Evolving Skies gave collectors two headline chase cards in 2021, and while Umbreon's moonlit alt art usually gets top billing, Rayquaza VMAX's alternate art was right there competing for the title of the set's most wanted pull.
A sky-filling showcase
Rayquaza VMAX's alt art, reportedly numbered 218/203, depicts the dragon soaring across a dramatic, storm-lit sky, a fitting stage for a Pokemon whose lore is built around dominating the ozone layer. The scale and colour of the illustration made it an instant standout even in a set stacked with alternate arts.
Evolving Skies' dragon-and-Eeveelution one-two punch
The set's design leaned on two fan-favourite themes - Eeveelutions and dragon-type Pokemon - and gave both stunning alt art treatments. Rayquaza represented the dragon half of that pairing, and its VMAX alt art quickly became inseparable from Umbreon's in collector conversation, the two frequently discussed as a pair.
A consistently strong second act
While reported resale prices for Rayquaza's alt art have generally trailed Umbreon's, they've stayed firmly in high-value territory, with PSA 10 copies reportedly reaching into the thousands of dollars at points during 2021 and 2022. It remains one of the defining cards of a set widely regarded as a high point for the Sword & Shield block.
Frequently asked questions
What set is the Rayquaza VMAX alt art from?
It's the secret rare alternate art version of Rayquaza VMAX from Evolving Skies, released in 2021, reportedly numbered 218/203 in the set.
How does it compare to the Umbreon VMAX alt art from the same set?
The two are often mentioned in the same breath as Evolving Skies' twin chase cards. Umbreon's alt art reportedly edged ahead in overall demand and price, but Rayquaza's dramatic, sky-filling artwork made it a very close second for most collectors.
Why is the Evolving Skies set so associated with alt arts?
Evolving Skies leaned heavily into Eeveelution and dragon-type Pokemon with large-scale alternate art secret rares, and the strength of that lineup is a big reason the set is still considered one of the most iconic of the Sword & Shield era.