Murkrow Market Value and Long-Term TCG Investment for Collectors

In TCG ·

Murkrow SM2-78 card artwork illustrated by Sekio from Guardians Rising

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Murkrow: Market Value and Long-Term Investment Potential

In the sprawling universe of the Pokémon TCG, some cards quietly anchor a collector’s portfolio while delivering genuine board-game utility in the right decks. Murkrow, a Dark-type Basic from the Guardians Rising line (SM2), is one such card. At a modest 70 HP and a straightforward, utility-driven attack, this little Dark-type flier captures a curious balance between playable value and steady, long-term collectability. For fans who chase affordable entry points with potential upside, Murkrow offers a compelling case study in how rarity, variant options, and flavor of the artwork combine to shape a card’s investment trajectory. ⚡💎

Card snapshot: what this Murkrow brings to the table

  • Name: Murkrow
  • Set: Guardians Rising (SM2)
  • Rarity: Common (with holo, reverse holo, and normal variants available)
  • Type: Darkness
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 70
  • Attack: Whirlwind — {Darkness} cost, 10 damage; effect: Your opponent switches their Active Pokémon with 1 of their Benched Pokémon.
  • Weakness: Lightning ×2
  • Resistance: Fighting -20
  • Retreat: 1
  • Illustrator: Sekio
  • Legal formats: Expanded only in current legality (standard play not allowed for this card in recent rotations)

From a gameplay standpoint, Murkrow’s Whirlwind offers a disruptive, tempo-based tool. In decks built around bench manipulation or as a small nuisance in a wider strategy, the ability to force a bench swap can derail an opponent’s plan just long enough to set up a follow-up play. It’s not a bulky attacker by any means, but in the right niche, that 10 extra damage and the forced swap can swing momentum during tight matches. The card’s low HP and modest stats reinforce that Murkrow is a situational pick rather than a raw power creature, which mirrors its market profile as a budget-friendly but aspirational piece for collectors who value variant diversity and a dash of nostalgia. 🎴🎨

Marketplace dynamics: what the data suggests for the long view

Price data paints Murkrow as a classic example of a budget entry that has the potential to appreciate with time, especially in holo and reverse-holo forms. Across major marketplaces, you’ll find that the non-holo Murkrow from Guardians Rising tends to sit in the low-cent to low-tens of cents range in USD and EUR on average, reflecting its common status. On CardMarket, the non-holo average price hovers around 0.05 EUR, with a low of about 0.02 EUR and a gentle positive trend around 0.12. For holo variants, the numbers are modest but more telling: an average around 0.27 EUR and a trend near 0.23, with holo high prices spiking up to near 1.50 USD in some listings. The TCGPlayer snapshot shows an even more nuanced picture: non-holo normal pricing around a low of 0.01 USD and a mid of 0.16 USD, with highs approaching 1.49 USD for the top end; reverse-holofoil copies command higher highs in the market, with highs around 1.50 USD and a mid-price in the 0.35–0.39 USD range, depending on condition and seller. These figures underscore a few key themes. First, the base card remains readily accessible, making it a low-barrier purchase for new collectors. Second, holo and reverse-holo copies provide notable uplift potential, driven by scarcity of premium variants and collector interest. Finally, steady market activity in recent months signals a healthy, if modest, appetite for Guardians Rising-era cards even as rotations shift formats. 💎

  • CardMarket (non-holo): avg ~0.05 EUR; low ~0.02 EUR; trend ~0.12
  • CardMarket (holo): avg ~0.27 EUR; trend ~0.23
  • TCGPlayer (non-holo): low ~0.01 USD; mid ~0.16 USD; high ~1.49 USD; market ~0.14 USD; directLow ~0.03 USD
  • TCGPlayer (reverse holo): low ~0.11 USD; mid ~0.35 USD; high ~1.50 USD; market ~0.39 USD; direct ~0.33 USD
  • Overall takeaway: while the base card remains highly affordable, premium variants (holo and reverse holo) offer measurable upside for patient collectors excited by variant-attracting nostalgia and set completion goals.

What does this mean for a long-term strategy? If you’re building a modest, diversified collection with a focus on variant variety, Murkrow stands out as a prudent anchor. It’s easy to acquire, unlikely to flood the market in a way that depresses value, and it carries the charm of a classic artwork by Sekio within Guardians Rising’ s reflective, darker aura. The expanded-legal status hints that it’s a card most likely to remain in circulation among long-term collectors rather than surge into hyper-competitive formats or modern decks. That stability is precisely the kind of foundation that helps a collection weather market cycles. ⚡🔥

Collector notes: art, lore, and the collectible appeal

Beyond raw numbers, Murkrow’s value for many fans comes from its place in the Guardians Rising era and the artistry of Sekio. Visual appeal matters in the world of PSA-graded gems and beautifully centered holo prints. The set itself carries a memorable aesthetic—an atmosphere that many players remember fondly as a turning point in the early 2010s-to-2020s TCG timeline. Reverse holo and holo versions celebrate that artistry in a way that often translates into higher resale ceilings, even for a commonly printed creature. For fans who chase the older, pre-rotations era more than competition power, Murkrow’s lineage makes it a natural candidate for long-term holdings. When you pair the card’s lore with practical gameplay notes and clear market signals, you’ve got a well-rounded reason to keep an eye on Murkrow as years go by. 🎴🎨

Practical tips for keeping Murkrow in good shape

  • Shop for holo or reverse-holo variants if your budget allows; they tend to outperform non-holo copies over time.
  • Verify condition and centering—minty copies tend to hold value better than those with visible wear, especially for older sets.
  • Store away from direct sunlight and humidity to preserve the card’s border fidelity and gloss on holo prints.
  • Keep an eye on rotation and print runs; expanded-legal Murkrow cards can see different demand patterns as players explore legacy formats.
  • Consider bundling Murkrow with other Guardians Rising staples to attract future buyers who are building a set-focused collection.
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