Bibarel Lv.29 - Stormfront (Common) [60/100]

Name: Bibarel Lv.29 - Stormfront (Common) [60/100]
Brand: Momofthecircus
Availability: InStock

Bibarel Lv.29 Pokémon TCG card from the Stormfront set, featuring the Pokémon standing on water.

Estimated value

Up to $2

Rarity

Common(2/10)

COLLECTOR'S BREAKDOWN: BIBAREL LV.29 - STORMFRONT (COMMON) [60/100]

This is a Bibarel Lv.29 Pokémon trading card from the Plasma Storm expansion. It features the beaver-like Pokémon Bibarel, depicted as a Stage 1 evolution of Bidoof. The card includes the Poké-BODY 'Unaware' and the attacks 'Amnesia' and 'Surf'. As a Common rarity card, it's a foundational piece for players utilizing Water-type decks from its era.

CULTURAL CARD LORE

Where This Object Echoes

Japanese FolkloreTraditional to Modern

Bibarel's beaver-like appearance and its role in building are reminiscent of animal yokai in Japanese folklore that are often associated with natural elements and ingenuity.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•Pokémon TCG gameplay and deck building involve 'rituals' of strategy, card selection, and combination to create effective battling teams.
•Collecting and organizing Pokémon cards is a widespread 'ritual' among fans, often involving trading, displaying, and preserving cards.

Meaning Through Time

Early TCG era (Late 1990s - Early 2000s)

Initial cards were primarily about collecting and basic gameplay, with focus on the original 151 Pokémon.

Diamond & Pearl/Platinum era (Mid-Late 2000s)

Introduction of new mechanics like 'Lv.' cards and the 'Poké-Body' ability, emphasizing strategic depth and evolving gameplay.

CARD HISTORY & PRINT RUNS

The Lv.X mechanic and the 'Lv.' indicator on Pokémon names were present during the Diamond & Pearl and Platinum era of the Pokémon TCG, which is when the Stormfront set was released in North America in November 2008. This period brought new gameplay mechanics and continued the expansion of Pokémon introduced in the Sinnoh region, such as Bibarel. Stormfront was also notable for featuring several popular Pokémon and new Trainer cards, marking a significant point in the game's ongoing evolution.

COLLECTOR INTEL

Bibarel's design is inspired by beavers, known for their dam-building and engineering skills, which is reflected in its sturdy appearance and the 'Surf' attack.

The 'Unaware' ability, common to several Pokémon in the video games and often adapted to the TCG, prevents stat changes from affecting it, making Bibarel surprisingly resilient in certain situations.

HOW SCARCE IS IT?

Common20-40%

CommonLegendary

Older mass-produced items still widely available. Easy to find on eBay, antique malls, and estate sales in large quantities.

Typical Characteristics

Mass produced historically
High survival rate
Readily available everywhere

Confidence Factors

Common rarity card, less attractive for counterfeiting.
Visual style and card frame align with known Stormfront set designs.
No visible indicators of misprints or unusual manufacturing that would suggest a counterfeit.

How does authenticity detection work?

GRADING EXPERT'S TAKE

Trading Card Market Analyst

Card Specialist

Identification of the character, set, rarity, and number is clear from the visual evidence, which firmly establishes the card's identity. The condition assessment is limited by image resolution.

KEY EVIDENCE

1Card name: Bibarel Lv.29
2Set icon: Present, indicating the Stormfront expansion (stylized wave).
3Card number: 60/100, which confirms it as a Common card from Stormfront.
4HP value: 100 HP, typical for a Stage 1 Pokémon of its level and era.
5Artist credit: 'Kouki Saitou' is visible, a known Pokémon TCG artist.

UNCERTAINTIES

•The image quality is not high enough to fully assess surface condition for minor scratches or indentations.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Provide clearer, higher-resolution images of the front and back of the card.
→Include images taken under direct, angled light to reveal any surface imperfections or holo scratches.
→Measure and photograph the centering of the card's front and back borders.
→Check for any subtle bends or creases by viewing the card from the side.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

Based on the image, the card shows some corner wear, particularly on the top left. The surface appears relatively clean, but the image quality makes it difficult to assess for minor scratches or indentations. Overall, it seems to be in played or moderately played condition.

Surface

The card appears to have a standard glossy finish typical of Pokémon cards from this era. There doesn't seem to be a holographic pattern present, consistent with its Common rarity.