Articuno 48/53 · Wizards Black Star Promos

Wizards Black Star Promos is a set in the Base series. It was released on July 1, 1999. The printed size is 53, and the checklist is the same length. Articuno is 48/53, in position 48 of 53 on this checklist. Before it is 47 Mew, and after it is 49 Snorlax. The listed rarity is Promo.

Articuno is a Basic Water Pokémon with 80 HP. The card lists level 34. In the Pokédex this is Articuno (#144), generation 1 (Kanto).

Atsuko Nishida illustrated this card. The same name is on 408 other cards in the catalog.

Articuno (#144) has 45 other cards in the catalog. Those other cards are in 30 sets. The other printings with a release date run from 1999 to 2026. The earliest other card is Articuno 22/53 in Wizards Black Star Promos (1999). That card lists 70 HP, and this one lists 80 HP. Both list the rarity Promo. Toshinao Aoki illustrated that card, and Atsuko Nishida illustrated this one. Retreat cost there is 1, and here it is 2. 43 other cards of Articuno list a different HP.

Aurora Veil is listed as Pokémon Power. As long as Articuno is your Active Pokémon, your Benched Pokémon do not take damage from and are not affected by attacks. This power cannot be used if Articuno is affected by a Special Condition. The attack Ice Beam lists 30 damage. The cost is Water, Water, Colorless, Colorless. Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed. Resistance is Fighting -30. Retreat cost is 2. The flavor text reads "A legendary bird Pokémon that is said to appear to doomed people who are lost in icy mountains."

I keep a set binder for Wizards Black Star Promos, meant to hold every card of that set. This card is one slot in the Wizards Black Star Promos set binder. A generation binder holds one card of each species. Articuno can fill a slot in Generation 1 binder (Kanto). I still need this card.