Dragonite ex
Quick take
- The first English Pokemon-ex card for Dragonite, from EX Dragon (2003)
- A top-tier pull in the set, alongside Rayquaza ex and the other dragons
- Carried by deep nostalgia for a Gen 1 pseudo-legendary
- A key checklist piece for an EX Dragon master set
Collector's readWhat it means for your master set
Set landscapeWhere this card sits in EX Dragon
VariantsCard variants
Holofoil 90/97 · $602.02 — the only variant this card was printed in (no reverse holo or special pattern), so a master set needs just this one copy.
The storyDragonite's first ex, straight out of 2003
EX Dragon landed in late 2003 as the third set in the EX Series, the era that introduced Pokemon-ex cards and the e-reader dot codes along the card edges. Dragonite ex 90/97 was the headline pull for Dragonite fans. It was the first time the franchise's flagship pseudo-legendary got the ex treatment in the English game, and that debut tag still carries weight.
“The first English Pokemon-ex card for Dragonite, from EX Dragon (2003)”
The card sits in the top pull tier of EX Dragon. It shares that top shelf with names like Rayquaza ex and the set's other dragons, but Dragonite has a fanbase that goes back to the very first games, so this one moves on nostalgia alone. EX Dragon also had a smaller print run than some neighboring sets, which keeps clean vintage copies from being everywhere.
For master set builders, this is one of the cards that makes the EX Dragon checklist feel complete. You can finish the commons and uncommons fast. The ex cards, this one included, are where the real time and money go.
By the numbersMarket analysis
Raw near-mint copies sit comfortably in three-figure territory, which puts this near the top of the EX Dragon singles list. Played and lightly played copies come down from there. Graded gem-mint examples jump well above raw.
Vintage EX-era ex cards have trended up over the long run as the e-reader sets get further away in time and clean copies thin out. Day to day it is steady, not volatile, with the usual lift around graded sales.
This is a blue-chip vintage single, not a speculative flip. The character is permanent A-list, the supply only shrinks, and grading scarcity protects the high end. Expect slow appreciation rather than spikes.
The graded premium is significant because this is a holo over 20 years old. Surfaces this old scratch and whiten easily, so true gem-mint copies are scarce and command a strong multiple over raw. Mid grades carry a smaller bump.
Modern Scarlet & Violet odds do not apply to a 2003 set, so use them only as a mental yardstick. In today's SV sets a Double Rare runs about 1 in 5 packs, an Illustration Rare about 1 in 12, an Ultra Rare about 1 in 15, a Special Illustration Rare about 1 in 90, and a Hyper Rare anywhere from 1 in 300 to 1 in 700. The odds for one specific card run far longer than that, since each rarity has many cards spread across the set. EX Dragon predates all of that. Booster packs held nine cards with 36 packs per box, and Rare Holo ex cards like Dragonite sat in the top slot, so a given box yielded only a small handful of ex cards and any one specific ex was a multi-box chase. EX Dragon also had a smaller print run than some surrounding sets, which is why clean copies are not common today.
Treat this the way you would any top ex from an early EX set. It is not a Gold Star, so it sits a step below the rarest vintage chase tier, but among standard Rare Holo ex cards a debut Dragonite is one of the more wanted ones.
ArtworkWhy the art matters
Ryo Ueda is a Pokemon TCG illustrator who contributed artwork across the early EX Series sets. The style on these cards leans toward clean, dynamic creature poses rather than busy painterly scenes.
The card shows Dragonite in an action pose with the full holographic foil treatment behind it. The composition keeps the focus squarely on the dragon itself, which suits a character collectors are buying for the Pokemon first.
Standard 2003 EX-era layout with the gold ex name plate, 150 HP, Colorless typing, and the e-reader dot codes printed along the card's edges. Holo foil covers the artwork window in the flat sheet-holo style of the period.
It is the marriage of subject and milestone. A clean holo render of Dragonite, on the card that marks Dragonite's first ex. For a character this beloved, the debut card is the one collectors chase.
BackgroundAbout Dragonite ex
Dragonite has been a fan favorite since Generation I, where it sat as one of the original pseudo-legendaries and Lance's signature ace. By 2003 it already had a deep following, so giving it the ex treatment in EX Dragon was a natural draw for collectors who grew up with it.
- ›Generation I pseudo-legendary with decades of recognition
- ›Lance's iconic ace Pokemon across multiple games and the anime
- ›Friendly, recognizable design that reads well as foil art
- ›Strong crossover appeal between players and pure collectors
- ›Lance's signature Pokemon in the Kanto and Johto games
- ›Frequent anime appearances tied to Lance and the Dragon-type theme
- ›Headline ex card of the 2003 EX Dragon expansion
In its day, Dragonite ex saw deck play thanks to the Call for Power Poke-Power, which let you shuttle Energy onto it, plus its high HP and a 120-damage Giant Tail. It is long out of any current format, so today the interest is collector-driven, not competitive.
Own it wellCollector guide
Centering and holo scratching are the two things to check first on EX-era cards. The flat sheet holo shows swirls and scuffs under angled light, and edges chip and whiten with age. Look hard at the corners and the foil window before paying near-mint money.
Grade clean, well-centered copies. Vintage holos this old are tough in gem mint, so a high grade carries a real premium. For played or off-center copies, selling raw usually nets more after fees. Read the grading guide →
Penny sleeve plus a snug toploader or one-touch, kept out of direct light and away from humidity. For a card you do not plan to grade soon, a sleeved card in a binder with non-PVC pages is fine. Heat and sunlight are the enemy of 20-year-old foil. See the storage guide →
Buy the photo, not the listing title. Confirm it is the 2003 EX Dragon 90/97 and not the 2016 Evolutions reprint, since the two get listed interchangeably. For higher-dollar copies, buy a graded slab from a reputable grader so you are not gambling on authenticity or condition. See the singles buying guide →
Vintage ex cards get faked. Run the standard checks. A light test should show the black core layer when you hold the card up to a bright source. The back swirl gradient should look smooth and correct. The surface texture and holo behavior should match a known-genuine EX-era card, and the front-to-back print registration should be clean. When in doubt, only buy graded copies from a trusted grader.
Protect your card
High Chase Score — protect and consider grading. · Amazon affiliate links · Storage guideWord on the streetCommunity sentiment
Vintage collectors treat this as one of the cards that anchors an EX Dragon set. Dragonite's fanbase keeps demand reliable, and the first-ex angle gives people a clear reason to want this specific copy over later reprints.
Most of the online chatter is the usual vintage-collector talk: condition checks, centering complaints, and people sorting out the EX Dragon original from the Evolutions full art. There is no single viral moment attached to this card, just steady fan-favorite interest.
Good to knowFrequently asked questions
Keep collectingRelated cards
Plan your Other EX Dragon master set
Track every card, see what you're missing, and lay out your binder page by page.
