Pikachu – SWSH Black Star Promos (#SWSH198)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Pikachu (#SWSH198) is a Promo card from Sword & Shield - SWSH Black Star Promos released in 2019. It showcases artwork by 5ban Graphics and the Lightning Blast attack (100+ damage), You may discard all Lightning Energy from this Pokémon. If you do, this attack does 120 more damage.. TCGplayer market price sits around $1.36, Cardmarket average sale is €1.32, Floor listings start near €0.25.
- TCGplayer market price: $1.36
- Cardmarket trend price: €1.19
- Recent low listing: €0.25
Card Details
- Set
- SWSH Black Star Promos
- Card Number
- SWSH198
- Rarity
- ✨ Promo
- Illustrator
- 🎨 5ban Graphics
- HP
- 190
- Type
- ⚡ Lightning
- Regulation Mark
- Regulation F ✓ Legal in Standard
- Weaknesses
- Fighting ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
- Evolves To
- Raichu
Attacks & Strategy
-
Lightning Blast
[Lightning, Lightning, Colorless]
— 100+
You may discard all Lightning Energy from this Pokémon. If you do, this attack does 120 more damage.
💡 Excellent damage-to-energy ratio (33.3 per energy).
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Pikachu from SWSH Black Star Promos (Promo) represents an interesting addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2019, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator 5ban Graphics.
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 Pikachu SWSH198 is legal for tournament play in Standard, Expanded, Unlimited formats. The card bears Regulation Mark F, indicating its current competitive viability.
Key Attack: Pikachu's Lightning Blast deals 100+ damage for Lightning + Lightning + Colorless energy. Special effect: You may discard all Lightning Energy from this Pokémon. If you do, this attack does 120 more damage.
Stats Overview: 190 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWSH Black Star Promos #SWSH198 ← Current | 190 | 1 attack | Promo | $1.36 |
�📦 SWSH Black Star Promos Set Context
This Pikachu is part of the SWSH Black Star Promos expansion , released as part of the Sword & Shield series in 2019.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by 5ban Graphics, 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 SWSH Black Star Promos are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by 5ban Graphics 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 SWSH198 was released in 2019 in the SWSH Black Star Promos expansion. This set is part of the Sword & Shield series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by 5ban Graphics. This artist is known for creating premium illustration rare and special rare artwork that collectors highly value. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: SWSH Black Star Promos represents a mid-era release that balances accessibility with collectibility.
Competitive History: Lightning type Pokémon like Pikachu have carved out niches in various competitive formats throughout Pokémon TCG history. Currently legal in Standard, Expanded, Unlimited formats.
🛡️ 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. For Standard format play, check the current rotation for legal support cards.