It’s the black dragon. That’s usually how the conversation starts when you walk into a local card shop or scroll through a high-end auction listing. We are talking about the Rayquaza shiny mega EX, specifically the Ancient Origins print that basically reset the bar for what a "chase card" looks like in the modern era. If you were around for the XY era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, you remember the absolute frenzy.
People weren't just looking for a strong attacker. They wanted the aesthetic.
There is something inherently visceral about a Shiny Rayquaza. While the standard version is a vibrant, serpentine green, the shiny variant turns a deep, charcoal black with glowing red accents. It looks dangerous. When you add the "Mega" mechanics to that—spiky protrusions, gold trailing ribbons, and that massive Ancient Origins artwork—you get a card that transcends the game. It’s art. Honestly, it’s probably one of the top five most iconic cards printed in the last decade.
The Mechanics of a Legend: How Rayquaza Shiny Mega EX Broke the Game
Let’s get into the weeds for a second. In the actual TCG meta back in 2015 and 2016, M Rayquaza-EX (the Colorless one from Roaring Skies) was the deck to beat because of Emerald Break. But the Rayquaza shiny mega EX from Ancient Origins was a different beast entirely. It was a Dragon-type.
It required Fire and Lightning energy. It was clunky.
Most competitive players actually preferred the Colorless version for its speed. However, the Shiny Dragon version had "Delta Wild," an Ancient Trait that reduced damage from Grass, Fire, Water, and Lightning Pokémon by 20. It wasn't just a heavy hitter; it was a tank.
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The card's main attack, Dragon Ascent, dealt a massive 300 damage. In 2015, 300 damage was an astronomical number. You were basically erasing anything in front of you from existence. The catch? You had to discard two Energy. This created a high-risk, high-reward playstyle that rewarded players who knew how to manage their resources or use cards like Mega Turbo to stay in the fight.
Why the Shiny Mega Rayquaza EX Full Art is the Gold Standard
If you're looking at the 98/98 Secret Rare from Ancient Origins, you're looking at history. This is the card that collectors lose their minds over. Unlike the standard Mega Rayquaza, the Secret Rare features the shiny black coloration and a textured holofoil that catches the light in a way that’s honestly hard to capture on a phone camera.
The texture is the key.
If you run your thumb over a real Rayquaza shiny mega EX, you can feel the ridges. These "fingerprint" textures are a hallmark of high-end Full Art cards from the XY and Sun & Moon eras. Fakes usually miss this. They’re flat. They’re glossy. They look like they came out of a home printer because, well, they usually did.
Current market prices for a PSA 10 (Gem Mint) copy of the Shiny M Rayquaza-EX 98/98 are consistently sitting in the high hundreds, sometimes creeping into the thousands depending on the auction climate. Even a "Lightly Played" raw copy will set you back a couple hundred bucks. Why? Because the pull rates in Ancient Origins were notoriously difficult. You weren't just fighting for an Ultra Rare; you were fighting for a Secret Rare in a set that was being ripped open by everyone from competitive pros to casual kids.
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Common Misconceptions About the Black Mega Rayquaza
A lot of people get confused because there are actually several "Shiny Rayquaza" cards. You've got the Call of Legends SL9, the Hidden Fates GX, and the more recent Celebrations reprint.
Don't mix them up.
The Rayquaza shiny mega EX is distinct because of the Mega Evolution mechanic. It has that Japanese text stylized across the artwork—Dragon Ascent—which adds a layer of "cool factor" that the newer VMAX or VSTAR cards sometimes lack. Also, people often think the "Shiny" part is a separate name. It isn't. The card name is technically M Rayquaza-EX, but the community dubbed it the "Shiny Mega" because of the artwork.
Another big mistake? Thinking every Mega Rayquaza is valuable.
There are "non-shiny" versions. There are promo versions like the XY66 and XY69. While those are cool, they don't hold the same weight as the Ancient Origins Secret Rare. If the Rayquaza is green, it's the standard. If it's black and has the number 98/98 in the bottom right corner, you’ve found the "holy grail" of that specific set.
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Spotting a Fake: Don't Get Burned
The secondary market is flooded with "proxy" cards. They look great in a dark room or behind a blurry eBay photo. But when you get them in hand, the illusion breaks.
- The Shine: Real Pokémon cards have a diagonal or vertical holographic pattern that interacts with the light. Fakes often have a vertical "rainbow" sheen that looks cheap and oily.
- The Font: Look at the "HP" text. On the Rayquaza shiny mega EX, the font is specific. Fakes often use a font that is slightly too thin or too bold.
- The Back: This is the easiest tell. The blue swirl on the back of a real Pokémon card has intricate shades of light and dark blue. Fakes usually have a muddy, washed-out purple or a flat blue that looks like a photocopy.
- The Texture: As mentioned, if it doesn't have those micro-grooves you can feel with your fingernail, it's not the Secret Rare. Period.
The Longevity of Rayquaza in the Hobby
Why does Rayquaza stay so popular? It's the "Charizard of Generation 3."
While Charizard dominates the Kanto nostalgia, Rayquaza represents the peak of the Hoenn region. It’s a literal god of the sky. For the generation of players who grew up with Pokémon Emerald, Rayquaza is the ultimate status symbol. When The Pokémon Company decided to give it a Mega Evolution—and then make that Mega Evolution one of the strongest things to ever hit the competitive circuit—they cemented its legacy.
Basically, as long as people are collecting Pokémon cards, Rayquaza will be a blue-chip investment. It’s not a fad. It’s not a "pump and dump" card. It’s a cornerstone of the hobby.
Actionable Steps for Collectors and Investors
If you are looking to add a Rayquaza shiny mega EX to your collection, you need to be smart. This isn't like buying a pack of modern cards at Target.
- Check the Edges: These cards are prone to "silvering" (the foil showing through on the edges) and whitening on the back corners. Even a tiny speck of white can drop a card from a PSA 10 to a PSA 8, which can mean a difference of $500.
- Verify the Seller: Only buy from sellers with high feedback or those who offer "Authenticity Guarantee" programs. If the price is $50 for a card that usually goes for $300, it's a fake. No one is "accidentally" selling a Secret Rare Rayquaza for 90% off.
- Consider Grading: If you find a clean raw copy, send it to PSA, BGS, or CGC. A graded slab protects the card from further damage and makes it much easier to sell later if you need the cash.
- Study the Centering: Look at the yellow borders on the back. If the left border is twice as thick as the right, it won't grade well, regardless of how "minty" the rest of the card looks.
The Rayquaza shiny mega EX remains a pinnacle of Pokémon TCG design. It captures a moment in time when Mega Evolutions were the biggest thing in the franchise and the artwork was reaching new heights of complexity. Whether you're a player who remembers the terror of facing 300 damage on turn two or a collector who just loves the look of a black dragon, this card is a must-have. Just make sure you're looking at the texture before you hit that "Buy It Now" button.