Pichu – Sandstorm (#20)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Pichu (#20) is a Rare card from EX - Sandstorm released in 2003. It showcases artwork by Naoyo Kimura and the Energy Retrieval attack, Search your discard pile for up to 2 basic Energy cards and attach them to 1 of your Pokémon. Put 1 damage counter on that Pokémon for each Energy card attached in this way.. TCGplayer market price sits around $5.27, Cardmarket average sale is €3.06, Floor listings start near €0.29.
- TCGplayer market price: $5.27
- Cardmarket trend price: €3.17
- Recent low listing: €0.29
Card Details
- Set
- Sandstorm
- Card Number
- 20
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Naoyo Kimura
- HP
- 40
- Type
- ⚡ Lightning
- Weaknesses
- Fighting ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
- Evolves To
- Pikachu
Abilities
-
Baby Evolution
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may put Pikachu from your hand onto Pichu (this counts as evolving Pichu) and remove all damage counters from Pichu.
Attacks & Strategy
-
Energy Retrieval
[Lightning]
Search your discard pile for up to 2 basic Energy cards and attach them to 1 of your Pokémon. Put 1 damage counter on that Pokémon for each Energy card attached in this way.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Pichu from Sandstorm (Rare) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2003, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Naoyo Kimura.
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 Pichu 20 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Pichu's Energy Retrieval for Lightning energy. Special effect: Search your discard pile for up to 2 basic Energy cards and attach them to 1 of your Pokémon. Put 1 ...
Stats Overview: 40 HP • Lightning Type • Weak to Fighting ×2
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Pichu Cards
Looking for other Pichu cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandstorm #20 ← Current | 40 | 1 attack | Rare | $5.27 |
�📦 Sandstorm Set Context
This Pichu is part of the Sandstorm expansion , released as part of the EX series in 2003.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Naoyo Kimura, 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 Pichu 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 cards from Sandstorm are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Naoyo Kimura resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
- Lightning typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
More from Sandstorm
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Pichu 20 was released in 2003 in the Sandstorm 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 Naoyo Kimura. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Sandstorm is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.
Competitive History: Lightning type Pokémon like Pichu have carved out niches in various competitive formats throughout Pokémon TCG history. Currently legal in Unlimited format.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Pichu 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 Lightning energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Pichu works best in Lightning type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.