Author: General Ops

Collector’s Guide: Blaine’s Growlithe (Gym Challenge #62)
Blaine’s Growlithe Collector’s Guide

Character Intro

Blaine’s Growlithe from the Gym Challenge set is a common card numbered 62. This lively Pokémon has 60 HP and features the attack Body Slam. Its straightforward design makes it a notable addition for collectors interested in classic Gym Challenge cards.

Quick Facts

set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator

Gym Challenge 62 Common 60 Ken Sugimori
- Type: Fire
- Stage: Basic
- Retreat Cost: 1
- Weakness: Water (×2)
- Attacks:
- Stoke: Attach a Fire Energy from your deck to Blaine’s Growlithe.
- Body Slam: Deals 20 damage and may Paralyze the opponent on a coin flip.
Key Printings

This exact printing appears in the Gym Challenge set as card number 62. It is a Common rarity card with no known alternate printings or special editions.

Variants & Identifiers

There are no known print variants for this card. It is identified by its set code “gym2” and card number 62. The illustration by Ken Sugimori is a key visual identifier.

Legality & Play Notes

Legality: unknown
This card is not currently legal in Standard, Expanded, or Unlimited formats. Its playability in casual or other formats is unknown.

Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the vivid artwork and maintain condition, store Blaine’s Growlithe in a protective sleeve away from direct sunlight and moisture. Given its Common rarity, it is still valuable to collectors focusing on the Gym Challenge set.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Gym Challenge: Blaine’s Growlithe is a Basic Fire-type Pokémon with simple but effective attacks, fitting well into early Gym-themed decks. Its inclusion in this set highlights classic Gym Leader Blaine’s Fire-type specialty.
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September 24, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Blaine’s Mankey (Gym Challenge #63)
Blaine’s Mankey Collector’s Guide

Character Intro

Blaine’s Mankey is a Common card from the Gym Challenge set, numbered 63. This lively Pokémon has 40 HP and features the attack Fury Swipes. Its straightforward, coin-flip-driven design makes it a notable pick for collectors of classic Gym Challenge cards.

Quick Facts

set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator

Gym Challenge 63 Common 40 Atsuko Nishida
- Type: Fighting
- Stage: Basic
- Retreat Cost: 0
- Weakness: Psychic (×2)
- Attacks:
- Pranks: Flip a coin; if heads, place a card from opponent’s discard pile on top of their deck.
- Fury Swipes: Flip 3 coins; does 10 damage times the number of heads.
- Abilities: None
- Flavor Text: Unknown
- Regulation Mark: None
Key Printings

The key printing of Blaine’s Mankey is from the Gym Challenge set, identified by the set code “gym2” and card number 63. This printing is notable for its clean Fighting-type design and the signature artwork by Atsuko Nishida.

Variants & Identifiers

There are no known print variants for this card. It can be identified by its common rarity, Fighting type, and the unique attacks “Pranks” and “Fury Swipes.” The card has no regulation mark and no special abilities, making it straightforward to authenticate.

Legality & Play Notes

Legality status: unknown. This card is not legal in Standard, Expanded, or Unlimited formats. Its low HP and simple attacks suggest it was designed for early gameplay rather than competitive play.

Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the vibrant illustration by Atsuko Nishida and maintain condition, store Blaine’s Mankey in a protective sleeve away from direct sunlight and moisture. Avoid bending or scratching the card, especially since it has no special holographic features that might mask wear.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Gym Challenge: A straightforward Basic Fighting-type with tactical disruption via Pranks and flip-based damage from Fury Swipes, fitting the gym-themed focus on classic battling styles.
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September 24, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Blaine’s Ponyta (Gym Challenge #64)
Blaine’s Ponyta Collector’s Guide

Overview

Blaine’s Ponyta from the Gym Challenge set is a common card featuring a vibrant image of the fiery Pokémon. It has 50 HP and a single attack called Hind Kick. This card is numbered 64 in the set, making it a straightforward addition for collectors focusing on classic Gym Challenge cards.

Quick Facts

set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator

Gym Challenge 64 Common 50 Ken Sugimori

Card Stats
- Type: Fire
- Stage: Basic
- Retreat Cost: 1
- Weakness: Water ×2
- Attack: Hind Kick (20 damage) — If you have any Benched Pokémon, flip a coin; if heads, switch Blaine’s Ponyta with one of your Benched Pokémon.
- Abilities: None
- Flavor Text: Unknown
- Regulation Mark: None
Key Printings

The key printing of Blaine’s Ponyta is from the Gym Challenge set, identified by card number 64. This printing is notable for its common rarity and the signature Ken Sugimori illustration, which is a hallmark of early Gym cards.

