If you were ripping packs of the Pokémon TCG back in 2011, you probably remember the feeling of "Call of Legends." It was a weird set. A bit of a filler, honestly. But hidden inside that mix of reprints and Johto-era nostalgia was a subset of 11 cards that would eventually make modern collectors lose their minds. Specifically, the shiny Rayquaza Call of Legends card, officially known as SL10.
For a long time, people ignored it. They were too busy chasing the Gold Star cards from the EX era or looking forward to the emerging Black & White series. Now? Good luck finding a clean one for under five hundred bucks.
What Makes the Shiny Rayquaza Call of Legends So Weird?
Technically, this card is a "Secret Rare," but it doesn't have the traditional gold border or the "ex" tag we see nowadays. It’s part of the Shiny Legendary subset. These cards featured the shiny (alternate color) versions of the legendary birds, beasts, and the weather trio. Rayquaza, in its iconic black-and-teal palette, stands out as the crown jewel.
The artwork by Noriko Hotta is arguably one of the best depictions of the sky dragon ever put to cardboard. It’s not just the color. It’s the way the holo pattern interacts with the artwork. Unlike modern "Rainbow Rares" that can feel a bit like a textured mess, the SL10 has a specific, clean shine that makes the black scales pop.
Interestingly, the card is actually a reprint of the Rayquaza from the Undaunted set in terms of its moveset. It has 100 HP and the "Inferno Spear" attack, which hits for 100 damage if you discard a Fire and a Lightning energy. Back then, that was actually a decent hit. Today, it’s a suicide mission. But nobody is playing this card in a deck. If you see someone shuffle up a shiny Rayquaza Call of Legends at a local tournament, they’re either a millionaire or extremely chaotic.
The Brutal Reality of Grading SL10
Here’s where things get painful for collectors. The quality control on Call of Legends was... let's just say "inconsistent."
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If you look at the PSA pop reports for the shiny Rayquaza Call of Legends, you’ll notice something startling. Out of roughly 750 copies graded by PSA as of early 2026, only a tiny fraction—roughly 4% to 5%—have actually come back as a Gem Mint 10.
Why? Silver edges.
The silver borders on these HeartGold & SoulSilver era cards are notorious for showing the tiniest microscopic chips. You could pull this card from a fresh pack, put it straight into a sleeve, and still get a PSA 8 because of "whitening" on the back corners. Because of that, the price gap between a "Near Mint" raw copy and a graded PSA 10 is astronomical.
Current Market Value: What’s It Actually Worth?
Prices fluctuate wildly based on who is panic-buying on eBay on any given Tuesday, but here is the general breakdown of where the market sits right now.
- Damaged/Heavily Played: You can sometimes snag these for $160 to $200. These are the ones with creases or significant surface scratches.
- Moderately Played (MP): Usually lands around $250.
- Near Mint (NM) Raw: Expect to pay between $450 and $600.
- PSA 9 / CGC 9: These are currently hovering in the $1,300 to $1,800 range.
- PSA 10: This is the big leagues. Recent sales and listings for a Gem Mint shiny Rayquaza Call of Legends have touched the $7,500 mark.
It's a "chase card" in every sense of the word. Collectors who can't afford the $15,000+ for a Gold Star Rayquaza from EX Deoxys often turn to the Call of Legends SL10 as the "next best" high-end black Rayquaza. That demand keeps the floor high.
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How to Spot a Fake (Because They Are Everywhere)
Since this card is worth a paycheck, the fakes are getting better. However, most bootlegs still fail the "texture and light" test.
Real shiny Rayquaza Call of Legends cards have a very specific holographic bleed. If you tilt the card, the shine should be crisp, not "flat" or oily. Look at the font, too. Fake cards often have slightly thinner or thicker text, especially in the "Inferno Spear" description.
The most obvious giveaway is often the back of the card. Counterfeits usually have a "washed out" blue color on the Pokémon logo or a purple tint that isn't present on authentic Nintendo stock. Always use a jeweler’s loupe to check for the "black dot" printing pattern if you're dropping several hundred dollars.
Why the Value Keeps Climbing
It isn't just about the art. It’s about the era. Call of Legends was the final set of the HGSS cycle. It had a relatively short print run compared to the massive sets we see today like Paldean Fates.
There's also a psychological element. Rayquaza is consistently ranked as one of the top three most popular Pokémon for collectors, alongside Charizard and Umbreon. When the "Evolving Skies" Rayquaza VMAX skyrocketed, it pulled every other Rayquaza card up with it. The shiny Rayquaza Call of Legends benefited from that "rising tide" effect more than almost any other card.
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Final Verdict for Collectors
Should you buy one?
If you're looking for a "safe" investment, a graded 8 or 9 is usually a better bet than a raw copy. Buying raw is a gamble because sellers often hide surface scratches under bright lighting. But if you just want the coolest-looking dragon in the history of the game for your binder, a Lightly Played copy is the sweet spot for value.
The supply isn't getting any larger. People aren't exactly stumbling upon sealed Call of Legends booster boxes in their attics anymore—and if they are, they’re selling the boxes for $10k. This card has cemented itself as a legitimate piece of Pokémon history.
Next Steps for Potential Buyers:
- Check the PSA or CGC certification numbers on any graded listing to ensure the slab is authentic and hasn't been tampered with.
- If buying raw, specifically ask the seller for a video of the card under a direct light source to check for "holo scratching" on the art box.
- Compare the "SL10" numbering at the bottom right; it should be crisp with no blurring or bleeding into the border.