Raichu – Sandstorm (#98)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Raichu (#98) is a Rare Holo Ex card from EX - Sandstorm released in 2003. It showcases artwork by Ryo Ueda and the Dazzle Blast attack (20 damage), Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused.. TCGplayer market price sits around $83.35, Cardmarket average sale is €29.74, Floor listings start near €4.99.
- TCGplayer market price: $83.35
- Cardmarket trend price: €45.09
- Recent low listing: €4.99
Card Details
- Set
- Sandstorm
- Card Number
- 98
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Holo Ex
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Ryo Ueda
- HP
- 100
- Type
- ⚡ Lightning
- Weaknesses
- Fighting ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
Attacks & Strategy
-
Dazzle Blast
[Lightning]
— 20
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused. -
Mega Thunderbolt
[Lightning, Lightning, Colorless]
— 120
Discard all Energy cards attached to Raichu ex.
💡 Excellent damage-to-energy ratio (40.0 per energy).
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Raichu from Sandstorm (Rare Holo Ex) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2003, 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 Raichu 98 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Raichu's Dazzle Blast deals 20 damage for Lightning energy. Special effect: Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused.
Stats Overview: 100 HP • Lightning 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 Raichu Cards
Looking for other Raichu cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandstorm #98 ← Current | 100 | 2 attacks | Rare Holo Ex | $83.35 |
�📦 Sandstorm Set Context
This Raichu is part of the Sandstorm expansion , released as part of the EX series in 2003.
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 Raichu 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 Ex cards from Sandstorm 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.
More from Sandstorm
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Raichu 98 was released in 2003 in the Sandstorm 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 Ryo Ueda. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Sandstorm 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 Raichu 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 Raichu 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 Lightning energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Raichu works best in Lightning type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.