Variants & Identifiers

There are no known print variants for this card. It is identified by the set code “gym2” and the card number 64. The card’s subtype is Basic, and it carries no special regulation mark.

Legality & Play Notes
- Legality: unknown
- This card is not legal in Standard, Expanded, or Unlimited formats. Its playability in casual or other formats is not specified.
Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the vivid Ken Sugimori artwork and maintain card condition, store Blaine’s Ponyta in a protective sleeve away from direct sunlight and moisture. Avoid bending or scratching the card to retain its collector value.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Gym Challenge: Blaine’s Ponyta appears as a Basic Fire-type Pokémon with a simple but strategic attack, fitting the Gym Challenge theme of specialized Gym Leader Pokémon. This set emphasizes character-themed cards with unique attacks and artwork.
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September 24, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Blaine’s Rhyhorn (Gym Challenge #65)
Blaine’s Rhyhorn Collector’s Guide

Character Intro

Blaine’s Rhyhorn is a Common card from the Gym Challenge set, numbered 65. This sturdy Pokémon has 60 HP and features the attack Horn Charge, with a straightforward design that reflects Rhyhorn’s rugged nature in battle.

Quick Facts

set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator

Gym Challenge 65 Common 60 Ken Sugimori
- Card ID: gym2-65
- Type: Fighting
- Stage: Basic
- Retreat Cost: 2
- Weakness: Grass ×2
- Resistance: Lightning -30
- Attacks:
- Horn Charge: Flip a coin; if tails, no damage. Deals 30 damage.
- Overrun: Flip a coin; if heads, deals 20 damage to one of opponent’s Benched Pokémon (ignores Weakness/Resistance).
- Flavor Text: Unknown
- Print Variants: None known
- Image:
Key Printings

The key printing is from the Gym Challenge set, identified by set code gym2 and card number 65. This is the only known printing, making it a straightforward collectible for Gym series fans.

Variants & Identifiers

No print variants or alternate versions are documented. It’s easily identified by its Fighting type, common rarity, classic Ken Sugimori artwork, unique attacks, and resistance to Lightning.

Legality & Play Notes
- Legality: unknown
- This card is not legal in Standard, Expanded, or Unlimited formats, limiting its use to casual or collector play.
  Its coin-flip based attacks add an element of chance that can appeal to risk-reward minded players.
Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the Ken Sugimori artwork and maintain condition, store in a protective sleeve away from direct sunlight and moisture. Avoid bending or scratching, as common cards can be more prone to wear over time.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Gym Challenge: A solid Fighting-type Basic Pokémon with moderate HP and two coin-flip based attacks, fitting the Gym Leader Blaine theme in a straightforward, collectible form.
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September 24, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Blaine’s Vulpix (Gym Challenge #66)
Blaine’s Vulpix Collector’s Guide

Character Intro

Blaine’s Vulpix from the Gym Challenge set is a common card numbered 66. This lively Pokémon has 50 HP and features the straightforward attack Bite, capturing the essence of Vulpix with a simple yet effective design.

Quick Facts

set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator

Gym Challenge 66 Common 50 Ken Sugimori
- Type: Fire
- Stage: Basic
- Retreat Cost: 1 Colorless Energy
- Weakness: Water (×2)
- Attacks:
- Bite (10 damage, 1 Colorless Energy)
- Call Will-o’-the-wisp (Flip 3 coins; for each heads, retrieve a Fire Energy card from discard)
- Abilities: None
- Flavor Text: Unknown
- Regulation Mark: None
Key Printings

The key printing of Blaine’s Vulpix is Gym Challenge card number 66. Classified as Common, it showcases clean Ken Sugimori artwork. It is a Basic Pokémon card with no evolutions from previous stages.

Variants & Identifiers

No known print variants. Identifiers include set code “gym2” and card number 66. The Ken Sugimori illustration and Fire-type symbol are distinctive markers. Card image: /images/gym2/gym2-66.jpg.

Legality & Play Notes

Legality status: unknown. Based on the provided data, this card is not legal in Standard, Expanded, or Unlimited formats and is better suited for collecting than competitive play.

Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the Ken Sugimori illustration and maintain condition, store the card in a protective sleeve away from direct sunlight and moisture. Avoid bending or scratching, and use a rigid holder for long-term storage to prevent warping.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Gym Challenge: A Basic Fire-type with straightforward attacks and a simple retreat cost, representing Blaine’s roster in the gym-themed set. This card contributes to the Fire-type lineup among the iconic gym leaders featured.
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September 24, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Brock’s Diglett (Gym Challenge #67)
Brock’s Diglett Collector’s Guide

Character Intro

Brock’s Diglett from the Gym Challenge set is a common card numbered 67. This nimble Pokémon has 40 HP and features the attack Tremor. Its straightforward design makes it a staple for collectors interested in classic Gym Challenge cards.

