Vaporeon – Evolving Skies (#172)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Vaporeon (#172) is a Rare Ultra card from Sword & Shield - Evolving Skies released in 2021. It showcases artwork by 5ban Graphics and the Triple Draw attack, Draw 3 cards.. TCGplayer market price sits around $14.33, Cardmarket average sale is €17.91, Floor listings start near €12.00.
- TCGplayer market price: $14.33
- Cardmarket trend price: €16.38
- Recent low listing: €12.00
Card Details
- Set
- Evolving Skies
- Card Number
- 172
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Ultra
- Illustrator
- 🎨 5ban Graphics
- HP
- 210
- Type
- 💧 Water
- Regulation Mark
- Regulation E ✓ Legal in Standard
- Weaknesses
- Lightning ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 2 (Colorless, Colorless)
Attacks & Strategy
-
Triple Draw
[Colorless]
Draw 3 cards. -
Splash Jump
[Water, Water, Colorless]
— 90
Switch this Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Vaporeon from Evolving Skies (Rare Ultra) represents a premium addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2021, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator 5ban Graphics.
Market Trends: Current market conditions show moderate interest in this card.
Investment Considerations: Mid-range TCG cards often provide balanced risk-reward profiles for collectors.
⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability
This Vaporeon 172 is legal for tournament play in Standard, Expanded, Unlimited formats. The card bears Regulation Mark E, indicating its current competitive viability.
Key Attack: Vaporeon's Triple Draw for Colorless energy. Special effect: Draw 3 cards.
Stats Overview: 210 HP • Water 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 Vaporeon Cards
Looking for other Vaporeon cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evolving Skies #172 ← Current | 210 | 2 attacks | Rare Ultra | $14.33 |
�📦 Evolving Skies Set Context
This Vaporeon is part of the Evolving Skies expansion , released as part of the Sword & Shield series in 2021. As a Rare Ultra card, it represents one of the premium pulls from this set.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by 5ban Graphics, 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 Vaporeon card. Here's what you need to know:
Industry standard • Value multiplier: 3-6x
Best for: High-value cards, modern sets
Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 3-5x
Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering
Fast turnaround • Value multiplier: 2-4x
Best for: Budget-friendly option, bulk
💡 Should You Grade This Card?
- Yes, consider grading if: Premium rarity card in Near Mint+ 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 Ultra cards from Evolving Skies are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by 5ban Graphics 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: Vaporeon 172 was released in 2021 in the Evolving Skies expansion. This set is part of the Sword & Shield series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by 5ban Graphics. This artist is known for creating premium illustration rare and special rare artwork that collectors highly value. View complete portfolio →
Rarity & Collectibility: As a Rare Ultra card, this Vaporeon is among the premium chase cards from Evolving Skies. These premium versions typically hold value better than common printings.
Set Popularity: Evolving Skies represents a mid-era release that balances accessibility with collectibility.
Competitive History: Water type Pokémon like Vaporeon with high HP make excellent tank options in competitive play, often serving as cornerstone Pokémon in control decks. Currently legal in Standard, Expanded, Unlimited formats.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Vaporeon card with these essential products:
- Penny sleeves: Basic protection
- Perfect fit sleeves: Pre-grading
- Top loaders: Display & storage
- Magnetic holders recommended
- 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: Vaporeon works best in Water type decks. With high HP, consider including healing and damage reduction cards to maximize survivability. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies. For Standard format play, check the current rotation for legal support cards.