💡 The guardian of sky and sea — Lugia (Neo Genesis, neo1-9). HP 90, Elemental Blast 90 consuming Fire/Water/Lightning energy. 1st Edition Holofoil market price $1,599.98. Star of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
Card Basic Info
Card Name: Lugia
Set: Neo Genesis
Release Date: December 16, 2000
Card Number: 9/111
Rarity: Rare Holo
Type: Colorless
Illustrator: Hironobu Yoshida
Card Stats & Abilities
HP: 90
Attack — Elemental Blast [R][W][L]: 90 damage. You must discard a Fire, a Water, and a Lightning Energy card attached to Lugia to use this attack.
Weakness: Psychic ×2
Retreat Cost: [C][C]
Flavor Text: "It is said that it quietly spends its time deep at the bottom of the sea, because its powers are too strong."
Elemental Blast's demand for three different basic Energy types makes it nearly impossible to use in a competitive deck. This card is prized overwhelmingly as a collectible rather than a playable card, and its flavor text about hiding its power at the ocean floor perfectly mirrors the legendary aura Lugia holds in the franchise.
Price & Where to Buy
As of June 2026 · TCGPlayer. This is not investment advice.
1st Edition Holofoil: $1,599.98 — PSA graded copies can reach several thousand dollars
Unlimited Holofoil: $511.14 — more affordable but still commands a strong price
PSA 9/10 graded 1st Edition copies command a 2–5× premium over raw
Where to buy: TCGPlayer, eBay, reputable card dealers
Why This Card Is Iconic
Lugia is the face of Pokémon Silver and the star of Pokémon: The Movie 2000, where it serves as the guardian of the sea, calming the conflict between the three legendary birds — Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos. Its appearance in the film was one of the most dramatic moments in Pokémon cinema history, cementing Lugia as one of the most beloved legendaries of all time. The Neo Genesis card, released just as the movie's popularity was peaking, quickly became a top collector target. The combination of extreme scarcity for 1st Edition prints and Lugia's enduring cultural significance keeps its price among the highest in the Neo-era set.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What's the difference between 1st Edition and Unlimited Lugia?
A. 1st Edition copies have an "Edition 1" stamp on the lower-left. With a smaller print run, they command over 3× the price of Unlimited ($511 vs $1,599). For collectors, 1st Edition is always the preferred target.
Q. What role did Lugia play in Pokémon: The Movie 2000?
A. Lugia is the ocean guardian who intervenes when the three legendary birds — Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos — clash, threatening global destruction. Working alongside Ash, Lugia restores balance in a climactic finale that remains one of the most iconic scenes in Pokémon movie history.
Q. Is Elemental Blast usable in competitive play?
A. Not practically — running three different basic Energy types in one deck is inefficient. Lugia Neo Genesis is almost exclusively a collector card. Its competitive legacy comes more from its symbolic status than its in-game utility.
Q. Is PSA grading worth it for this card?
A. For 1st Edition copies, PSA 9/10 grading is almost always recommended before selling, as graded copies command a significant premium. For Unlimited copies, the calculus depends on condition and current market demand.
Card images and data are copyright of Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK / The Pokémon Company.