Image via pokemontcg.io
Zapdos
Base 16/102 • holo-rare
- Set
- Base
- Number
- 16/102
- Rarity
- Rare Holo
- Released
- 1999
- Energy type
- Electric energy
- Finish
- Cosmos
- Market price
- $49.88
- Artist
- Ken Sugimori
What it does
Flip a coin. If tails, Zapdos does 30 damage to itself.
Discard all Energy cards attached to Zapdos in order to use this attack.
A legendary bird Pokémon said to appear from clouds while wielding enormous lightning bolts.
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
The Zapdos card was released as part of the original Base Set of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, which debuted in Japan in 1996 and internationally in 1999. Created by Media Factory and Wizards of the Coast, the set was designed to capitalize on the runaway success of the Nintendo Game Boy titles. As one of the original legendary birds, Zapdos was chosen for its status as a powerful electric-type entity, providing a high-value chase card for players and collectors entering the hobby at its inception.
The illustration was crafted by Ken Sugimori, the primary character designer and illustrator for the Pokémon franchise. His aesthetic focused on clean, bold lines and dynamic poses that echoed the design language of the early video games. The holographic finish—a signature feature of the Rare Holo tier—was intended to give the legendary Pokémon a sense of prestige and visual distinction. Upon release, it was highly sought after by competitive players for its 'Thunderbolt' attack, which remained a staple of many early game strategies.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
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About Zapdos
Zapdos is a card in the Pokémon Cards catalog on collecto.rs. Base 16/102 • holo-rare. Catalog data is sourced from pokemontcg.io. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
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