Groudon
Quick take
- The top Illustration Rare in Paradox Rift
- Cinematic volcano art by Nurikabe
- A fan-favorite legendary with its own collecting niche
- Broad appeal beyond the set's Paradox theme
Collector's readWhat it means for your master set
Set landscapeWhere this card sits in Paradox Rift
VariantsCard variants
Holofoil 199/182 · $107.28 — the only variant this card was printed in (no reverse holo or special pattern), so a master set needs just this one copy.
The storyParadox Rift's volcanic legendary
Paradox Rift was built around the ancient and future Paradox Pokemon, but one of its most collected cards is a straightforward legendary Illustration Rare. Groudon leads the set's Illustration Rares on price, carried by a dramatic piece of art and a fan-favorite legendary.
“The top Illustration Rare in Paradox Rift”
Nurikabe gives Groudon the scale it deserves. The continent Pokemon stands among erupting volcanoes with lava flowing around it and a holofoil sky behind. It is a full-power landscape, the kind of cinematic legendary art that the Illustration Rare slot does well.
Groudon also brings its own collecting niche. As the box legendary of Pokemon Ruby and the counterpart to Kyogre, it has a long-standing following that reaches past Paradox Rift set builders.
By the numbersMarket analysis
Sits at the top of the Paradox Rift Illustration Rares, in three figures raw with graded gem-mint copies higher. It outperforms several of the set's higher-rarity cards on demand.
Held a steady range since release. Legendary art rares with strong illustrations tend to keep their value, since the demand is collector-driven rather than tied to competitive play.
A steady legendary art rare. The illustration and the Pokemon both have lasting appeal, but large modern print runs cap the scarcity, so it is a stable hold rather than a scarcity play. Graded copies are the safer position.
Clear at the top grade. Clean PSA 10 copies trade above raw, with PSA 9 closer to raw. Centering on the full-art frame is the usual grading hurdle.
Scarlet and Violet sets pull any Illustration Rare at roughly 1 in 12 packs. With many Illustration Rares in Paradox Rift, the odds of this specific Groudon run much longer, into the hundreds of packs.
More common out of the pack than the set's Special Illustration Rares and Hyper Rares, but it leads the Illustration Rares on price thanks to the art and Groudon's following.
ArtworkWhy the art matters
Nurikabe is a modern Pokemon illustrator known for dramatic, landscape-scale art. That cinematic approach suits a legendary like Groudon, where the scene matters as much as the Pokemon.
Groudon stands amid erupting volcanoes with lava flowing around it, set against a holofoil sky. The composition leans into the Pokemon's identity as the continent Pokemon, all heat and scale.
Illustration Rare printing with full-art foil and no intruding text box. The holofoil treatment plays into the fiery sky, giving the scene extra depth as the card tilts.
It matches a fan-favorite legendary with art big enough to carry it. The volcano scene is one of the more memorable legendary illustrations of the Scarlet and Violet era.
BackgroundAbout Groudon
Groudon debuted in Ruby and Sapphire in 2002 as the box legendary of Pokemon Ruby and the counterpart to Kyogre. Known as the continent Pokemon, it gained a Primal form in the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes.
- ›A box legendary with a long-standing following
- ›The Groudon and Kyogre rivalry that drives paired interest
- ›A powerful, instantly recognizable design
- ›Primal Groudon keeping the Pokemon in modern rotation
- ›Box legendary of Pokemon Ruby (2002)
- ›Central to the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes (2014)
- ›A recurring legendary across games and events
Groudon is a Fighting-type in the TCG (a Ground-type in the games). This Illustration Rare is collected for the art rather than used competitively.
Own it wellCollector guide
Full-art Illustration Rare foil scratches and shows edge whitening. Centering is the most common grading issue, so inspect the borders before paying a graded premium.
Grade clean copies. The PSA 10 premium makes it worthwhile, but confirm centering and surface first, a PSA 9 on a modern card sits much closer to raw. Read the grading guide →
Sleeve and a top loader at minimum, a graded slab for long-term holds. Keep it out of direct sunlight to protect the foil. See the storage guide →
Supply is healthy, so buy on recent sold prices rather than asking prices, and decide up front between raw and graded. TCGPlayer and eBay both have deep listings. See the singles buying guide →
Protect your card
High Chase Score — protect and consider grading. · Amazon affiliate links · Storage guideWord on the streetCommunity sentiment
Well regarded. It is a regular pick among the better legendary art rares of the era, and it became the Paradox Rift card most collectors point to despite the set's Paradox-themed chases.
- ›Gem-mint graded copies trade at a clear premium over raw
- ›Leads the Paradox Rift Illustration Rares on price
Shows up in 'best legendary art' and 'top Illustration Rares' discussions. The volcano scene is one of the more shared Groudon cards in the modern game.
Good to knowFrequently asked questions
Keep collectingRelated cards
Plan your Scarlet & Violet Paradox Rift master set
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