Malamar – SM Black Star Promos (#SM117)

Malamar Pokémon card — SM Black Star Promos #SM117, Promo
Illustration Rare artwork showcased in the Scarlet & Violet: SM Black Star Promos expansion.

Price Overview & Key Facts

Malamar (#SM117) is a Promo card from Sun & Moon - SM Black Star Promos released in 2017. It showcases artwork by Shin Nagasawa and the Psychic Sphere attack (60 damage). TCGplayer market price sits around $3.01, Cardmarket average sale is €5.99, Floor listings start near €4.50.

  • TCGplayer market price: $3.01
  • Cardmarket trend price: €11.13
  • Recent low listing: €4.50
Current Prices: €11.13 (CM) $3.01 (TCG)

Card Details

Set
SM Black Star Promos
Card Number
SM117
Rarity
✨ Promo
Illustrator
🎨 Shin Nagasawa
HP
90
Type
🔮 Psychic
Weaknesses
Psychic ×2
Retreat Cost
2 (Colorless, Colorless)

Abilities

  • Psychic Recharge
    Once during your turn (before your attack), you may attach a Psychic Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Benched Pokémon.

Attacks & Strategy

  • Psychic Sphere [Psychic, Psychic, Colorless] — 60

💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential

Malamar from SM Black Star Promos (Promo) represents an interesting addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2017, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Shin Nagasawa.

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 Malamar SM117 is legal for tournament play in Expanded, Unlimited formats.

Key Attack: Malamar's Psychic Sphere deals 60 damage for Psychic + Psychic + Colorless energy.

Stats Overview: 90 HP • Psychic Type • Weak to Psychic ×2

Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.

� Compare Malamar Cards

Looking for other Malamar cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.

Set HP Attacks Rarity Avg Price
SM Black Star Promos #SM117 ← Current 90 1 attack Promo $3.01

Browse all Malamar cards →

�📦 SM Black Star Promos Set Context

This Malamar is part of the SM Black Star Promos expansion , released as part of the Sun & Moon series in 2017.

Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Shin Nagasawa, 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.

View all chase cards from SM Black Star Promos →

💎 Professional Grading Guide

Professional grading can significantly increase the value of your Malamar card. Here's what you need to know:

🥇 PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)

Industry standard • Value multiplier: 2-4x

Best for: High-value cards, modern sets

🥈 BGS (Beckett Grading Services)

Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 2-3x

Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering

🥉 CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)

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 SM Black Star Promos are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
  • The illustration by Shin Nagasawa resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
  • Psychic typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.

📚 Card History & Trivia

Release Information: Malamar SM117 was released in 2017 in the SM Black Star Promos 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 Shin Nagasawa. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →

Set Popularity: SM Black Star Promos represents a mid-era release that balances accessibility with collectibility.

Competitive History: Psychic type Pokémon like Malamar have carved out niches in various competitive formats throughout Pokémon TCG history. Currently legal in Expanded, Unlimited formats.

🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building

Maximize the value and playability of your Malamar card with these essential products:

🎴 Card Protection
  • Penny sleeves: Basic protection
  • Perfect fit sleeves: Pre-grading
  • Top loaders: Display & storage
📦 Storage Solutions
  • Binders with side-loading pages
  • Storage boxes (800-count)
  • ETB (Elite Trainer Box) storage
  • Premium display cases
⚔️ Deck Building
  • Pair with Psychic energy cards
  • Energy acceleration trainers
  • Draw support & consistency cards

💡 Deck Building Tip: Malamar works best in Psychic type decks.

🛒 Where to Buy Malamar & Explore More

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