Quick Facts

set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator

Gym Challenge 67 Common 40 Ken Sugimori
- Type: Fighting
- Stage: Basic
- Retreat Cost: 1
- Weakness: Grass ×2
- Resistance: Lightning -30
- Attacks:
- Surprise Attack: Flip a coin; if tails, the attack does nothing. Deals 20 damage.
- Tremor: Deals 40 damage but also does 10 damage to each of your own Benched Pokémon (no Weakness or Resistance applied to Benched Pokémon).
- Abilities: None
- Flavor Text: Unknown
- Regulation Mark: None
Key Printings

The only known printing of Brock’s Diglett is from the Gym Challenge set, card number 67. It is classified as a Common rarity card and features artwork by Ken Sugimori.

Variants & Identifiers

There are no known print variants for this card. Key identifiers include the Fighting type, the unique attack “Tremor” which damages your own Benched Pokémon, and the card number 67 in the Gym Challenge set. The card’s image can be found at: /images/gym2/gym2-67.jpg.

Legality & Play Notes
- Legality: unknown
- This card is not legal in Standard, Expanded, or Unlimited formats according to the provided data.
Care & Storage Tips

As a Common card from an older set, preserving Brock’s Diglett in a protective sleeve and storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight will help maintain its condition. Avoid bending or exposure to moisture to keep the card’s artwork and surface intact.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Gym Challenge: Brock’s Diglett appears as a Basic Fighting-type Pokémon with modest HP and two attacks that balance risk and reward, fitting the straightforward style of the Gym Challenge set. No additional printings or variants are documented.
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September 24, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Brock’s Geodude (Gym Challenge #68)
Brock’s Geodude Collector’s Guide

Character Intro

Brock’s Geodude from the Gym Challenge set is a Common card numbered 68 with 50 HP and the straightforward Rock Toss attack. It captures Geodude’s rugged charm in classic Gym Challenge style.

Quick Facts

set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator

Gym Challenge 68 Common 50 Ken Sugimori
- Type: Fighting
- Stage: Basic
- Retreat Cost: 1
- Weakness: Grass (×2)
- Attack: Rock Toss – Flip 3 coins; does 10 damage times the number of heads.
- Evolves From: None
- Flavor Text: Unknown
Key Printings

The key printing of Brock’s Geodude is the Gym Challenge version (set code “gym2”), card number 68. It features clean Ken Sugimori artwork and a classic Fighting-type layout. No alternate printings or promotional versions are documented.

Variants & Identifiers

No known print variants or alternate artwork exist. Identify it by its Common rarity, Fighting type, and the “Rock Toss” attack, which requires only one Fighting energy. The card’s image can be referenced at /images/gym2/gym2-68.jpg.

Legality & Play Notes

Legality: unknown
This card is not legal in Standard, Expanded, or Unlimited formats. Its low HP and simple attack make it more of a collector’s piece than a competitive option in current play.

Care & Storage Tips

Store in a protective sleeve away from sunlight and moisture. Given its age and common status, keeping edges and surfaces clean preserves value. Avoid bending and extreme temperatures.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Gym Challenge: Brock’s Geodude appears as a Basic Fighting-type Pokémon with a simple but effective attack. The set centers on Gym Leaders’ Pokémon, and this card fits the theme with straightforward design and Ken Sugimori’s classic artwork.
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September 24, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Erika’s Jigglypuff (Gym Challenge #69)
Erika’s Jigglypuff Collector’s Guide

Character Intro

Erika’s Jigglypuff from the Gym Challenge set is a Common card numbered 69. This charming Pokémon has 50 HP and features the attacks Group Therapy and Pulled Punch. Its simple design captures the playful spirit of Jigglypuff.

Quick Facts

set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator

Gym Challenge 69 Common 50 Ken Sugimori
- Type: Colorless
- Stage: Basic
- Retreat Cost: 1
- Weakness: Fighting ×2
- Resistance: Psychic -30
- Attacks:
- Group Therapy: Removes 1 damage counter from each of your Pokémon with damage counters.
- Pulled Punch: Deals 40 damage if the Defending Pokémon has no damage counters; otherwise, deals 10 damage.
- Abilities: None
- Flavor Text: Unknown
- Regulation Mark: Unknown
Key Printings

This exact printing of Erika’s Jigglypuff appears in the Gym Challenge set as card number 69 (Common). It does not evolve from any other Pokémon. The card is notable for its simple yet strategic attack options and classic Ken Sugimori artwork.

