Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Price Trends and Collector Value for Alolan Ninetales GX
Fans of the Water-type arc were treated to a dazzling foil showcase when Alolan Ninetales GX arrived in the Guardians Rising era. Illustrated by 5ban Graphics, this Ultra Rare GX carries a silky combination of power and elegance. With an imposing 210 HP and a trio of attacks that rewards careful energy management, this card remains a compelling centerpiece for Expanded decks and a coveted piece for collectors who chase holo artistry and set integrity alike ⚡🔥. The journey of its value in markets like Cardmarket and TCGPlayer offers a fascinating look at how a single GX can hold steady interest long after its initial release.
Card snapshot: what makes Alolan Ninetales GX tick
- Set: Guardians Rising (SM2), part of a larger storyline in the Sun & Moon era, featuring the symbol and a diverse roster.
- Rarity: Ultra Rare, with holo variants that gleam under proper lighting.
- Type & HP: Water type, 210 HP, a sturdy frontline in Expanded formats.
- Evolution: Evolves from Alolan Vulpix, inviting nostalgic links to prior cards while offering new GX-era power.
- Attacks: Ice Blade (50 damage to a single opponent’s Pokémon) for straightforward aggression; Blizzard Edge (160 damage) with the cost of discarding 2 Energy from Alolan Ninetales GX; Ice Path GX (move all damage counters from this Pokémon to the opponent’s Active) with the GX rule limiting use to one GX attack per game.
- Weakness & Retreat: Weakness to Metal ×2, Retreat Cost 1 — a balance tilt that affects deck building and KO sequencing.
- Illustrator: 5ban Graphics, a name fans recognize for polished, ethereal Pokémon art.
- Legal in formats: Expanded only (standard play excludes this card at the time of reporting).
- Update & data: Card data updated 2025-08-16; pricing data reflects ongoing market activity through 2025.
“In the era of GX powerhouses, Alolan Ninetales GX isn’t just a pretty face—its Ice Path GX can pivot a match by redirecting damage, and Blizzard Edge values proper energy retention over brute-force damage.”
Why collectors value this card today
From a collector’s perspective, two threads weave together to sustain interest in Alolan Ninetales GX: rarity and art. The Ultra Rare stamp paired with holo variants makes it a visually striking addition to any binder, while the Guardians Rising stamp anchors it to a popular subset of the Sun & Moon era. The card’s sizable 210 HP and three-pronged attack suite provide tactical appeal in Expanded, where GX cards still see play and influence deck-building conversations. The art by 5ban Graphics isn’t merely decorative; it’s a defining feature that elevates the card’s desirability, making it a favorite for display, not just for play value.
Market data supports this sentiment with nuanced layers. Cardmarket shows a robust average price around the mid-four-euro range, with a measured uptrend across 1-, 7-, and 30-day windows. Specifically, the avg sits near 4.28 EUR, while the 1-day and 30-day snapshots hint at mild volatility around the 4–5 EUR neighborhood. The trend value of 3.11 on Cardmarket suggests modest growth across longer spans, with holo variants showing a similar but slightly intensified trajectory (holo trend around 3.09). This indicates a healthy demand among both players and collectors, with holo cards often commanding a premium on many markets.
On TCGPlayer, holofoil copies pull higher numbers, including a high price approaching $9 for some copies and a mid-price around $4.07, with a market price near $3.90. The direct low price sits around $4.46, implying a reasonable floor for non-direct buyers who want a reliable source for a holo copy. The combination of a non-holo baseline and holo premium mirrors the broader market pattern for many GX-era cards: aesthetics and rarity lean into value, while gameplay utility sustains periodic demand in decks that still rely on Expanded formats.
So, what does that mean for a collector hoping to invest or simply add a striking piece to a collection? If you’re chasing exclusivity, holo copies are the target, often secure at a price point above non-holo but with a clear ceiling during market lulls. If you’re focused on a balanced display piece, the standard print remains accessible and still carries solid resonances from the Guardians Rising theme and the Alolan aesthetic. As with any collectability story, it helps to track the cards’ condition, language, and any concurrent promos—these factors can push price movement beyond what the base data would suggest ⚡🎴.
Practical takeaways for deck builders and investors
- Deck viability: In Expanded, Alolan Ninetales GX is a demanding setup star. The Ice Path GX can shift momentum by redistributing counters, but you’re capped to one GX attack per game, so timing and resource management are critical. Blizzard Edge’s 160 damage is attractive, especially when paired with Energy acceleration strategies that maximize the number of turns you can threaten KO parity.
- Energy management: Blizzard Edge requires two Water energy investments; building a reliable Water-energy base is essential. You’ll want to balance the deck to ensure Ice Blade’s precision and Ice Path GX’s strategic pivot line up with board states where you can mitigate counterplay from Metal-weak or fast, aggressive decks.
- Market awareness: Keep an eye on holo vs non-holo pricing and the 1st-edition or promo variants if they surface in your region. While the standard set copy remains a solid pick, holo versions tend to keep a premium, especially in well-preserved condition.
- Preservation mindset: For collectors, maintaining pristine foils and protecting sleeves is as important as securing a copy with a strong play history. The value isn’t only tied to play; it’s tied to the card’s aura as a collectible centerpiece.
- Liquidity and timing: If you’re buying to flip or to complete a Guardians Rising collection, monitor market sweeps around major holidays and tournament seasons, when interest tends to spike for GX-era cards and holo variants.
As a closing thought, Alolan Ninetales GX captures a moment where artistry, strategy, and market dynamics intersect. Its 210 HP frontline, potent GX option, and the dual appeal of holo-versus-non-holo formats create a dynamic price narrative that’s still evolving. Whether you’re crafting a competitive Expanded deck or curating a display-worthy binder, this card offers both tactical depth and collector charm that endure beyond the flash of its ice-blue foil.
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