Pokemon that peaked with their rookie card

[genchiro]

Unpopular opinion. Almost all alt arts beat their rookie cards.

[bigmoneyflameboi]

[wisewailmer]

I knew it was a matter of time lol. The Charizard I thought I’d get some contention on but not yet. I’m not gonna lie and say the brilliant stars zard is not amazing. I’d put it at #3 best looking zard probably tied with ex dragon

[eeveeteam]

It’s not about the size of the art. Half art can do just as good of a job as the full art. Some even prefer the smaller art

[Dyl]

It’s hard for me to believe that these Japanese promos are somehow lesser than the Base Set art.

[genchiro]

Definitely

if ignore my nostalgia and try to look at the Art objectively. Dyl already made some good points for that argument .

[wisewailmer]

idk the first one looks extra derp and the last one is alright but nothing crazy. middle one is my 2nd fav art, but despite base being background-less i still think it nails the mood and biology of charizard

[Rattlesnake]

Depending if we’re counting dark/light variants here are my picks:

[bk2021]

Nah, I’d say that the Espeon and Umbreon from Discovery are some of the strongest rookie cards. The mood they illicit transcends nostalgia unlike many of the other rookie cards from the WOTC era.

[wooltchi]

Generally the first card to appear in the set is considered the rookie. So t17 is considered the rookie instead of 18 for typhlosion.

[wadeit0ut]

If we are talking art wise and being honest I don’t know how the recent illustration rares don’t slay these.

[Schileru]

[lamplamp]

@Dyl @wisewailmer great points I think the gap between the Flareon rookie card and some of the ones you both posted is pretty narrow (Flareon V Alt Art is my second favorite) but I think the rookie can’t be beat

[bbobrob]

@eeveeteam

It’s not about the size of the art. Half art can do just as good of a job as the full art. Some even prefer the smaller art

@eeveeteam is right. The best Charizard art is perhaps the smallest of them all.

[MoistureDisgustsMe]

[MoistureDisgustsMe]

Personal opinion but I feel like the eCard McDonald’s Umbreon is superior - even though it’s during the day and without the moon.

It has a real Hayao Miyazaki vibe to it:

[Dyl]

How could I forget ! Honestly one of the best Dragonite artworks and evolution lines ever made.

[eeveeteam]

I like the McDonalds Umbreon. But I love the glow of Umbreon at night. Karen’s Umbreon is S tier for that

[xileets]

I disagree with mawile, charizard, and sableye.
I went and looked at a visual list of cards in order, and decided that way…
These are some of my picks to add to your list, Wailmer:

• I figured I’d throw a trainer card in the mix: Switch has never been more appropriate, but maybe it’s Gen Wunner nostalgia.
• Electrode is a simple CG sphere, as this pokemon is a physical ball, and the 90s CG background is super fitting.
• Haunter was a big surprise for me, but for some reason, that OG CG is just superb. Maybe it’s the pose, but no other haunter really feels more like “haunter” and nails the execution, maybe when Kwayoo does it.
• Manetric has a weird shape that makes it kinda odd to draw, BUT Arita picked an angle that minimizes it’s forehead, and the lightning and glare are badass!
• Also, funny I didn’t realize until after, but all my picks are either CG, Arita, and the one Komiya. haha figures.

[LM23]

Great card, e-series has such a unique vibe. But Umbreon in daylight just doesn’t feel right to me