Variants & Identifiers

There are no known print variants for this card. It can be identified by its set code “gym2” and the card number 69. The artwork and layout are consistent with other cards from the Gym Challenge set.

Legality & Play Notes

Legality: unknown
This card is not legal in Standard, Expanded, or Unlimited formats according to the provided data. Its utility in play is limited by its low HP and straightforward attacks, but it may still hold nostalgic or collector value.

Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the condition of Erika’s Jigglypuff, store it in a protective sleeve away from direct sunlight and moisture. Avoid bending or scratching the card surface to maintain its collectible value. Given its common rarity, focus on keeping the card in near-mint condition for best long-term preservation.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Gym Challenge: Erika’s Jigglypuff debuted as a Common Basic Pokémon with simple healing and damage-dealing attacks. It fits well into the gym-themed sets with its straightforward mechanics and classic illustration style.
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September 24, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Giovanni’s Nidoking (Gym Challenge #7)
Giovanni’s Nidoking Collector’s Guide

Character Intro

Giovanni’s Nidoking from the Gym Challenge set is a Rare Holo card numbered 7. This powerful Pokémon boasts 120 HP and features the dynamic Tumbling Attack. Its striking design makes it a notable addition for collectors.

Quick Facts

set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator

Gym Challenge 7 Rare Holo 120 Ken Sugimori
- Type: Grass
- Stage: Stage 2 (Evolves from Giovanni’s Nidorino)
- Retreat Cost: 3
- Weakness: Psychic ×2
- Attacks:
- Intimidate: Prevents attacks from Defending Pokémon with 50 or less HP during opponent’s next turn.
- Tumbling Attack: Deals 40 damage plus 30 more on a coin flip.
Key Printings

This exact printing of Giovanni’s Nidoking is from the Gym Challenge set, identified as card number 7. It is a Rare Holo variant, distinguished by Ken Sugimori’s classic illustration. The card is a Stage 2 evolution, continuing from Giovanni’s Nidorino.

Variants & Identifiers

There are no known print variants for this card. It can be identified by its set code “gym2,” card number 7, and the distinctive holofoil finish. The card’s Grass typing and unique attacks also help distinguish it from other Nidoking cards.

Legality & Play Notes

Legality: unknown
This card is not currently legal in Standard, Expanded, or Unlimited formats. Its playability in official tournaments is therefore uncertain.

Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the holofoil shine and card condition, store Giovanni’s Nidoking in a protective sleeve and keep it away from direct sunlight and moisture. Avoid bending or scratching the card to maintain its collector value.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Gym Challenge: Giovanni’s Nidoking appears as a powerful Grass-type Stage 2 card with strategic attacks and a rare holofoil finish. Its presence in this set highlights the Gym Challenge’s focus on iconic Gym Leaders and their signature Pokémon.
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September 24, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Erika’s Oddish (Gym Challenge #70)
Erika’s Oddish Collector’s Guide

Character Intro

Erika’s Oddish (Gym Challenge 70) is a Common Basic Grass-type Pokémon with 40 HP and the single attack Strange Powder. Its clean, early-era design captures the charm of this classic Pokémon.

Quick Facts

set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator

Gym Challenge 70 Common 40 Ken Sugimori
- Card ID: gym2-70
- Type: Grass
- Stage: Basic
- Retreat Cost: 1
- Weakness: Fire ×2
- Attack: Strange Powder (10 damage) – Flip a coin; heads Confuse, tails Sleep the Defending Pokémon
- Abilities: None
- Flavor Text: Unknown
- Regulation Mark: None
- Print Variants: None
Key Printings

This printing of Erika’s Oddish is from the Gym Challenge set, identified by set code gym2 and card number 70. It is a Common rarity card illustrated by Ken Sugimori. No alternate printings or promotional versions are documented for this card.

Variants & Identifiers

There are no known print variants for this Erika’s Oddish card. Identification relies on:
– Set code: gym2 and card number: 70
– Ken Sugimori artwork
– Single Grass-type attack, Strange Powder, and low HP

Legality & Play Notes

Legality: unknown
Based on the provided data, this card is not legal in Standard, Expanded, or Unlimited formats. Its simple attack and low HP suggest it was designed for early gameplay or collector interest rather than competitive play.

Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the Ken Sugimori illustration and maintain condition:
– Store in a protective sleeve.
– Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture.
– Avoid bending or scratching the card.
Even as a Common, it carries nostalgic value for Gym Challenge collectors.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Gym Challenge: Appears as a Basic Grass-type with a single attack that can inflict status conditions, fitting Erika’s team theme and showcasing early TCG design.
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September 24, 2025