PSA vs. BGS Grading: Alcremie TCG Card Value, Rarity, and Market

Alcremie card art from Eevee Grove set A3b - holo versión

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

PSA vs. BGS Grading: Alcremie Card Value, Rarity, and Market

Alcremie shines in the Pokémon TCG not only for its creamy, confectionery flavor but also for the collector’s intrigue that surrounds its holo and reverse-holo variants from the Eevee Grove set. This Stage 1 Psychic Pokémon, evolving from Milcery, carries a delicate balance of playability and dazzled presentation. With 80 HP and the flavorful attack Sweets Overload, which scales its damage based on the number of times Sweets Relay has been used, Alcremie invites players to lean into sweet synergy while collectors eye the card’s rarity—Two Diamond in the Eevee Grove lineup. The illustration by Mizue, paired with holo treatment on some print runs, adds a layer of artistry that makes PSA and BGS grading decisions especially interesting for this card. ⚡

When you crack open the Eevee Grove set, you’re stepping into a family of cards that prizes both play value and display-worthy shine. Alcremie’s Two Diamond rarity signals that this card sits just beyond the ordinary breakpoints, offering a blend of availability and desirability. It’s not the ultra-rare “first edition” chase, but it isn’t a common shoreline either. In practical terms, this means the card often lands in conversations about what grade to pursue—PSA 9/10 or BGS 9.5/10 with subgrades—depending on a player’s goals, whether you’re building a top-tier collection, a competitive deck, or a display case that turns heads at local tournaments. The Eevee Grove set itself counts 69 official cards out of 107 in total, underscoring that this particular Alcremie isn’t the rarest in the run, but its holo or reverse holo varieties can sing when correctly graded.

Understanding the card data and why it matters for grading

Alcremie, a Stage 1 Psychic Pokémon, evolves from Milcery and wears its flavor-text lore proudly: “When it trusts a Trainer, it will treat them to berries it's decorated with cream.” This narrative flavor translates into a collector’s sensibility: a beautiful illustration by Mizue paired with a holo finish in some variants invites a premium, particularly when graded by PSA or BGS. The card’s HP 80 and the single attack Sweets Overload (cost: Colorless) that deals 40 damage for each time Sweets Relay has appeared in the game, create a lightweight but flavorful mechanic that can be echoed into a deck-building story. This is not a powerhouse attacker, but in a themed deck—especially with Milcery’s evolving chain—it becomes a narrative centerpiece that collectors appreciate for condition and presentation as much as for potential play. Its weakness to Metal (+20) and retreat cost of 1 are standard design choices that keep it balanced but also relevant in discussions of how often it appears in modern print runs.

Grading teams weigh several factors when evaluating Alcremie: centering (both horizontally and vertically), card surface, corners, and edge wear, particularly for holo variants. PSA grades look for a clean, sharp card that survives packing friction and exposure, while BGS adds subgrades for Centering, Edges, Corners, and Surface. A BGS 9.5 or 10 often carries a premium when compared to a PSA 9, especially if the card’s subgrades are strong (for example, Centering 9.5 or 10, Surface 9.5/10, etc.). For holo cards like Alcremie from Eevee Grove, the contrast between the holo foil and the base card matters—any tiny surface scratch or dulling near the holo pattern can affect grade outcomes differently between PSA and BGS. The illustrator’s work, Mizue, also comes into play for collectors who prize the card art as part of the grading conversation, since pristine art quality can influence perceived value. 🖼️

“The real value of a graded card isn’t just the numeric grade; it’s the story of how a card aged, how it was preserved, and how its artistry resonates with the collector.”

Market value trends: what PSA and BGS grades mean in practice

In the current market, PSA-graded cards—especially high-grade samples—tend to command a broader audience and quicker liquidity, simply due to market visibility and the broad collector base that trusts PSA’s tiered 10-point scale. BGS, with its subgrades, often attracts collectors who want a more granular picture of condition and who value the added nuance of four separate ratings. For Alcremie, holo and reverse-holo variants add a premium layer, and a flawless PSA 10 Alcremie from Eevee Grove can outpace a BGS 9.5 unless the BGS subgrades are exceptionally clean across Centering, Edges, Corners, and Surface. In practical terms, expect the grading choice to steer the card’s market trajectory: PSA might fetch quicker flips in some markets, while BGS could draw higher premium for well-subgraded examples. The Eevee Grove ecosystem—69 official cards in the set—means competition for the top-tier copies remains healthy, and the Two Diamond rarity reinforces that even non-first-editions can be highly coveted when presented in pristine condition. 🔎

For players who want to dip their toes into the world of graded Alcremie, consider how you will enjoy the card: will you play tilt-friendly control options around Sweets Overload, or will you curate a gallery-quality display that captures Mizue’s whimsical style? Either route benefits from a clear understanding of grade criteria, careful storage, and patience as market values shift with new print runs, reprint considerations, and overall interest in Eevee Grove and its evolving story. The balance between gameplay value and display-worthy aesthetics is what makes this Alcremie a compelling case study for PSA vs. BGS valuation in modern packs. 💎

Collector tips: how to optimize your Alcremie for grading

Inspect centering and surface under good lighting before submitting for grading. A holo surface needs careful handling to avoid micro-scratches that can derail a perfect grade.
Preserve the card sleeve and top loader with minimal handling to prevent edge wear. BGS subgrades tend to reflect even minor imperfections more distinctly than PSA’s broader scale.
Document any known prints or variations you own (holo, reverse holo) since holo variants often carry a premium aligned with grade quality.
Keep a record of your Milcery-to-Alcremie evolution interactions in-game as a narrative support when presenting a deck idea, which can boost storytelling value alongside your graded copy.
Consider pricing guards: a high-grade Alcremie can move quickly in both PSA and BGS markets, but choose the grade pathway that aligns with your display or selling strategy.

Collecting is deeply personal but sharing the story—of a card illustrated by Mizue, its sweet flavor text, and its place in the Eevee Grove set—creates a shared journey for fans who love both the game’s strategy and its artistry. Whether you’re chasing a PSA 10 for peak market value or a BGS 9.5 with impeccable subgrades for a precise condition snapshot, Alcremie offers a charming, strategic entry point into the broader discussion of grading, rarity, and market dynamics. ⚡🎨

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