💡 The sky sovereign of Evolving Skies — Rayquaza VMAX Alt Art (218/203). HP 320, Azure Pulse hand-reset, Max Burst hits as hard as your Energy allows. Market price ~$1,030 as of June 2026 (TCGPlayer).
Card Basic Info
Card Name: Rayquaza VMAX
Set: Evolving Skies
Release Date: August 27, 2021
Card Number: 218/203 (Secret Rare — exceeds print number)
Rarity: Alternate Art Secret Rare
Type: Dragon
Illustrator: Anesaki Dynamic
Card Stats & Abilities
HP: 320
Ability — Azure Pulse: Once during your turn, you may discard your hand and draw 3 cards.
Attack — Max Burst [R][L]: 20+. Discard any amount of basic Fire or Lightning Energy from this Pokémon. This attack does 80 more damage for each card discarded.
Weakness: None
Retreat Cost: [C][C]
Azure Pulse is a hand-refresh ability that lets you cycle dead cards into fresh draws every turn. Max Burst scales infinitely with Energy discards — three Energy discards yields 260 damage, enough to knock out nearly anything.
Price & Where to Buy
As of June 2026 · TCGPlayer data. This is not investment advice.
Alternate Art market price: ~$1,030
Regular Rare Holo (102/203): $15–40 range.
Evolving Skies is discontinued; new booster boxes are scarce.
Where to buy: TCGPlayer, eBay, local card shops and communities.
PSA 10 graded copies command a 2× or more premium over raw cards.
Why This Card Is Iconic
Rayquaza is the undisputed ruler of the sky in the Pokémon universe, and this Alternate Art from Evolving Skies captures its majesty with Anesaki Dynamic's dramatic, sweeping illustration. Evolving Skies is remembered for featuring Eeveelution VMAXes, but Rayquaza VMAX stands apart as the set's Dragon centerpiece. With no weakness and an infinitely scaling attack, it was both a competitive powerhouse and a collector's dream — the Alt Art version remains one of the most visually striking Dragon cards ever printed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How does Rayquaza compare to Moonbreon from the same set?
A. Moonbreon ($2,292) holds a higher price, but Rayquaza ($1,030) is the second most valuable Alt Art in the set. Dragon fans often favor Rayquaza for its imposing design.
Q. How much damage can Max Burst actually deal?
A. Each discarded Energy adds 80 damage. Discarding 3 Energy gives 20+240=260 damage, enough to one-shot almost any Pokémon. With Energy acceleration support, even higher outputs are possible.
Q. Are there other Rayquaza cards worth collecting in Evolving Skies?
A. Rayquaza V Alt Art (177/203) is also popular and valued at $80+. The regular Rayquaza V (71/203) is a more affordable competitive option.
Q. Will Evolving Skies be reprinted?
A. No reprint has been announced. Rayquaza continues to appear in new sets — keep an eye on future releases.
Card images and data are copyright of Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK / The Pokémon Company.