Ampharos – Ancient Origins (#87)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Ampharos (#87) is a Rare Ultra card from XY - Ancient Origins released in 2015. It showcases artwork by Ryo Ueda and the Thunder Rod attack, Look at the top 4 cards of your deck and attach as many Lightning Energy cards you find there as you like to this Pokémon. Shuffle the other cards back into your deck.. TCGplayer market price sits around $23.77, Cardmarket average sale is €20.79, Floor listings start near €4.99.
- TCGplayer market price: $23.77
- Cardmarket trend price: €20.62
- Recent low listing: €4.99
Card Details
- Set
- Ancient Origins
- Card Number
- 87
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Ultra
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Ryo Ueda
- HP
- 170
- Type
- ⚡ Lightning
- Weaknesses
- Fighting ×2
- Resistances
- Metal -20
- Retreat Cost
- 2 (Colorless, Colorless)
- Evolves To
- M Ampharos-EX
Attacks & Strategy
-
Thunder Rod
[Colorless]
Look at the top 4 cards of your deck and attach as many Lightning Energy cards you find there as you like to this Pokémon. Shuffle the other cards back into your deck. -
Sparkling Tail
[Lightning, Lightning, Colorless, Colorless]
— 100
This attack's damage isn't affected by Weakness, Resistance, or any other effects on your opponent's Active Pokémon.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Ampharos from Ancient Origins (Rare Ultra) represents a premium addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2015, 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 Ampharos 87 is legal for tournament play in Expanded, Unlimited formats.
Key Attack: Ampharos's Thunder Rod for Colorless energy. Special effect: Look at the top 4 cards of your deck and attach as many Lightning Energy cards you find there as you...
Stats Overview: 170 HP • Lightning Type • Weak to Fighting ×2 • Resistant to Metal -20
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Ampharos Cards
Looking for other Ampharos cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Origins #87 ← Current | 170 | 2 attacks | Rare Ultra | $23.77 |
�📦 Ancient Origins Set Context
This Ampharos is part of the Ancient Origins expansion , released as part of the XY series in 2015. As a Rare Ultra card, it represents one of the premium pulls from this set.
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 Ampharos card. Here's what you need to know:
Industry standard • Value multiplier: 3-6x
Best for: High-value cards, modern sets
Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 3-5x
Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering
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 Ancient Origins 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.
- Lightning typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Ampharos 87 was released in 2015 in the Ancient Origins expansion. This set is part of the XY 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 →
Rarity & Collectibility: As a Rare Ultra card, this Ampharos is among the premium chase cards from Ancient Origins. These premium versions typically hold value better than common printings.
Set Popularity: Ancient Origins 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 Ampharos 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 Ampharos card with these essential products:
- Penny sleeves: Basic protection
- Perfect fit sleeves: Pre-grading
- Top loaders: Display & storage
- Magnetic holders recommended
- 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: Ampharos works best in Lightning type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.