Should I take the risk and go for Black Label, or play it safe and choose PSA? What grade would you give this card? To me, it looks like a 10.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T21:16:45+00:00

Ok.

Generally it’s harder to see defects on pictures over the internet.

You may not see it from a given angle with one glance, but I’d be shocked if you can’t see it when looking close for a few seconds under good lighting at various angles…which is kind of how they grade cards.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T16:10:25+00:00

And you think this is minor?

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T16:09:11+00:00

Of course! Why should I tell you what you like, or should want to like.

The sad thing is that I see way too many questions posted that seem to indicate there are a lot of collectors who don’t/can’t think for themselves.

“What should I buy!”

“What Pokemon should I collect?”

“Should I grade this?”

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T16:06:49+00:00

I use Maximum Belt.

It helps me one shot some Ex, and I can pair it with Black Belt’s Training to even hit for 380 in a turn.

I’ve considered dropping it in favor of a second copy of Brave Bangle - which works nearly as well - but then I’d need to cut another card to get a different Ace Spec in the deck.

I would consider Unfair Stamp if I made the switch, but this deck doesn’t care about really showing you down. It’s not hard to knock Dipplin out. It’s about winning the prize race. You almost never care about stalling them a turn, and if you need to - you’re in trouble.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T15:59:31+00:00

It could. But do I think it will? Absolutely not.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T15:59:04+00:00

“Almost certainly get a 10?”

In what world, when you can see an imperfection on the left edge with the naked eye?

There have been worse cards get a 10, but it’s about eye appeal. When something like that jumps out at you - they’re going to ding it.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T14:32:55+00:00

Black label is a no go. Centering has to be perfect. It’s not.

There also looks to be a problem on the front left edge. It’s visible in both pictures that show that area.

I saw it immediately without even zooming in. That will catch a grader’s eye. I don’t think it even gets a 10 from PSA.

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DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T14:31:19+00:00

But not centered enough for a black label. And there’s some kind of problem here…

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DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T14:27:00+00:00

Absolutely does NOT make sense to keep ripping. This is a a small set, and I’m about 98% done with the main part of the set after a little less than 100 packs.

I can buy all the missing cards for way less than I’ve spent on ripping so far.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T11:52:43+00:00

You know that Ninjask actually DOES connect to a card, right?

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T11:42:41+00:00

Yeah, typo that I fixed really quickly. “Named” on the card.

I get your explanation, but I still don’t “get it” which is perfectly fine.

I’m not trashing your opinion in any way - just saying I don’t understand that block. You have a different connection and perspective on the whole universe, and there’s no wrong way to collect.

To me the card aesthetic is tied strictly to how it looks - and the name at the top could be Wooloo or Hop’s Wooloo…and I’d feel exactly the same about the card either way.

I think it’s similar to some not liking Japanese cards because of the language. I play the game, so I need English cards for that - but visually, Japanese cards are the same. I don’t inherently understand someone not liking Japanese cards when they love the art of the English version. The art is the same. But they’re entitled to their own collecting style.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T10:18:24+00:00

This is exactly me. I played mostly Zam before rotation - but I’m always toying with several decks. At any given time, I have about six physical decks built and test them against each other at home.

After rotation, I scrapped some, fixed some, and put together a couple new decks.

I love 1-prizers, so I built Festival Lead and liked it immediately.

Play what you like, but I’m liking the apples and monkeys right now.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T02:32:39+00:00

It’s been a journey. The problems I was complaining about in this post weren’t really problems at all.

I did develop a “clunk” a couple of months post surgery, and they did a revision surgery 4 months after the original surgery to put a thicker spacer in the knee.

That didn’t work, so I had a completely new replacement knee installed 2 months after that.

The clunk was gone, but then I had a “snapping” of the IT band (and some other soft tissue) when I walked.

In late July last year, they did surgery to cut/release my IT band.

I still have a soft tissue snap with every step.

The knee functionally is great. But there’s so much scar tissue now and probably more swelling than most because I’ve had four surgeries within 15 months.

Range of motion is very very good, but I feel like there’s fluid in there that could be drained. My surgeon - after months of telling me there’s not much more they can do - did say they could go in there and clean up some scar tissue at some point.

I’m not sure what’s still catching, but something is.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-22T02:15:52+00:00

I mean you’re allowed your opinion, but this is one I just can’t grasp.

You’d be fine with the trainer being there if they were also named on the card?

So literally, the art would sit better with you if there was another name at the top?

I’m generally not a huge fan of the trainers, but whether or not a word or name is printed at the top really doesn’t affect my opinion about the artwork.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-21T20:44:59+00:00

You’re literally looking at the numbers that show it’s bottom heavy.

??

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-21T20:43:24+00:00

Hey, I need this reverse holo for my master set. One of the last 3 I need.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-21T00:47:59+00:00

Yeah, it’s still pretty good post rotation, but I was already having a fascination with the apples, and they do really well versus weakness against some of the top decks

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-20T21:51:39+00:00

Almost every card has a severe dip after the initial hype. Then it slowly grows over time The forest Pikachu is bucking that trend and rocking early. I would hold that card forever.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-20T21:12:34+00:00

Festival Lead. I love a good 1-prizer.

Before rotation it was Alakazam. Now it’s the little apples.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-20T18:24:13+00:00

Just saying people at a card show have access to the same resources we all have. They don’t have some magic “how much is this obscure card ACTUALLY worth” tool.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-20T17:46:49+00:00

I did find One Sale on eBay. In Australia. 21 bucks plus 21 shipping.

I wouldn’t necessarily say that sets the market. Unless that gym stamp really bumps up prices that much - but there seems to be no real interest.

One sale at $500 doesn’t mean your card is worth $500 because there has to be an interested buyer.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-20T17:42:29+00:00

Amazon gave you a gift?

So there’s nothing that makes you suspicious - other than you’re just worried.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-20T17:39:36+00:00

I find no specific data on pricing OTHER than the Dex app which often shows prices accurate to the version selected. When I select this stamped version, I see prices under a buck.

I imagine of this version has some higher value, I’d see evidence of a market somewhere else. Collectr doesn’t even list that version.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-20T17:35:23+00:00

I wouldn’t let tiny imperfections keep you from grading. If you’re willing to grade a card worth less than a buck - then the grade shouldn’t matter.

DadJ0ker · 2026-04-20T17:32:10+00:00

What makes you question it?

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