Dark Gyarados · Team Rocket, what to know.
About the Dark Gyarados card
Dark Gyarados is card 8 of 83 in Team Rocket, released in April 2000, a Rare Holo. It is a Stage 1 Water-type with 70 HP.
As a Stage 1, it evolves from Magikarp, which places Dark Gyarados deeper in its line and means most collectors hold it alongside the cards it evolves from.
Team Rocket darkened Gyarados 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.
The Pokédex entry printed on Dark Gyarados reads: "Normally found only in the deep ocean, it has recently been seen in shallow waters as well."
About Gyarados in the Pokémon world
The fully evolved Magikarp. A massive serpentine water-flying dragon. Famous for the disproportionate evolution arc. Base Set holo Gyarados is one of the most aesthetically beloved holos in the set. Steady graded demand and appreciation.
What is Dark Gyarados worth?
Based on recent eBay sales, raw copies trade from $43 to $182 depending on the print and a PSA 10 runs from $2,000 to $3,550. The 1st Edition print is the most valuable, with a PSA 10 near $3,550. The table on this page breaks the price down by print and grade, updated 2026-05-19.
Print variants and how to spot them
Team Rocket shipped in 1st Edition and Unlimited, with no Shadowless print. The 1st Edition Dark Gyarados carries the Edition 1 stamp under the artwork and trades above the Unlimited copy in matching grade. The set is also home to Dark Raichu, the first Secret Rare ever printed.
Grading and condition
Expect the holo window to set the grade on Dark Gyarados. Print misregistration and fine scratches in the water foil are the usual reasons a copy lands at a 9, and edge whitening against the frame is the next thing a grader notes.
If you are collecting Dark Gyarados
If you are buying Dark Gyarados, work in order: confirm the print variant first, then the grade, then price against recent sales for that exact variant and grade. For a raw Dark Gyarados above a few hundred dollars, insist on angled-light photos of the holo so you can spot hairlines.
Three prints, three markets.
Edition 1 stamp under the artwork. Trades above Unlimited in matching grade.
No stamp. The standard, more affordable print.
