Wailord ex

Wailord ex was released as part of the EX Sandstorm expansion in 2003, which was the second set in the Pokémon Trading Card Game's EX series. This set marked a significant transition in the game, introducing the 'ex' mechanic, which featured Pokémon with significantly higher hit points and powerful abilities but allowed the opponent to take two prize cards upon knocking them out. The series was designed to shift the meta-game toward more robust, high-stakes battles, reflecting the game's evolution in the post-Wizards of the Coast era after The Pokémon Company International took over production.

The card was illustrated by Hikaru Koike, a veteran artist known for a distinct, stylized approach to Pokémon art that often utilized bold lines and dynamic, sometimes slightly surreal, perspectives. As the largest Pokémon in the game at the time, Wailord was a natural fit for the new 'ex' card type, which was intended to showcase massive, formidable creatures. Upon its release, Wailord ex was noted for its unprecedented 200 HP, which made it a centerpiece for defensive strategies during the early EX-era competitive scene, despite its vulnerability to certain elemental weaknesses.