Shiftry – Crystal Guardians (#97)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Shiftry (#97) is a Rare Holo Ex card from EX - Crystal Guardians released in 2006. It showcases artwork by Ryo Ueda and the Target Attack attack, Choose 1 of your opponent's Pokémon. This attack does 30 damage to that Pokémon. If that Pokémon already has any damage counters on it, this attack does 50 damage instead. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.). TCGplayer market price sits around $40.11, Cardmarket average sale is €22.22, Floor listings start near €8.00.
- TCGplayer market price: $40.11
- Cardmarket trend price: €21.60
- Recent low listing: €8.00
Card Details
- Set
- Crystal Guardians
- Card Number
- 97
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Holo Ex
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Ryo Ueda
- HP
- 140
- Type
- 🌙 Darkness
- Weaknesses
- Grass ×2
- Resistances
- Psychic -30
Abilities
-
Dark Eyes
After your opponent's Pokémon uses a Poké-Power, put 2 damage counters on that Pokémon.
Attacks & Strategy
-
Target Attack
[Darkness, Colorless]
Choose 1 of your opponent's Pokémon. This attack does 30 damage to that Pokémon. If that Pokémon already has any damage counters on it, this attack does 50 damage instead. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) - Blade Arms [Darkness, Colorless, Colorless] — 70
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Shiftry from Crystal Guardians (Rare Holo Ex) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2006, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Ryo Ueda.
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 Shiftry 97 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Shiftry's Target Attack for Darkness + Colorless energy. Special effect: Choose 1 of your opponent's Pokémon. This attack does 30 damage to that Pokémon. If that Pokémon alr...
Stats Overview: 140 HP • Darkness Type • Weak to Grass ×2 • Resistant to Psychic -30
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Shiftry Cards
Looking for other Shiftry cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Guardians #97 ← Current | 140 | 2 attacks | Rare Holo Ex | $40.11 |
�📦 Crystal Guardians Set Context
This Shiftry is part of the Crystal Guardians expansion , released as part of the EX series in 2006.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Ryo Ueda, 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 Shiftry 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 Holo Ex cards from Crystal Guardians are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Ryo Ueda resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
- Darkness typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Shiftry 97 was released in 2006 in the Crystal Guardians 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 Ryo Ueda. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Crystal Guardians is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.
Competitive History: Darkness type Pokémon like Shiftry 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 Shiftry 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 Darkness energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Shiftry works best in Darkness type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.