Dragon
Set Details
Take your game to new heights!
Rise above the competition with powerful EX Dragon Pokémon! They take flight for the first time in the Pokémon-e trading card game, introducing all-new game and deck building strategies. Capture and train them, then swoop in for victory!
The EX Dragon Pokémon Set swooped into English-language game shops on November 24, 2003, introducing Hoenn’s sky-soaring icons to the TCG and cementing Dragons as the stars of Nintendo’s fledgling EX era. Known in Japan as Rulers of the Heavens, the expansion packs 97 base cards plus three secret rares, pushing the official total to an even 100. Its orange-and-emerald booster wrappers, two-deck lineup (FireFang and WindBlast), and silver e-Reader borders gave the set an unmistakable profile on store shelves.
From a gameplay standpoint, the EX Dragon Pokémon Set was groundbreaking. It spotlighted seven powerhouse Pokémon-ex—including Rayquaza ex, Latias ex, and Latios ex—that could swing games with explosive attacks like Dragon Burst and Dragon Claw. Because the TCG would not gain an official Dragon type until much later, these monsters were printed as Colorless Pokémon with multi-Energy attack costs, a design quirk unique to this expansion. Staple cards such as TV Reporter, High Pressure System, and the revised Magneton (#17/97) became metagame linchpins, while the set’s Flygon and Salamence evolution lines inspired a wave of Stage 2-focused deck building that dominated the 2004 competitive season.
Several details make the EX Dragon Pokémon Set especially collectible:
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It features one of the very first stamped Prerelease promos under Pokémon USA—a Holo Gyarados (#32/97) that remains a prized pull in high grade.
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A hidden full Charmander–Charmeleon–Charizard evolution line appears as secret rares (#98/97 to #100/97), all printed on shimmering holofoil.
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Early e-Reader “no-logo” variants from the EX Battle Stadium kit lack the familiar scanner icon and now fetch premium prices.
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A mint Rayquaza ex remains a grail card for collectors, having anchored championship-winning decks and commanding four-figure sums in PSA 10 condition.
With its explosive gameplay innovations, iconic Dragon-themed roster, and visually striking design, the EX Dragon Pokémon Set remains a sky-high treasure of the early EX era.
Dragon Set Cards
