Collector’s Guide: Dark Alakazam (Team Rocket #1)

Quick Facts

• Pokémon: Dark Alakazam
• Set: Team Rocket (base5)
• Card Number: 1
• Rarity: Rare Holo
• HP: 60
• Type: Psychic
• Stage: Stage 2 (Evolves from Dark Kadabra)
• Illustrator: Ken Sugimori
• Legality: unknown

Dark Alakazam from the Team Rocket set is a Stage 2 Psychic-type Pokémon with 60 HP. It features two attacks: Teleport Blast, which deals 30 damage and allows switching with a benched Pokémon after damage, and Mind Shock, which deals 40 damage while ignoring Weakness and Resistance effects for that attack.

Key Printings

This guide focuses on the original Dark Alakazam card from the Team Rocket set, identified as card number 1. It is a Rare Holo variant illustrated by Ken Sugimori, notable for its classic artwork and unique attacks that emphasize strategic switching and damage dealing without applying Weakness or Resistance.

Variants & Identifiers

• Set Code: base5
• Subtypes: Stage 2
• Retreat Cost: 3
• Weakness: Psychic ×2
• Resistances: None
• Flavor Text: “Almost as if it were being controlled by something else, it never changes expressions, even in the middle of battle.”
• Print Variants: None documented

No alternate print variants are known for this exact printing.

Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the value and condition of this Rare Holo card:

• Store in a protective sleeve and rigid top-loader or binder.
• Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
• Avoid exposure to moisture and extreme temperatures.
• Handle by the edges to prevent fingerprints and surface wear.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries

Team Rocket (base5):
This set introduced Dark Pokémon cards, including Dark Alakazam, emphasizing a darker theme and unique gameplay mechanics. Dark Alakazam stands out as a strategic Stage 2 card with abilities that disrupt typical battle flow through switching and damage calculation nuances.