Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Identifying Counterfeit Rhydon ex5-46 from Hidden Legends
In the bustling world of Pokémon TCG collecting, established sets like Hidden Legends bring a wave of nostalgia and a heightened risk of counterfeit copies. Rhydon, a beloved first‑stage Fighting type from the ex5 family, carries a distinct identity that skilled hobbyists can spot with a careful eye. This guide centers on Rhydon ex5-46, a Stage 1 evolution from Rhyhorn, featuring notable text like the Power Diffusion Poké‑Body and two unique attacks. By understanding the card’s authentic traits—from the illustrator’s brushwork to the precise attack wording—you’ll sharpen your ability to separate genuine minty chrome from fakes that mimic the surface bling but miss the heart of the design. ⚡🔥
What authentic Rhydon ex5-46 looks like in hand
- Name, set, and rarity: Rhydon, from the Hidden Legends set (ex5). The card is classified as Uncommon, a classification you’ll feel in the subtle holo or non‑holo print variety depending on the exact copy you hold.
- HP and stage: 90 HP as a Stage 1 Pokémon that evolves from Rhyhorn. This positioning in the evolving line is a signature tell for this period of the game’s design.
- Type and evolution: Fighting type. The evolution lineage Rhydon ← Rhyhorn is clearly marked on the card’s front, with the rarity stamp and set symbol nestled near the bottom portion of the card.
- Illustrator and art style: Atsuko Nishida provided the artwork for this Rhydon. A genuine print will show the crisp line work and color balance typical of Nishida’s work from that era, complemented by the correct set symbol and holographic treatment when applicable.
- Abilities and attacks: Rhydon’s ability, Power Diffusion, is a defining Poké‑Body: “As long as Rhydon is your Active Pokémon, prevent all damage done by attacks to all of your Benched Pokémon.” This is a strong, era‑specific defensive mechanic—counterfeits often botch the exact wording or omit the effect entirely. The two attacks are Horn Drill (Colorless, 20 damage) and Hyper Tail (Fighting, Colorless, Colorless; 50 damage plus 20 more if the Defending Pokémon has any Poké‑Powers or Poké‑Bodies). Accurate text and numeric values are red flags when they don’t align with the original card.
- Weakness and foil variants: Water weakness x2. Depending on the print, you may encounter normal, reverse holo, or holo variants. The holo alignment, border sheen, and foil pattern are telling clues—many fakes show jitter in foil application or misaligned foiling around the card’s edges.
- Set symbol and numbering: The Hidden Legends set symbol and card index (ex5‑46) sit in the lower portion of the card. Authentic prints have consistent font sizing, symbol coloring, and spacing that counterfeiters repeatedly struggle to reproduce.
How to spot counterfeit telltales
- Typography and text accuracy: Compare the ability and attack text with a verified genuine card. Small discrepancies—missing punctuation, altered spacing, or unusual capitalization—are common red flags. For Power Diffusion, ensure wording matches the official phrasing exactly; even minor deviations can indicate a counterfeit.
- Foil and card back consistency: If you’re examining a holo or reverse holo, check for uniform foil distribution and a clean edge foil line. Counterfeits frequently show inconsistent holographic sheen, rainbow speckling, or misaligned foil patterns around the card’s border.
- Set symbol, rarity stamp, and font weight: The ex5 set symbol should be crisp and correctly colored, with the rarity stamp (Uncommon) clearly visible in the appropriate font weight. Fakes often misplace or blur these elements, or use slightly off‑white card stock.
- Illustrator credit and card imagery: The card’s art by Atsuko Nishida should look consistent with her catalog of Pokémon art from the era. Subtle differences in brush density or color saturation can betray a counterfeit, especially when the image crop diverges from the original frame.
- Physical attributes and print quality: Examine the card’s feel and weight. Authentic older cards have particular card stock texture, edge whitening, and print registration that counterfeiters struggle to reproduce with modern substitutes.
Collectors often cross‑check the card’s serial cues against reputable databases, and compare a suspect copy to a confirmed genuine Rhydon ex5‑46 in either holo or reverse formats. The goal is to verify the exact combination of HP, stage, evolution line, and the precise attack costs and effects. When a Rhydon ex5‑46 copy looks great on the surface but has even a minor text discrepancy or misprinted symbol, you’ve likely uncovered a counterfeit.
Why authentic Rhydon ex5‑46 matters for gameplay and value
Beyond the cosmetic, Rhydon ex5‑46 carries a notable strategic niche. In gameplay, Power Diffusion can protect your bench Pokémon while Rhydon is active, shaping how you prioritize damage exchange and tempo. The two attacks offer a flexible approach: Horn Drill can pressure with a modest 20 for early aggression, while Hyper Tail provides high ceiling damage (50+ depending on opponent’s Poké‑Powers/Bodies) that scales with the state of the Defending Pokémon. This duality makes authentic copies desirable for players who value precise text and predictable interactions in matches. The counterbalance—a legitimate copy’s presence in a competitive deck—depends on the player’s ability to leverage Power Diffusion to shield the bench while trading blows.
From a collector’s perspective, market data for Rhydon ex5‑46 teeters between humble and notable, depending on print type. CardMarket shows holo copies with ongoing demand (low around €1, mid around €7‑€8, and high into double digits for pristine reverse holos), while non‑foil copies rest modestly around a couple of euros. On TCGPlayer, normal prints hover with a low price around $0.93, mid near $1.06, and a recent high around $3, with market pricing tracking near $1.24 for common market copies. In short, an authentic Rhydon ex5‑46, especially in reverse holo form, can be a compelling pocket collectible that balances nostalgia with practical play value. 🔎💎
As counterfeiters evolve, the best defense is a well‑lit, side‑by‑side comparison of the card against confirmed genuine examples, plus a reference to trusted databases. If you’re building a collection that nods to the EX era’s artistry and mechanical flavor, Rhydon ex5‑46 stands as a classic reminder of the era’s design values and the ongoing thrill of distinguishing true rarity from clever imitations. 🎨🎴
Product note: when shopping for clean display or gameplay copies, consider the context of this card’s pricing across formats and markets. A genuine holo Rhydon ex5‑46 not only delivers a satisfying presence on the table but also reflects the collectible arc of Hidden Legends, with art by Atsuko Nishida lending a distinctive, enduring charm to the card’s silhouette. For fans of the Pokémon TCG’s history, this Rhydon remains a memorable checkpoint in the evolution of energy costs, powerful effects, and the tactile joy of authentic card stock. ⚡🔥
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