Blacksmith – Flashfire (#88a)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Blacksmith (#88a) is a Rare Ultra card from XY - Flashfire released in 2014. It showcases artwork by Masakazu Fukuda. Cardmarket average sale is €27.96, Floor listings start near €12.00.
- Cardmarket trend price: €26.76
- Recent low listing: €12.00
Card Details
- Set
- Flashfire
- Card Number
- 88a
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Ultra
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Masakazu Fukuda
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Blacksmith from Flashfire (Rare Ultra) represents a premium addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2014, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Masakazu Fukuda.
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 Blacksmith 88a is legal for tournament play in Expanded, Unlimited formats.
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Blacksmith Cards
Looking for other Blacksmith cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flashfire #88a ← Current | N/A | 0 attacks | Rare Ultra | N/A |
�📦 Flashfire Set Context
This Blacksmith is part of the Flashfire expansion , released as part of the XY series in 2014. As a Rare Ultra card, it represents one of the premium pulls from this set.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Masakazu Fukuda, 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 Blacksmith card. Here's what you need to know:
Industry standard • Value multiplier: 3-6x
Best for: High-value cards, modern sets
Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 3-5x
Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering
Fast turnaround • Value multiplier: 2-4x
Best for: Budget-friendly option, bulk
💡 Should You Grade This Card?
- Yes, consider grading if: Premium rarity card in Near Mint+ 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 Ultra cards from Flashfire are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Masakazu Fukuda resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
More from Flashfire
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Blacksmith 88a was released in 2014 in the Flashfire expansion. This set is part of the XY series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Masakazu Fukuda. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Rarity & Collectibility: As a Rare Ultra card, this Blacksmith is among the premium chase cards from Flashfire. These premium versions typically hold value better than common printings.
Set Popularity: Flashfire is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Blacksmith card with these essential products:
- Penny sleeves: Basic protection
- Perfect fit sleeves: Pre-grading
- Top loaders: Display & storage
- Magnetic holders recommended
- Binders with side-loading pages
- Storage boxes (800-count)
- ETB (Elite Trainer Box) storage
- Premium display cases
- Draw support & consistency cards