Pokemon TCG: Black & White - Dark Explorers Set

Black & White: Dark Explorers ダークラッシュ Trading Card Game Set E52 / J49
General information

Cards	English: 111 Japanese: 76
Series	Black & White
Primary Focus	Dark Types
Previous Expansion	BW Next Destinies
Following Expansion	BW Dragons Exhalted
Associated Decks	Raiders Shadows
Released	May 9th, 2012 (English) December 16th, 2011 (Japan)

Black & White—Dark Explorers, released on May 9, 2012, did exactly what its name promised: it plunged the game into shadow. Following on from Next Destinies’ reintroduction of Pokémon-EX, this 111-card set turned the spotlight onto the Darkness type — and in doing so handed competitive players one of the most dominant Pokémon of the entire era.

It rounded out the weather and legendary EX cards, brought back a suite of powerful Darkness-type support, and reprinted a stack of format staples. But everything in the set orbits one card in particular.

Its name is Darkrai-EX.

Brace Yourself to Explore the Darkness…

What’s out there in the darkness, waiting to be discovered? Play the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Black & White—Dark Explorers expansion and find them all! In addition to more Pokémon-EX like Tornadus-EX, Raikou-EX, and Groudon-EX, the shadows are filled with other exceptional surprises, like Darkrai-EX and a host of Trainer cards that will knock your opponent’s lights out! When you play Black & White—Dark Explorers, you’ll not only explore the darkness, you’ll rule it!

— official Dark Explorers expansion blurb

The Darkness Rules: Darkrai-EX

Darkrai-EX (63) is one of the most important cards of the Black & White era. On paper it’s a 180-HP Basic Pokémon-EX with a solid attack — Night Spear, for 90 damage plus 30 to a Benched Pokémon of your choice, letting you chip away at the opponent’s setup while you attack. That alone would be strong.

But its Dark Cloak Ability is what made it legendary: “Each of your Pokémon that has any Darkness Energy attached to it has no Retreat Cost.” Suddenly an entire deck could pivot freely — retreating and repositioning attackers for zero cost, turn after turn. That mobility, on a durable Basic that also dealt spread damage, made Darkrai-EX the engine of the format’s best decks for nearly two years.

Naturally, it also headlined the set’s Full Art secret rares (107) — one of the most sought-after pulls of its generation.

Darkrai-EX (63/108)

One of the defining cards of its era. Night Spear deals 90 plus 30 to a Benched Pokémon, but the real magic is Dark Cloak: every Pokémon of yours holding Darkness Energy retreats for free, letting a whole deck pivot at will.

Darkrai-EX — Full Art (107/108)

The ultra-rare Full Art print of the format’s king — edge-to-edge shadow art, and one of the most coveted chase cards of the Black & White era.

The Dark Engine

Darkrai-EX didn’t rule alone — Dark Explorers gave the Darkness type a full support package. Dark Patch (93) was the accelerator: an Item that pulled a basic Darkness Energy straight from your discard pile onto a Benched Darkness Pokémon, for free. It let Darkness decks power up attackers at a speed no other type could match, and paired perfectly with Darkrai-EX’s Night Spear.

Alongside it came Sableye (62), a humble Basic with an outsized impact. Its Junk Hunt attack returned two Item cards from your discard pile to your hand — and with Darkrai-EX granting it free retreat, you could loop Junk Hunt to recycle your best Trainers over and over. It became a control-deck cornerstone, and years later was even banned from the Expanded format for enabling near-endless stall loops.

Dark Patch (93/108)

The Darkness accelerator. This Item attaches a basic Darkness Energy from your discard pile to a Benched Darkness Pokémon — free, fast setup that no other type could match. The other half of the Darkrai engine.

Sableye (62/108)

A tiny Basic with an enormous shadow. Junk Hunt returns two Item cards from your discard to your hand — loop it (with Darkrai-EX’s free retreat) to recycle Trainers endlessly. Later Expanded-banned for stall loops.

