Magikarp (Base Set 2 #50) Collector’s Guide

Quick Facts

• HP: 30
• Type: Water
• Stage: Basic
• Rarity: Uncommon
• Illustrator: Mitsuhiro Arita
• Set: Base Set 2
• Card Number: 50
• Legality: unknown

Magikarp from Base Set 2 is a Basic Water-type Pokémon with modest HP and two attacks: Tackle, dealing 10 damage for one Colorless energy, and Flail, which deals 10 damage times the number of damage counters on Magikarp for one Water energy. It has a retreat cost of one and a weakness to Lightning (×2). The card’s flavor text notes that Magikarp was once stronger in the distant past compared to its current weak descendants.

Key Printings

This exact printing appears only in the Base Set 2 expansion, identified by the set code base4 and card number 50. It features classic artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, known for his iconic early Pokémon TCG illustrations.

Variants & Identifiers

• No alternate print variants are known for this card.
• No regulation mark or release date is specified.
• The card is part of the Base Set 2 series, which reprints cards from the original Base Set with updated borders and set symbols.

Care & Storage Tips

• Store the card in a protective sleeve to prevent edge wear and surface scratches.
• Keep it in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight to preserve the card’s colors and prevent warping.
• Use a top loader or a rigid card holder for added protection, especially if the card is intended for long-term collection or grading.

Set-by-Set Micro-summaries

• Base Set 2: A reprint set that refreshed original Base Set cards with updated aesthetics and set symbols. Magikarp #50 remains a staple Basic Water-type with simple but effective attacks, reflecting the early game mechanics of the Pokémon TCG.