The Latios ex (Delta Species) card from EX Dragon Frontiers (card #96/101) does not exist as a non-holo variant. This card appears exclusively in holo form, making it impossible to price chart a non-holo version that is not part of the official set. If you own or are researching this card, you are almost certainly looking at the holo version, which carries a market value around $75–$140 depending on condition, with graded copies reaching into the thousands.
This distinction matters because many collectors assume all ex cards have both holo and non-holo printings. Delta Species cards, however—a special mechanic set introduced in 2005—were released under strict rarity designations, and Latios ex was designated as an Ultra Rare holo-only card. Understanding this production fact prevents confusion when shopping for the card or researching its price history.
Table of Contents
- Why Does Latios ex Delta Species Exist Only as a Holo Card?
- Card Specifications and What You Actually Own
- Current Market Pricing for the Holographic Version
- Evaluating Condition and Grading Strategy
- Market Liquidity and Availability Concerns
- Comparing Latios ex to Other Delta Species Cards
- Where to Locate and Trade This Card Reliably
Why Does Latios ex Delta Species Exist Only as a Holo Card?
delta species was a limited mechanic in the Pokémon trading Card Game, introducing Pokémon with dual types (represented by the delta symbol) that diverged from their canonical type assignments. Ultra Rare cards with the ex designation during this era were almost always reserved for holo-only printings to preserve their prestige and market value. Latios ex, with 100 HP and the Link Wing Poké-Body ability that reduced retreat cost for Latias and Latios cards to zero, was positioned as a high-value pull and was printed only in holographic form across its entire run.
Collector demand for Delta Species cards—particularly the ex versions—was strong enough that manufacturers had no incentive to produce non-holo variants. The set had already created artificial scarcity by limiting the Delta mechanic to a specific, time-bound release window. Adding a non-holo printing would have diluted the exclusivity that made the holo version desirable in the first place.
Card Specifications and What You Actually Own
The card you’re likely researching has these exact specifications: card number 96/101, Water type, Basic Pokémon-ex, 100 HP, retreat cost 2 Colorless, illustrated by Ryo Ueda. The Link Wing Poké-Body allows any Latias or Latios card to retreat for free while Latios ex is in play—a significant mechanical advantage in Limited formats and casual decks.
Its two attacks—Ice Barrier (30 damage) and Hydro Splash (60 damage)—are modest by modern standards but were competitive within the ex-era metagame. One limitation to be aware: the Poké-Body effect applies only to Latias and Latios cards, not to other Water types or dragons. Deck builders in 2005–2006 had to invest in supporting cards to maximize the utility of this card, which affects how many copies of Latios ex were actually played in competitive environments versus held purely as collectibles.
Current Market Pricing for the Holographic Version
The holo Latios ex is actively traded across TCGPlayer, CardMarket, eBay, Game Nerdz, and other major retailers. As of July 2026, ungraded copies in the open market average $75.32, with most listings falling between $95 and $140 depending on visible condition and seller reputation. This price range reflects moderate, steady demand—Latios ex is recognizable enough to attract casual collectors but not rare enough to command the premium prices of first-edition Base Set cards or misprinted high-value anomalies.
Graded examples command significantly higher prices. A PSA 4 typically sells for around $210, while PSA 7 copies reach $380. The jump accelerates at higher grades: PSA 9 examples have sold for $1,250, and PSA 10 specimens approach $1,500. The highest recorded sale in recent history was $1,354.84 for a graded premium copy, illustrating the value cliff that appears once a card enters the 8–10 grade range.
Evaluating Condition and Grading Strategy
Condition assessment for Latios ex should focus on holo pattern consistency, corner wear, and centering—the three most visible variables affecting grade. A card with light play showing minor corner rounding and slight edge wear typically grades 6–7, while one with heavy creasing, staining, or significant centering issues falls to 4–5. For this card specifically, the large holo area makes any surface scratches visible, so even light handling can impact grade perception.
Whether to grade depends on your intended use. An ungraded $110 copy serves most collectors’ needs and retains liquidity for future sale. Grading costs ($10–$20 per card depending on turnaround) plus the PSA or BGS slab fee only becomes worthwhile if you believe the card will grade 7 or higher—the threshold where the holder’s protection and certification premium begin to offset grading costs. A $120 ungraded card that grades PSA 5 or 6 may actually lose value after grading expenses.
Market Liquidity and Availability Concerns
Latios ex delta Species maintains consistent liquidity across major platforms, with copies available for purchase almost every week. This availability is a double-edged sword: it means you can find the card reliably, but it also means supply is steady enough to prevent rapid price appreciation.
Unlike first-edition printings or sealed EX Dragon Frontiers booster boxes, ungraded Latios ex copies are unlikely to experience dramatic spikes in value simply due to scarcity. Sellers occasionally list heavily played or damaged copies below the $95 floor, sometimes as low as $60–$70, which can trap buyers into believing they’ve found a deal when in reality the card’s condition justifies the discount. Conversely, lightly played NM copies occasionally command $150+ on CardMarket when sellers price speculatively or when the card appears in a lot alongside other high-demand ex cards.
Comparing Latios ex to Other Delta Species Cards
The Latios ex holds middle ground among Delta Species ex cards in terms of price. Its $75–$140 range is lower than Rayquaza ex (which can reach $200+ ungraded) but higher than Walrein ex or Cradily ex, which typically sell for $40–$70 in the same condition window. Rayquaza ex’s superior attack stats (its attack does 60+ damage more than Latios ex’s Hydro Splash) and broader utility in competitive decks of the era drove higher collecting demand and sustained pricing.
Latios ex also exists as a non-ex Pokémon in other sets, which can confuse newer collectors. The regular Latios from Holon Phantoms, for instance, has non-holo printings and costs significantly less ($5–$15). This creates a pricing cliff between the regular Latios and the ex version that underscores why the distinction between holo and non-holo variants matters—the mechanical advantage of the ex designation justifies the 5–10x price multiplier.
Where to Locate and Trade This Card Reliably
For purchase, TCGPlayer aggregates multiple sellers and allows filtering by condition grade and price, making it the clearest entry point for most buyers. CardMarket in Europe offers often-competitive pricing and detailed seller ratings. eBay’s auction format occasionally surfaces deals on lightly played copies, though you risk purchasing heavily damaged stock if you don’t inspect photos carefully.
Game Nerdz and other specialty retailers typically stock holo Latios ex in stock and offer competitive fixed pricing. When selling your copy, condition dictates venue choice: ungraded LP-NM copies move fastest on TCGPlayer’s marketplace or CardMarket, while damaged copies may attract buyers on eBay looking to complete sets regardless of condition. Graded PSA 7+ copies are best listed on eBay with auction format to maximize exposure among serious Pokémon investors who monitor sales regularly.
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