The Hunt for Dragonite V: An Expert‘s Guide to Finding this Iconic Card

As a long-time Pokémon TCG collector and competitive player, few modern pulls excite me more than Dragonite V. This majestic dragon‘s incredible art and top-tier gameplay make it one of the most coveted cards from the Sword & Shield era. But which booster packs actually have a chance to contain the mighty Dragonite V?

Introducing Dragonite V: Powerful and Picturesque

Released as part of 2021‘s Sword & Shield – Evolving Skies expansion, Dragonite V continues the Kanto dragon‘s legacy as a dominant competitive force. Its Jet Fist attack hits for 220 damage when used twice, while Dragon‘s Might can snipe damaged bench Pokemon. This combination earned Dragonite V a slot in multiple top-tier decks.

But Dragonite‘s value extends beyond just gameplay. The stunning alternate full art version, painted by Tokiya, depicts Dragonite soaring through rolling storm clouds. Its serene expression and weathered color palette exemplify the subtle beauty of Dragon-type Pokemon. Cards like this demonstrate why collecting Pokemon goes far beyond meta relevance.

Unlocking the Evolving Skies: Dragonite V‘s Home Set

Dragonite V originates in the landmark Sword & Shield – Evolving Skies set. Evolving Skies made waves upon release by introducing new VMAX Dragon-types and cards to accelerate Evolution, while also providing support for older fan-favorite strategies like Eeveelutions.

Competitively impactful cards like Rayquaza VMAX, Leafeon VMAX, and Umbreon VMAX join Dragonite at the top tables. Meanwhile, the set‘s gorgeous alternate arts and throwback Radiant cards appeal heavily to collectors. This exquisite combination of nostalgia and innovation established Evolving Skies as a must-have modern expansion.

Pull Rates and Probabilities: The Hunt for an Ultra Rare

According to reputable Pokemon YouTubers like smpratte, Dragonite V‘s pull rate falls around 1 in 45 Evolving Skies packs based on mass box openings. This places it in the same ultra rare tier as other Vs and VMAXs from the set.

For context, your average booster box yields around 5 VMAX cards in 36 packs, or 1 in 7 packs on average. So Dragonite V requires approximately triple the luck! Even tougher to chase are the Secret Rare Gold cards, weighing in at 1 in 144 packs in Evolving Skies.

The table below compares some of Evolving Skies‘ major ultra rare pull rates:

While nothing matches the insane lottery odds of the 1st Edition Chase Cards, Dragonite V still takes dedicated luck or money to obtain!

Booster Products With Evolving Skies Packs

Given Dragonite V‘s elusive pull odds, what products actually contain Evolving Skies packs?

Your best options are:

• Evolving Skies Booster Box – 36 packs, roughly 8 ultra rares per box
• Evolving Skies Elite Trainer Box – 10 packs, 1-2 ultra rares on average
• Evolving Skies Booster Packs – Available in most stores, online shops, used as tournament prizes
• Evolving Skies Build & Battle Boxes – 4 packs plus 1 promo card
• Dragonite V Box – 4 random Sword & Shield packs, no guarantees

Avoid products like Collection Boxes that contain inspired cards rather than packs. And don‘t get fooled by repackaged or resealed products which could contain mapped, weighed, or searched packs with the best cards already removed. Your safest bet is buying factory sealed booster boxes from reputable shops and distributors.

More Mythical Dragonites: Collecting Kanto‘s Dragon Through the Years

Beyond the modern Dragonite V chase, collectors have coveted strong and artsy Dragonite cards dating back to the iconic 1999 Fossil set. Let‘s explore some of these mythical dragons:

• 1st Edition Fossil Holo Dragonite (#6) – One of the most recognizable card arts, with Dragonite gazing upward
• Skyridge Reverse Holo Dragonite (#H32) – A shimmering mirror-image style rare from an underprinted set
• ex Deoxys Gold Star Dragonite (#107) – Extremely rare Gold Star version of fan-favorite EX card
• Japanese Vending Series 3 Dragonite – One of various vibrant promo-art vending machine cards
• Dragonite EX Full Art (XY Roaring Skies #108) – Modern full art reimagining of the delightful derpy Dragonite EX art

Cards like these demonstrate Dragonite‘s enduring popularity across generations. Whether chasing nostalgia or competitive advantage, this gentle dragon remains a coveted addition to any collection.

Grading Card Conditions and Rarity: The Demand for Pristine Charizards

When seeking the most valuable copies of rare Pokemon cards, condition becomes paramount. Professional grading companies like PSA and CGC assess cards on criteria like:

• Centering – how well-aligned and centered the image is on the card
• Corners – whether the corners exhibit any wear, dings, or softness
• Edges – if the card edges are clean and intact
• Surface – absence of scratches, indents, stains, or print errors

A Gem Mint PSA 10 or CGC 10 grade indicates a virtually pack-fresh card in flawless condition. The population reports from PSA and CGC reveal just how few cards meet this perfection criteria. For example, only 17 examples of the 1999 1st Edition Shadowless Holo Charizard reside in PSA 10 holders, compared to over 6000 in PSA 9. This miniscule supply in flawless condition, coupled with extremely high demand, regularly drives six-figure prices for PSA 10 vintage Charizards.

Sealed Product Values: From Base Set to Modern

Beyond individual cards, sealed booster boxes also appeal to investors and collectors hoping to reap future returns. According to analysts like Scott Crawford, demand for sealed product currently outpaces supply as more people turn to Pokemon cards as alternative assets. Limited print runs of vintage sets in particular creates scarcity.

Some of the most coveted and expensive sealed items include:

• 1999 Base Set 1st Edition ($400,000+) – The pinnacle of Pokemon card collecting. Only around 100 booster boxes exist.
• 1999 Base Set Unlimited ($200,000+) – Shadowless boxes with desirability almost on par with 1st edition.
• Gym Challenge/Heroes Booster Boxes ($100,000+) – Short-printed expansions with Misty and Blaine art.
• Neo Genesis Box ($80,000+) – The debut of iconic cards like Lugia and Typhlosion make it a neo-classic.
• Skyridge, Aquapolis Boxes ($30,000+) – Two vastly underprinted e-Card era sets.

But even modern sets show potential, with distributor allocations and print runs decreasing yearly. Sealed product offers investors a piece of Pokemon history to potentially gain value over time.

The Thrill of the Chase: Seeking Cards For Passion, Not Just Profit

While rarity and value provide a thrill, pursuing Pokemon cards solely as an investment misses much of what makes this hobby special. I‘ve cherished cards obtained through childhood trades, pre-release events, and late night card shop visits as much as any ultra rare pull. It‘s the excitement of potential in each unopened pack and expanded personal collection that I love most about collecting.

Seeing the Dragonite V art for the first time, I knew I had to have it in my hands, regardless of any future value appreciation. That‘s the true magic of Pokemon! I wish you best of luck in your own quests to catch ‘em all one card at a time.