10 Hardest Arbok Pokémon Cards to Pull
Ranked by estimated pull rates from English booster packs.
Arbok’s dramatic illustration rare and full-art ex give collectors alternatives to its older framed artwork. Expedition also has separate numbered Arbok printings and foil finishes. This guide keeps those identities distinct when comparing estimated English pull rates.
Pull rates are estimates—see how this ranking works.
Estimated odds, limited coverage. This uses the same estimates as our pull-rate calculators, including labelled rough models and very-low-confidence assumptions. It does not establish the hardest Arbok ever printed; nearby estimates may not represent a real difference in difficulty.
How the ranking works ↓We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through our eBay links. Card images are artwork references; edition stamps and foil finishes may differ.
Arbok pull rates at a glance
A larger pack figure means a lower estimated chance. Figures are rounded to two significant digits; matching rounded estimates share a rank.
| Rank | Card & set | Estimated packs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arbok 176/162Temporal Forces · Holofoil | ~1 in 280 |
| 2 | Arbok ex 185/165Pokémon 151 · Holofoil | ~1 in 250 |
| 3 | Arbok 63/214Unbroken Bonds · Reverse Holofoil | ~1 in 180Rough estimate |
| 4 = | Arbok (3) 3/165Expedition · Reverse Holofoil | ~1 in 160Rough estimate |
| 4 = | Arbok (35) 35/165Expedition · Reverse Holofoil | ~1 in 160Rough estimate |
| 6 | Arbok 48/146XY Base Set · Reverse Holofoil | ~1 in 120Rough estimate |
| 7 | Team Rocket's Arbok 113/182Destined Rivals · Reverse Holofoil | ~1 in 110Rough estimate |
| 8 | Arbok 33/106Great Encounters · Reverse Holofoil | ~1 in 100Rough estimate |
| 9 | Arbok (3) 3/165Expedition · Holofoil | ~1 in 96 |
| 10 | Dark Arbok 29/109EX Team Rocket Returns · Reverse Holofoil | ~1 in 95Rough estimate |
The hardest-to-pull Arbok countdown
#10 · Dark Arbok
EX Team Rocket Returns · 29/109 · English · Reverse Holofoil
Rough estimate. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 95 packs
Reverse Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$299.99 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
This EX Team Rocket Returns printing adds a reverse-holo version to the Pokémon’s checklist. The estimate concerns the exact collector number shown. An ordinary card with the same artwork does not count as this foil pull.
Where this estimate comes from
Assumes 1 effective ordinary reverse-holo slots per pack, shared equally across 95 eligible reverse printings. This simplifies special-card replacements and unequal print sheets; the slot allowance is a modelling assumption.
#9 · Arbok (3)
Expedition · 3/165 · English · Holofoil
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 96 packs
Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$124.99 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Arbok faces the viewer against a dark blue holo backdrop in this e-Reader-era card. Expedition’s 003/165 holo and 035/165 non-holo are distinct numbered printings, and their reverse-holo versions are separate finishes again.
Where this estimate comes from
The estimated rarity frequency is divided across the eligible cards in that pool, assuming equal individual chances. It is not a measured count of this particular card.
Regular rare slot is present in every pack; holo replaces a common. Individual Crystal and reverse-holo estimates remain unavailable because sheet frequencies are uncertain.
#8 · Arbok
Great Encounters · 33/106 · English · Reverse Holofoil
Rough estimate. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 100 packs
Reverse Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$6.80 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
This Great Encounters printing adds a reverse-holo version to the Pokémon’s checklist. The estimate concerns the exact collector number shown. An ordinary card with the same artwork does not count as this foil pull.
Where this estimate comes from
Assumes 1 effective ordinary reverse-holo slots per pack, shared equally across 102 eligible reverse printings. This simplifies special-card replacements and unequal print sheets; the slot allowance is a modelling assumption.
#7 · Team Rocket's Arbok
Destined Rivals · 113/182 · English · Reverse Holofoil
Rough estimate. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 110 packs
Reverse Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$0.35 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
This Destined Rivals printing adds a reverse-holo version to the Pokémon’s checklist. The estimate concerns the exact collector number shown. An ordinary card with the same artwork does not count as this foil pull.
Where this estimate comes from
Assumes 1.5 effective ordinary reverse-holo slots per pack, shared equally across 165 eligible reverse printings. This simplifies special-card replacements and unequal print sheets; the slot allowance is a modelling assumption.
#6 · Arbok
XY Base Set · 48/146 · English · Reverse Holofoil
Rough estimate. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 120 packs
Reverse Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$1.14 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
This XY Base Set printing adds a reverse-holo version to the Pokémon’s checklist. The estimate concerns the exact collector number shown. An ordinary card with the same artwork does not count as this foil pull.
Where this estimate comes from
Assumes 1 effective ordinary reverse-holo slots per pack, shared equally across 123 eligible reverse printings. This simplifies special-card replacements and unequal print sheets; the slot allowance is a modelling assumption.
#4 (joint) · Arbok (35)
Expedition · 35/165 · English · Reverse Holofoil
Rough estimate. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 160 packs
Reverse Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$45.00 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Expedition’s e-Reader-era design gives this printing a different look from modern cards. This entry ranks the reverse holo of the exact collector number shown, rather than every foil card with the same Pokémon name.