More Pokémon-EX

Six Pokémon-EX filled out the set. The Colorless Tornadus-EX (90) was a splashable, aggressive attacker — its Power Blast hit for 100, and Blow Through gained damage whenever a Stadium was in play. It slotted into decks of every type and became a staple beatstick of the format.

The rest reached back to older legends: the Hoenn giants Kyogre-EX (26) — whose Dual Splash struck two of your opponent’s Pokémon at once — and Groudon-EX, alongside the fiery Entei-EX and the electric Raikou-EX. Each brought a jolt of legendary power to the new EX-driven game.

Tornadus-EX (90/108)

A splashable Colorless beatstick. Power Blast swings for 100, and Blow Through hits harder whenever a Stadium is in play — a flexible attacker that found a home in decks of every type.

Kyogre-EX (26/108)

The Hoenn sea giant as a 170-HP EX. Smash Turn hits and pivots to your Bench, while Dual Splash spreads 50 damage across two of your opponent’s Pokémon at once.

Print Versions

Dark Explorers came in four booster arts — Darkrai, Venusaur, Excadrill and Scrafty. Every pack was a shot at one of the six Pokémon-EX, a coveted Full Art version, and a code card for the online game.

Set List

Card Image	No.	Card name	Rarity	Card type
	1/108	Bulbasaur
	Card text Tackle 10 Razor Leaf 30
	2/108	Ivysaur
	Card text Sleep Powder 20 The Defending Pokemon is now Asleep. Poison Powder 50 The Defending Pokemon is now Poisoned.
	3/108	Venusaur
	Card text Floral Scent Once during your turn (before your attack), you may search your deck for a Pokemon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward. Poison Powder 70 The Defending Pokemon is now Poisoned.
	4/108	Scyther
	Card text Air Slash 60 Discard an Energy attached to this Pokemon.
	5/108	Carnivine
	Card text Lure Poison Switch the Defending Pokemon with 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. The new Defending Pokemon is now Poisoned. Spit Squall Your opponent puts the Defending Pokemon and all cards attached to it into his or her hand.
	6/108	Leafeon
	Card text Quick Attack 10+ Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 30 more damage. Energy Assist 40 Attach a basic Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Pokemon.
	7/108	Dwebble
	Card text Beat 10 Cut 30
	8/108	Crustle
	Card text Cut 30 Heavy Bullet 70 Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 20 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.)
	9/108	Karrablast
	Card text Beat 10 Reckless Charge 40 This Pokemon does 10 damage to itself.
	10/108	Shelmet
	Card text Body Slam 20 Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Paralyzed.
	11/108	Accelgor
	Card text Hammer In 20 Deck and Cover 50 The Defending Pokemon is now Paralyzed and Poisoned. Shuffle this Pokemon and all cards attached to it into your deck.
	12/108	Flareon
	Card text Sand-Attack 20 If the Defending Pokemon tries to attack during your opponent’s next turn, your opponent flips a coin. If tails, that attack does nothing. Fire Slash 60+ You may discard a Fire Energy attached to this Pokemon. If you do, this attack does 30 more damage.
	13/108	Entei
	Card text Fire Fang 30 The Defending Pokemon is now Burned. Grand Flame 90 Attach a Fire Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Pokemon. When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	14/108	Torchic
	Card text Reckless Charge 30 This Pokemon does 10 damage to itself.
	15/108	Torchic
	Card text Peck 10 Live Coal 20
	16/108	Combusken
	Card text Double Kick 20 Flip 2 coins. This attack does 20 damage times the number of heads. Flamethrower 70 Discard an Energy attached to this Pokemon.
	17/108	Blaziken
	Card text Blaze Kick 40+ Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 30 more damage. If tails, the Defending Pokemon is now Burned. Flamethrower 130 Discard an Energy attached to this Pokemon.
	18/108	Torkoal
	Card text Flame Cloak 10 Flip a coin. If heads, attach a Fire Energy card from your discard pile to this Pokemon. Heat Blast 60
	19/108	Heatmor
	Card text Hot Lick 10+ If the Defending Pokemon is Durant, this attack does 50 more damage. Firebreathing 50+ Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 20 more damage.
