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Rayquaza V Alternate Full Art Basic
#194/203Illus. Ryuta Fuse
Ultra Rare

Rayquaza V Alternate Full Art

#194/203 · from Evolving Skies · released August 27, 2021
Track this card
Holofoil
83/ 100
A-Tier Chase

Cardrake Chase Score

A top chase card for this set.

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Quick take

  • Partners with Rayquaza VMAX Alt Art as a collecting pair
  • Artwork by Ryuta Fuse shows Rayquaza in dynamic flight
  • The Dragon-type flagship of Evolving Skies at the V tier
  • Alternative for collectors who want Rayquaza without VMAX prices

Collector's readWhat it means for your master set

Set position
4 of 369
Among the higher-value cards in the set
Demand vs rarity Est.
34.8×
Well above its rarity · others at this rarity sell for about $13.91
Cost to complete
≈6%
of the ~$8207 to finish Evolving Skies
Completion difficulty Est.
Very Hard
A pricey pickup for set completers
Where it sits in the price lifecycle
Release Hype
Post-Release Correction
Stable / Reprint Risk
End-of-Print Spike
Out-of-Print Maturation
Buy timingOut of print for years — chase cards have held value through several market cycles.
Out of print · pricing stable · estimated

Set landscapeWhere this card sits in Evolving Skies

fewermore cards
Common
39
1
2
42
Uncommon
51
51
Rare
19
19
Rare Holo
8
4
12
Rare Holo V
2
10
2
14
Rare Holo VMAX
3
6
3
12
Ultra Rare
3
11
9
12
4
6
45
Secret Rare
7
14
5
3
5
34
Holo Rare
7
1
8
all
124
11
33
31
20
7
11
237
0.5
1
5
15
50
150
150+
Columns = resale price up to $X (log) · shade = cards in cell (log) · right & bottom = totals · white ring = this card

VariantsCard variants

Holofoil 194/203 · $483.57 — the only variant this card was printed in (no reverse holo or special pattern), so a master set needs just this one copy.

Rayquaza V Alternate Art from Evolving Skies shows the Sky High Pokemon in dynamic flight. Ryuta Fuse's artwork captures Rayquaza's serpentine form weaving through clouds, the motion and power that define this legendary. As the partner card to the Rayquaza VMAX alternate art, it completes the pair for collectors building their Evolving Skies sets.

The storyThe Other Half of Rayquaza

Evolving Skies featured Rayquaza as the Dragon-type flagship, balancing the set's Eeveelution focus. The VMAX alternate art claimed second place behind Moonbreon. But VMAXs need Vs to evolve from.

“Partners with Rayquaza VMAX Alt Art as a collecting pair”

The Rayquaza V alternate art provides that base form. For collectors who have the VMAX or want it, this card completes the evolutionary pair. For those who want Rayquaza representation at a lower price point, it offers an alternative.

The artwork takes a different perspective than the VMAX. Both show Rayquaza in flight, but the compositions differ. Collectors who want both get distinct pieces, not repetition.

By the numbersMarket analysis

Price context

Priced below the VMAX but still valuable among Evolving Skies alternate arts. Benefits from Rayquaza's popularity. The V to VMAX pairing creates completionist demand.

Price trend

Follows the VMAX trajectory at lower absolute prices. The gap between tiers is consistent. When Rayquaza VMAX prices move, this tends to move similarly.

Investment outlook

Rayquaza has proven lasting popularity. The legendary's significance in Pokemon lore supports collector interest. Solid fundamentals tied to an iconic Pokemon.

Demand drivers
Rayquaza's legendary status and fanbasePair collecting with the VMAX alternate artDragon-type collector interestEvolving Skies set reputationLower entry point for Rayquaza representation
Graded premium

PSA 10 copies sell for premiums over raw. Modern print quality is generally consistent. Check centering before grading.

Approx. pull rate

Alternate Art secret rares in Evolving Skies have very low pull rates. Getting this specific card requires luck. Most collectors buy singles.

Rarity context

V alternate arts are more common than VMAX alternate arts by pull rate, but both remain rare. The price gap reflects VMAX premium in the market.

ArtworkWhy the art matters

Card artwork
Artist · Ryuta Fuse

Ryuta Fuse has created Pokemon TCG illustrations featuring dynamic poses and motion. The style handles legendary Pokemon well with emphasis on power and movement.

The artwork

Rayquaza flies through the sky, serpentine body curving through clouds. The green legendary is shown in motion, not static. Wind effects and cloud formations emphasise speed. The pose captures the Pokemon in its element.

