
Image via pokemontcg.io
Dark Sandslash
Team Rocket Returns 18/109 • rare
- Set
- Team Rocket Returns
- Number
- 18/109
- Rarity
- Rare
- Released
- 2004
- Energy type
- fighting energy
- Market price
- $14.70
- Artist
- Masakazu Fukuda
What it does
If Dark Sandslash is your Active Pokémon and is damaged by an opponent's attack (even if Dark Sandslash is Knocked Out), the Attacking Pokémon is now Poisoned.
This attack's damage isn't affected by Weakness, Resistance, Poké-Powers, Poké-Bodies, or any other effects on the Defending Pokémon.
This Pokémon is both Fighting Darkness type.
Where you can play it
- StandardNot legal
- ExpandedNot legal
- UnlimitedLegal
Card text © Pokémon / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK, via pokemontcg.io. Not produced by or endorsed by The Pokémon Company. As of the last catalogue refresh.
Where to find one
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Where it came from
Released in 2004 as part of the Team Rocket Returns expansion, this card represents a thematic shift in the Pokémon Trading Card Game where Pokémon owned by Team Rocket were given a darker, more aggressive aesthetic. The set was designed to revisit the lore of the nefarious organization, building upon the foundations laid by the original Team Rocket set from the early Wizards of the Coast era. It marked a period of transition under The Pokémon Company International, focusing on unique game mechanics like Pokémon-ex and the return of Dark-type variations.
The artwork for this card captures the edgy, nocturnal persona associated with the Rocket syndicate's influence. It features the signature dark-shaded color palette and distinct illustration style typical of the mid-2000s era, aimed at providing a grittier visual appeal for players who preferred the villainous archetypes. Upon release, it was well-received by collectors who appreciated the return of the 'Dark' prefix, which allowed for specific deck-building strategies that favored the disruptive playstyles encouraged by the Team Rocket theme.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
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About Dark Sandslash
Dark Sandslash is a card in the Pokémon Cards catalog on collecto.rs. Team Rocket Returns 18/109 • rare. Catalog data is sourced from pokemontcg.io. No collectors on collecto.rs publicly track this card yet — adding yours would make you the first.
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Where does the Dark Sandslash catalog entry come from?
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