Magikarp · Base Set 2, what to know.
About the Magikarp card
Numbered 50 of 130 in Base Set 2, released in February 2000, Magikarp is an Uncommon, a Basic Water-type carrying 30 HP.
As a Basic Pokémon, Magikarp needs no prior evolution to put into play, which made it a practical card in the era's decks.
Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita. Arita painted the Base Set Charizard and much of the early holo run, and his work has a painterly weight that set the visual tone of the Wizards era.
Magikarp carries this Pokédex flavor text: "In the distant past, it was stronger than its horribly weak descendants that exist today."
About Magikarp in the Pokémon world
A water-type fish famous for being almost useless until it evolves into Gyarados. Base Set Common. Sentimental and emotionally significant for many collectors.
What is Magikarp worth?
Magikarp is an Uncommon, so raw copies are inexpensive and easy to find. The value is in condition: a genuine PSA 10, especially 1st Edition, can still reach a surprising figure for an otherwise common card. The live price above breaks it down by grade.
Print variants and how to spot them
Base Set 2 produced Unlimited prints. For Magikarp, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
Grading and condition
Magikarp grades forgivingly, but the same centering and edge standards apply. Pack-fresh raw copies are easy to find, which makes a clean PSA 10 submission a low-cost way to learn how the cardstock behaves under grading.
If you are collecting Magikarp
Raw copies of Magikarp are inexpensive enough that grading rarely pays unless you have a clearly pack-fresh example. For set completion, a clean sleeved Magikarp is the practical move.
