Moltres – SM Black Star Promos (#SM143)

Moltres Pokémon card — SM Black Star Promos #SM143, Promo
Illustration Rare artwork showcased in the Scarlet & Violet: SM Black Star Promos expansion.

Price Overview & Key Facts

Moltres (#SM143) is a Promo card from Sun & Moon - SM Black Star Promos released in 2017. It showcases artwork by Hitoshi Ariga and the Wing Attack attack (70 damage). TCGplayer market price sits around $7.69, Cardmarket average sale is €8.23, Floor listings start near €1.00.

  • TCGplayer market price: $7.69
  • Cardmarket trend price: €6.67
  • Recent low listing: €1.00
Current Prices: €6.67 (CM) $7.69 (TCG)

Card Details

Set
SM Black Star Promos
Card Number
SM143
Rarity
✨ Promo
Illustrator
🎨 Hitoshi Ariga
HP
120
Type
🔥 Fire
Weaknesses
Lightning ×2
Resistances
Fighting -20
Retreat Cost
1 (Colorless)

Attacks & Strategy

  • Wing Attack [Fire, Colorless, Colorless] — 70
  • Sky Attack [Fire, Colorless, Colorless, Colorless] — 150
    Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.
    💡 Excellent damage-to-energy ratio (37.5 per energy).

💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential

Moltres 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 Hitoshi Ariga.

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 Moltres SM143 is legal for tournament play in Expanded, Unlimited formats.

Key Attack: Moltres's Wing Attack deals 70 damage for Fire + Colorless + Colorless energy.

Stats Overview: 120 HP • Fire Type • Weak to Lightning ×2 • Resistant to Fighting -20

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

� Compare Moltres Cards

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

Set HP Attacks Rarity Avg Price
SM Black Star Promos #SM143 ← Current 120 2 attacks Promo $7.69

Browse all Moltres cards →

�📦 SM Black Star Promos Set Context

This Moltres 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 Hitoshi Ariga, 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 Moltres 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 Hitoshi Ariga 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: Moltres SM143 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 Hitoshi Ariga. 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: Fire type Pokémon like Moltres 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 Moltres 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 Fire energy cards
  • Energy acceleration trainers
  • Draw support & consistency cards

💡 Deck Building Tip: Moltres works best in Fire type decks.

🛒 Where to Buy Moltres & Explore More

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