Alakazam – Vivid Voltage (#172)

Alakazam Pokémon card — Vivid Voltage #172, Rare Ultra
Illustration Rare artwork showcased in the Scarlet & Violet: Vivid Voltage expansion.

Price Overview & Key Facts

Alakazam (#172) is a Rare Ultra card from Sword & Shield - Vivid Voltage released in 2020. It showcases artwork by Ayaka Yoshida and the Zen Spoon attack, Put 3 damage counters on your opponent's Pokémon in any way you like.. TCGplayer market price sits around $2.86, Cardmarket average sale is €3.38, Floor listings start near €1.99.

  • TCGplayer market price: $2.86
  • Cardmarket trend price: €3.76
  • Recent low listing: €1.99
Current Prices: €3.76 (CM) $2.86 (TCG)

Card Details

Set
Vivid Voltage
Card Number
172
Rarity
✨ Rare Ultra
Illustrator
🎨 Ayaka Yoshida
HP
190
Type
🔮 Psychic
Regulation Mark
Regulation D ✓ Legal in Standard
Weaknesses
Darkness ×2
Resistances
Fighting -30
Retreat Cost
1 (Colorless)

Attacks & Strategy

  • Zen Spoon [Psychic]
    Put 3 damage counters on your opponent's Pokémon in any way you like.
  • Mind Ruler [Psychic, Psychic] — 30×
    This attack does 30 damage for each card in your opponent's hand.

💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential

Alakazam from Vivid Voltage (Rare Ultra) represents a premium addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2020, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Ayaka Yoshida.

Market Trends: Current market conditions show moderate interest in this card.

Investment Considerations: Mid-range TCG cards often provide balanced risk-reward profiles for collectors.

⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability

This Alakazam 172 is legal for tournament play in Expanded, Unlimited formats. The card bears Regulation Mark D, indicating its current competitive viability.

Key Attack: Alakazam's Zen Spoon for Psychic energy. Special effect: Put 3 damage counters on your opponent's Pokémon in any way you like.

Stats Overview: 190 HP • Psychic Type • Weak to Darkness ×2 • Resistant to Fighting -30

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

� Compare Alakazam Cards

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

Set HP Attacks Rarity Avg Price
Vivid Voltage #172 ← Current 190 2 attacks Rare Ultra $2.86

Browse all Alakazam cards →

�📦 Vivid Voltage Set Context

This Alakazam is part of the Vivid Voltage expansion , released as part of the Sword & Shield series in 2020. As a Rare Ultra card, it represents one of the premium pulls from this set.

Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Ayaka 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 Vivid Voltage →

💎 Professional Grading Guide

Professional grading can significantly increase the value of your Alakazam 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

Collector Notes

  • Rare Ultra cards from Vivid Voltage are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
  • The illustration by Ayaka Yoshida resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
  • Psychic typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.

📚 Card History & Trivia

Release Information: Alakazam 172 was released in 2020 in the Vivid Voltage expansion. This set is part of the Sword & Shield series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.

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

Rarity & Collectibility: As a Rare Ultra card, this Alakazam is among the premium chase cards from Vivid Voltage. These premium versions typically hold value better than common printings.

Set Popularity: Vivid Voltage represents a mid-era release that balances accessibility with collectibility.

Competitive History: Psychic type Pokémon like Alakazam with versatile attack options provide flexibility in deck building and can adapt to different matchups. Currently legal in Expanded, Unlimited formats.

🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building

Maximize the value and playability of your Alakazam 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 Psychic energy cards
  • Energy acceleration trainers
  • Draw support & consistency cards

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

🛒 Where to Buy Alakazam & Explore More

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