Technical details

Alternate Art treatment with textured holofoil. The sky colours and Rayquaza's green body interact with the foil. The motion effects benefit from light-catching properties.

What makes it special

Different composition from the VMAX allows both cards to feel distinct. Collectors get two perspectives on Rayquaza rather than similar images at different rarities.

BackgroundAbout Rayquaza V Alternate Full Art

Rayquaza appeared in Generation III with Ruby and Sapphire (2002). The Sky High Pokemon lives in the ozone layer and calmed the conflict between Groudon and Kyogre. It became the mascot for Pokemon Emerald. Mega Rayquaza was so strong it got banned from standard competitive tiers.

Why fans love it
  • ›Dragon/Flying legendary with striking design
  • ›Hero of the Hoenn legendary conflict
  • ›First Mega Evolution revealed for Gen VI remakes
  • ›Shiny black version is highly sought after
  • ›Consistent competitive dominance across formats
Notable appearances
  • ›Box legendary for Pokemon Emerald
  • ›Central to ORAS Delta Episode
  • ›Featured in Pokemon movies
  • ›Super Smash Bros stage hazard
Competitive relevance

Rayquaza V has playable stats. In formats where it was legal, it saw use as the base for VMAX builds. Collectors typically keep alternate art copies protected.

Own it wellCollector guide

Condition notes

Check centering on both axes. The green and sky colours should be consistent. Surface texture should be examined for any print issues.

Grading recommendation

Value supports grading for clean copies. Verify centering before submitting. PSA, CGC, and BGS all work well. Read the grading guide →

Storage advice

Sleeve immediately in perfect fit. Use rigid protection. Pair storage with VMAX for collectors who have both. See the storage guide →

Buying advice

TCGPlayer and eBay have listings. Often sold separately or bundled with VMAX. Compare prices both ways. Condition matters for premium pricing. See the singles buying guide →

Authentication tips

Value warrants attention to authenticity. Proper texture and foil patterns distinguish authentic cards. Consider graded copies for significant purchases.

Protect your card

High Chase Score — protect and consider grading. · Amazon affiliate links · Storage guide
Inner sleeveVault X Exact Fit SleevesA snug perfect-fit inner layer — double-sleeve valuable cards with these before the matte sleeve goes on.View on Amazon →Outer sleeveDragon Shield Matte SleevesMatte, archival-safe outer sleeves — the everyday standard for keeping surfaces and edges clean.View on Amazon →Rigid holderCardboard Gold Top LoadersPSA-recommended acid-free top loaders — rigid protection against bends and scratches on raw high-value cards.View on Amazon →Premium binderDragon Shield Card Codex 360A 360-card side-loading portfolio with a padded cover for long-term, display-safe storage.View on Amazon →

Word on the streetCommunity sentiment

Reception

Recognised as the VMAX's partner card. Collectors building complete Rayquaza sets from Evolving Skies target this. The artwork gets appreciation in its own right.

Notable sales
  • ›Often sold alongside VMAX in paired listings
  • ›PSA 10 copies perform well as Rayquaza collection pieces
Social buzz

Featured whenever Rayquaza VMAX is discussed. Reddit and YouTube include both in Evolving Skies content. The V versus VMAX comparison is frequent.

Good to knowFrequently asked questions

It's a different card, not a budget replacement. Both are Rayquaza alternate arts from Evolving Skies. This one costs less. It offers Rayquaza representation at a different price point. Many collectors eventually get both.
Depends on your goals. Complete Evolving Skies alternate art collections include both. Complete Rayquaza collections include both. Having the pair creates the full evolutionary line from the set.
Different compositions by different artists. Both show Rayquaza in flight but from different perspectives. The VMAX has sunset clouds. This version emphasises motion. They're complementary, not repetitive.
For clean copies with good centering, yes. The value supports grading costs. PSA 10 copies sell for premiums, especially when paired with graded VMAX.

Keep collectingRelated cards

Rayquaza VMAX Alternate Art SecretSame PokemonRayquaza VMAX Alternate Art SecretRayquaza V Full ArtSame PokemonRayquaza V Full ArtUmbreon VMAX Alternate Art SecretSame Set ChaseUmbreon VMAX Alternate Art Secret
Game data
Type
Pokémon
Element
Dragon
Stage
Basic
HP
210
Rarity
Ultra Rare
Artist
Ryuta Fuse
LDragon Pulse
40
Discard the top 2 cards of your deck.
FLSpiral Burst
20+
You may discard up to 2 basic Fire Energy or up to 2 basic Lightning Energy from this Pokémon. This attack does 80 more damage for each card you discarded in this way.
Weakness
DDragonone
Resistance
DDragonone
Retreat
CC

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