Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Homages to Classic Pokémon Game Scenes in Feraligatr's Card Art
When you crack open a copy of Feraligatr from the Expedition Base Set, you’re not just peering at a powerful Water-type—you're stepping into a visual nod to the beloved training grounds of the classic games. Hiromichi Sugiyama’s illustration captures the kinetic heart of a water-logged battleground, where ripples, spray, and the chrome-blue of a late-evening sea give the card a cinematic presence. This is more than a creature with big teeth; it’s an echo of the rituals, routes, and watery arenas that every long-time player remembers. The holo treatment enhances that sense of motion, turning the card into a collectible moment you can hold in your hands ⚡🔥.
- Set & rarity: Expedition Base Set, Rare holo (non-first edition shown here; holo variants exist)
- Card number: 46
- Illustrator: Hiromichi Sugiyama
- Type: Water
- Stage: Stage 2 (evolves from Croconaw)
- HP: 100
- Weakness: Lightning ×2
- Evolution: Evolves from Croconaw
The artwork’s careful composition channels a classic game vibe: the image centers on Feraligatr’s imposing silhouette, surrounded by swirling water dramaturgy, and a shoreline that hints at adventures past. It’s a deliberate bridge between the grid-based battles of the early games and the tactile thrill of modern TCG play. The Expedition Base Set logo and symbol anchor the piece in the late-1990s era of exploration, reminding fans of the long journey from the original Kanto and Johto journeys to today’s expansive card roster. This is a card that looks as good in a display binder as it plays on the tabletop, especially in holo form where light dances off the glossy surface to mimic sunlit waves. 💎🎴
Card snapshot: details that matter for players and collectors
- Attacks: Slash (Colorless) 20; Double Claw (Water, Water, Colorless) 30+, Flip 2 coins. This attack does 30 damage plus 20 more damage for each heads.
- Damage math: With two coins, the expected value of Double Claw is 50 damage on average (0 heads: 30; 1 head: 50; 2 heads: 70; weighted by probabilities 0.25, 0.5, 0.25). That makes it a high-ceiling finisher when the coins cooperate, while Slash provides a steady early-game poke.
- Energy requirements: Slash costs Colorless; Double Claw requires Water, Water, Colorless. This makes water-energy acceleration all the more critical when planning a deck around Feraligatr.
- HP & durability: With 100 HP, Feraligatr sits in a respectable mid-range for its era, offering a solid target against many early-game threats while you set up your strategy.
In Expedition Base Set, 165 cards form a diverse ecosystem, and Feraligatr’s guardianship among Water-types emphasizes a theme of resilience and hard-hitting trades. The holo variant amplifies that drama, with light catching the water motif and giving the card a lifelike shimmer that reflects a glistening lake after a rainstorm. Collectors prize these holo patterns, especially when they’re paired with a strong gameplay profile like Feraligatr’s Stage 2 evolution line. The set’s era—where trainers chased energy acceleration and evolving threats—feels alive in this card’s design and rarity.
Collector insights: why this Feraligatr matters
Rarity is a cornerstone of Feraligatr’s appeal. Being a Rare holo within Expedition Base Set makes it a target for both nostalgia-driven collectors and serious players who value a robust mid-game threat. The card’s evolution from Croconaw provides a neat, thematic arc: you’re not rushing to the finish line, you’re growing a predator through the water—an echo of the Johto journey that fans love to revisit. The fact that this specific print is not first edition but features holo foil means it’s widely accessible yet still coveted, especially for those who built their early collections around the original Expedition feel. Aesthetically, Sugiyama’s line work brings energy to the water, as if you can hear a splash every time you glance at the card. 🎨
Market data gives a practical glimpse into value. CardMarket’s snapshot shows a healthy, though variable, market for this card and its holo variants. The non-holo/standard readings list an average around 58.32 EUR with a broad range (low as 3 EUR; recent 1-week to 30-day averages depicted as 48.98, 64.86, and 69.81 respectively). For holo copies, CardMarket reports a separate trajectory, while TCGPlayer provides concrete figures for the regular and reverse-holofoil copies: low prices around 12.99–13.98 USD for standard copies, midpoints near 16–46 USD, and highs approaching 36.97 USD for the standard copy and as high as 65 USD for reverse holo foil in peak sales windows. These numbers illustrate how Feraligatr’s value strains upward with time, especially as a holo. It’s a reminder that art and gameplay synergy can translate into a lasting collector’s premium. 🔥💎
Market trends & gameplay value: what to expect on the table
From a gameplay perspective, Feraligatr’s two large-energy attacks fit a mid-range to mid-late-game plan in a water-themed deck. The Dual Water energy cost for Double Claw, paired with effective energy acceleration strategies, can yield decisive blows when coin flips trend in your favor. The card’s 100 HP helps it survive key exchanges, while its weakness to Lightning ×2 is a common counter in many early meta sets—so you’ll often see opposing Electric-types trying to capitalize on its vulnerability. Collectors will appreciate the evolution line from Croconaw, as it completes a coherent narrative arc that mirrors the journey many players experienced through Johto’s watery routes. The combination of rarity, holo status, and the illustrator’s distinctive style makes this Feraligatr a standout piece for both display and deck-building. ⚡🎴
If you’re exploring this card through the broader lens of game scenes and their homage in art, Feraligatr serves as a bridge between virtual landscapes and physical collectibles. Sugiyama’s brushwork captures the dynamic energy of battles and the watery environments players remember from classic routes—an homage that resonates with nostalgia while staying relevant in modern play and collecting. The Expedition Base Set identity, the card’s holo treatment, and its evolving stage design all converge to offer a well-rounded experience for fans who value both story and strategy.
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