Tracking Infernape Price Volatility Across Releases

Infernape holo rare card art from Brilliant Stars set

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Infernape: A dynamic Fire-type centerpiece in a blistering meta

Fire starters have long held a special flame in the TCG community, and this holo rare Infernape from the Brilliant Stars line embodies that blaze with style. A Stage 2 Pokémon that evolves from Monferno, Infernape pumps up to HP 150 and deploys two high-impact attacks that reward careful energy management. Its Infernal Vortex attack whirls through the top five cards of your deck, delivering 80 damage for each Fire Energy you reveal, then discards those energies and shuffles the rest back. That means you’re investing in a predictable draw engine: when the top cards reward you, your offensive punch climbs quickly. The secondary attack, Burning Kick, costs Fire + Colorless and delivers 160 damage at the cost of discarding all Energy from Infernape. It’s a fierce finisher if you’ve stacked your hand and your tempo aligns with the board tempo 🔥.

The Brilliant Stars printing is notable for its holo finish, which rosily highlights the fiery aesthetic. While the dataset doesn’t lock in an illustrator name for every print, the card’s artwork is celebrated for capturing the heat of a raging inferno that mirrors the creature’s in-game personality. For collectors, this holo rarity adds shine to a deck-ready powerhouse, especially in formats that still value strong stage evolutions and powerful Energy manipulation. The card also carries a modest retreat cost of 1, which keeps it manageable on the bench while you assemble your setup for a late-game swing ⚡.

What the card data reveals about its market and collectibility

Set and rarity: Brilliant Stars, holo rare. This is a sought-after tier for players who want a formidable attacker with a dramatic finish.
Stage and evolution: Stage 2, evolving from Monferno, which means you’ll want a steady bench to maximize its uptime and leverage its ability to hit hard in later turns.
Attacks and energy cost: Infernal Vortex requires Fire Energy and scales with how many Fire Energy you reveal, creating exciting decisions about deck composition and reveal strategies. Burning Kick trades a big payoff for a full reservation of energies—discarding all Energy from Infernape to deliver a potent, arena-threatening blow.
Regulation and format: Regulation Mark F, standard is not allowed in some older rotations, but expanded formats frequently welcome this card for its raw power and energy-control potential.
Pricing snapshot: CardMarket holo reveals an average around €0.42 with notable volatility (low around €0.02, high spikes). In USD, TCGPlayer data shows holo prices as high as about $5.04 for the direct market, while typical market pricing sits lower around the $0.17–$0.29 range for common holo trades. The non-holo variants sit at much more accessible levels, underscoring how holo foils drive collector and PvP demand alike.

These price patterns reflect a broader truth in Pokémon TCG markets: holo rares, especially those with strong play potential in the Expanded window, tend to oscillate with deck archetype trends, rotation schedules, and the ebb and flow of new releases. Infernape’s volatility mirrors the pulse of Fire-type decks that periodically surge in popularity due to synergy with trainers, stadiums, and energy acceleration capabilities. For a collector, the holo print often carries a premium during peak play seasons and tournament cycles, while non-holo prints maintain a steadier baseline. The dataset hints at a healthy spread of supply and demand across Europe and North America, with holo pricing particularly sensitive to newly minted products and reprints in related sub-sets 🔥.

Strategic gameplay: making Infernal Vortex work for you

To leverage Infernape’s Infernal Vortex, you’ll want a thoughtful deck that guarantees you access to the top five cards you expect to reward. Try pairing Infernape with engines that reliably thin or manipulate the deck, such as searchers that fetch specific Fire Energy or draw power that accelerates your setup. Because Infernal Vortex scales with the number of Fire Energy you reveal, you can design a tempo plan around adding energy to the top portion of your deck—using draw cards that help you peek or reveal exactly what you need to accelerate your offense.

Burning Kick’s high damage payoff makes it an ideal late-game finisher, especially when you’ve established a field presence and your opponent is forced to manage evolving threats. The downside—discard all Energy from Infernape—demands a careful energy recovery plan. Cards that refill Fire Energy or provide energy acceleration in a single turn can help you reestablish pressure after a Burning Kick swing. In practice, a well-timed Infernal Vortex can smooth out a matchup’s mid-game tension, while a decisive Burning Kick can close on a critical turn when your bench is primed and your opponent has run out of defensive options ⚡.

Collector insights: rarity, print runs, and the life of a holo

As a holo rare from a high-profile set, this Infernape prints well within competitive and collector ecosystems. The dataset highlights the existence of holo and reverse-holo variants, with the holo version typically trading at a premium in both online markets and physical storefronts. The first-printed editions—while not always the most accessible—often carry buzz among long-time collectors who chase the “glow” of holo cards in their displays. For players dabbling in condition-aware collecting, grading considerations around holo surfaces, centering, and surface wear become part of the decision process when evaluating a purchase or trade. The dynamic pricing across markets reinforces the importance of timing and market awareness, especially when new Brilliant Stars bundles or related Fire-type staples re-enter circulation 🔥💎.

Art, lore, and the enduring charm of a fiery powerhouse

Infernape embodies the kitschy, high-energy vibe fans love: a legendary Fire-type starter in a bold, flame-drenched illustration that captures its agile, combative nature. While we can’t confirm illustrator credits for every print here, many Brilliant Stars artworks celebrate the energy and motion of the Pokémon’s fiery spirit, inviting fans to imagine battles that blaze across across the card table. The lore around Infernape—fast, disciplined, and forged in battle—pairs perfectly with a strategic deck that values tempo and calculated risk. Collectors often factor in the tactile joy of a holo that crackles with light when the card is bared to the right angle, a small, radiant reminder of why we fell in love with the TCG in the first place 🎴🎨.

Price-tracking tips: how to stay ahead of volatility

Monitor holo averages on CardMarket and TCGPlayer for short-term shifts (7–30 days). The data suggests holo prices can swing with new set releases and tournament results.
Track direct market prices versus market price to understand real-world demand versus listing activity.
Consider the card’s role in your deck: if you’re building a Fire-forward strategy, a holo Infernape can hold more intrinsic value due to its playability, not just collectibility.
Keep an eye on rotations and the broader Brilliant Stars window; price spikes often coincide with the emergence or retirement of competitive archetypes.

Whether you’re chasing a competitive edge or a shimmering centerpiece for your display, Infernape swsh9-026 stands out as a compelling blend of power, strategy, and collectibility. Its Infernal Vortex can tilt the momentum of a match, while Burning Kick offers a dramatic, game-ending possibility when the timing is right. The volatility across releases adds an extra layer of excitement for investors and players alike—the thrill of watching a holo rare dance between supply, demand, and the ever-changing meta 🪄🔥.

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