Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Exploring how Beldum’s art shifts across Pokémon TCG regional printings ⚡
Pokémon TCG fans love chasing not just the best plays, but the stories told by the cards themselves. When a seemingly simple Basic like Beldum appears in multiple regional printings, its visual journey can be just as captivating as its in-game role. This tiny Psychic Pokémon—HP 50, a metal body glinting under the light—comes from the unusual tk-ex-p set, EX trainer Kit 2 (Plusle). Illustrated by Kouki Saitou, the card showcases how artist, print run, and locale collectively paint a different portrait with each release. 🧭🎨Meet the card on paper: a quick look at its stats and lineage
- Name: Beldum
- Set: tk-ex-p (EX trainer Kit 2, Plusle)
- Type: Psychic
- Stage: Basic
- HP: 50
- Attacks:
- Call for Family (Colorless): Search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto your Bench. Shuffle your deck afterward.
- Metal Ball (Psychic): Put 1 damage counter on the Defending Pokémon.
- Weaknesses: Psychic ×2
- Retreat Cost: 1
- Illustrator: Kouki Saitou
- Rarity: None
- Variants: Normal, Reverse, and Holo versions exist; first edition not indicated here.
- Pricing snapshot (TCGPlayer): market around $0.33 (mid around $0.31; high up to $1.49)
Beldum’s text is functional and modest—a dependable bench-filler that can accelerate deck setup with a single Call for Family trigger. Its Metal Ball attack is a simple bit of pressure, perfect for chip-damage while you assemble a tougher line of Pokémon. Yet what truly excites collectors is not just the mechanics, but how the art and foil choices tell a regional story across print runs. 🌟
Artwork across regions: why prints differ and how to spot them
Regional printings of the same card often feature subtle—but meaningful—variations. In Beldum’s case, the available variants—normal, reverse, and holo—offer collectors a palette of presentation that can influence desirability and display value. The holo version, with its reflective foil treatment, frequently catches the eye in shop displays and binder pages, especially when the artwork is strong and the foil aligns with the metallic gleam of Beldum’s body.
“Even when a card carries the same silhouette, the glow of a holo frame or the depth of a reverse foil can transform how you perceive the artwork.”
Kouki Saitou’s crisp lines and metallic textures lend themselves well to foil treatment. Across regions, you may notice differences in foil density, border tone, and color saturation that affect the card’s luminosity under different lighting. Some regional printings lean toward a cooler blue-gray palette that emphasizes Beldum’s chrome sheen, while others push slightly warmer reflections, giving the same image a different mood. These shifts aren’t just cosmetic; they invite players and collectors to compare print runs, noting how each city or country approached the foil stack, ink density, and finish. 🔎
Because tk-ex-p is a unique entry, the regional context matters. While the card’s text, such as Call for Family and Metal Ball, remains consistent, the art’s vibe can subtly change—sometimes with a slightly brighter outline in certain printings or a more pronounced gradient in the background. For completionists, chasing all three variants—normal, reverse, and holo—across regions can feel like pursuing a small, luminous treasure map drawn in foil and pigment. 💎
Why these differences matter for gameplay and collection strategy
From a gameplay angle, Beldum remains a lightweight starter with a practical deck-searching ability. The ability to fetch a Basic Pokémon helps you accelerate into Metang and Metagross could appear later in the same or synergistic lines. The Metal Ball attack, while modest, can help in chip-damage strategies or pressure-focused builds where every point counts. The card’s Psychic type and ×2 weakness to Psychic create interesting matchups in formats where Psychic-heavy decks are common—requiring players to plan benching and retreat tactics carefully. 🧠⚔️
For collectors, regional printings offer a richer narrative. The holo variant’s glow can augment display aesthetics, while the reverse version offers a different foil texture that some players prefer for its distinct sparkle. Since the card is listed with Rarity: None, the presence or absence of holo or reverse foils becomes a practical indicator of print run or reprint decisions in a given region. The evolving market prices on platforms like TCGPlayer hint at interest in these prints, with mid prices hovering in the low-dollar range but with enough variance to reward patient collectors who weigh condition, rarity, and the regional foil profile. 🔥
Market snapshot and collector tips
As of the latest data, Beldum’s card pricing shows modest liquidity. A mid-price around $0.31 and a market price hovering near $0.33 suggest this card is accessible for casual collectors and deck builders alike. However, holo or reverse foils in strong condition can command a premium in regional markets where foil finishes are particularly prized. If you’re cataloging regional differences, consider documenting the foil density, border tone, and alignment in a binder page with notes about the region and print year. A little organization goes a long way in preventing mis-shelving or misidentification when you’re chasing all three variants. 🗂️
When you’re building a deck or a display, remember to store foil cards in sleeves suited for foil stock, away from direct sunlight, to preserve their luster. The tactile thrill of seeing Beldum’s chrome refract light across a holo surface is part of the experience that draws many players and collectors back to this kit-era print. And if you ever find a pristine holo or reverse copy in a regional language variant, that piece can become the centerpiece of a small, focused display. 🎴
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