémon done to this Pokémon. (Damage is not an effect.)
    💡 Excellent damage-to-energy ratio (70.0 per energy).

💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential

Altaria ex from Paradox Rift (Special Illustration Rare) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2023, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Jiro Sasumo.

Market Trends: Market price has increased 2.8% versus the 30-day average.

Grading Potential: Professional grading can significantly increase value - PSA 10 copies command an average of $349 based on 41 verified sales.

Investment Considerations: As a modern release, this card offers accessible entry points for new collectors while maintaining good liquidity.

⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability

This Altaria ex 253 is legal for tournament play in Standard, Expanded, Unlimited formats. The card bears Regulation Mark G, indicating its current competitive viability.

Key Attack: Altaria ex's Light Pulse deals 140 damage for Water + Metal energy. Special effect: During your opponent's next turn, prevent all effects of attacks used by your opponent's Pokémon don...

Stats Overview: 260 HP • Dragon Type

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

� Compare Altaria ex Cards

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

Set HP Attacks Rarity Avg Price
Paradox Rift #253 ← Current 260 1 attack Special Illustration Rare $37.57

Browse all Altaria ex cards →

�📦 Paradox Rift Set Context

This Altaria ex is part of the Paradox Rift expansion , released as part of the Scarlet & Violet series in 2023. As a Special Illustration Rare card, it represents one of the premium pulls from this set.

Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Jiro Sasumo, 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 Paradox Rift →

💎 Professional Grading Guide

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

🥇 PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)

Industry standard • Value multiplier: 3-6x

Best for: High-value cards, modern sets

🥈 BGS (Beckett Grading Services)

Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 3-5x

Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering

🥉 CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)

Fast turnaround • Value multiplier: 2-4x

Best for: Budget-friendly option, bulk

💡 Should You Grade This Card?

  • Yes, consider grading if: Premium rarity card in Near Mint+ 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

📈 Grading Performance: PSA 10 copies of this Altaria ex average $349 based on 41 verified sales. That's a 830% premium over raw card prices!

Collector Notes

  • Special Illustration Rare cards from Paradox Rift are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
  • High-grade slabs matter: PSA 10 copies are averaging around $349, making condition upgrades impactful.
  • The illustration by Jiro Sasumo resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
  • Dragon typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.

💰 Market Pricing

🏆 Graded Cards (PSA)

PSA 8
$40
16 sales
Range: $25-$57
PSA 9
$57
54 sales
Range: $32-$115
PSA 10
$349
41 sales
Range: $160-$400

More from Paradox Rift

Groudon – #199
Groudon – #199
Paradox Rift · #199
$71
Roaring Moon ex – #251
Roaring Moon ex – #251
Paradox Rift · #251
$37
Gholdengo ex – #252
Gholdengo ex – #252
Paradox Rift · #252
$26
Garchomp ex – #245
Garchomp ex – #245
Paradox Rift · #245
$25
Steelix – #208
Steelix – #208
Paradox Rift · #208
$24
Plusle – #193
Plusle – #193
Paradox Rift · #193
$21
Iron Valiant ex – #249
Iron Valiant ex – #249
Paradox Rift · #249
$20
Morpeko – #206
Morpeko – #206
Paradox Rift · #206
$19
Minun – #194
Minun – #194
Paradox Rift · #194
$18
Golisopod ex – #246
Golisopod ex – #246
Paradox Rift · #246
$17
Mantyke – #189
Mantyke – #189
Paradox Rift · #189
$17
Gholdengo ex – #231
Gholdengo ex – #231
Paradox Rift · #231
$16

📚 Card History & Trivia

Release Information: Altaria ex 253 was released in 2023 in the Paradox Rift 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 Jiro Sasumo. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →

Rarity & Collectibility: As a Special Illustration Rare card, this Altaria ex is among the premium chase cards from Paradox Rift. Illustration Rare cards feature stunning full-art illustrations that showcase the Pokémon in unique scenes and perspectives. These premium versions typically hold value better than common printings.

Set Popularity: Paradox Rift is a modern release that benefits from high print quality and readily available supply, making it accessible for collectors.

Competitive History: Dragon type Pokémon like Altaria 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 Altaria ex card with these essential products:

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

💡 Deck Building Tip: Altaria ex works best in Dragon 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.

🛒 Where to Buy Altaria ex & Explore More

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