Charmander – Dragon (#98)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Charmander (#98) is a Rare Secret card from EX - Dragon released in 2003. It showcases artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita and the Flare attack (10 damage). TCGplayer market price sits around $109.46, Cardmarket average sale is €67.99, Floor listings start near €15.00.
- TCGplayer market price: $109.46
- Cardmarket trend price: €64.28
- Recent low listing: €15.00
Card Details
- Set
- Dragon
- Card Number
- 98
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Secret
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Mitsuhiro Arita
- HP
- 50
- Type
- 🔥 Fire
- Weaknesses
- Water ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
- Evolves To
- Charmeleon
Attacks & Strategy
- Flare [Fire] — 10
-
Rage
[Colorless, Colorless]
— 10+
Does 10 damage plus 10 more damage for each damage counter on Charmander.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Charmander from Dragon (Rare Secret) represents a premium 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. Premium rarities like this typically see stronger price retention during market fluctuations.
⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability
This Charmander 98 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Charmander's Flare deals 10 damage for Fire energy.
Stats Overview: 50 HP • Fire Type • Weak to Water ×2
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Charmander Cards
Looking for other Charmander cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon #98 ← Current | 50 | 2 attacks | Rare Secret | $109.46 |
�📦 Dragon Set Context
This Charmander is part of the Dragon expansion , released as part of the EX series in 2003. As a Rare Secret card, it represents one of the premium pulls from this set.
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 Charmander 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 Secret cards from Dragon 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.
- Fire typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
More from Dragon
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Charmander 98 was released in 2003 in the Dragon 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 →
Rarity & Collectibility: As a Rare Secret card, this Charmander is among the premium chase cards from Dragon. Secret Rare cards have card numbers that exceed the set total, making them highly sought after by completionists. These premium versions typically hold value better than common printings.
Set Popularity: Dragon is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.
Competitive History: Fire type Pokémon like Charmander 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 Charmander 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
- Pair with Fire energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Charmander works best in Fire type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.