Zapdos – Plasma Storm (#48)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Zapdos (#48) is a Rare Holo Ex card from Black & White - Plasma Storm released in 2013. It showcases artwork by Eske Yoshinob and the Agility attack (30 damage), Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of attacks, including damage, done to this Pokémon during your opponent's next turn.. TCGplayer market price sits around $11.75, Cardmarket average sale is €7.91, Floor listings start near €3.00.
- TCGplayer market price: $11.75
- Cardmarket trend price: €8.49
- Recent low listing: €3.00
Card Details
- Set
- Plasma Storm
- Card Number
- 48
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Holo Ex
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Eske Yoshinob
- HP
- 170
- Type
- ⚡ Lightning
- Weaknesses
- Lightning ×2
- Resistances
- Fighting -20
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
Attacks & Strategy
-
Agility
[Lightning, Colorless]
— 30
Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of attacks, including damage, done to this Pokémon during your opponent's next turn. -
Powervolt
[Lightning, Lightning, Colorless, Colorless]
— 80+
If this Pokémon has any Plasma Energy attached to it, this attack does 40 more damage.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Zapdos from Plasma Storm (Rare Holo Ex) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2013, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Eske Yoshinob.
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 48 is legal for tournament play in Expanded, Unlimited formats.
Key Attack: Zapdos's Agility deals 30 damage for Lightning + Colorless energy. Special effect: Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of attacks, including damage, done to this Pokémon during...
Stats Overview: 170 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma Storm #48 ← Current | 170 | 2 attacks | Rare Holo Ex | $11.75 |
�📦 Plasma Storm Set Context
This Zapdos is part of the Plasma Storm expansion , released as part of the Black & White series in 2013.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Eske Yoshinob, 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 Ex cards from Plasma Storm are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Eske Yoshinob 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: Zapdos 48 was released in 2013 in the Plasma Storm expansion. This set is part of the Black & White series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Eske Yoshinob. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Plasma Storm 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 Expanded, Unlimited formats.
🛡️ 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.