Dark Houndoom · Neo Destiny, what to know.
About the Dark Houndoom card
Numbered 7 of 113 in Neo Destiny, released in February 2002, Dark Houndoom is a Rare Holo, a Stage 1 Fire-type carrying 60 HP.
It evolves from Houndour, so Dark Houndoom is a later-stage card that set-builders usually slot into a full evolution run rather than buy alone.
Team Rocket darkened Houndoom under its control for the set's villain arc, a grittier repaint of the familiar Pokémon with an altered attack profile.
Illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno. Himeno is one of the most-recognized vintage illustrators, with a softer, more textured style that shows up across the Jungle and Neo runs.
Dark Houndoom carries this Pokédex flavor text: "The flame it breathes is actually a volatile poison it produces internally that ignites when exposed to air."
About Houndoom in the Pokémon world
The fully evolved Houndour. Larger dog-demon silhouette. Phantasmal Flames Mega Houndoom ex revived collector interest. Vintage Neo Discovery holo Houndoom has appreciated alongside.
What is Dark Houndoom worth?
Dark Houndoom is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Neo Destiny's value. The print variant decides most of it: a 1st Edition copy in high grade commands a large premium over a Shadowless or Unlimited one. In top-grade 1st Edition, Neo Destiny holos range from the mid hundreds for the lesser cards up to Shining Charizard at the top; raw and Unlimited copies trade for a fraction of that. The live market price above shows the current figure by grade.
Print variants and how to spot them
Neo Destiny produced 1st Edition, Unlimited, Shining prints. For Dark Houndoom, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
Grading and condition
Expect the holo window to set the grade on Dark Houndoom. Print misregistration and fine scratches in the fire foil are the usual reasons a copy lands at a 9, and edge whitening against the frame is the next thing a grader notes.
If you are collecting Dark Houndoom
When you go to buy Dark Houndoom, settle three things in order: the print variant, the condition, and a comp for that exact combination. A blended average across variants will mislead you on Dark Houndoom, so price the specific copy in front of you.