	20/108	Larvesta
	Card text Ram 20 Flare 40
	21/108	Larvesta
	Card text Super Singe 10 The Defending Pokemon is now Burned.
	22/108	Volcarona
	Card text Scorching Scales Put 4 damage counters instead of 2 on your opponent’s Burned Pokemon between turns. Burning Wind 70 You may discard an Energy attached to this Pokemon. If you do, the Defending Pokemon is now Burned.
	23/108	Slowpoke
	Card text Big Yawn Both this Pokemon and the Defending Pokemon are now Asleep. Shot in the Dark 20 Flip 2 coins. If either of them is tails, this attack does nothing.
	24/108	Slowbro
	Card text Airhead If you have 2, 4, or 6 Prize Cards remaining, this Pokemon cannot attack. Lazy Headbutt 80 This Pokemon is now Asleep.
	25/108	Vaporeon
	Card text Muddy Water 20 Does 20 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.) Spiral Drain 60 Heal 20 damage from this Pokemon.
	26/108	Kyogre
	Card text Smash Turn 30 You may switch this Pokemon with 1 of your Benched Pokemon. Dual Splash This attack does 50 damage to 2 of your opponent’s Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.) When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	27/108	Piplup
	Card text Fury Attack 10 Flip 3 coins. This attack does 10 damage times the number of heads.
	28/108	Prinplup
	Card text Razor Wing 20 Fury Attack 30 Flip 3 coins. This attack does 30 damage times the number of heads.
	29/108	Empoleon
	Card text Diving Draw Once during your turn (before your attack), you may discard a card from your hand. If you do, draw 2 cards. Attack Command 10 Does 10 damage times the number of Pokemon in play (both yours and your opponent’s).
	30/108	Glaceon
	Card text Quick Attack 10+ Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 30 more damage. Reflect Energy 40 Move an Energy from this Pokemon to 1 of your Benched Pokemon.
	31/108	Tympole
	Card text Spiral Drain 20 Heal 20 damage from this Pokemon.
	32/108	Palpitoad
	Card text Bubble Beam 30 Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Paralyzed.
	33/108	Vanillite
	Card text Double Spin 10 Flip 2 coins. This attack does 10 damage times the number of heads.
	34/108	Vanillish
	Card text Triple Spin 20 Flip 3 coins. This attack does 20 damage times the number of heads. Frost Breath 50
	35/108	Ducklett
	Card text Water Pulse 20 The Defending Pokemon is now Asleep.
	36/108	Swanna
	Card text Healing Pirouette Heal 30 damage from each of your Pokemon. Incessant Peck 60+ Flip a coin until you get tails. This attack does 20 more damage for each heads.
	37/108	Jolteon
	Card text Electrigun 20+ You may discard a Lightning Energy attached to this Pokemon. If you do, this attack does 40 more damage. Pin Missile 40 Flip 4 coins. This attack does 40 damage times the number of heads.
	38/108	Raikou
	Card text Thunder Fang 30 Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Paralyzed. Volt Bolt Discard all Lightning Energy attached to this Pokemon. This attack does 100 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness or Resistance for Benched Pokemon.) When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	39/108	Plusle
	Card text Tag Draw Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 4 cards. If Minun is on your Bench, draw 4 more cards. Positive Ion 20+ Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 10 more damage.
	40/108	Minun
	Card text Negative Ion During your opponent’s next turn, any damage done by attacks from the Defending Pokemon is reduced by 30 (before applying Weakness and Resistance). Electrishower This attack does 10 damage to each of your opponent’s Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.)
	41/108	Joltik
	Card text Ram 10 Bug Bite 20
	42/108	Joltik
	Card text Static Shock 20
	43/108	Galvantula
	Card text Quick Turn 20 Flip 2 coins. This attack does 20 damage times the number of heads. Electrisilk 30+ If the Defending Pokemon has no Retreat Cost, this attack does 40 more damage.
	44/108	Tynamo
	Card text Charge Beam 10 Flip a coin. If heads, attach an Energy card from your discard pile to this Pokemon.
	45/108	Tynamo
	Card text Spark 10 Does 10 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.)
	46/108	Eelektrik
