Dark Ampharos · Neo Destiny, what to know.
About the Dark Ampharos card
Numbered 1 of 113 in Neo Destiny, released in February 2002, Dark Ampharos is a Rare Holo, a Stage 2 Lightning-type carrying 70 HP.
It evolves from Dark Flaaffy, so Dark Ampharos is a later-stage card that set-builders usually slot into a full evolution run rather than buy alone.
Team Rocket darkened Ampharos under its control for the set's villain arc, a grittier repaint of the familiar Pokémon with an altered attack profile.
Illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno. Himeno is one of the most-recognized vintage illustrators, with a softer, more textured style that shows up across the Jungle and Neo runs.
Printed on the card, the Ampharos Pokédex entry reads: "Its brightly lit tail can be seen for miles in the dark, even by ships on the sea."
About Ampharos in the Pokémon world
A large yellow electric sheep-Pokémon. One of the most-loved Generation 2 designs. Neo Genesis holo Ampharos is a quiet collector favorite. Steady graded demand.
What is Dark Ampharos worth?
Dark Ampharos is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Neo Destiny's value. The print variant decides most of it: a 1st Edition copy in high grade commands a large premium over a Shadowless or Unlimited one. In top-grade 1st Edition, Neo Destiny holos range from the mid hundreds for the lesser cards up to Shining Charizard at the top; raw and Unlimited copies trade for a fraction of that. The live market price above shows the current figure by grade.
Print variants and how to spot them
Neo Destiny produced 1st Edition, Unlimited, Shining prints. For Dark Ampharos, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
Grading and condition
For graded buyers, the holo window on Dark Ampharos is where most points are won or lost. Surface scratches and foil misregistration are common on Wizards-era cards, and centering was inconsistent enough that clean PSA 10s stay scarce. Read the lightning foil at a 45-degree angle under strong light before committing.
If you are collecting Dark Ampharos
For Dark Ampharos, variant comes before condition. A 1st Edition and an Unlimited Dark Ampharos are different markets for the same art, so settle the print before you negotiate. Demand a clear photo of the Dark Ampharos holo for any raw purchase.
