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Rayquaza VMAX Secret VMAX
#217/203Illus. PLANETA Mochizuki
Secret Rare

Rayquaza VMAX Secret

#217/203 · from Evolving Skies · released August 27, 2021
Track this card
Holofoil
82/ 100
A-Tier Chase

Cardrake Chase Score

A top chase card for this set.

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Quick take

  • Gold etched Secret Rare of Rayquaza VMAX, one of Evolving Skies' headline secret rare slots
  • TCGPlayer market around $83 raw, has held that range across four years
  • Generation III legendary with cross-generational design appeal
  • Belongs in any Evolving Skies master set or Rayquaza-themed collection

Collector's readWhat it means for your master set

Set position
13 of 369
Among the higher-value cards in the set
Demand vs rarity Est.
11.3×
Well above its rarity · others at this rarity sell for about $9.61
Cost to complete
≈1%
of the ~$8150 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 trending down · 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
2
12
9
12
4
6
45
Secret Rare
7
14
5
3
5
34
Holo Rare
7
1
8
all
124
10
34
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 217/203 · $108.54 — the only variant this card was printed in (no reverse holo or special pattern), so a master set needs just this one copy.

Rayquaza VMAX Secret Rare from Evolving Skies is the gold-etched secret variant of the set's playable Rayquaza VMAX. TCGPlayer market around $83 raw at last sync, holding a stable mid-tier secret rare position for four years. The gold treatment over the standard art reads as a serious-collector chase rather than the art-led Alt Art tier. Belongs in any Evolving Skies master set or Rayquaza-themed collection.

The storyThe Gold Secret Rayquaza in Evolving Skies' Chase Ladder

Evolving Skies (swsh7, 2021) is best known for the Eeveelution V Alt Arts and Umbreon VMAX (Moonbreon). The Secret Rare tier is the secondary chase ladder beneath the alt art subset. Gold etched variants of the playable VMAX cards. Rayquaza VMAX Secret Rare at #217 is one of the headline slots in that tier.

“Gold etched Secret Rare of Rayquaza VMAX, one of Evolving Skies' headline secret rare slots”

The gold treatment uses the standard Rayquaza VMAX art (the playable version) but renders the entire card face in etched gold foil. No coloured ink layers, no full-bleed illustration, just the design preserved under hammered-metal texture. This is investment-grade collecting territory rather than art-driven demand. Collectors who chase Secret Rares do it for the rarity stamp and scarcity, not the picture.

Rayquaza specifically benefits from Generation III legendary mascot status. The Sky High Pokemon from Pokemon Emerald (2004) has held cross-generational appeal, and the Mega Evolution from Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014) extended that into a second wave. Evolving Skies' Rayquaza VMAX Secret Rare positions the design in the modern era while preserving the original artwork through the gold treatment.

By the numbersMarket analysis

Price context

Around $83 raw on TCGPlayer at last sync. Mid-tier of Evolving Skies' Secret Rare lineup, alongside Umbreon VMAX Secret (~$63) and Sylveon VMAX Secret (~$51). PSA 10 graded copies push past $200.

Price trend

Has held the $70-100 range across four years with mild cyclical fluctuation. Evolving Skies' Secret Rare tier moves slower than the alt art subset because the demand pool is narrower (investment collectors specifically rather than art collectors). Rayquaza's character durability provides a firm floor.

Investment outlook

Stable. Rayquaza's character durability is strong but not headline-tier. The Secret Rare positioning provides moderate scarcity without the headline grail status of the Eeveelution alt arts. PSA 10 graded copies are the cleanest long hold for committed Evolving Skies collectors.

Demand drivers
Rayquaza's Generation III legendary mascot statusEvolving Skies master set completionist demandGold etched Secret Rare treatment appeals to rarity-focused collectorsClosed print run since 2021 with no reprint possiblePairs with other Evolving Skies Secret Rares as a chase subset
Graded premium

PSA 10 around 2-2.5x raw, $200-250. The gold etched surface is forgiving on print quality but unforgiving on handling marks. Centering is the main grading variable. Submit clean copies, the premium clears submission costs comfortably.

Approx. pull rate

Sword and Shield era Secret Rares pulled at roughly 1 in 80-120 packs across the Secret Rare rarity tier. Per-specific-Secret-Rare card, roughly 1 in 600+ packs.

Rarity context

Mid-tier of Evolving Skies' Secret Rare lineup. Pairs with Umbreon VMAX Secret (~$63), Sylveon VMAX Secret (~$51), and other gold etched variants. Below the Eeveelution V Alt Art tier in pricing but above the standard VMAX cards.

ArtworkWhy the art matters

Card artwork
Artist · PLANETA Mochizuki

PLANETA Mochizuki is part of the PLANETA illustration collective that produces Pokemon TCG art across multiple eras. Mochizuki specifically has credits across the Sword and Shield and Scarlet & Violet eras, often associated with dragon-type and legendary Pokemon. The Rayquaza VMAX is one of the most-cited Mochizuki works.

The artwork

The standard Rayquaza VMAX card art preserved within a gold etched border treatment. The illustration shows Rayquaza in serpentine flight, the legendary's emerald and gold colour scheme rendered entirely in gold tones under the Secret Rare foil. Background and figure both render in gold.

Technical details

Secret Rare with full-card etched gold foiling. The Sword and Shield era's Secret Rare treatment is consistent across the era, the texture follows the Pokemon's body contours. No coloured ink layers visible on the card face, everything reads as gold under any lighting.

