Blaine's Arcanine · Gym Challenge, what to know.
About the Blaine's Arcanine card
Numbered 1 of 132 in Gym Challenge, released in October 2000, Blaine's Arcanine is a Rare Holo, a Stage 1 Fire-type carrying 90 HP.
It evolves from Blaine's Growlithe, so Blaine's Arcanine is a later-stage card that set-builders usually slot into a full evolution run rather than buy alone.
Blaine is the Fire-type Gym Leader of Cinnabar Island, the quiz-loving scientist behind the island's lab. Blaine's Arcanine is part of that themed lineup.
Illustrated by Ken Sugimori. Sugimori is the lead character designer of Pokémon itself, so his card art carries the tight, on-model look that defined how the creatures appear in the games.
About Arcanine in the Pokémon world
The fully evolved Growlithe via Fire Stone. Large striped fire-dog silhouette. Designated a "Legendary" Pokémon in lore despite not being a true Legendary in mechanics. Base Set Arcanine is a Rare (non-holo) and one of the more sought-after non-holos in the set. Raw PSA 10s have appreciated notably.
What is Blaine's Arcanine worth?
Blaine's Arcanine is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Gym Challenge's value. The print variant decides most of it: a 1st Edition copy in high grade commands a large premium over a Shadowless or Unlimited one. In top-grade 1st Edition, Gym Challenge holos range from the mid hundreds for the lesser cards up to Blaine's Charizard at the top; raw and Unlimited copies trade for a fraction of that. The live market price above shows the current figure by grade.
Print variants and how to spot them
Gym Challenge shipped in 1st Edition and Unlimited, with no Shadowless print. The trainer-prefix naming runs across the set, and the 1st Edition Blaine's Arcanine carries the Edition 1 stamp and a premium over Unlimited in matching grade.
Grading and condition
On a holo like Blaine's Arcanine, surface is the grade cap. The fire foil shows hairlines under raking light, and the print reveals scratches that flat scans miss. Centering on the left and right borders is the second thing to check.
If you are collecting Blaine's Arcanine
When you go to buy Blaine's Arcanine, settle three things in order: the print variant, the condition, and a comp for that exact combination. A blended average across variants will mislead you on Blaine's Arcanine, so price the specific copy in front of you.
Three prints, three markets.
Edition 1 stamp under the artwork. Trades above Unlimited in matching grade.
No stamp. The standard, more affordable print.
