Raikou – SM Black Star Promos (#SM121)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Raikou (#SM121) is a Promo card from Sun & Moon - SM Black Star Promos released in 2017. It showcases artwork by 5ban Graphics and the Dig Claws attack (30 damage). TCGplayer market price sits around $5.62, Cardmarket average sale is €5.85, Floor listings start near €3.00.
- TCGplayer market price: $5.62
- Cardmarket trend price: €6.12
- Recent low listing: €3.00
Card Details
- Set
- SM Black Star Promos
- Card Number
- SM121
- Rarity
- ✨ Promo
- Illustrator
- 🎨 5ban Graphics
- HP
- 170
- Type
- ⚡ Lightning
- Weaknesses
- Fighting ×2
- Resistances
- Metal -20
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
Attacks & Strategy
- Dig Claws [Colorless, Colorless] — 30
-
Thunder
[Lightning, Lightning, Colorless, Colorless]
— 150
Flip a coin. If tails, this Pokémon does 50 damage to itself.
💡 Excellent damage-to-energy ratio (37.5 per energy). -
Thunderous Rain-GX
[Lightning, Lightning, Lightning, Lightning]
This attack does 100 damage to each of your opponent's Pokémon that has any Energy attached to it. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) (You can't use more than 1 GX attack in a game.)
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Raikou 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 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 Raikou SM121 is legal for tournament play in Expanded, Unlimited formats.
Key Attack: Raikou's Dig Claws deals 30 damage for Colorless + Colorless energy.
Stats Overview: 170 HP • Lightning Type • Weak to Fighting ×2 • Resistant to Metal -20
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Raikou Cards
Looking for other Raikou cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SM Black Star Promos #SM121 ← Current | 170 | 3 attacks | Promo | $5.62 |
�📦 SM Black Star Promos Set Context
This Raikou 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 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 Raikou 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 SM 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: Raikou SM121 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 5ban Graphics. This artist is known for creating premium illustration rare and special rare artwork that collectors highly value. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: SM Black Star Promos represents a mid-era release that balances accessibility with collectibility.
Competitive History: Lightning type Pokémon like Raikou 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 Raikou 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: Raikou works best in Lightning type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.