Black Star Promo (Holo)
How to spot it: Black-star promo stamp; holofoil. Originally sealed in a Nintendo Power guide envelope.
Unusual magazine-insert distribution; clean copies are scarce.
01Card Stats
Stage 2 (evolves from Ivysaur)
HP
100
TypeGrass
RarityPromo
IllustratorKen Sugimori
WeaknessFire ×2
Retreat●●
SetWizards Black Star Promos
Released1999
02Editions and Print Runs
A WotC Black Star promo (#13) given out sealed in a dark-blue envelope inside Nintendo Power's official Pokémon TCG for Game Boy strategy guide. No 1st Edition / Shadowless variants.
04Variants and Foiling
- Rarity tiers
- Promo (Holo)
- Foiling
- Holofoil promo.
- Alt art / specials
- A single promo print; value is condition-driven.
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 of note.
06Current Market Value
| Holo | ~$127 raw/ungraded — verified against PriceCharting eBay-sold prices (May 2026). PSA 10 gem-mint copies ~$3,443. |
|---|
Verified May 2026 from PriceCharting realized (eBay-sold) data; raw/ungraded headline, graded copies higher. Vintage WotC-era holo promo.
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07Why Collectors Want It
- Distributed sealed inside a Nintendo Power Pokémon TCG strategy guide — a memorable, unusual release.
- A holofoil WotC-era Venusaur promo with strong vintage appeal.
- Surprisingly scarce in high grade, driving the PSA 10 premium.
- A distinctive alternative to the Base Set Venusaur holo.
- A nostalgic crossover with the Game Boy Pokémon TCG game.
08Competitive Playability
Tier: None (collectible)
A promo, never a competitive staple. Its appeal is the distribution story and vintage holo charm.
09Card Moves and Abilities
Ability: Solar Power
Mega Drain
Remove a number of damage counters from Venusaur equal to half the damage done to the Defending Pokémon (after applying Weakness and Resistance) (rounded up to the nearest 10). If Venusaur has fewer damage counters than that, remove all of them.
- Weakness
- Fire ×2
- Retreat cost
- 2
10Grading and Population
PSA 10 estimate: Genuinely scarce in PSA 10 (envelope storage and handling), which is why gem-mint tops $2,500.
Print lines, holo scratches and centering are the usual downgrades.
Other graders: PSA leads; BGS and CGC also grade WotC promos.