Nidoran ♂ · Base Set 2, what to know.
About the Nidoran ♂ card
Nidoran ♂ is card 83 of 130 in Base Set 2, released in February 2000, a Common. It is a Basic Grass-type with 40 HP.
As a Basic Pokémon, Nidoran♂ needs no prior evolution to put into play, which made it a practical card in the era's decks.
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.
The Pokédex entry printed on Nidoran ♂ reads: "Stiffens its ears to sense danger. The larger, more powerful of its horns secretes venom."
About Nidoran♂ in the Pokémon world
The male half of the Nidoran split-evolution line. Different evolution path and final form from the female counterpart. A cleaner Common card than the female variant. Quietly traded by collectors who want both halves of the line.
What is Nidoran ♂ worth?
Nidoran ♂ is a Common, so raw copies trade for very little and most of the print run survives. The only real value is in pristine, high-grade copies, where even a Common can reach low triple digits in 1st Edition PSA 10. See the live price above for the current figure by grade.
Print variants and how to spot them
Base Set 2 produced Unlimited prints. For Nidoran ♂, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
Grading and condition
Nidoran ♂ is the most forgiving tier to grade in the set. Centering on the framed border is the usual cap, and the soft Wizards-era cardstock picks up edge whitening easily, but high print runs keep clean copies affordable.
If you are collecting Nidoran ♂
Raw copies of Nidoran ♂ are inexpensive enough that grading rarely pays unless you have a clearly pack-fresh example. For set completion, a clean sleeved Nidoran ♂ is the practical move.
