1st Edition
How to spot it: 1st Edition stamp in the bottom-left of the artwork frame.
First print window; smaller run than Unlimited.
01Card Stats
Stage 1 (evolves from Lt. Surge's Voltorb)
HP
70
TypeLightning
RarityUncommon
IllustratorKen Sugimori
WeaknessFighting ×2
Retreat●●
SetGym Challenge
Released2000
02Editions and Print Runs
Printed in the WotC era when 1st Edition and Unlimited distinctions still applied.
Unlimited
How to spot it: No 1st Edition stamp; standard print frame.
Most common version of this card.
04Variants and Foiling
- Rarity tiers
- Uncommon
- Foiling
- Non-holo standard finish.
- 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
| Non Holo | ~$5.87 TCGplayer market (asking-price proxy); eBay solds may differ — verify current listings. |
|---|
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
- Original WotC-era printing from the Gym Challenge set — foundational vintage Electrode.
- Electrode — the Ball Pokemon and final evolution of Voltorb, a Kanto-original Electric-type with the iconic Base Set Rare Holo print.
- Required for any complete Electrode master set across eras.
- Collectors of the Gym Challenge set need this card to finish it.
08Competitive Playability
Tier: None
Stage 1 Electrode with 70 HP; top attack around 30 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.
09Card Moves and Abilities
Ability: Shock Blast
If Lt. Surge's Electrode is your Active Pokémon and gets damaged (even if it's Knocked Out), flip a coin. If tails, this power does 20 damage to each Active Pokémon. This power works even if Lt. Surge's Electrode is already Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed when it takes damage.
Power Ball
Flip 3 coins. This attack does 30 damage plus 10 more damage for each heads.
- Weakness
- Fighting ×2
- Retreat cost
- 2
10Grading and Population
PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Electrode PSA 10 populations vary; small numbers across most sets.
Graded copies command notable premiums over raw, especially for 1st Edition prints.
Other graders: BGS and CGC also grade vintage Pokemon; PSA dominates secondary-market liquidity.