Slowking · Neo Genesis, what to know.
About the Slowking card
Numbered 14 of 111 in Neo Genesis, released in December 2000, Slowking is a Rare Holo, a Stage 1 Psychic-type carrying 80 HP.
It evolves from Slowpoke, so Slowking is a later-stage card that set-builders usually slot into a full evolution run rather than buy alone.
Illustrated by Ken Sugimori. Sugimori is the lead character designer of Pokémon itself, so his card art carries the tight, on-model look that defined how the creatures appear in the games.
Slowking carries this Pokédex flavor text: "When its head was bitten, toxins entered Slowpoke's head and unlocked an extraordinary power."
About Slowking in the Pokémon world
A Water-Psychic evolution of Slowpoke when traded with King's Rock. Steady collector interest from the Slowpoke line.
What is Slowking worth?
Slowking is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Neo Genesis'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 Genesis holos range from the mid hundreds for the lesser cards up to Lugia 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 Genesis produced 1st Edition, Unlimited prints. For Slowking, 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 Slowking. Print misregistration and fine scratches in the psychic 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 Slowking
When you go to buy Slowking, 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 Slowking, so price the specific copy in front of you.
