Dark-ampharos – Team Rocket Returns (#2)

Dark-ampharos Pokémon card — Team Rocket Returns #2, Rare Holo
Illustration Rare artwork showcased in the Scarlet & Violet: Team Rocket Returns expansion.

Price Overview & Key Facts

Dark-ampharos (#2) is a Rare Holo card from EX - Team Rocket Returns released in 2004. It showcases artwork by Emi Miwa and the Ram attack (30 damage). TCGplayer market price sits around $58.81, Cardmarket average sale is €23.32, Floor listings start near €8.48.

  • TCGplayer market price: $58.81
  • Cardmarket trend price: €22.78
  • Recent low listing: €8.48
Current Prices: €22.78 (CM) $58.81 (TCG)

Card Details

Set
Team Rocket Returns
Card Number
2
Rarity
✨ Rare Holo
Illustrator
🎨 Emi Miwa
HP
120
Type
⚡ Lightning, 🌙 Darkness
Weaknesses
Fighting ×2
Retreat Cost
2 (Colorless, Colorless)

Abilities

  • Darkest Impulse
    As long as Dark Ampharos is in play, whenever your opponent plays an Evolution card from his or her hand to evolve 1 of his or her Pokémon, put 2 damage counters on that Pokémon. You can't use more than 1 Darkest Impulse Poké-Body each turn.

Attacks & Strategy

  • Ram [Colorless, Colorless] — 30
  • Shock Bolt [Lightning, Colorless, Colorless] — 70
    Discard all Lightning Energy attached to Dark Ampharos.

💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential

Dark-ampharos from Team Rocket Returns (Rare Holo) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2004, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Emi Miwa.

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 Dark-ampharos 2 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.

Key Attack: Dark-ampharos's Ram deals 30 damage for Colorless + Colorless energy.

Stats Overview: 120 HP • Lightning/Darkness 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 Dark-ampharos Cards

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

Set HP Attacks Rarity Avg Price
Team Rocket Returns #2 ← Current 120 2 attacks Rare Holo $58.81

Browse all Dark-ampharos cards →

�📦 Team Rocket Returns Set Context

This Dark-ampharos is part of the Team Rocket Returns expansion , released as part of the EX series in 2004.

Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Emi Miwa, 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 Team Rocket Returns →

💎 Professional Grading Guide

Professional grading can significantly increase the value of your Dark-ampharos 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 Team Rocket Returns are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
  • The illustration by Emi Miwa resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
  • Lightning, Darkness typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.

📚 Card History & Trivia

Release Information: Dark-ampharos 2 was released in 2004 in the Team Rocket Returns expansion. This set is part of the EX series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.

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

Set Popularity: Team Rocket Returns 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 Dark-ampharos 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 Dark-ampharos 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: Dark-ampharos works best in Lightning type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.

🛒 Where to Buy Dark-ampharos & Explore More

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