Armaldo – Sandstorm (#1)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Armaldo (#1) is a Rare Holo card from EX - Sandstorm released in 2003. It showcases artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita and the Blade Arms attack (60 damage). TCGplayer market price sits around $9.42, Cardmarket average sale is €5.53, Floor listings start near €0.40.
- TCGplayer market price: $9.42
- Cardmarket trend price: €5.84
- Recent low listing: €0.40
Card Details
- Set
- Sandstorm
- Card Number
- 1
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Holo
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Mitsuhiro Arita
- HP
- 120
- Type
- ✊ Fighting
- Weaknesses
- Grass ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 3 (Colorless, Colorless, Colorless)
Abilities
-
Primal Veil
As long as Armaldo is your Active Pokémon, each player can't play any Supporter Cards.
Attacks & Strategy
- Blade Arms [Fighting, Fighting, Colorless] — 60
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Armaldo from Sandstorm (Rare Holo) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2003, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita.
Market Trends: Current market conditions show moderate interest in this card.
Investment Considerations: Vintage cards from this era have shown strong long-term appreciation potential.
⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability
This Armaldo 1 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Armaldo's Blade Arms deals 60 damage for Fighting + Fighting + Colorless energy.
Stats Overview: 120 HP • Fighting Type • Weak to Grass ×2
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Armaldo Cards
Looking for other Armaldo cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandstorm #1 ← Current | 120 | 1 attack | Rare Holo | $9.42 |
�📦 Sandstorm Set Context
This Armaldo is part of the Sandstorm expansion , released as part of the EX series in 2003.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, 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 Armaldo 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
- Rare Holo cards from Sandstorm are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Mitsuhiro Arita resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
- Fighting typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
More from Sandstorm
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Armaldo 1 was released in 2003 in the Sandstorm expansion. This set is part of the EX series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Mitsuhiro Arita. This artist is known for creating premium illustration rare and special rare artwork that collectors highly value. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Sandstorm is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.
Competitive History: Fighting type Pokémon like Armaldo have carved out niches in various competitive formats throughout Pokémon TCG history. Currently legal in Unlimited format.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Armaldo 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 Fighting energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Armaldo works best in Fighting type decks.