Honchkrow Rarity Tiers Explained: Pulls, Value, Grading

In TCG ·

Honchkrow card art from Supreme Victors (pl3-29) illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Rarity Tiers for Honchkrow: Pulls, Value, and Grading

In the Pokémon TCG, rarity isn't just a badge on a card—it's a gateway to what you can pull from a booster, how a card might perform in markets, and how collectors frame a card's story. Honchkrow, a Dark-type guy from the Steam of Supreme Victors, showcases how rarity tiers shaped both play and collecting long after its release. This particular iteration, pl3-29, is a rare Stage 1 card illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita. Its glossy presentation, when found as a holo or a reverse holo, adds a layer of prestige that enthusiasts chase while debating value and preservation. ⚡🔥

Card snapshot: what you’re really getting

  • Name: Honchkrow
  • Set: Supreme Victors (pl3)
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Murkrow)
  • HP: 90
  • Type: Darkness
  • Illustrator: Mitsuhiro Arita
  • Attack: Riot — costs Darkness + Colorless + Colorless; deals 30 damage plus 10 more for each non-evolved Pokémon in play
  • Ability: Darkness Restore (Poke-Power) — once per turn (if Honchkrow is active and the opponent’s Bench isn’t full), you may search your opponent’s discard pile for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto their Bench
  • Weakness: Lightning +20
  • Resistance: Fighting −20
  • Retreat Cost: 1
  • Variations: Normal, Holo, Reverse
  • Legal (for formats): Standard/Expanded not applicable to this vintage card; its play era is historical

Honchkrow’s rarity isn’t just about a single print run. The Supreme Victors line (pl3) shipped with a mix of normal and holo variants, plus reverse hollows, which is central to how collectors evaluate pull density. The card’s rarity tier—Rare—signals that pulls are less common than Commons and Uncommons, but the exact odds shift depending on whether you chase the holo or reverse-holo versions. In an era where “pulls” were a hot topic, the holographic treatment often commanded a premium, especially when the card features notable artwork by a renowned artist like Arita. 🎴

Strategy and nostalgia: how Honchkrow plays today

While the game has evolved since Supreme Victors, Honchkrow’s toolkit still sparks discussion among players who enjoy semi-scrapbook archetypes from the mid-2000s. The Riot attack’s strength scales with the number of non-evolved Pokémon on the field—meaning your late-game board state can push the damage to surprising heights. In practice, you’d pair Honchkrow with a pivot strategy: use Darkness Restore to disturb your opponent’s bench by pulling Basic Pokémon from their discard pile, then pressure with Riot when you’ve built a critical mix of non-evolved and evolved threats. The ability’s caveat—cannot be used if Honchkrow is affected by a Special Condition—adds a layer of timing and protection that seasoned players love to test. ⚡💎

From a collector’s viewpoint, the rarity tier matters because it informs both the likelihood of pulling a copy and the potential for future value. If you’re pursuing a holo copy, you’re chasing a card with not only stronger esthetic appeal but a more substantial premium when market interest spikes. Honchkrow’s stage-one evolution also ties into the nostalgia of evolve-from-Murkrow narratives and the lore of the Dark-type era, making it a favorite for those who collect around the duskier corners of the PTCG timeline. 🔥

Grading, condition, and value: what matters most

Grading can transform a casual relic into a centerpiece of a collection. When you send a holo Honchkrow to PSA, BGS, or CGC, a high-grade copy—near mint to mint—can command a premium above non-graded or lower-graded examples. The condition of the holo surface, centering, edge wear, and factory gloss all factor into the final grade. In the market, rarity tier interacts with grade: a rare holo in pristine condition often outsizes a common holo in similar condition, while reverse hollows can fetch surprisingly solid prices in top grades depending on demand and population. For this Honchkrow, a holo version from this era benefits from its illustrated art and its historical footprint, making a high-grade copy a favorite for modern collectors who chase vintage allure. 💎🎨

Market snapshots offer practical context for pricing. CardMarket data shows a nuanced picture: an average price of roughly 0.47 EUR for standard copies, with a low around 0.25 EUR. The holo variants trend higher, averaging around 0.57 EUR, with similar floor levels. The 30-day horizons can swing the trend numbers, but the holo path consistently carries a premium over non-holo copies. As of late 2025, these figures reflect the card’s stable, modest vintage market—priced more for nostalgia and collection completeness than for explosive gains. Still, pristine holo copies in a graded slab can attract attention from dedicated enthusiasts who prize era-specific artistry and the card’s rugged charm. 🧭💬

Collector tips: chase the right version

  • Prioritize holo or reverse-holo pristine copies for display and value potential; condition is king for older sets.
  • Consider the set context: Supreme Victors’ pl3 print run yielded a mix of normal and holo prints, so research your target variant before purchasing.
  • Account for grading costs and turnaround times when budgeting for a high-grade Honchkrow; the boost in value can offset fees, especially for prized prints.
  • Keep an eye on market fluctuations via CardMarket and similar trackers; even modest shifts in demand for vintage Dark-type cards can impact prices across the holo spectrum.

If you’re building a Dark-type-themed display or curating a vintage lineup that highlights Mistyhiro Arita’s evocative art, Honchkrow stands as a memorable centerpiece. The card’s aura—both in-play strategy and collecting lore—reflects a pivot point in the hobby where rarity, artistry, and playcraft collided in a way fans still discuss with a smile. ⚡🎴

Looking to protect more than just your memories? Check out a sleek way to carry your everyday tech with the product below. It’s a stylish, durable companion for fans on the go:

Slim Lexan Phone Case – Glossy Ultra-Thin for iPhone 16

More from our network