The glaceon ex 20/124 was one of those cards that really defined the late XY era for a lot of players, especially those who were around for the Fates Collide expansion back in 2016. If you were playing the game competitively at the time, or even if you were just a casual collector, you probably remember the buzz when this card first dropped. It wasn't just another pretty Eeveelution to put in a binder; it was actually a pretty tactical piece of kit that caused more than a few headaches for opponents who relied too heavily on Evolution Pokémon.
Why Fates Collide Was Such a Moment
When Fates Collide hit the shelves, the Pokémon TCG was in a really interesting spot. The XY era was reaching its peak, and we were seeing some wild power creep. Most of the set's marketing was focused on Zygarde and the introduction of Mega Alakazam, but the glaceon ex 20/124 sort of sneaked in as a fan favorite. Honestly, anything involving Eevee's evolutions is going to be popular, but this Glaceon felt different because it was actually viable in the meta.
I remember cracking open packs of Fates Collide and hoping for that splash of blue and white. Back then, pulling an EX was always a thrill, but Glaceon felt special. It had that sleek, 3D-rendered look that Ryo Ueda is famous for. It wasn't just a card; it was a statement.
Breaking Down the Card's Power
Let's talk about what the card actually did on the field. The glaceon ex 20/124 had 170 HP, which was fairly standard for a Basic EX at the time. It wasn't beefy enough to survive a massive hit from a Mega Rayquaza, but it had enough staying power to do its job.
Its first attack, Second Bite, was okay—it did 20 damage plus 10 more for each damage counter already on the opponent's Active Pokémon. It was a decent "cleanup" move if you'd already softened someone up. But the real reason people played this card was its second attack: Crystal Ray.
For one Water and two Colorless energies, Crystal Ray did 70 damage. That doesn't sound like much by today's standards, but the secondary effect was the kicker: during your opponent's next turn, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks from Evolution Pokémon. In a format where Mega Evolutions were everywhere, this was absolutely huge. You could basically wall off half of your opponent's deck if they weren't prepared.
The Iconic Art of Ryo Ueda
I've always had a soft spot for the art on the glaceon ex 20/124. Ryo Ueda has a very specific style—it's very clean, using digital 3D models that look like they could jump right out of the card. The way Glaceon is posed, leaping forward with ice crystals shattering around it, really captures that "Cool Beauty" vibe the Pokémon is known for.
The holographic foil on these cards was also top-tier. There's a certain shimmer to the old EX cards that the newer V or ex (lowercase) cards don't quite replicate. It has that classic border that feels nostalgic now, even though 2016 doesn't feel like it was that long ago. If you hold one under a bright light, the way the colors shift on the "EX" logo is just satisfying.
Where It Fits in a Collection Today
If you're looking to pick up a glaceon ex 20/124 today, you're looking at a piece of history. For collectors, it's a mandatory inclusion for an Eeveelution master set. Since it's an Ultra Rare from a mid-era set, it's not as expensive as something like a Gold Star or a vintage Holo from the Neo era, but it's still held its value surprisingly well.
The thing with Glaceon collectors is that they are dedicated. People love this Pokémon. Finding a copy in near-mint condition can be a bit of a challenge because so many of these were played in decks. They got shuffled, flicked, and sat in hot cars during regional tournaments. If you find one with clean edges and no silvering on the front, you've got a keeper.
Playing It in the "Water Box"
Back in the day, the glaceon ex 20/124 was a staple in what we called "Water Box" decks. This was a deck that used cards like Manaphy-EX (for free retreat) and Max Elixir to power up a bunch of different Water attackers depending on what you were facing.
If you were playing against a deck like Mega Gardevoir or Mega Mewtwo, you'd lead with Glaceon. You'd hit them with Crystal Ray, and suddenly, their $100 Mega Evolution card couldn't touch you. It was a classic "lockdown" strategy. To be fair, it was also incredibly frustrating to play against. I've seen players literally scoop their cards and walk away because they didn't have a Basic Pokémon strong enough to break through Glaceon's protection.
The Shift to Expanded and Beyond
As the game moved into the Sun & Moon era and eventually Sword & Shield, the glaceon ex 20/124 slowly faded from the Standard format, but it lived on in Expanded for a long time. Even now, if you're playing a casual game with friends using older cards, Glaceon is still a threat. It's funny how a card from eight years ago can still feel relevant in the right context.
The modern game has moved toward "VMAX" and "VSTAR" Pokémon, which technically count as Evolutions, meaning Glaceon's Crystal Ray effect would still trigger against them in a kitchen-table match. It's a fun way to remind your friends why the XY era was so chaotic.
Grading Your Copy
A lot of people ask if it's worth grading a glaceon ex 20/124. If it's a PSA 10 contender, then absolutely. Because Eeveelutions have such a massive fan base, there is always a market for high-grade copies. Even a PSA 9 is a nice piece to have for the long term.
The centering on Fates Collide wasn't always the best, so keep an eye on the borders. If the left side is way thicker than the right, it might not get that perfect ten. But honestly, even a raw copy looks great in a pro-fit sleeve and a top loader. It's a card that just looks "right" in a collection.
Final Thoughts on a Classic
Looking back, the glaceon ex 20/124 represents a specific time in Pokémon history when the game felt a bit more about "rock-paper-scissors" matchups. You had to have an answer for everything. Glaceon was the answer to the Evolution heavyweights, and it did its job perfectly.
Whether you're a player who remembers the sting of losing to a Crystal Ray lock, or a collector who just loves the aesthetic of the Ice-type Eeveelution, there's no denying this card has staying power. It's not the most expensive card in the world, and it's not the most powerful by today's insane standards, but it's got character. And in a hobby like this, sometimes that's exactly what makes a card worth holding onto. If you've got one tucked away in an old binder, maybe it's time to pull it out and give it a look—it's still just as cool as it was in 2016.