Charmander – Expedition Base Set (#97)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Charmander (#97) is a Common card from E-Card - Expedition Base Set released in 2002. It showcases artwork by Masako Yamashita and the Tail Rap attack (10× damage), Flip 2 coins. This attack does 10 damage times the number of heads.. TCGplayer market price sits around $6.93, Cardmarket average sale is €3.22, Floor listings start near €0.10.
- TCGplayer market price: $6.93
- Cardmarket trend price: €3.93
- Recent low listing: €0.10
Card Details
- Set
- Expedition Base Set
- Card Number
- 97
- Rarity
- ✨ Common
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Masako Yamashita
- HP
- 50
- Type
- 🔥 Fire
- Weaknesses
- Water ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
- Evolves To
- Charmeleon
Attacks & Strategy
-
Tail Rap
[Colorless]
— 10×
Flip 2 coins. This attack does 10 damage times the number of heads. - Flare [Fire, Colorless] — 20
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Charmander from Expedition Base Set (Common) represents an interesting addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2002, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Masako Yamashita.
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 Charmander 97 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Charmander's Tail Rap deals 10× damage for Colorless energy. Special effect: Flip 2 coins. This attack does 10 damage times the number of heads.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition Base Set #97 ← Current | 50 | 2 attacks | Common | $6.93 |
�📦 Expedition Base Set Set Context
This Charmander is part of the Expedition Base Set expansion , released as part of the E-Card series in 2002.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Masako Yamashita, 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: 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
- Common cards from Expedition Base Set are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Masako Yamashita 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.
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Charmander 97 was released in 2002 in the Expedition Base Set expansion. This set is part of the E-Card series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Masako Yamashita. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Expedition Base Set 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
- 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.