Zapdos – Arceus (#12)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Zapdos (#12) is a Rare Holo card from Platinum - Arceus released in 2009. It showcases artwork by Ryota Saito and the Charge Beam attack (10 damage), Flip a coin. If heads, search your discard pile for an Energy card and attach it to Zapdos G.. TCGplayer market price sits around $8.86, Cardmarket average sale is €4.39, Floor listings start near €0.80.
- TCGplayer market price: $8.86
- Cardmarket trend price: €5.77
- Recent low listing: €0.80
Card Details
- Set
- Arceus
- Card Number
- 12
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Holo
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Ryota Saito
- HP
- 90
- Type
- ⚡ Lightning
- Weaknesses
- Lightning ×2
- Resistances
- Fighting -20
- Retreat Cost
- 2 (Colorless, Colorless)
Attacks & Strategy
-
Charge Beam
[Colorless]
— 10
Flip a coin. If heads, search your discard pile for an Energy card and attach it to Zapdos G. -
Lightning Strike
[Lightning, Lightning, Colorless]
— 40
You may discard all Lightning attached to Zapdos G. If you do, this attack's base damage is 80 instead of 40.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Zapdos from Arceus (Rare Holo) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2009, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Ryota Saito.
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 Zapdos 12 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Zapdos's Charge Beam deals 10 damage for Colorless energy. Special effect: Flip a coin. If heads, search your discard pile for an Energy card and attach it to Zapdos G.
Stats Overview: 90 HP • Lightning Type • Weak to Lightning ×2 • Resistant to Fighting -20
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Zapdos Cards
Looking for other Zapdos cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arceus #12 ← Current | 90 | 2 attacks | Rare Holo | $8.86 |
�📦 Arceus Set Context
This Zapdos is part of the Arceus expansion , released as part of the Platinum series in 2009.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Ryota Saito, 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 Zapdos 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 Arceus are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Ryota Saito 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 Arceus
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Zapdos 12 was released in 2009 in the Arceus expansion. This set is part of the Platinum series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Ryota Saito. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Arceus 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 Zapdos 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 Zapdos 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: Zapdos works best in Lightning type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.