Gyarados

Description

Released in 2005 as part of the Pokémon Deoxys expansion, this Gyarados card holds the number 8 position within the set. Issued as a Holo Rare, it represents one of the more visually distinct cards in the DX series, appealing to collectors who appreciate the era's specific production styles. The card identifies the subject as a Water-type Pokémon that evolves from Magikarp, marking a key progression point in the creature's lifecycle for fans of the franchise. For players and collectors alike, the card offers strategic depth through its unique attack mechanics. The Water Dragon Spark ability allows the user to deal 10 damage to each of the opponent's Pokémon, with a specific rule that bypasses Weakness and Resistance calculations for Benched targets. This makes it a disruptive force in gameplay scenarios. Alternatively, the Full Retaliation attack scales with the board state, dealing 20 damage multiplied by the number of damage counters on all of your Magikarp. This synergy encourages players to utilize the entire evolutionary line for maximum impact. The Pulverize attack provides a conditional burst of damage, dealing 50 plus an additional 50 damage if the defending Pokémon already has at least 2 damage counters. This mechanic rewards strategic positioning and resource management. With an HP of 90 and a retreat cost of 2, Gyarados balances offensive capability with mobility constraints. The artwork is credited to Hisao Nakamura, whose style defined the visual identity of this generation of cards. Collectors often seek this card to complete the Deoxys set or to build thematic decks centered around the Magikarp evolution line.