	Card text Headbutt 20 Shock Bolt 80 Discard all Lightning Energy attached to this Pokemon.
	47/108	Eelektross
	Card text Suction Heal 40 Heal from this Pokemon the amount of damage you did to the Defending Pokemon. Slurp Shakedown Switch the Defending Pokemon with 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. This attack does 60 damage to the new Defending Pokemon.
	48/108	Espeon
	Card text Solar Revelation Prevent all effects of your opponent’s attacks, except damage, done to each of your Pokemon that has any Energy attached to it. Psy Report 60 Your opponent reveals his or her hand.
	49/108	Slowking
	Card text Psy Bolt 20 Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Paralyzed. Hand Press 50+ If you have more cards in your hand than your opponent, this attack does 30 more damage.
	50/108	Woobat
	Card text Supersonic Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Confused. Heart Stamp 20
	51/108	Yamask
	Card text Astonish 10 Flip a coin. If heads, choose a card at random from your opponent’s hand. Your opponent reveals that card and shuffles it into his or her deck.
	52/108	Psychic
	Card text Chuck 40 Discard as many Pokemon Tool cards as you like from your hand. This attack does 40 damage times the number of cards you discarded. Lock Up 40 The Defending Pokemon can’t retreat during your opponent’s next turn.
	53/108	Cofagrigus
	Card text Ancient Scream Your Pokemon’s attacks do 10 more damage to the Active Pokemon (before applying Weakness and Resistance). Wing Attack 40
	54/108	Aerodactyl
	Card text Tromp 20 Does 10 damage to each of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.) Giant Claw 80+ If the Defending Pokemon already has 2 or more damage counters on it, this attack does 40 more damage. When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	55/108	Groudon
	Card text Scratch 30
	56/108	Drilbur
	Card text Tunnel Strike This attack does 30 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.) Dig Uppercut 50 Put a card from your discard pile into your hand.
	57/108	Excadrill
	Card text Reinforced Drill 50+ If this Pokemon has a Pokemon Tool card attached to it, this attack does 30 more damage. Mach Claw 70 This attack’s damage isn’t affected by Resistance.
	58/108	Excadrill
	Card text Low Kick 10 Hammer In 30
	59/108	Timburr
	Card text Low Kick 20 Steel Swing 60 Flip 2 coins. This attack does 60 damage times the number of heads.
	60/108	Gurdurr
	Card text Shadow Drain 30 Heal from this Pokemon the same amount of damage you did to the Defending Pokemon. Slashing Strike 80 This Pokemon can’t use Slashing Strike during your next turn.
	61/108	Umbreon
	Card text Confuse Ray 20 The Defending Pokemon is now Confused. Shadow Shutdown 60 Flip 2 coins. If both of them are heads, discard all Energy attached to the Defending Pokemon.
	62/108	Umbreon
	Card text Confuse Ray 10 Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Confused. Junk Hunt Put 2 Item cards from your discard pile into your hand.
	63/108	Darkrai
	Card text Dark Cloak Each of your Pokemon that has any Darkness Energy attached to it has no Retreat Cost. Night Spear 90 Does 30 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.) When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	64/108	Sandile
	Card text Sand Dive Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all damage done to this Pokemon by attacks during your opponent’s next turn. Corkscrew Punch 40
	65/108	Krokorok
	Card text Mud-Slap 30 Corkscrew Punch 70
	66/108	Krookodile
	Card text Dark Clamp 60 The Defending Pokemon can’t retreat during your opponent’s next turn. Bombast 40 Does 40 damage times the number of Prize cards you have taken.
	67/108	Scraggy
	Card text Rising Lunge 10+ Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 20 more damage.
	68/108	Scrafty
	Card text Headbutt 30 Crushing Blow 70 Flip a coin. If heads, discard an Energy attached to the Defending Pokemon.
	69/108	Zorua
	Card text Ascension Search your deck for a card that evolves from this Pokemon and put it onto this Pokemon. (This counts as evolving this Pokemon.) Shuffle your deck afterward. Scratch 20
	70/108	Zorua
