Steelix – HS—Unleashed (#87)
Price Overview & Key Facts
Steelix (#87) is a Rare Prime card from HeartGold & SoulSilver - HS—Unleashed released in 2010. It showcases artwork by Wataru Kawahara and the Energy Stream attack (30 damage), Search your discard pile for an Energy card and attach it to Steelix.. TCGplayer market price sits around $26.21, Cardmarket average sale is €8.39, Floor listings start near €0.50.
- TCGplayer market price: $26.21
- Cardmarket trend price: €7.37
- Recent low listing: €0.50
Card Details
- Set
- HS—Unleashed
- Card Number
- 87
- Rarity
- ✨ Rare Prime
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Wataru Kawahara
- HP
- 140
- Type
- ⚙️ Metal
- Weaknesses
- Fire ×2
- Resistances
- Psychic -20
- Retreat Cost
- 4 (Colorless, Colorless, Colorless, Colorless)
Abilities
-
Perfect Metal
Steelix can't be affected by any Special Conditions
Attacks & Strategy
-
Energy Stream
[Colorless, Colorless]
— 30
Search your discard pile for an Energy card and attach it to Steelix. -
Gaia Crush
[Metal, Metal, Colorless, Colorless, Colorless]
— 100
You may discard any Stadium card in play.
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Steelix from HS—Unleashed (Rare Prime) represents a solid addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2010, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Wataru Kawahara.
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 Steelix 87 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Steelix's Energy Stream deals 30 damage for Colorless + Colorless energy. Special effect: Search your discard pile for an Energy card and attach it to Steelix.
Stats Overview: 140 HP • Metal Type • Weak to Fire ×2 • Resistant to Psychic -20
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Steelix Cards
Looking for other Steelix cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
| Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS—Unleashed #87 ← Current | 140 | 2 attacks | Rare Prime | $26.21 |
�📦 HS—Unleashed Set Context
This Steelix is part of the HS—Unleashed expansion , released as part of the HeartGold & SoulSilver series in 2010.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Wataru Kawahara, 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 Steelix 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 Prime cards from HS—Unleashed are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Wataru Kawahara resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
- Metal typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
More from HS—Unleashed
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Steelix 87 was released in 2010 in the HS—Unleashed expansion. This set is part of the HeartGold & SoulSilver series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Wataru Kawahara. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: HS—Unleashed is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.
Competitive History: Metal type Pokémon like Steelix 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 Steelix 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 Metal energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Steelix works best in Metal type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.