Category: Collector’s Guide

Collector’s Guide: Charizard (Base Set #4)
Base1-4

The Holy Grail of the Pokemon Trading Card Game. Charizard is able to reduce his foes to ashes with his powerful Fire Spin attack.

Quick Facts
- Stage 2 Fire-type Pokémon card with 120 HP, illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita.
- Pokémon Power — Energy Burn: convert all attached Energy cards into Fire Energy during your turn.
- Attack — Fire Spin: deals 100 damage; discard 2 Energy cards.
- Retreat Cost: 3
- Weakness: Water (×2)
- Resistance: Fighting (-30)
- Classified as a Rare Holo card.
Key Printings
- Set: Base
- Card Number: 4
- Rarity: Rare Holo
- Illustrator: Mitsuhiro Arita
- HP: 120
- Stage: Stage 2 (Evolves from Charmeleon)
- Type: Fire
Variants & Identifiers

This exact printing has no known print variants. Identified by the set code “base1” and card number “4.” Part of the original Base Set, notable for its iconic artwork and gameplay impact.

set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator
Base 4 Rare Holo 120 Mitsuhiro Arita

Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the condition and value of this card:
– Store in a protective sleeve and a rigid top-loader or card case.
– Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
– Avoid exposure to moisture and extreme temperatures.
– Handle with clean hands to prevent oils and dirt from damaging the surface.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Base Set: One of the most iconic cards from the original Pokémon TCG Base Set. It introduced the powerful Energy Burn ability and the high-damage Fire Spin attack, making it a fan favorite and a collector’s staple.
Additional Information
- Flavor Text: “Spits fire that is hot enough to melt boulders. Known to unintentionally cause forest fires.”
- Legality: unknown
This card remains a highly sought-after piece for collectors due to its historical significance and striking artwork.

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September 23, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Chansey (Base Set #3)
Base1-3

Chansey is a Basic Colorless Pokémon known for its high HP and defensive capabilities.

Quick Facts
- HP: 120
- Type: Colorless
- Stage: Basic
- Rarity: Rare Holo
- Illustrator: Ken Sugimori
- Set: Base
- Card Number: 3
- Legality: unknown
Attacks & Mechanics
- Scrunch: Can prevent all damage during your opponent’s next turn if a coin flip is heads.
- Double-edge: Deals 80 damage but also inflicts 80 damage to Chansey itself.
It has a Fighting-type weakness (×2) and Psychic resistance (-30).

Key Printings

This guide focuses on the original Base Set printing of Chansey, card number 3. This version is a Rare Holo card illustrated by Ken Sugimori, featuring the classic artwork and layout from the Base Set era.

Variants & Identifiers
- Set Code: base1
- Number: 3
- Rarity: Rare Holo
- Illustrator: Ken Sugimori
- Retreat Cost: 1 Colorless
- Weakness: Fighting ×2
- Resistance: Psychic -30
- Print Variants: None documented for this exact printing
Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the value and condition of this Rare Holo Chansey card:
– Store in a protective sleeve and rigid top-loader or card holder.
– Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
– Avoid exposure to moisture and extreme temperatures.
– Handle with clean hands to prevent oils and dirt from damaging the card surface.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Base Set: The original release featuring Chansey as a high-HP Basic Pokémon with defensive utility. This card is notable for its rarity and holofoil treatment, making it a prized collectible from the earliest days of the Pokémon TCG.
set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator
Base 3 Rare Holo 120 Ken Sugimori

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September 23, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Blastoise (Base Set #2)
Base1-2

Blastoise from the Base Set (#2) is a Stage 2 Water-type Pokémon card with 100 HP. Its Pokémon Power, Rain Dance, lets you attach additional Water Energy cards to your Water Pokémon during your turn. The attack Hydro Pump deals 40 damage plus extra damage based on attached Water Energy. Illustrated by Ken Sugimori and classified as a Rare Holo.

Quick Facts
- Set: Base
- Card Number: 2
- Rarity: Rare Holo
- HP: 100
- Illustrator: Ken Sugimori
- Stage: Stage 2 (evolves from Wartortle)
- Type: Water
- Retreat Cost: 3
- Weakness: Lightning (×2)
- Flavor Text: “A brutal Pokémon with pressurized water jets on its shell. They are used for high-speed tackles.”
Key Printings

This exact printing has no known print variants. It is identified by its set code base1, card number 2, and the “Rare Holo” rarity symbol. The card does not have a regulation mark or release date listed.

Variants & Identifiers
- Set Name: Base
- Set Code: base1
- Card Number: 2
- Rarity: Rare Holo
- Print Variants: None documented for this exact printing
- Regulation Mark: None
- Legal Status: unknown
Care & Storage Tips

To preserve the value and condition of this holographic card:
– Store in a protective sleeve and hard case.
– Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
– Avoid exposure to moisture and extreme temperatures.
– Handle by the edges to prevent fingerprints and scratches.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Base Set: This Blastoise is part of the original Base Set, notable for introducing iconic Pokémon cards. It features classic artwork by Ken Sugimori and remains a sought-after card for collectors due to its rarity and nostalgic value.
set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator
Base 2 Rare Holo 100 Ken Sugimori

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September 23, 2025
Collector’s Guide: Alakazam (Base Set #1)
Base1-1

A cornerstone of the Pokémon TCG’s launch, Alakazam #1 pairs iconic Ken Sugimori art with a strategic Pokémon Power and a striking holographic foil.

Quick Facts
- HP: 80
- Type: Psychic
- Stage: Stage 2 (Evolves from Kadabra)
- Rarity: Rare Holo
- Illustrator: Ken Sugimori
- Retreat Cost: 3
- Weakness: Psychic ×2
- Abilities:
- Damage Swap (Pokémon Power): Allows moving 1 damage counter between your Pokémon during your turn, provided Alakazam is not Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed.
- Attack:
- Confuse Ray (Psychic ×3): Deals 30 damage and may confuse the Defending Pokémon on a coin flip.
- Flavor Text: “Its brain can outperform a supercomputer. Its intelligence quotient is said to be 5000.”
- Legality: unknown
Key Printings

Why this printing stands out

This exact printing is the very first card (#1) in the Base Set, featuring the iconic holographic foil and classic Ken Sugimori artwork. It is a Stage 2 Psychic-type Pokémon with a unique Damage Swap ability that adds strategic depth by redistributing damage counters.

Variants & Identifiers
- Set Name: Base
- Set Code: base1
- Card Number: 1
- Rarity: Rare Holo
- Print Variants: None documented for this exact printing
- Regulation Mark: None
- Legal Status: unknown
Care & Storage Tips
- Store in a protective sleeve and hard case.
- Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture.
- Avoid excessive handling to prevent surface scratches on the holographic foil.
- Maintain stable temperature and humidity to help prevent warping.
Set-by-Set Micro-summaries
- Base Set: The original launch set of the Pokémon TCG, featuring foundational cards like Alakazam #1 and introducing core mechanics and iconic artwork that remain popular among collectors.
set_name release_date number rarity hp illustrator
Base 1 Rare Holo 80 Ken Sugimori

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September 23, 2025