Trapinch – Sandstorm (#82)

Price Overview & Key Facts
Trapinch (#82) is a Common card from EX - Sandstorm released in 2003. It showcases artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita and the Sand Pit attack (10 damage), The Defending Pokémon can't retreat until the end of your opponent's next turn.. TCGplayer market price sits around $0.84, Cardmarket average sale is €0.36, Floor listings start near €0.02.
- TCGplayer market price: $0.84
- Cardmarket trend price: €0.37
- Recent low listing: €0.02
Card Details
- Set
- Sandstorm
- Card Number
- 82
- Rarity
- ✨ Common
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Mitsuhiro Arita
- HP
- 40
- Type
- ✊ Fighting
- Weaknesses
- Grass ×2
- Retreat Cost
- 1 (Colorless)
- Evolves To
- Vibrava
Attacks & Strategy
-
Sand Pit
[Colorless]
— 10
The Defending Pokémon can't retreat until the end of your opponent's next turn. - Irongrip [Colorless, Colorless] — 20
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Trapinch from Sandstorm (Common) represents an interesting addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2003, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita.
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 Trapinch 82 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Key Attack: Trapinch's Sand Pit deals 10 damage for Colorless energy. Special effect: The Defending Pokémon can't retreat until the end of your opponent's next turn.
Stats Overview: 40 HP • Fighting Type • Weak to Grass ×2
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Trapinch Cards
Looking for other Trapinch cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sandstorm #82 ← Current | 40 | 2 attacks | Common | $0.84 |
�📦 Sandstorm Set Context
This Trapinch is part of the Sandstorm expansion , released as part of the EX series in 2003.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, 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 Trapinch 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
- Common cards from Sandstorm are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Mitsuhiro Arita resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
- Fighting typing keeps this card relevant for themed decks and Grass-type collectors alike.
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📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Trapinch 82 was released in 2003 in the Sandstorm 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 Mitsuhiro Arita. This artist is known for creating premium illustration rare and special rare artwork that collectors highly value. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Sandstorm is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.
Competitive History: Fighting type Pokémon like Trapinch 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 Trapinch 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 Fighting energy cards
- Energy acceleration trainers
- Draw support & consistency cards
💡 Deck Building Tip: Trapinch works best in Fighting type decks. Low energy cost attacks make this card great for aggressive early-game strategies.