01Card Stats

Stage 2 (evolves from Prinplup)

HP 130

TypeMetal

RarityRare Holo

IllustratorKouki Saitou

WeaknessLightning +30

Retreat●●

SetStormfront

Released2008

02Editions and Print Runs

Modern print era — no 1st Edition or Shadowless variants exist for cards printed after the WotC era.

Unlimited

How to spot it: Standard modern card frame; no edition stamp.

All copies share the same Unlimited print frame.

04Variants and Foiling

Rarity tiers: Rare Holo
Foiling: Holo version with the holo pattern applied to the artwork. Reverse-holo parallel exists with the holo pattern applied to the background.
Alt art / specials: No full-art, secret rare, or alternate-art version documented for this print.

05Language and Regional Versions

English: Standard English release.
Japanese: Released in the equivalent Japanese set.
European: Localized European prints exist with translated text.
Other: No documented language-exclusive errors or major regional variants.

06Current Market Value

Holo	~$11 TCGplayer market (asking-price proxy); eBay solds may differ — verify current listings.
Reverse Holo	~$7.13 TCGplayer market for the reverse-holo parallel (asking-price proxy).

TCGplayer market is an asking-price proxy and can run above realized eBay sold prices; verify against recent solds before buying or selling.

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07Why Collectors Want It

Empoleon — Pokemon TCG catalog (Pokedex #395).
Required for any complete Empoleon master set across eras.
Collectors of the Stormfront set need this card to finish it.

08Competitive Playability

Tier: None

Stage 2 Empoleon with 130 HP; top attack around 60 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.

09Card Moves and Abilities

Ability: Emperor Aura

Once during your turn (before your attack), when you play Empoleon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Active Pokémon, you may use this power. Your opponent can't attach any Energy cards from his or her hand to his or her Pokémon during your opponent's next turn.

Steel Wing Cost: Colorless + Colorless · 40 damage

During your opponent's next turn, any damage done to Empoleon by attacks is reduced by 20 (after applying Weakness and Resistance).

Whirlpool Cost: Water + Colorless + Colorless · 60 damage

Flip a coin. If heads, discard an Energy card attached to the Defending Pokémon.

Weakness: Lightning +30
Retreat cost: 2

10Grading and Population

PSA 10 estimate: Modern Common/Uncommon — most copies are not graded because raw value rarely justifies the fee.

Graded populations stay low; usually collected raw or sleeved rather than slabbed.

Other graders: Negligible BGS/CGC submission volume.

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Empoleon