Unlimited
How to spot it: Standard modern card frame; no edition stamp.
All copies share the same Unlimited print frame.
01Card Stats
Stage 1 (evolves from Ekans)
HP
90
TypeGrass
RarityUncommon
IllustratorNakaoka
WeaknessPsychic ×2
Retreat●
SetTeam Rocket Returns
Released2004
02Editions and Print Runs
Modern print era — no 1st Edition or Shadowless variants exist for cards printed after the WotC era.
04Variants and Foiling
- Rarity tiers
- Uncommon
- Foiling
- Non-holo standard finish. Reverse-holo parallel exists with the holo pattern applied to the background.
- Alt art / specials
- No full-art, secret rare, or alternate-art version documented for this print.
05Language and Regional Versions
- English
- Standard English release.
- Japanese
- Released in the equivalent Japanese set.
- European
- Localized European prints exist with translated text.
- Other
- No documented language-exclusive errors or major regional variants.
06Current Market Value
Grade-worthy value
Buy raw ~$69.79
If PSA 9 (likely)
+$•••
If PSA 10 (best case)
+$•••
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07Why Collectors Want It
- Released in 2004's EX Team Rocket Returns, the EX-era villain-themed set that revived the WotC-era's Dark-prefixed Pokémon variants.
- Dark Arbok ties the Arbok stage to Team Rocket lore — a thematic chase pickup beyond the plain line slot, and a direct callback to the iconic Team Rocket Dark Arbok.
- Reverse-holo raw ~$60 vs. PSA 10 ~$565 — a clean ~9× grading multiple; the base print trades around $5.
- A natural pickup for collectors building the EX-era Team Rocket Returns Dark-themed roster or completing the Arbok line.
08Competitive Playability
Tier: None
Stage 1 Arbok with 90 HP; top attack around 30 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.
09Card Moves and Abilities
Swallow Up
Before doing damage, count the remaining HP of the Defending Pokémon and Dark Arbok. If the Defending Pokémon has fewer remaining HP than Dark Arbok's, this attack does 10 damage plus 30 more damage.
Extra Poison
If the Defending Pokémon is Pokémon-ex, the Defending Pokémon is now Asleep and Poisoned.
- Weakness
- Psychic ×2
- Retreat cost
- 1
10Grading and Population
PSA 10 estimate: Modern Common/Uncommon — most copies are not graded because raw value rarely justifies the fee.
Graded populations stay low; usually collected raw or sleeved rather than slabbed.
Other graders: Negligible BGS/CGC submission volume.