	Card text Paralyzing Gaze Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Paralyzed. Shadow Bind 20 The Defending Pokemon can’t retreat during your opponent’s next turn.
	71/108	Zoroark
	Card text Brutal Bash 20 Does 20 damage times the number of Darkness Pokemon you have in play. Dark Rush 20 Does 20 damage times the number of damage counters on this Pokemon.
	72/108	Bisharp
	Card text Slash 30 Fury Cutter 30+ Flip 3 coins. If 1 of them is heads, this attack does 10 more damage. If 2 of them are heads, this attack does 30 more damage. If all of them are heads, this attack does 60 more damage.
	73/108	Vullaby
	Card text Whirlwind 10 Your opponent switches the Defending Pokemon with 1 of his or her Benched Pokemon.
	74/108	Escavalier
	Card text Joust 30 Before doing damage, discard a Pokemon Tool attached to the Defending Pokemon. Cavalry Lance 70 During your opponent’s next turn, this Pokemon has no Weakness.
	75/108	Klink
	Card text Smash Turn 20 Switch this Pokemon with 1 of your Benched Pokemon.
	76/108	Klang
	Card text Charge Beam 20 Flip a coin. If heads, attach an Energy card from your discard pile to this Pokemon. Vice Grip 50
	77/108	Klinklang
	Card text Metal Blast 20+ Does 20 more damage for each Metal Energy attached to this Pokemon. Lock Gear 60 Draw cards until you have 6 cards in your hand.
	78/108	Pawniard
	Card text Scratch 20 Metal Claw 40
	79/108	Bisharp
	Card text Aerial Ace 20+ Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 20 more damage. Metal Claw 80
	80/108	Chansey
	Card text Sing The Defending Pokemon is now Asleep. Double-Edge 60 This Pokemon does 30 damage to itself.
	81/108	Chansey
	Card text Continuous Tumble 30 Flip a coin until you get tails. This attack does 30 damage times the number of heads.
	82/108	Blissey
	Card text Softboiled Once during your turn (before your attack), you may flip a coin. If heads, heal 30 damage from your Active Pokemon. Double-Edge 90 This Pokemon does 60 damage to itself.
	83/108	Eevee
	Card text Surprise Attack 20 Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.
	84/108	Eevee
	Card text Smash Kick 10 Tail Whap 20
	85/108	Chatot
	Card text Tone-Deaf 10 Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Confused. Peck 30
	86/108	Lillipup
	Card text Tackle 10 Take Down 30 This Pokemon does 10 damage to itself.
	87/108	Herdier
	Card text Roar Your opponent switches the Defending Pokemon with 1 of his or her Benched Pokemon. Tackle 30
	88/108	Stoutland
	Card text Special Fang 40+ If this Pokemon has any Special Energy attached to it, this attack does 40 more damage. Ferocious Bellow 60 During your opponent’s next turn, any damage done by attacks from the Defending Pokemon is reduced by 30 (before applying Weakness and Resistance).
	89/108	Haxorus
	Card text Guillotine 60 Stunning Uppercut 80 Flip 2 coins. If both are heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Paralyzed. If both are tails, this attack does nothing.
	90/108	Tornadus
	Card text Blow Through 30+ If there is any Stadium card in play, this attack does 30 more damage. Power Blast 100 Flip a coin. If tails, discard an Energy attached to this Pokemon. When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	91/108	Cheren		Su
	Card text Draw 3 cards. You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
	92/108	Dark Claw		I
	Card text Attach a Pokemon Tool to 1 of your Pokemon that doesn’t already have a Pokemon Tool attached to it. If this card is attached to a Darkness Pokemon, each of the attacks of that Pokemon does 20 more damage to the Active Pokemon (before applying Weakness and Resistance). You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	93/108	Dark Patch		I
	Card text Attach a basic Darkness Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Darkness Pokemon. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	94/108	Enhanced Hammer		I
	Card text Discard a Special Energy from 1 of your opponent’s Pokemon. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	95/108	Hooligans Jim & Cas		Su
	Card text Flip a coin. If heads, choose 3 random cards from your opponent’s hand. Your opponent reveals those cards and shuffles them into his or her deck. You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