Where this estimate comes from
Assumes 1 effective ordinary reverse-holo slots per pack, shared equally across 159 eligible reverse printings. This simplifies special-card replacements and unequal print sheets; the slot allowance is a modelling assumption.
#4 (joint) · Arbok (3)
Expedition · 3/165 · English · Reverse Holofoil
Rough estimate. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 160 packs
Reverse Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$52.50 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Expedition’s e-Reader-era design gives this printing a different look from modern cards. This entry ranks the reverse holo of the exact collector number shown, rather than every foil card with the same Pokémon name.
Where this estimate comes from
Assumes 1 effective ordinary reverse-holo slots per pack, shared equally across 159 eligible reverse printings. This simplifies special-card replacements and unequal print sheets; the slot allowance is a modelling assumption.
#3 · Arbok
Unbroken Bonds · 63/214 · English · Reverse Holofoil
Rough estimate. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 180 packs
Reverse Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$0.60 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
This reverse holo offers a smaller collecting target alongside Unbroken Bonds’ GX chases. Its estimated chance concerns this particular number and finish, not the probability of finding any reverse holo.
Where this estimate comes from
Assumes 1 effective ordinary reverse-holo slots per pack, shared equally across 179 eligible reverse printings. This simplifies special-card replacements and unequal print sheets; the slot allowance is a modelling assumption.
#2 · Arbok ex
Pokémon 151 · 185/165 · English · Holofoil
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 250 packs
Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$6.29 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Arbok ex coils against a bright green patterned background in this full-art printing. Number 185/165 distinguishes it from the regular ex artwork, with a separate estimated chance per pack.
Where this estimate comes from
The estimated rarity frequency is divided across the eligible cards in that pool, assuming equal individual chances. It is not a measured count of this particular card.
Published TCGplayer opening frequencies. Specific-card rates assume an equal share of its rarity pool; these are estimates, not manufacturer odds. Common and uncommon cards use a uniform slot approximation. Ordinary reverse odds are unavailable. Independent pack calculations do not reproduce print-sheet collation.
#1 · Arbok
Temporal Forces · 176/162 · English · Holofoil
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 280 packs
Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$26.36 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Angular leaves and a bold purple silhouette turn Arbok into the centre of a striking graphic illustration. The expanded scene belongs to 176/162, rather than the ordinary Arbok card in Temporal Forces.
Where this estimate comes from
The estimated rarity frequency is divided across the eligible cards in that pool, assuming equal individual chances. It is not a measured count of this particular card.
Published TCGplayer opening frequencies. Specific-card rates assume an equal share of its rarity pool; these are estimates, not manufacturer odds. Common and uncommon cards use a uniform slot approximation. Ordinary reverse odds are unavailable. Independent pack calculations do not reproduce print-sheet collation.
How we compare Arbok pull rates
We compare the chance of pulling one exact card from one English pack of its release. A rarity’s overall hit rate is different from the odds of finding a particular Arbok within that rarity. Evidence ranges from reported community openings and print-sheet models to rough comparisons and assumed rarity frequencies. Each rough estimate carries its warning beside the odds; expand its explanation for the actual basis.
Japanese cards, guaranteed promos, deck cards and box toppers are outside this ranking. Vintage editions with shared odds take one position. Distinct pack-pulled finishes can qualify separately. Prices do not affect the order, and a missing price does not remove an otherwise eligible card.
Up to ten cards are selected automatically from available estimates, with any tie at the cutoff kept together. Estimates are rounded to two significant digits for comparison, not presented as precise measurements. New cards can enter when a matching printing and estimate are available; prices refresh with the catalogue. Descriptions stay with their card when the order changes.
Arbok pull-rate questions
Which Arbok card is hardest to pull?
Arbok 176/162 (Temporal Forces, Holofoil) has the lowest estimated chance among the qualifying cards here: about 1 in 280 packs. This is the current model’s ordering, including any rough assumptions labelled above. It does not cover every Arbok ever released.
Will opening 280 packs guarantee the top-ranked card?
No. For the first card listed at rank 1, opening 280 independent packs gives an estimated 62.6% chance of at least one copy. The average waiting time is not a promise; actual packs and factory collation can behave differently from this model.
Is the hardest Arbok to pull also the most expensive?
Not necessarily. Artwork, demand, condition and how much product exists also matter to collectors. This guide ranks estimated pack odds. Our most expensive Arbok guide compares available raw prices instead.
Do a booster box or an Elite Trainer Box guarantee a Arbok?
These estimates do not establish any product-level guarantee. A named Arbok promo included in a product is separate from the random cards inside its booster packs. Use the exact-card calculator to explore pack quantities and its stated assumptions.
Why can a reverse-holo Arbok rank above a rarer-looking card?
This compares one exact printing. A large reverse-holo pool can make a particular card’s modelled chance small even when reverse holos overall are common. Most of these estimates assume equal chances within the pool. That does not prove this Pokémon is short-printed, and it does not describe the ordinary non-holo version.