Dark-gyarados – Team Rocket (#8)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Dark-gyarados (#8) is a Rare Holo card from Base - Team Rocket released in 2000. It showcases artwork by Kagemaru Himeno and the Ice Beam attack (30 damage), Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.. Cardmarket average sale is €28.13, Floor listings start near €14.50.
- Cardmarket trend price: €31.32
- Recent low listing: €14.50
Card Details
- Set
- Team Rocket
- Card Number
- 8
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Holo
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Kagemaru Himeno
- HP
- 70
- Type
- 💧 Water
- Weaknesses
- Grass ×2
- Resistances
- Fighting -30
- Retreat Cost
- 2 (Colorless, Colorless)
Abilities
-
Final Beam
When Dark Gyarados is Knocked Out by an attack, flip a coin. If heads, this power does 20 damage for each Water Energy attached to Dark Gyarados to the Pokémon that Knocked Out Dark Gyarados. Apply Weakness and Resistance. This power doesn't work if Dark Gyarados is Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed.
Attacks & Strategy
-
Ice Beam
[Water, Water, Water]
— 30
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Dark-gyarados from Team Rocket (Rare Holo) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2000, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Kagemaru Himeno.
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-gyarados 8 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Dark-gyarados's Ice Beam deals 30 damage for Water + Water + Water energy. Special effect: Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
Stats Overview: 70 HP • Water Type • Weak to Grass ×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 Dark-gyarados Cards
Looking for other Dark-gyarados cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Rocket #8 ← Current | 70 | 1 attack | Rare Holo | N/A |
�📦 Team Rocket Set Context
This Dark-gyarados is part of the Team Rocket expansion , released as part of the Base series in 2000.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Kagemaru Himeno, 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-gyarados 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
- Rare Holo cards from Team Rocket are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Kagemaru Himeno resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
- Water typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Dark-gyarados 8 was released in 2000 in the Team Rocket expansion. This set is part of the Base series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Kagemaru Himeno. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Team Rocket 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-gyarados have carved out niches in various competitive formats throughout Pokémon TCG history. Currently legal in Unlimited format.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Dark-gyarados 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-gyarados works best in Water type decks.