Articuno – Fossil (#17)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Articuno (#17) is a Rare card from Base - Fossil released in 1999. It showcases artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita and the Freeze Dry attack (30 damage), Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.. Cardmarket average sale is €10.03, Floor listings start near €1.50.
- Cardmarket trend price: €9.90
- Recent low listing: €1.50
Card Details
- Set
- Fossil
- Card Number
- 17
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Mitsuhiro Arita
- HP
- 70
- Type
- 💧 Water
- Resistances
- Fighting -30
- Retreat Cost
- 2 (Colorless, Colorless)
Attacks & Strategy
-
Freeze Dry
[Water, Water, Water]
— 30
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed. -
Blizzard
[Water, Water, Water, Water]
— 50
Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 10 damage to each of your opponent's Benched Pokémon. If tails, this attack does 10 damage to each of your own Benched Pokémon. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Articuno from Fossil (Rare) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 1999, 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 Articuno 17 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Articuno's Freeze Dry deals 30 damage for Water + Water + Water energy. Special effect: Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
Stats Overview: 70 HP • Water Type • Resistant to Fighting -30
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Articuno Cards
Looking for other Articuno cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fossil #17 ← Current | 70 | 2 attacks | Rare | N/A |
�📦 Fossil Set Context
This Articuno is part of the Fossil expansion , released as part of the Base series in 1999.
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 Articuno 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 cards from Fossil 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.
- Water typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
More from Fossil
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Articuno 17 was released in 1999 in the Fossil expansion. This set is part of the Base 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: Fossil is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.
Competitive History: Water type Pokémon like Articuno with versatile attack options provide flexibility in deck building and can adapt to different matchups. Currently legal in Unlimited format.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Articuno 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 Water energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Articuno works best in Water type decks.