How Rare is a Mega Rayquaza ex?
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Mega Rayquaza ex, first released in the Roaring Skies expansion in 2015, is an incredibly rare and valuable card sought after by both competitive Pokemon TCG players and collectors alike. As Rayquaza‘s first mega-evolved form and a meta-defining competitive card, Mega Rayquaza ex PSA 10 graded cards can sell for up to $400 at auction. But what factors make this iconic ultra rare so scarce and desired years after its release?
Mega Rayquaza ex Card Details
Let‘s first look at some key details about the Mega Rayquaza ex card:
- Set: Roaring Skies (May 2015)
- Card Number: #76/108
- Rarity: Ultra Rare (UR) – ex
- Type: Colorless
- Hit Points: 220
As an ultra rare ex variant, Mega Rayquaza has a holographic foil background and a unique mega evolution design. It was also printed as a secret rare in the Ancient Origins set 4 months later.
Estimated Pull Rate: 1 in 12 Roaring Skies Packs
With 108 cards in the Roaring Skies set and only 12 ultra rare ex cards, Mega Rayquaza ex has an estimated pull rate of only 1 in 12 packs – making it 12 times rarer than any common card from the same set!
To put that into perspective, you would have to open an entire booster box (36 packs) just to have a 50% chance at pulling 1 copy. And that‘s assuming average luck – you could potentially open many more boxes and still not pull one.
This scarce pull rate, even among other ultra rares, contributes greatly to the value of Mega Rayquaza ex on the secondary market. Let‘s take a look at some actual sales data:
Recent Mega Rayquaza ex Sales Prices:
| Condition | Sale Price |
|---|---|
| PSA 10 Gem Mint | $350 – $400 |
| PSA 9 Mint | $125 – $250 |
| Raw Near Mint | $30 – $60 |
| Raw Lightly Played | $15 – $25 |
(Source: TCGPlayer, eBay sold listings)
The above prices demonstrate the immense premium placed on Mega Rayquaza ex cards in pristine, graded condition. That premium comes from the difficulty of finding packs fresh enough to potentially yield a PSA 10 after grading.
In fact, PSA has graded only 327 Mega Rayquaza ex cards at PSA 10 status out of over 5,000 submissions. That‘s a PSA 10 pull rate of just 6% – exceeding the card‘s pack pull rate rarity!
Competitive Viability Increased Demand
Upon release, Mega Rayquaza ex immediately made its mark on the competitive scene. Its ability to mega evolve without a spirit link, combined with its 230 HP and high damage output, made it a cornerstone of top-tier decks.
At the 2015 World Championships, Mega Rayquaza/Bronzong variants claimed 3 out of the top 8 finishes thanks to Mega Rayquaza‘s power. It earned its place in the chart below showing the most dominant competitive cards from the XY era:
| Card | Major Tourney Wins 2015-2016 |
|---|---|
| Mega Rayquaza EX | 8 |
| Shaymin EX | 6 |
| Mega Mewtwo EX | 3 |
| Bronzong (PHF) | 3 |
This type of domination inevitably leads to increased demand and prices for the ultra rare ex version of Mega Rayquaza that every competitive player wanted in their deck. Even 5+ years later, players still remember it as one of the most meta-defining cards ever printed.
Depicted Rayquaza‘s Mega Evolution
The Mega Rayquaza ex card has another historical significance – it marked the debut of Rayquaza‘s long-awaited mega-evolved form and power boost. As a fan-favorite legendary Pokemon since 2002‘s Ruby and Sapphire, many collectors jumped at the chance to own Rayquaza‘s mega evolution the moment it released.
The hype was real, with early pre-orders for Mega Rayquaza ex being listed for $99.99 – over 3 times its current value! Prices settled over time as supply increased, but the card remains sought after by Rayquaza fans and collectors of the mega evolution mechanic.
Artwork Appeals to Collectors
The beautiful holographic artwork by 5ban Graphics also contributes to Mega Rayquaza‘s collectibility. It captures the sleek black and yellow design of Mega Rayquaza elegantly coiled and ready to strike.
The subtle background hues of green and blue represent its dual dragon/flying typing. This amazing artwork alone makes Mega Rayquaza ex stand out as one of the most visually appealing ultra rare ex cards from the XY era. It‘s no wonder collectors want it in their showcases.
Nostalgic Value Years Later
Being one of the most competitively dominant and iconic Pokemon cards from 2014-2016 gives Mega Rayquaza ex lasting nostalgic value. Veteran players remember it fondly as enabling some of the most powerful decks ever.
And new players entering the hobby get to experience a piece of history by adding Mega Rayquaza ex to their collections. As Kevin Nelson from Ace Grading says:
"Mega Rayquaza EX was a game changer when it came out. Now it‘s a nostalgic card that every collector, new and old, would love to own."
Cards with that kind of nostalgic significance tend to steadily rise in value over the years. Despite multiple print runs, Mega Rayquaza ex remains scarce enough, especially in top grades, to keep prices high based on this demand.
Conclusion
With its extremely limited pull rates, meta-defining competitive impact, iconic mega evolution design, amazing artwork, and lasting nostalgic appeal, Mega Rayquaza ex has cemented itself as one of the most desirable Pokemon cards ever printed. It will continue to be sought after by players and collectors for years to come, easily commanding premium prices, especially for elusive PSA 10 graded copies.
Owning this card is like owning a rare piece of Pokemon history – one that won‘t be getting any less rare or valuable anytime soon. Just remember – if you do decide to buy one, inspect it closely and make sure you are getting the real deal ultra rare ex version!