Meltan – Darkness Ablaze (#129)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Meltan (#129) is a Common card from Sword & Shield - Darkness Ablaze released in 2020. It showcases artwork by HYOGONOSUKE and the Headbutt attack (10 damage). TCGplayer market price sits around $0.07, Cardmarket average sale is €0.05, Floor listings start near €0.02. Market price has increased 0.0% versus the 30-day average.
- TCGplayer market price: $0.07
- Cardmarket trend price: €0.06
- 30-day Cardmarket average: €0.05
- Recent low listing: €0.02
- Market price has increased 0.0% versus the 30-day average.
Card Details
- Set
- Darkness Ablaze
- Card Number
- 129
- Rarity
- ✨ Common
- Illustrator
- 🎨 HYOGONOSUKE
- HP
- 70
- Type
- ⚙️ Metal
- Regulation Mark
- Regulation D ✓ Legal in Standard
- Weaknesses
- Fire ×2
- Resistances
- Grass -30
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
- Evolves To
- Melmetal
Attacks & Strategy
- Headbutt [Colorless] — 10
- Beam [Metal, Colorless] — 20
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Meltan from Darkness Ablaze (Common) represents an interesting addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2020, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator HYOGONOSUKE.
Market Trends: Market price has increased 0.0% versus the 30-day average.
Investment Considerations: Mid-range TCG cards often provide balanced risk-reward profiles for collectors.
⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability
This Meltan 129 is legal for tournament play in Expanded, Unlimited formats. The card bears Regulation Mark D, indicating its current competitive viability.
Key Attack: Meltan's Headbutt deals 10 damage for Colorless energy.
Stats Overview: 70 HP • Metal Type • Weak to Fire ×2 • Resistant to Grass -30
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Meltan Cards
Looking for other Meltan cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darkness Ablaze #129 ← Current | 70 | 2 attacks | Common | $0.07 |
�📦 Darkness Ablaze Set Context
This Meltan is part of the Darkness Ablaze expansion , released as part of the Sword & Shield series in 2020.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by HYOGONOSUKE, whose distinctive illustration style has made their cards highly collectible. Explore more cards illustrated by this artist to discover similar art styles and collecting themes.
💎 Professional Grading Guide
Professional grading can significantly increase the value of your Meltan card. Here's what you need to know:
Industry standard • Value multiplier: 2-4x
Best for: High-value cards, modern sets
Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 2-3x
Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering
Fast turnaround • Value multiplier: 1.5-3x
Best for: Budget-friendly option, bulk
💡 Should You Grade This Card?
- Yes, consider grading if: Card value exceeds $20 and is in excellent condition
- Grading cost: $20-100+ per card (depending on service level)
- Break-even point: Card should be worth $50+ raw to justify grading costs
- Turnaround time: 2 weeks to 6 months depending on service
Collector Notes
- Common cards from Darkness Ablaze are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by HYOGONOSUKE resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
- Metal typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
💰 Market Pricing
More from Darkness Ablaze
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Meltan 129 was released in 2020 in the Darkness Ablaze expansion. This set is part of the Sword & Shield series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by HYOGONOSUKE. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Darkness Ablaze represents a mid-era release that balances accessibility with collectibility.
Competitive History: Metal type Pokémon like Meltan with versatile attack options provide flexibility in deck building and can adapt to different matchups. Currently legal in Expanded, Unlimited formats.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Meltan card with these essential products:
- Penny sleeves: Basic protection
- Perfect fit sleeves: Pre-grading
- Top loaders: Display & storage
- Binders with side-loading pages
- Storage boxes (800-count)
- ETB (Elite Trainer Box) storage
- Premium display cases
- Pair with Metal energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Meltan works best in Metal type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.