Murkrow Art Echoes Past Generations in Pokémon TCG

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Murkrow card art from Unified Minds by Nagimiso

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Artistic nods to past generations: Murkrow’s Midnight Memorial in the Pokémon TCG

In the sprawling history of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, certain artworks become quiet time machines—bridges that connect today’s battles to the day-one nostalgia many players treasure. The Murkrow from Unified Minds (SM11) is one such piece. Crafted by the illustrator Nagimiso, this Basic Darkness-type card stands as a small, glossy token of memory, a reminder that the game’s art frequently speaks in familiar, beloved motifs while still feeling fresh enough to spark new strategies. The image captures Murkrow in a poised, almost conspiratorial moment, its edges softened with a painterly touch that invites fans to replay familiar winged silhouettes from generations past. It’s not just a creature with a move; it’s a tribute to the long arc of Murkrow’s presence in the TCG—an echo of the late-night silhouettes we’ve known since the early days of the hobby. ⚡🔥

Meet the card: a concise snapshot from Unified Minds

The card exists in several print variants—normal, reverse, and holo—reflecting the collector’s desire to chase that glimmer of holofoil while still appreciating the original line work. Murkrow stands as a Basic Pokémon with 70 HP, belonging to the Darkness type family. Its official rarity is Common, making it a familiar staple in many decks and a perfect centerpiece for lessons on disruption and tempo. The illustrator is Nagimiso, whose signature style lends the artwork a nostalgic warmth that resonates with generations of players who grew up alongside Murkrow’s shadowy charm. The set, Unified Minds (SM11), is identified by its logo and symbol—subtle science-fiction/superhero vibes that pair nicely with Murkrow’s misdirection theme. The card’s card number is 128, a detail that matters to completionists who catalog every release by set and sequence.

  • Type: Darkness
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 70
  • Attack: Astonish
  • Attack Cost: Darkness
  • Attack Effect: Choose a random card from your opponent’s hand. Your opponent reveals that card and shuffles it into their deck.
  • Weakness: Lightning ×2
  • Resistance: Fighting −20
  • Retreat Cost: 1
  • Legal: Expanded only (not standard)
  • Illustrator: nagimiso
  • Variants: normal, reverse, holo

From a gameplay perspective, Astonish is a compact but cunning tool. For opponents who live on a well-tuned, hand-dependent plan—whether it leans into draw support, special conditions, or set-up acceleration—the ability to reveal and shuffle a card back into the deck can disrupt timing and tempo. Murkrow’s low HP and the lack of a defensive energy attachment window mean it shines when used as a cagey early pick or a mid-game pivot that buys space for bigger threats to set up. The weakness to Lightning introduces a precise risk profile; in a meta where Electric-type decks push forward with fast, high-damage strategies, Murkrow becomes a small but meaningful clock that can force an awkward matchup dynamic. And with a −20 resistance to Fighting, it’s not a frontline powerhouse, but a bruiser that thrives when grown under the right training wheels. 🎴

Strategic flavor: how to weave Murkrow into your expanded-only dark-and-disruption builds

Despite its modest HP, Murkrow’s Astonish invites players to think in terms of tempo, control, and misdirection. A common pairing is to lay a path of forced hand knowledge while your other attackers press the tempo. In Expanded formats, where the card’s legal window remains open, Murkrow can be a quiet anchor in decks built around disruption—or in decks that leverage the opponent’s hand as a resource to be pried open. The card’s 1 Retreat cost makes it a flexible early-game tester: if you can keep Murkrow safe while you assemble a plan, that single discard-through-shuffle can derail your opponent’s plan just long enough for your primary attackers to seize initiative. And let’s not overlook the art’s storytelling value; when a Murkrow card hits the board, players recall the countless nights they spent building, trading, and trading again, chasing that perfect holo or signature silhouette. The design balance—modest HP, a clever single attack, and a subtle cost—embodies the feel of classic disruption decks while still inviting modern refinements. ⚡💎

“The shadowy elegance of Murkrow’s art reminds us that strategy in this game is as much about timing as it is about power.” — a collector’s note on nostalgia and play

For builders curious about market curiosity, Murkrow’s price spectrum reflects its status as both a playable disruptor and a nostalgic centerpiece. The CardMarket data suggests an average price around 0.12 EUR for typical non-holo copies, with holo variants commanding higher interest that can reach around 0.27 EUR on average. On TCGPlayer, the normal non-holo market shows a low around $0.05 and a mid around $0.20, while holo or reverse-holo copies trend higher, sometimes peaking near $1.49 in broader markets—an attractive, budget-conscious entry point for collectors who prize artistry and the thrill of expansion-era nostalgia. The takeaway for collectors is clear: Murkrow’s charm isn’t solely in its power on the table; it’s in the story of its printings, the artist’s signature, and the way it connects decades of fans. 🔥

As you weave Murkrow into decks, consider how the art itself becomes a talking point. The design nods to generations past—while the card’s mechanical footprint belongs to the present expanded format—encouraging a dialogue between nostalgia and experimentation. The in-hand feel of Nagimiso’s work, the contrast between the deep blacks of Darkness and the soft glow of the holo variants, all contribute to a layered experience: a moment where strategy, memory, and collecting converge in a single card. For players and collectors alike, Murkrow offers a compact, flavorful package that turns a routine match into a story you’ll want to tell at the card shop, the convention hall, or your next online trade. 🎨🎮

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