Articuno – Nintendo Black Star Promos (#32)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Articuno (#32) is a Promo card from NP - Nintendo Black Star Promos released in 2003. It showcases artwork by Nakaoka and the Ice Gift attack (10 damage), You may move a Water Energy attached to Articuno ex to 1 of your Pokémon.. TCGplayer market price sits around $148.35, Cardmarket average sale is €43.10, Floor listings start near €4.00.
- TCGplayer market price: $148.35
- Cardmarket trend price: €33.72
- Recent low listing: €4.00
Card Details
Abilities
-
Synchronized Lift
As long as you have Zapdos ex and Moltres ex in play, the Retreat Cost for Articuno ex is 0.
Attacks & Strategy
-
Ice Gift
[Colorless]
— 10
You may move a Water Energy attached to Articuno ex to 1 of your Pokémon. -
Freezing Wing
[Water, Water, Colorless]
— 50
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Asleep.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Articuno from Nintendo Black Star Promos (Promo) represents an interesting addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2003, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Nakaoka.
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 32 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Articuno's Ice Gift deals 10 damage for Colorless energy. Special effect: You may move a Water Energy attached to Articuno ex to 1 of your Pokémon.
Stats Overview: 100 HP • Water Type • Weak to Metal ×2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Black Star Promos #32 ← Current | 100 | 2 attacks | Promo | $148.35 |
�📦 Nintendo Black Star Promos Set Context
This Articuno is part of the Nintendo Black Star Promos expansion , released as part of the NP series in 2003.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Nakaoka, 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
- Promo cards from Nintendo Black Star Promos are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Nakaoka 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.
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Articuno 32 was released in 2003 in the Nintendo Black Star Promos expansion. This set is part of the NP series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Nakaoka. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Nintendo Black Star Promos 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. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.