	96/108	N		Su
	Card text Each player shuffles his or her hand into his or her deck. Then, each player draws a card for each of his or her remaining Prize cards. You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
	97/108	Old Amber Aerodactyl		I
	Card text Look at the bottom 7 cards of your deck. You may reveal an Aerodactyl you find there and put it onto your Bench. Shuffle the other cards back into your deck. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	98/108	Professor Juniper		Su
	Card text Discard your hand and draw 7 cards. You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
	99/108	Random Receiver		I
	Card text Reveal cards from the top of your deck until you reveal a Supporter card. Put it into your hand. Shuffle the other cards back into your deck. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	100/108	Rare Candy		I
	Card text Choose 1 of your Basic Pokemon in play. If you have a Stage 2 card in your hand that evolves from that Pokemon, put that card on the Basic Pokemon. (This counts as evolving that Pokemon.) You can’t use this card during your first turn or on a Basic Pokemon that was put into play this turn. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	101/108	Twist Mountain		St
	Card text Once during each player’s turn, that player may flip a coin. If heads, the player puts a Restored Pokemon from his or her hand onto his or her Bench. This card stays in play when you play it. Discard this card if another Stadium card comes into play. If another card with the same name is in play, you can’t play this card.
	102/108	Ultra Ball		I
	Card text Discard 2 cards from your hand. (If you can’t discard 2 cards, you can’t play this card.) Search your deck for a Pokemon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
	103/108	Entei
	Card text Fire Fang 30 The Defending Pokemon is now Burned. Grand Flame 90 Attach a Fire Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Pokemon. When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	104/108	Kyogre
	Card text Smash Turn 30 You may switch this Pokemon with 1 of your Benched Pokemon. Dual Splash This attack does 50 damage to 2 of your opponent’s Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.) When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	105/108	Raikou
	Card text Thunder Fang 30 Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now Paralyzed. Volt Bolt Discard all Lightning Energy attached to this Pokemon. This attack does 100 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness or Resistance for Benched Pokemon.) When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	106/108	Groudon
	Card text Tromp 20 Does 10 damage to each of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.) Giant Claw 80+ If the Defending Pokemon already has 2 or more damage counters on it, this attack does 40 more damage. When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	107/108	Darkrai
	Card text Dark Cloak Each of your Pokemon that has any Darkness Energy attached to it has no Retreat Cost. Night Spear 90 Does 30 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.) When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	108/108	Tornadus
	Card text Blow Through 30+ If there is any Stadium card in play, this attack does 30 more damage. Power Blast 100 Flip a coin. If tails, discard an Energy attached to this Pokemon. When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
	109/108	Gardevoir
	Card text Psychic Mirage Each basic Psychic Energy attached to your Psychic Pokemon provides PsychicPsychic Energy. You can’t apply more than 1 Psychic Mirage Ability at a time. Mind Shock 60 This attack’s damage isn’t affected by Weakness or Resistance.
	110/108	Archeops
	Card text Ancient Power Each player can’t play any Pokemon from his or her hand to evolve his or her Pokemon. Rock Slide 60 Does 10 damage to 2 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.)
	111/108	Pokemon Catcher		I
	Card text Flip a coin. If heads, switch 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon with his or her Active Pokemon. You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).

