Electabuzz – Ruby & Sapphire (#97)

Electabuzz Pokémon card — Ruby & Sapphire #97, Rare Holo Ex
Illustration Rare artwork showcased in the Scarlet & Violet: Ruby & Sapphire expansion.

Price Overview & Key Facts

Electabuzz (#97) is a Rare Holo Ex card from EX - Ruby & Sapphire released in 2003. It showcases artwork by Hikaru Koike and the Thundershock attack (10 damage), Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.. TCGplayer market price sits around $43.60, Cardmarket average sale is €38.83, Floor listings start near €3.50.

  • TCGplayer market price: $43.60
  • Cardmarket trend price: €26.31
  • Recent low listing: €3.50
Current Prices: €26.31 (CM) $43.60 (TCG)

Card Details

Set
Ruby & Sapphire
Card Number
97
Rarity
✨ Rare Holo Ex
Illustrator
🎨 Hikaru Koike
HP
90
Type
⚡ Lightning
Weaknesses
Fighting ×2
Resistances
Metal -30
Retreat Cost
2 (Colorless, Colorless)
Evolves To
Electivire

Attacks & Strategy

  • Thundershock [Lightning] — 10
    Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
  • Quick Attack [Lightning, Lightning, Colorless] — 40+
    Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 40 damage plus 20 more damage.
⚔️ Evolution Strategy: Consider pairing with Electivire for a complete evolution line in competitive decks.

💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential

Electabuzz from Ruby & Sapphire (Rare Holo Ex) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2003, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Hikaru Koike.

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 Electabuzz 97 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.

Key Attack: Electabuzz's Thundershock deals 10 damage for Lightning energy. Special effect: Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.

Stats Overview: 90 HP • Lightning Type • Weak to Fighting ×2 • Resistant to Metal -30

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

� Compare Electabuzz Cards

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

Set HP Attacks Rarity Avg Price
Ruby & Sapphire #97 ← Current 90 2 attacks Rare Holo Ex $43.60

Browse all Electabuzz cards →

�📦 Ruby & Sapphire Set Context

This Electabuzz is part of the Ruby & Sapphire expansion , released as part of the EX series in 2003.

Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Hikaru Koike, 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 Ruby & Sapphire →

💎 Professional Grading Guide

Professional grading can significantly increase the value of your Electabuzz 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 Ex cards from Ruby & Sapphire are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
  • The illustration by Hikaru Koike 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: Electabuzz 97 was released in 2003 in the Ruby & Sapphire 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 Hikaru Koike. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →

Set Popularity: Ruby & Sapphire 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 Electabuzz 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 Electabuzz 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: Electabuzz works best in Lightning type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.

🛒 Where to Buy Electabuzz & Explore More

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