Market outlook
Stable Outlook 6/10
Recent raw-price data shows short-term softness, but the card remains a collectible Full Art Ultra Rare with established graded premiums. Demand is likely to stay steady among XY-era set collectors and Wailord fans, while supply in decent raw condition remains available in the market.[1][2][4]
Next months. Expect sideways to slightly weaker raw pricing with occasional spikes on well-centered or clean copies; graded gem-mint copies should remain more resilient.[1][2]
Long term. Over 1-3 years, the card is likely to appreciate modestly if XY-era nostalgia and Full Art demand continue, with the strongest long-term performance likely in graded 10 and other top-grade copies.[1]
History
Wailord is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in the Pokémon franchise as the evolved form of Wailmer and is modeled on a whale, emphasizing immense size and oceanic power. In the TCG, Wailord cards are notable for their very large HP and tank-style play patterns, and the EX Full Art from Primal Clash became especially memorable among collectors because it combines a fan-favorite Pokémon with a striking oversized Full Art presentation and the XY-era EX mechanic.[3][4]
This card was first released in the XY: Primal Clash expansion, which was released on February 4, 2015.[3] The card is numbered 147/160 and appears as a Full Art Ultra Rare English print in that set.[1][3]
- The card is a Full Art Ultra Rare EX card with 250 HP, making it one of the more visually and mechanically prominent Wailord cards from the XY era.[3]
- Its featured attacks/ability center on defensive play: Water Veil removes Special Conditions when Energy is attached, and High Breaching deals 120 damage at the cost of causing Sleep to the attacking Wailord EX.[3]
- Market data shows substantially different values by condition and grade, with ungraded copies around the mid-teens and graded 10 copies around the low hundreds, indicating strong condition sensitivity for collectors.[1][4]
Collector notes
Condition. Check for Full Art surface scratching, especially on the holofoil and textured areas, as well as edge whitening, corner wear, and centering. The dark borders and reflective finish make print lines, scuffs, and surface abrasions easier to see. As with many modern-era Full Arts, graded 10 value is much higher than raw or lower-grade copies, so centering and clean surfaces matter a lot.[1][4]
Storage. Store in a perfect-fit sleeve inside a rigid top loader or semi-rigid holder, and keep the card in a cool, dry environment away from direct light. Because Full Art foils are prone to scratching, avoid repeated handling and use clean hands or gloves when moving the card. For long-term preservation, graded encapsulation can be worthwhile if the copy is high grade or likely to grade well.[1]
Authenticity. Verify the texture, font sharpness, energy symbols, and card stock feel against known authentic XY-era Full Arts. Fake cards often have flatter foil patterns, weaker texture, incorrect color saturation, or poor border alignment. The card should match the exact 147/160 numbering, English text, and XY: Primal Clash set identity; unusually glossy surfaces, blurry text, or inconsistent holographic texture are warning signs.[3][4]