Trainer Staples

Dark Explorers was also a treasure trove of Trainer support that would anchor decklists for years. Chief among them was Ultra Ball (102): discard two cards from your hand, then search your deck for any Pokémon at all. Universal, unconditional Pokémon search made it a near-automatic four-of in every deck, and it has remained a staple across format after format.

For disruption, Enhanced Hammer (94) let you discard a Special Energy straight off one of your opponent’s Pokémon — a cheap, targeted way to slow decks that leaned on Double Colorless and other Special Energy. Between the two, plus reprints of N, Professor Juniper and Random Receiver, the set kept competitive shelves well stocked.

Ultra Ball (102/108)

The universal search Item. Discard two cards, then pull any Pokémon from your deck into your hand — no conditions. A near-automatic four-of that has stayed a staple across many formats.

Enhanced Hammer (94/108)

Cheap, targeted disruption. Discard a Special Energy right off one of your opponent’s Pokémon — a clean answer to decks leaning on Double Colorless and other Special Energy.

For Collectors: Most Valuable Cards

Dark Explorers’ collector value lives almost entirely in its six Full Art EX secret rares (#103-108); the regular EX holos are cheap by comparison. Darkrai-EX is the iconic signature card, yet the highest PSA 10 sales actually belong to the notoriously grade-scarce Groudon-EX Full Art.

Groudon EX (Full Art) (#106/108)

The set’s condition-rarity king: raw copies run only about $265-430, but a gem PSA 10 has sold for roughly $15,000 because clean, well-centered copies are extremely hard to pull and grade.

Darkrai EX (Full Art) (#107/108)

The signature chase card and most iconic pull of the set, with only about 23 known PSA 10 copies; a PSA 10 sells for around $5,500 while raw near-mint copies fetch roughly $360-400.

Raikou EX (Full Art) (#105/108)

A tournament-relevant Full Art that holds up strongly in the grading market, with PSA 10 copies selling for roughly $3,080 and ungraded copies around $175.

Kyogre EX (Full Art) (#104/108)

One of the tougher Full Arts to find in gem mint; PSA 10 examples bring about $2,400 while ungraded copies sit near $240.

Tornadus EX (Full Art) (#108/108)

The final card of the set (108/108) and a playable EX in its era; PSA 10 copies sell for roughly $1,790 even though ungraded copies cost only about $45.

Most Powerful Cards (Competitive Play)

Dark Explorers defined the 2012-2013 Modified format, handing Darkrai-EX the support to become the game’s best deck. Cheap energy acceleration, a discard-recursion engine, and elite consistency trainers made straight Darkrai and its variants dominant for two full seasons.

Darkrai-EX (Straight Darkrai BDIF Attacker)

Night Spear hit 90 damage plus 30 to a benched Pokémon for a single attachment, while its Dark Cloak ability gave every Dark Pokémon free retreat; it was the core of the format’s best deck through 2013.

Dark Patch (Energy Acceleration Item)

Attaches a Darkness Energy from the discard pile to a benched Dark Pokémon, letting Darkrai-EX power up Night Spear a full turn early and enabling explosively fast, aggressive starts.

Sableye (Junk Hunt Recursion Engine)

Its Junk Hunt attack returns two Item cards from the discard to hand each turn, endlessly recurring Dark Patch, Ultra Ball, and Pokémon Catcher to give Darkrai decks unmatched grind and disruption.

Random Receiver (Consistency Trainer)

This Item digs the deck for a Supporter and puts it straight into hand, smoothing draws and thinning the deck; it became a near-universal consistency staple across almost every competitive deck.

Ultra Ball (Search and Discard Fuel)

A staple Item that searches out any Pokémon for a two-card discard, both finding attackers and loading the discard pile that fuels Dark Patch and Sableye’s Junk Hunt.

Trivia

Black & White—Dark Explorers, released in May 2012, focused on the Darkness type and its support cards.
Darkrai-EX, with its free-retreat Dark Cloak Ability and Night Spear attack, became one of the most dominant Pokémon of the entire Black & White era.
Dark Patch and Sableye gave Darkness decks unmatched energy acceleration and Item recursion.
The set contained six Pokémon-EX — Entei, Kyogre, Raikou, Groudon, Darkrai and Tornadus — each with a Full Art version.
It was the first English set whose secret cards could be Item cards, such as the secret-rare Pokémon Catcher (111/108).

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