How to Spot Fake Kricketot Cards in Pokémon TCG Today

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Kricketot card art from Mysterious Treasures (DP2-86)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Kricketot Counterfeits: A Guide for Pokémon TCG Collectors and Players

In the vibrant, ever-evolving world of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, nothing sparks as much excitement as adding a classic from an era like Mysterious Treasures to your binder. Kricketot, a humble Basic Grass Pokémon, is beloved for its miniature charm and for teaching new players the basics of card economy: set, rarity, and move order all matter. But with every beloved card comes the risk of counterfeit copies that imitate the look and feel of the real thing. Today we dive into how to spot fake Kricketot cards, with a careful eye on the dp2-86 release from the Mysterious Treasures expansion. ⚡🔥

Kricketot (dp2-86) is a Grass-type Basic with 60 HP, a modest but reliable starting point for many early-game decks. The card is part of the Mysterious Treasures set (DP2), a print run that offers a mix of normal, holo, and reverse holo variants. The illustrator credited for this piece is Atsuko Nishida, a well-known artist whose distinctive style helps collectors recognize authentic prints. The card’s rarity is listed as Common, which means you’ll see it printed in multiple copies across a single booster box, with holo and reverse holo variants often priced higher in today’s market. The DP2 symbol and set logo are printed on the card to denote its origin, along with the official card count for the set—122 cards officially released, with 124 total including variations. These details are your first line of defense against a counterfeit. 🎴

Beyond the stickered facts, the Attack names tell a story about your plays. Kricketot’s first attack, “Call for Family”, costs Colorless energy and lets you search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto your Bench, then shuffle the deck. It’s a deceptively strong teaching tool for new players, enabling quick bench setup and hand management. The second attack, “Sling”, costs Grass energy and deals 10 damage. This dual-attack layout—short, readable text with a clean font—helps you spot a fake if the wording reads oddly or the effects don’t align with official phrasing. The card’s weakness to Fire (+10) rounds out the standard balance of a small, early-stage Grass-type, reminding players to plan around type matchups and energy costs. These mechanics are baked into the authentic dp2-86 print, and any deviation is a red flag. 🧭

Red Flags to Watch When Inspecting Kricketot dp2-86 Cards

  • Set symbol and logo: Genuine dp2 cards display the Mysterious Treasures set symbol and DP2 logo. Counterfeits often use a slightly altered or misplaced symbol, or omit it entirely. Compare carefully with high-resolution references from TCGdex and official guides.
  • HP, type, and stage: The authentic Kricketot dp2-86 lists HP 60 and is a Grass type Basic Pokémon. A counterfeit may show a different HP, a wrong type, or mislabel the stage.
  • Attacks and text: The attacks should read Call for Family (Cost: Colorless) with the effect exactly as published, and Sling (Cost: Grass) for 10 damage. Any textual typos, altered punctuation, or corrupted effects are telltale signs.
  • Illustrator credit: This print credits Atsuko Nishida. While some fakes imitate art, the handwriting and character style often diverge subtly in counterfeit prints.
  • Rarity and variants: Real dp2 prints appear as normal, holo, and reverse holo variants. If a listing claims a rare or holo print with an out-of-sequence rarity or an unusual foil pattern, tread carefully. The dp2 set has a precise print run, and fake variants usually don’t align with official distribution.
  • Card back, borders, and font: Counterfeits frequently get the card back slightly off and may feature imperfect borders or misaligned font metrics. In a set with a known logo and symbol, these inconsistencies jump out quickly.
  • Card count and legality: DP2 is a historical set; modern Standard/Expanded legality does not apply. Look for notes like official: 122 and total: 124, and verify that the print aligns with the dp2 era conventions rather than contemporary gloss patterns.

In addition to textual fidelity, collectors should assess the physical print quality. The holo variant should exhibit a foil sheen that interacts with light in a distinct way, whereas fakes might have a dull or uneven foil. The reverse holo should show a consistent holographic pattern across the card surface, not patchy areas. A well-lit inspection with a loupe can reveal microtext and die-cut inconsistencies that indicate a counterfeit copy. Remember, even a card that passes the eye test can be counterfeit; the best defense is a multi-step check against reliable references. 🔍

Value, Rarity, and What Real Copies Are Worth Today

Even though Kricketot is listed as Common, the holo and reverse holo prints carry a premium. Current market data paints a nuanced picture. Cardmarket data shows a.n avg price for normal dp2 Kricketot around 0.36 EUR, with a range that can dip well below a euro and occasionally spike as collectors complete their Mysterious Treasures sets. For holo versions, the asking prices rise—average around 4.06 EUR, though listings can swing widely based on condition and booster pull history. The trend indicators suggest modest appreciation potential, particularly for complete or near-mint copies in holo form.

On the U.S.-centric TCGPlayer market, the normal (non-holo) Kricketot dp2-86 can be found at low prices near 0.01 USD, with mid prices around 0.25 USD and occasional high listings up toward 4.59 USD for pristine or near-mint copies. Reverse holo copies show a slightly different range, with low around 0.50 USD, mid around 1.35 USD, and market prices climbing as high as around 2–4 USD depending on condition and supply. For card collectors chasing a holo Kricketot to complete a Mysterious Treasures run, these values reflect both nostalgia and scarcity that come with older sets. The data underscores why counterfeiters target high-interest cards and why thorough authentication remains essential. 💎

Finally, it’s worth noting the average collector appeal of this particular Kricketot is tied closely to its art and its place in a beloved era. Atsuko Nishida’s illustration, coupled with the nostalgic DP2 presentation, remains a compelling reason to verify authenticity before purchase—especially when a listing seems unusually inexpensive or the card description lacks precise details. For players, Kricketot’s practical utility in early-game bench setup—thanks to Call for Family—adds to its charm, but a fake could disrupt your strategy if it slips into your deck. Treat each Kricketot dp2-86 as both a nostalgic collectible and a potential puzzle to solve before you trade or upgrade. 🎮

Protecting your valuable finds remains a top priority. If you’re seeking a stylish, protective way to handle your card collection on the go, consider the Polycarbonate Card Holder Phone Case with MagSafe, a sturdy companion for traders and players who want to keep their cards pristine while they show off their favorite pulls.

Polycarbonate Card Holder Phone Case with MagSafe

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