Dark-golduck – Team Rocket Returns (#35)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Dark-golduck (#35) is an Uncommon card from EX - Team Rocket Returns released in 2004. It showcases artwork by Nakaoka and the Darkness Shield attack (20 damage), Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of an attack, including damage, done to each of your Active Pokémon during your opponent's next turn.. TCGplayer market price sits around $3.94, Cardmarket average sale is €2.70, Floor listings start near €0.65.
- TCGplayer market price: $3.94
- Cardmarket trend price: €2.81
- Recent low listing: €0.65
Card Details
- Set
- Team Rocket Returns
- Card Number
- 35
- Rarity
- ✨ Uncommon
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Nakaoka
- HP
- 70
- Type
- 💧 Water, 🌙 Darkness
- Weaknesses
- Lightning ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
Attacks & Strategy
-
Darkness Shield
[Water, Colorless]
— 20
Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of an attack, including damage, done to each of your Active Pokémon during your opponent's next turn. -
Cold Crush
[Water, Colorless, Colorless]
— 40
You may discard an Energy card attached to Dark Golduck. If you do, discard an Energy attached to the Defending Pokémon.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Dark-golduck from Team Rocket Returns (Uncommon) represents an interesting addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2004, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Nakaoka.
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-golduck 35 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Dark-golduck's Darkness Shield deals 20 damage for Water + Colorless energy. Special effect: Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of an attack, including damage, done to each of your Acti...
Stats Overview: 70 HP • Water/Darkness Type • Weak to Lightning ×2
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Dark-golduck Cards
Looking for other Dark-golduck cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Rocket Returns #35 ← Current | 70 | 2 attacks | Uncommon | $3.94 |
�📦 Team Rocket Returns Set Context
This Dark-golduck is part of the Team Rocket Returns expansion , released as part of the EX series in 2004.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Nakaoka, 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 Dark-golduck 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
- Uncommon cards from Team Rocket Returns are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Nakaoka resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
- Water, Darkness typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Dark-golduck 35 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 Nakaoka. 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: Water type Pokémon like Dark-golduck 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-golduck 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 Water energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Dark-golduck works best in Water type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.