What is Pokémon ?
Episode IV : Ex Delta Species
GLOBAL PRESENTATION
At the end of 2003, the Wizards set ends with the Skyridge series in the US and the Ex set starts with its first series: Ruby and Sapphire. Two years later in 2005, the Ex Delta Species series is released in the United States.
Out after the release of Legend Makers, Delta Species marks a turn in Pokémon’s world. It will be now possible to catch Pokémon with an alternative type, for example a Dragonite with electric type or a Mewtwo with fire type!
If double types cards weren’t new back in 2006, as seen in Team Magma vs Team Aqua or Team rocket returns where there was a possibility to get Pokémon with Dark type paired with their original type, Delta species is the first extension where you can find Pokémon’s with non-conventional types. Those Pokémon will be marked with « 𝛿 Delta Species » between Pokémon’s name and HP.
The series’ logo is a tower, representing the Holon Tower, a place creating mutations in Pokémon’s types where scientists are studying about Pokémon.
CONTENT OF THE SERIES
CARDS PRESENTATION
The series features 113 cards and 1 secret card. With this secret, you can have 18 holographic cards, three Ex (the Ex extension with the least Ex included) and three Gold Stars.
DISPLAY & BOOSTERS
There are four different boosters packs in this extension: Metagross, Salamence, Flareon and Dragonite. The display box is designed with those four Pokémon with Metagross on its top with the Delta Species logo next to him.
There are also two different decks available. One with Rapidash on the front named « Steeplechase » and Crobat named « Breakthrough ».
MOST ICONIC CARDS OF THE SERIES
According to us, there is no card above everyone else in this series, not like the Lugia Crystal from Aquapolis or the Charizard from the Base set.
Ex Delta Species has a lot of great looking holographic cards, but we will concentrate on three, the three dragons from the first generations: Dragonite, Tyranitar and Salamence.
We will also notice every holographic eeveelution available but also the Flareon-Jolteon-Vaporeon ex versions which are all looking very nice. Also, every gold star is really well designed especially Groudon. And finally, the secret Azumarill which is available as Box topper when you open a Delta Species display box is also a superb card to get.
THE REDACTION’S CHOICES
It is very hard to choose our three favorites cards in this series, as there so many that we could fit in this category. We already talked about the best-looking cards of this series like the holographic Dragonite or gold star Groudon but we will give credit to less known cards which are also really stunning.
Today, we chose to show you the holographic Crobat. If it’s not the best-looking Pokémon, nor everyone’s favorite, we really like you to change your opinion on Crobat with this card! We really love those flashy green reflects under his wings; it creates a great contrast with the dark background of this card. Not a flashy card at the first looking but with these colors, it gives her a really nice aspect, even more if you have the chance to have a holographic reverse version with the gold title like the photo!
We already talked about holographic eeveelutions and they are all beautiful, our favorite is Jolteon. Most of holographic cards from Delta Species features in their design the Holon Tower which throws lightning strikes in the sky. And it adds a really great effect with an electrical type Pokémon like Jolteon! A really good card and among the best representations of Jolteon in the Pokémon game.
Our last choice will go to the last gold star of the series, most of the time forgotten, Metagross which is, in our opinion, one of the best-looking gold star ever created. If the shiny steel and gold version of this Pokémon is already great, the flashy red background gives even more energy to this extraordinary card which is according to us, the most beautiful card of the whole Ex Delta Species series!
HOW TO COLLECT EX DELTA SPECIES
Let’s be honest, it’s one of the hardest series to have in the Ex extension, in Gem Mint condition or even in played condition. Booster packs are more and more expensive, more than 1000 dollars for a set of 4! And we are not even talking about display boxes which are now really hard to see on eBay…
Common cards are still quite easy to find but holos and rares are becoming difficult to find in great conditions (we are not even talking about gem mint conditions there). One holographic card can be found for at least 50 dollars in near mint condition and there are 18 to get…
There are only 3 Ex’s in this series but again, they are hard to get in mint conditions. However, finding them in played conditions is quite easy, expect to find them for severals dollars in mint conditions.
As they are Gold Stars, Groudon, Kyogre and Metagross are really expensive cards to get, around 500 dollars in near mint conditions for the first two, Metagross can be find around 700 dollars in same conditions.
CONCLUSION
The Ex Delta Species series is one of the most unique and great looking series of the whole Ex extension, and if it is not the easier one to complete, it’s worth trying. Ultras are stunning, holos are great, even commons cards are cool like the Dittos for example!
Sealed boxes are almost impossible to find but booster packs are still findable, maybe not for long so get them now! Otherwise, the card series is still possible to complete, even if you will need some luck to finish it!
We hope that you enjoyed reading this article and maybe we convinced you to collect this beautiful series. We would like to see you soon for our next review which will be dedicated on a series from the Diamond and Pearl set!
Have a nice week, dear collectors!