What makes it special

Secret Rares signal investment-grade collecting. The treatment is consistent across the era, which gives the Secret Rares a unified visual identity that the more varied alt arts lack. Rayquaza's underlying serpentine design works well in monochrome gold because the silhouette is distinctive enough to carry the card.

BackgroundAbout Rayquaza VMAX Secret

Rayquaza debuted in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire (2002) as a tertiary legendary, with Pokemon Emerald (2004) positioning Rayquaza as the version mascot. National Pokedex #384. Dragon/Flying type. The Sky High Pokemon, tasked with maintaining the balance between Groudon and Kyogre in Hoenn lore. Mega-evolves into Mega Rayquaza in Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014), with the design adding additional tail length and amplifying the emerald-gold colour scheme. Mega Rayquaza's competitive impact was significant enough to require an Ubers tier ban.

Why fans love it
  • ›Generation III legendary with Pokemon Emerald version mascot status
  • ›Mega Rayquaza design from OR/AS is widely regarded as one of the best Mega designs
  • ›Casual collector appeal across multiple eras and demographics
  • ›Frequent anime and merchandise appearances
  • ›Cross-generational cultural recognition
Notable appearances
  • ›Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire (2002) as a tertiary legendary
  • ›Pokemon Emerald (2004) as the box art legendary
  • ›Multiple anime arcs including Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys (2004)
  • ›Mega Rayquaza in Pokemon OR/AS (2014)
  • ›Pokemon GO release with subsequent Mega Rayquaza event
Competitive relevance

Rayquaza has been a competitive staple across multiple generations via Dragon Ascent (a signature move that converts the typing) and strong offensive stats. Mega Rayquaza in OR/AS was banned to Ubers due to overwhelming offensive presence. The Evolving Skies VMAX has playable stats but is universally a display piece at this price.

Own it wellCollector guide

Condition notes

Gold etched surfaces grade harshly on handling defects. Fingerprints, surface scuffs, edge whitening, all immediately visible against the consistent gold tone. The card is now four years old, inspect carefully for any aging-related issues.

Grading recommendation

Grade clean copies. PSA 10 premium runs 2-2.5x raw, $200-250 on an $83 raw card. Handle with sleeves only, body oil on gold etched surfaces is a common downgrade. The SWSH-era Secret Rare grading population is mature, submissions return predictably. Read the grading guide →

Storage advice

Perfect-fit sleeve, rigid top loader or magnetic case for raw. Graded slabs are the standard for long holds at this price tier. Climate-controlled storage matters more for gold-etched cards than standard holofoils. See the storage guide →

Buying advice

TCGPlayer Direct for raw, eBay's PSA market for graded. The Evolving Skies Secret Rare tier moves slower than the alt art subset, no urgency on timing. Pair with other Evolving Skies Secret Rares (Umbreon VMAX Secret specifically) for a chase subset display. See the singles buying guide →

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

Steadily positive. Rayquaza VMAX Secret Rare is the 'investment hold' alternative to the more art-driven Eeveelution alt arts in Evolving Skies. Collectors who prioritise rarity stamps over illustration commit to the Secret Rare tier specifically.

Notable sales
  • ›Recent TCGPlayer market around $83 raw
  • ›PSA 10 graded comps in the $200-250 range over the past 18 months
Social buzz

Steady. Less viral than the Eeveelution alts but features consistently in 'Evolving Skies master set' content and 'best Rayquaza cards' rankings. The gold treatment photographs cleanly under good lighting and shares well in collector content.

Good to knowFrequently asked questions

A gold etched variant of a playable card, numbered beyond the official set total. Evolving Skies has multiple Secret Rares including Rayquaza VMAX, Umbreon VMAX, Sylveon VMAX, and others. The treatment uses the original card art but renders the entire card in etched gold foil. Pull rate is roughly 1 in 80-120 packs across the Secret Rare tier.
For clean copies, yes. PSA 10 premium runs 2-2.5x raw, which on an $83 raw works to $200-250. Handle with sleeves only, gold etched surfaces grade harshly on handling defects. The SWSH-era Secret Rare grading population is mature and submissions return predictably.
Different collecting tier. Alt arts (Umbreon VMAX, Sylveon V, Espeon V, etc.) are art-driven cards with full-bleed illustrations and broad collector demand. Secret Rares like Rayquaza VMAX are rarity-driven with the original card art preserved under gold foil. Alt arts trade higher because the demand pool is broader.
For long holds, graded. PSA 10 premium runs 2-2.5x raw and the slab provides authentication at a meaningful price tier. For binder display or partial-subset builds, raw works fine. The decision often follows the rest of your Evolving Skies Secret Rare lineup, mixing raw and graded creates visual inconsistency.
Yes for chase subset collectors. Rayquaza VMAX Secret and Umbreon VMAX Secret are both gold etched variants in Evolving Skies. Together they anchor the Secret Rare subset alongside Sylveon VMAX Secret and others. Collectors building the full Evolving Skies master set need all of them.

Keep collectingRelated cards

Espeon V Alternate Full ArtSame set, alt art subset, Espeon V Alternate Full ArtEspeon V Alternate Full ArtUmbreon VMAX SecretSame set, paired Secret Rare, Umbreon VMAX SecretUmbreon VMAX SecretSylveon VMAX SecretSame set, paired Secret Rare, Sylveon VMAX SecretSylveon VMAX Secret
Game data
Type
Pokémon
Element
Dragon
Stage
VMAX
HP
320
Rarity
Secret Rare
Artist
PLANETA Mochizuki
AbilityAzure Pulse
Once during your turn, you may discard your hand and draw 3 cards.
FLMax Burst
20+
You may discard any amount of basic Fire Energy or any amount of 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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