How to Spot Fake Noivern-GX Cards: Authenticity Checklist

Noivern GX card art from Burning Shadows

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Spotting fakes in the wild: a practical authenticity checklist for Noivern GX

Pokémon TCG collectors know the rush of pulling a shiny Ultra Rare like Noivern GX from Burning Shadows. A dragon-type powerhouse with a dramatic dark aura, this card isn’t just a pretty profile—it’s a potential centerpiece for both deck strategy and collection value. But with fakes and misprints popping up across marketplaces, knowing what to look for is essential. This guide leans on the real Noivern GX details—from its illustrator to its GX-edged tricks—and translates them into a concrete, battle-tested authenticity checklist. ⚡🔥

1) Confirm the card’s identity and lineage

Noivern GX is a Dragon-type Pokémon that evolves from Noibat and carries the distinctive “GX” suffix, signaling a once-per-game power spike. The Burning Shadows set (SM3) numerically identifies this card as 99/147, with a holo variant available alongside normal and reverse versions. The official illustrator credit goes to 5ban Graphics, a detail you can verify on the card’s art line. When inspecting a potential Noivern GX, start by matching these core identifiers:

Set symbol and code: Burning Shadows (SM3) symbol; confirm the symbol near the bottom of the card and the SM3 branding.
Illustrator: 5ban Graphics should be listed on the card’s credit line or illustration block.
Edition indicators: First Edition prints are not part of this card’s available print run in is standard listings; this particular card shows no first edition variation in the dataset.
Numbering: 99/147 in the Burning Shadows lineup, with holo/normal/reverse variants noted.

2) Inspect the artwork, texture, and holo presentation

Foil (holo) copies of Noivern GX burst with a hypnotic sheen, while non-holo variants keep a flatter finish. Counterfeiters sometimes miss the subtle texture differences between holo and non-holo cards or misalign foiling patterns. When the card is a holo, the foil should glisten with consistent micro-patterning across the dragon’s scales and the background. In authentic Burning Shadows prints, the illustration by 5ban Graphics sits crisply, with clean edge lines and text that remains legible under light. If you can, compare with a confirmed authentic Noivern GX card and look for any telltale foil misalignment, smudging, or blurry artwork at the edges.

3) Read the card text for accuracy and consistency

The Noivern GX attack suite is a strong hook for battle strategy, and its exact wording matters. Authentic Noivern GX has three attacks:

Distort — Darkness + Colorless, 50 damage. Text: “Your opponent can’t play any Item cards from their hand during their next turn.”
Sonic Volume — Darkness + Psychic + Colorless, 120 damage. Text: “Your opponent can’t play any Special Energy cards from their hand during their next turn.”
Boomburst GX — Darkness + Psychic + Colorless, GX attack with the effect “This attack does 50 damage to each of your opponent’s Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.) You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.”

Check that the attack names, costs, effects, and the GX restriction are printed exactly as shown. Any deviation—misspelled names, altered costs, or modified effects—can be a red flag for a counterfeit. The card’s Dragon typing, 200 HP, and the weakness to Fairy x2 should also align with the official card profile. If a card claims different HP, a different weakness, or altered retreat cost (which is 0 for this Noivern GX), treat it as suspicious until proven legitimate by multiple sources.

4) Cross-check legality, edition, and market context

In the current card-legal landscape, Noivern GX is not Standard-legal, but it remains Expanded-legal. That means a counterfeit might attempt to blur the legal status or misrepresent it as Standard-legal in a listing. For a genuine 99/147 Noivern GX, you’ll see the card labeled as Expanded-legal and not Standard. This distinction matters for buyers and sellers who want to avoid misrepresented cards in competitive play. The card’s official status is a clue: if a listing claims Standard legality for a no-long-in-rotation GX card, that’s a flag you should investigate further.

Authenticity isn’t just about the card’s look—it's about matching the card to the ecosystem it belongs to, including set symbols, numbers, and legal status. A genuine Noivern GX living in a modern listing should feel like a piece of a larger puzzle, not a standalone novelty. 🎴

5) Compare price signals with observed quality

Market data can help you spot suspicious copies when combined with physical checks. For Noivern GX from Burning Shadows, price signals around late 2020–2025 showed a mix of low and mid-range values, reflecting its status as a mid-tier Ultra Rare card in a rotating format. Representative figures include:

CardMarket (EUR): average around 1.76 EUR, with recent lows near 0.45 EUR and a rising trend (~2.31).
TCGPlayer (USD): holofoil copies show a low around $1.00, mid around $1.75, and high near $8.70; market price around $1.58, with direct Low at about $1.70.

Significant deviations from these ranges—especially a “too-good-to-be-true” price for a holo Noivern GX—should trigger a closer physical inspection. Counterfeiters sometimes set prices to lure quick buyers, then rely on bulk fake sales to prop up a fraudulent listing. Cross-check the seller’s other listings, the card’s condition (near-mint vs. heavily played), and confirm the card’s details (set number, symbol, and HP) before committing.

6) Visual and textual confirmation of the card’s provenance

Beyond the physical checks, verify the card’s provenance. The Noivern GX showcased here comes with a precise data package: HP 200, Dragon type, Weakness Fairy x2, Retreat 0, and evolves from Noibat. The card is a three-attack machine with Distort and Sonic Volume functioning as disruption tools, and Boomburst GX offering mass disruption at the GX cap. The card’s artwork—by 5ban Graphics—should be consistent with Burning Shadows’ era and the holo pattern representative of SM3’s printed runs. If any of these elements drift, it’s wise to question the card’s authenticity and request a high-resolution, close-up image from the seller for independent verification.

7) Practical steps for validation in the wild

Ask for high-resolution images of both the front and back, and compare the card’s border color and edge wear with verified examples.
Request a close-up of the set symbol, the no-gap holo pattern, and the text box to ensure no smudging or misprints.
Cross-check the card’s serial or numbering with a trusted database. Noivern GX should appear as 99/147 in Burning Shadows, with the SM3 set code.
Compare the price to typical market ranges and watch for abrupt, all-cash deals or inconsistencies in shipping notes.
When in doubt, consult multiple reputable sources or seek a grading service that can certify authenticity and protect your investment.

For collectors and players alike, authentic Noivern GX stands as a testament to Burning Shadows’ bold design and the era’s bold play styles. The text “Distort” and “Sonic Volume” can swing momentum, while “Boomburst GX” is a dramatic crescendo in a duel. The card’s 200 HP, Dragon typing, and a Fairy weakness with x2 multiplier keep it relevant in certain deck archetypes, and its Expanded-legal status means it can still see play in the right hands. 💎🎮

Bottom line: stay sharp, stay informed

Authenticating a Noivern GX, or any sought-after card, is a blend of visual scrutiny, exact textual verification, and careful market awareness. Use the authenticity checklist as a discipline, and treat price and provenance as essential signals in concert with physical details. When you hold a genuine Burning Shadows Noivern GX, you’re not just holding a card—you’re holding a piece of the complex, thrilling tapestry of the Pokémon TCG. ⚡

Ready to level up your collection or deck with authentic Noivern GX? Explore trusted sources, compare your finds, and revel in the lore of Burning Shadows as you play on:

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