Empoleon – Forbidden Light (#81)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Empoleon (#81) is a Rare Holo card from Sun & Moon - Forbidden Light released in 2018. It showcases artwork by nagimiso and the Total Command attack (20× damage), This attack does 20 damage for each Benched Pokémon (both yours and your opponent's).. TCGplayer market price sits around $0.63, Cardmarket average sale is €0.52, Floor listings start near €0.19.
- TCGplayer market price: $0.63
- Cardmarket trend price: €0.61
- Recent low listing: €0.19
Card Details
- Set
- Forbidden Light
- Card Number
- 81
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Holo
- Illustrator
- 🎨 nagimiso
- HP
- 160
- Type
- ⚙️ Metal
- Weaknesses
- Fire ×2
- Resistances
- Psychic -20
- Retreat Cost
- 2 (Colorless, Colorless)
Attacks & Strategy
-
Total Command
[Metal, Colorless]
— 20×
This attack does 20 damage for each Benched Pokémon (both yours and your opponent's). -
Whirlpool
[Metal, Metal, Colorless]
— 90
Discard an Energy from your opponent's Active Pokémon.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Empoleon from Forbidden Light (Rare Holo) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2018, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator nagimiso.
Market Trends: Current market conditions show moderate interest in this card.
Investment Considerations: Mid-range TCG cards often provide balanced risk-reward profiles for collectors.
⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability
This Empoleon 81 is legal for tournament play in Expanded, Unlimited formats.
Key Attack: Empoleon's Total Command deals 20× damage for Metal + Colorless energy. Special effect: This attack does 20 damage for each Benched Pokémon (both yours and your opponent's).
Stats Overview: 160 HP • Metal Type • Weak to Fire ×2 • Resistant to Psychic -20
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Empoleon Cards
Looking for other Empoleon cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden Light #81 ← Current | 160 | 2 attacks | Rare Holo | $0.63 |
�📦 Forbidden Light Set Context
This Empoleon is part of the Forbidden Light expansion , released as part of the Sun & Moon series in 2018.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by nagimiso, 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 Empoleon 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 Holo cards from Forbidden Light are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by nagimiso resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
- Metal typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Empoleon 81 was released in 2018 in the Forbidden Light expansion. This set is part of the Sun & Moon series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by nagimiso. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Forbidden Light represents a mid-era release that balances accessibility with collectibility.
Competitive History: Metal type Pokémon like Empoleon with versatile attack options provide flexibility in deck building and can adapt to different matchups. Currently legal in Expanded, Unlimited formats.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Empoleon 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 Metal energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Empoleon works best in Metal type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.