Pikachu – Nintendo Black Star Promos (#12)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Pikachu (#12) is a Promo card from NP - Nintendo Black Star Promos released in 2003. It showcases artwork by Kouki Saitou and the Agility attack, Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of an attack, including damage, done to Pikachu during your opponent's next turn.. TCGplayer market price sits around $47.06, Cardmarket average sale is €75.49, Floor listings start near €24.99.
- TCGplayer market price: $47.06
- Cardmarket trend price: €121.61
- Recent low listing: €24.99
Card Details
- Set
- Nintendo Black Star Promos
- Card Number
- 12
- Rarity
- ✨ Promo
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Kouki Saitou
- HP
- 50
- Type
- ⚡ Lightning
- Weaknesses
- Fighting ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
- Evolves To
- Raichu
Attacks & Strategy
-
Agility
[Colorless]
Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of an attack, including damage, done to Pikachu during your opponent's next turn. -
Thundershock
[Lightning, Colorless]
— 20
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Pikachu from Nintendo Black Star Promos (Promo) represents an interesting addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2003, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Kouki Saitou.
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 Pikachu 12 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Pikachu's Agility for Colorless energy. Special effect: Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of an attack, including damage, done to Pikachu during yo...
Stats Overview: 50 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 Pikachu Cards
Looking for other Pikachu cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Black Star Promos #12 ← Current | 50 | 2 attacks | Promo | $47.06 |
�📦 Nintendo Black Star Promos Set Context
This Pikachu is part of the Nintendo Black Star Promos expansion , released as part of the NP series in 2003.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Kouki Saitou, 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 Pikachu 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
- Promo cards from Nintendo Black Star Promos are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Kouki Saitou 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.
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Pikachu 12 was released in 2003 in the Nintendo Black Star Promos expansion. This set is part of the NP series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Kouki Saitou. This artist is known for creating premium illustration rare and special rare artwork that collectors highly value. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Nintendo Black Star Promos 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 Pikachu 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 Pikachu 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: Pikachu works best in Lightning type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.