1st Edition
How to spot it: 1st Edition stamp in the bottom-left of the artwork frame.
First print window; smaller run than Unlimited.
01Card Stats
Stage 1 (evolves from Magikarp)
HP
70
TypeWater
RarityRare
IllustratorKagemaru Himeno
WeaknessGrass ×2
Retreat●●
SetTeam Rocket
Released2000
02Editions and Print Runs
Printed in the WotC era when 1st Edition and Unlimited distinctions still applied.
Unlimited
How to spot it: No 1st Edition stamp; standard print frame.
Most common version of this card.
04Variants and Foiling
- Rarity tiers
- Rare
- Foiling
- Non-holo standard finish.
- 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
| Non Holo | ~$34 TCGplayer market (asking-price proxy); eBay solds may differ — verify current listings. |
|---|
TCGplayer market is an asking-price proxy and can run above realized eBay sold prices; verify against recent solds before buying or selling.
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07Why Collectors Want It
- Original WotC-era printing from the Team Rocket set — foundational vintage Gyarados.
- Gyarados — Pokemon TCG catalog for the Kanto-region Water-type Pokemon (Pokedex #130).
- Required for any complete Gyarados master set across eras.
- Collectors of the Team Rocket set need this card to finish it.
08Competitive Playability
Tier: None
Stage 1 Gyarados with 70 HP; top attack around 30 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.
09Card Moves and Abilities
Ability: Final Beam
When Dark Gyarados is Knocked Out by an attack, flip a coin. If heads, this power does 20 damage for each Water Energy attached to Dark Gyarados to the Pokémon that Knocked Out Dark Gyarados. Apply Weakness and Resistance. This power doesn't work if Dark Gyarados is Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed.
Ice Beam
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
- Weakness
- Grass ×2
- Resistance
- Fighting -30
- Retreat cost
- 2
10Grading and Population
PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Gyarados PSA 10 populations vary; small numbers across most sets.
Graded copies command notable premiums over raw, especially for 1st Edition prints.
Other graders: BGS and CGC also grade vintage Pokemon; PSA dominates secondary-market liquidity.