Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Rarity tiers explained for this Pokémon
In the Pokémon TCG, rarity isn’t just about luck at opening packs—it shapes how a card feels in your binder, your deck, and your collection. The Feraligatr featured here hails from the Expedition Base Set and is labeled Rare, a designation that signals significance in both play and collectibility. Crafted by Hiromichi Sugiyama, this Water-type Stage 2 powerhouse sits on the field with 100 HP, evolving from Croconaw and offering two distinct offensive options that can swing a match when luck is on your side. ⚡🔥
The Expedition Base Set framing matters. This print includes variants that fans chase: a normal (standard) copy, a glorious holo, and a reverse holo version, each carrying its own vibe. The card’s data confirms its holo viability, with the set including normal, reverse, and holo prints for this card. In practical terms, that means you can encounter a non-foil Rare, a Reverse Holo Rare, or a full-on Holo Rare—each with a distinct sparkle and appeal. The rarity label “Rare” sits alongside those visual variants, underscoring that collectors often value the holo and reverse holo editions most highly, even when the card itself is the same creature in a different dress. 🎴
Meet the card: what makes Feraligatr stand out?
- Stage and evolution: Stage 2, evolving from Croconaw, which situates this card squarely in late-game payoff territory for a deck built around powerful evolving lines.
- HP and type: 100 HP and Water type—typical of a sturdier late-game attacker in the era this card was printed. This robustness translates to dependable survivability in many classic formats.
- Attacks: Slash for 20 (Colorless) is a straightforward opener, while Double Claw costs Water, Water, and Colorless and can deliver 30 damage base plus 20 more for each heads on two coin flips. That means you could crest into a 70-damage spike with both heads, a tasty bluff-and-burst option for pressuring an opponent’s board state. Its reliance on coin flips adds a dramatic, casino-night feel to gameplay—risk and reward in equal measure.
- Weakness: Lightning x2, adding a strategic constraint in the long, muggy march through a tournament field—this is a factor you’ll anticipate when lining up your matchups.
- Illustrator: Hiromichi Sugiyama lends his distinctive style to this card, contributing to its desirability beyond raw stats. The art’s charm often drives collector interest as much as the move set does. 🎨
Rarity in practice: holo, reverse holo, and market realities
Rarity tiers influence more than how a card feels in a sleeve. They affect value, demand, and how a card fits into a modern or vintage collection. For Expedition Base Set’s Feraligatr, the rare label flags a card that is typically more scarce than common or uncommon peers. The holo variant—an integral part of the card’s rarity story—often commands a premium because it adds a shimmering, collectible dimension that many players and collectors chase. The reverse holo version—while still Rare—offers a different aesthetic, with the holo pattern applied to the card’s art area rather than the entire card face. This triad of presentation options makes Feraligatr a practical case study in how rarity intersects with aesthetics and function. 💎
Market data across major outlets underscores how volatile and rewarding this space can be. On the TCGPlayer market in USD, non-holo (normal) copies of Expedition Base Set rares have recently seen ranges roughly from the mid-teens to the upper tens—about $12.99 as a floor, climbing toward $16 in typical listings, and peaking near $37 for strong specimens in well-preserved condition. Reverse holo foils pull higher into the $40s and $60s territory, with lows near the high teens and highs that can venture toward $65 based on condition and listing. In European markets, Cardmarket shows sizable activity with averages that, across listings, hover in the euro range that collectors monitor closely—illustrating how scarcity, edition, and condition converge to shape value. These figures reflect ongoing shifts but illustrate a broad pattern: holo and reverse holo copies tend to be the crown jewels within Rare prints. ⚡💰
Condition, edition status, and the presence or absence of a “First Edition” marker all tilt value. The Expedition Base Set print for Feraligatr here is marked firstEdition: False, and the variant options include normal, holo, and reverse holo. In today’s hobby marketplace, that means a well-preserved non-foil might sit in a different tier than its gleaming holo sibling. Collectors savor the shine, while players value the reliability of a sturdy, standard Rare for deck-building and long-term play. The tension between desirability and practicality is what keeps this card interesting across decades of Pokémon TCG history. 🔥
Tips for collectors and players alike
- Identify the variant early: Check the holo stamp and the card’s gloss to distinguish Normal from Holo or Reverse Holo prints. The rarity label remains Rare, but the foil treatment changes visual appeal and price trajectory.
- Protect the shine: For holo and reverse holo copies, store in sleeves and binders that minimize surface wear. Foil edges in particular are sensitive to handling. 💎
- Watch the market: Prices swing with condition, market demand, and the emergence of reprints or nostalgia-driven reissues. In the Expedition-era ecosystem, even a modest-condition non-foil can remain a cherished part of a vintage deck or display shelf. ⚡
- Playability vs. collectibility: While the card’s two-attack suite can be playable in certain older formats, its rarity-driven appeal often makes it more valuable as a collector's piece than as a core tournament staple today. Use this to guide your buying or trading strategy. 🎴
- Artwork matters: Sugiyama’s illustration is a selling point beyond stats—artists’ signatures and the card’s visual storytelling can push a print toward “grail” status for some fans.