Spotting Fake Artazon Pokémon TCG Cards: A Quick Guide

In TCG ·

Artazon holo card art from Obsidian Flames (SV03-229)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Spotting Fake Artazon Cards: A Quick Vetting Guide for Pokémon TCG Fans

Authenticity matters just as much as strategy when you’re building a competitive deck or preserving a cherished collection. The Obsidian Flames era brought bold, holographic Trainer cards like Artazon into the spotlight, and with popularity comes counterfeit activity. This guide dives into a practical checklist for identifying fake Artazon cards, using the real card’s details to sharpen your eye for deception while celebrating the artistry that makes this Stadium card stand out.

What makes Artazon a standout piece

  • Artazon is a Hyper Rare holo Trainer card from the Obsidian Flames set (SV03). The holo treatment is designed to catch light from multiple angles, giving collectors something memorable to chase in both open and mint condition lots.
  • The artwork credits go to Oswaldo KATO, whose vibrant Urban Market-inspired style anchors the card in the idiom of Artazon—the lively district reflected in the set’s name and theme.
  • As a Stadium (Trainer) card, Artazon’s role is not about HP or attacks but about battlefield effects that shift how both players build and deploy Basic Pokémon on the bench.
  • The card’s effect reads: “Once during each player's turn, that player may search their deck for a Basic Pokémon that doesn't have a Rule Box and put it onto their Bench. Then, that player shuffles their deck. (Pokémon ex, Pokémon V, etc. have Rule Boxes.)” This distinction—no Rule Box on the fetched Basic Pokémon—drives deck-building decisions in ways few other Stadium cards do.
  • The card carries the G regulation mark and is legal in Standard and Expanded formats, broadening how collectors and players perceive its value over time.
  • The Hyper Rare holo designation, combined with its SV03 set badge, makes Artazon a sought-after piece for those chasing full holo sets or completing the Obsidian Flames collection.
  • Pricing data places Artazon around 2.94 EUR on CardMarket (as of mid-late 2025), with occasional fluctuations that reflect demand for Stadiums in modern and historic decks alike. This helps frame authenticity checks that consider not just print quality but price consistency as well.

Common counterfeit red flags to watch for

  • Counterfeit holo patterns often misalign with the card’s borders or appear with inconsistent foil geometry. Hold the card at an angle and compare the holo shimmer to known genuine images from sources like TCGdex.
  • Verify the Obsidian Flames symbol and SV03 logo—look for any pixelation, blur, or color mismatch that diverges from official artwork assets.
  • The effect text should be exact and unabridged. Subtle errors, extra spaces, or punctuation differences can be telltale signs of fakes claiming to be Artazon.
  • The G mark should appear clearly on genuine prints. Absence or a poorly stamped mark is a strong counterfeit indicator.
  • Compare the card’s back color, font, and card stock quality with verified Artazon examples. Fakes often use slightly off-white or different edge finishing.
  • Real holo cards have consistent corner rounding and edge sheen. Nicks, miscuts, or unusually glossy edges can betray counterfeit production.
  • Pay attention to font weight, letter spacing, and line breaks in the effect block. Subtle typography deviations are common in forgeries.

Practical checks you can do in under five minutes

  • Use official database images from TCGdex, the Obsidian Flames logo, and other retailer galleries to confirm set symbol position, holo pattern, and text alignment.
  • Genuine Artazon holo cards use distinct stock and finish. If the card feels flimsy or excessively glossy in a way that seems inconsistent with other SV03 holos, pause before purchase.
  • Check current CardMarket averages and recent sale prices to gauge whether a listing price aligns with typical Artazon values. Large price deviations can hint at fakes or mislabeling.
  • If you suspect a counterfeit, compare the exact wording to the official effect text above. Even small wording changes are red flags.
  • When purchasing, prefer reputable sellers who provide high-resolution scans, full card details, and clear photos of the front and back.

Why authentic Artazon cards matter to collectors and players

Authenticity isn’t just about preserving monetary value; it preserves the story and strategy behind a card. Artazon’s role as a Stadium card that can fetch a Basic Pokémon without a Rule Box on turn one or two creates fresh tempo in the right deck. For players, that tempo translates into board development and the opportunity to set up precise bench configurations. For collectors, a genuine holo Artazon is a tangible piece of the Obsidian Flames era—illustrated by Oswaldo KATO and polished in a way that shines under display lighting. The card’s rarity and set status help it stand out in any collection, especially when paired with other SV03 holos and Stadiums.

Artwork, lore, and the spirit of Artazon

Oswaldo KATO’s art captures the kinetic energy of Artazon’s world—a bustling, chromatic scene that feels like a neighborhood marketplace infused with Pokémon charm. The holo treatment complements the scene, echoing the spark of discovery players chase when they discover a Basic Pokémon that truly fits their bench. This card is a reminder that Pokémon TCG collecting is as much about the artwork and the story behind the card as it is about the mechanics on the table. The Obsidian Flames era leans into bold contrasts and urban energy, and Artazon embodies that aesthetic with a design that’s instantly recognizable to fans who have followed the set since its release.

Gameplay potential with Artazon in mind

From a gameplay perspective, Artazon’s effect encourages players to expand bench options while maintaining the integrity of Rule Boxes on high-power Pokémon. This encourages creative deck-building around tempo and bench setup. Spi ke within the confines of the official text to ensure consistent results with a wide pool of Basic Pokémon that don’t carry Rule Boxes. In practice, this can accelerate early turns and enable strategic bench layering that pressures opponents to react quickly, creating advantageous angles for later turns.

Whether you’re chasing the thrill of a pristine holo or evaluating a potential investment, Artazon from Obsidian Flames remains a standout piece in the stadium category. The card’s text, its illustrated artistry, and its place in a competitive and collectible ecosystem all contribute to its enduring appeal. ⚡🔥💎🎴🎨🎮

Gaming Mouse Pad 9x7 – Custom Neoprene with Stitched Edges

More from our network