Dragapult V Price Trends and Collector Value in Darkness Ablaze

In TCG ·

Dragapult V card art from SWSH Black Star Promos

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Tracking Dragapult V: Market Pulse and Collector Spirit

Fans of the Shadow dragon along with the evolving psychics in the Sword & Shield era have long kept eyes on promos that blend striking art, robust HP, and playable potential. Dragapult V, a basic Psychic-type from the SWSH Black Star Promos family illustrated by aky CG Works, stands out not just for its 210 HP but for the story it tells about collectability in the promo ecosystem. Its glossy holo presentation (where present) makes it a centerpiece for display shelves and play-carry binder pages alike. The card’s position in Darkness Ablaze conversations is less about a single tournament moment and more about the era’s collector engine: how promos circulate, how rarity interacts with demand, and how price trends respond to limited print runs and cross-format legality.

In the card’s data, we see a straightforward yet injectingly strategic package. This Dragapult V is a Basic Pokémon with the ability to threaten damage quickly and to scale it up with favorable bench movement. Its two attacks—“Bite” for 30 and “Jet Assault” for 60 plus an extra 80 damage if Dragapult moved from the Bench to the Active Spot during the same turn—highlight a classic risk-versus-reward dynamic. When you can pivot a Dragapult V into the active seat, its total on-paper potential spikes to 140 damage in a single turn, a sum that can swing match tempo in the Expanded format. The attack costs are Psychic and, for the Jet Assault, two Psychic energies, which aligns neatly with many Psychic deck builds from the era.

  • Type: Psychic
  • HP: 210
  • Stage: Basic
  • Attacks: Bite (30), Jet Assault (60+, +80 if moved from Bench to Active this turn)
  • Weakness / Resistance: Darkness ×2, Fighting −30
  • Retreat: 1
  • Regulation: Mark D; Expanded legal
  • Illustrator: aky CG Works
  • Set: SWSH Black Star Promos
  • Rarity: None

From a collector’s lens, the Dragapult V promo sits at an interesting crossroads. It isn’t stamped with a traditional rarity symbol in some print runs, which can affect early-market liquidity, but its holo variant—when printed and distributed—carries a distinctive glow that many players and collectors crave. The art by aky CG Works captures Dragapult’s eerie charisma: a dragon-ghost fusion poised in mid-leap, eyes glinting with a cyclone-like psychic aura. Such artistry matters in the hobby, because display quality matters as much as card power. The holo version, in particular, often becomes a focal point for binder watchers and shelf displays, where the coppery flash and light-reflective surface draw eyes across the room. ⚡🔥

Market Snapshot: What the Numbers Say

When we look at price data from CardMarket for this card, the non-holo version sits around an average price of roughly €2.30, with a low near €0.79. The reported trend around the last reporting window indicates a modest uptick, roughly +2.49 units in the same reference frame. In practical terms, a quick glance shows a steady, patient appreciation rather than a meteoric spike—typical for a promo card whose primary appeal is as much about collection as about playability.

But the holo version tells a more dynamic story. In holo form, the price floor and ceiling shift upward. The press of holo demand is evident in the numbers: average holo values sit around €4.55 for the near-term (1-day) snapshot and move toward €5.31–€5.70 across 7- to 30-day windows. The holo market’s momentum often reflects both display value and the fact that holo promos from this era are less frequently reprinted, lending a premium to condition, centering on pristine surfaces and perfect corners. For collectors, these holo variants can be the gateway to a wider Dragapult family collection or a centerpiece in a display that highlights promo history from the Black Star Promos era. 💎

The broader context of Darkness Ablaze-era discourse adds another layer. While Dragapult V is billed as a promo in the SWSH line, it sits inside decks and collections influenced by the surrounding rotation and format shifts. In Expanded, where the card remains legal, players can leverage its 210 HP and Jet Assault’s high-damage ceiling to threaten large contenders, while collectors chase the holo print for its aesthetic and rarity signals. The market’s patience here rewards thoughtful buys—purchasing a holo Dragapult V when the price cools after a rotation spike can be a smart move for long-term value, especially for those who curate a Dragapult corner of their collection. 🎴

Practical Perspectives: Collecting, Grading, and Display

For collectors, the Dragapult V promo offers a story of print-run realities, promo distribution, and the enduring appeal of high-HP “big finish” potential in a gamble-friendly format. Grading considerations matter: holo foils with strong centering, intact corners, and vivid gloss tend to fetch premium, particularly in sets with limited reprints. The card’s “None” rarity label adds a twist for traders who rely on market psychology—some collectors prize the rarity angle; others focus on the playable aura and artwork. Either way, a well-preserved Dragapult V holo stands out as a bold statement piece in any Psychic-themed display. Gameplay-wise, Jet Assault rewards careful bench management. If you can orchestrate a turn where Dragapult V swings in from the bench with the right energy in place, the 140 damage window can pressure opponents who rely on bulky defensive strategies. In practice, players often pair Dragapult V with energy acceleration and bench-dueling tactics to maximize the turn count of their challenges. The 210 HP helps it survive a round or two longer than many of its peers, especially when matched with supportive Psychic lines that can draw out weaknesses and threaten critical knockout plays. 🔮

Illustration and design matter here too. aky CG Works’ render isn’t just pretty; it captures the tension of a predator and a protector—the kind of imagery that sticks in memory and drives premium pricing for holo prints. Collectors aren’t just chasing a card; they’re chasing a moment in time when the promo ecosystem intersected with the evolving Darkness Ablaze era, leaving behind a tangible artifact that glows with nostalgia and potential. 🎨

If you’re considering a purchase, keep in mind the price floors and the holo premium, and watch for rotation cycles that affect Expanded, the format where Dragapult V remains playable. A patient approach—watching market dips, buying near support levels, and maintaining a careful eye on condition—tends to pay off with promos that age gracefully like this one. ⚡

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