Dark Tyranitar · Neo Destiny, what to know.
About the Dark Tyranitar card
Dark Tyranitar sits at #11 in Neo Destiny, the eleventh of the Wizards of the Coast print runs. Illustration by Shin-ichi Yoshida. In the games, Dark Tyranitar evolves from Dark Pupitar, which makes it a late-stage card in the line.
The flavor text on the card reads: "Its power is such that not even mountains can stand in its way." Pokédex entries from this era are short and often quirky, written by the original Japanese localization team for a specific stat-block layout that no longer exists in modern cards.
Print variants and how to spot them
Neo Destiny shipped in 1st Edition, Unlimited, and Shining prints. Shining cards are an entirely separate rarity tier above standard holo with an alternate-color holo pattern. Shining cards are pulled at significantly lower rates than standard holos and are a defining feature of the late Neo era.
Grading and condition
For graded buyers, the holo window is where most grade points are won or lost. Surface scratches and print misregistration on the foil are common, and centering on Wizards-era holos was inconsistent enough that PSA 10s remain genuinely scarce a quarter century later. The PSA 9 to PSA 10 price gap on this kind of card is wide enough that pre-grading inspection under a loupe is well worth the time.
If you are buying this card
If you are buying this card, the order of operations is variant first, then condition. Verify the print variant (1st Edition stamp visible, drop shadow on the right edge if Unlimited) before you negotiate on price. For raw purchases above $500, insist on photo or video showing the holo surface under direct light from a 45-degree angle so you can spot hairlines. The "live market price" on this page tracks recent eBay sales, but the actual transaction price will vary by variant, grade, and how recently a comparable sale closed.
