Groudon 017/025 Celebrations Holo – Card Review, Value & TCG Strategy
This listing for Groudon 017/025 Rare Celebrations Pokémon Holo Near Mint offers a budget-friendly way to pick up one of the more iconic Legendary Pokémon from the Pokémon TCG: Celebrations mini-set. Whether you’re building a master set of Celebrations, rounding out a Legendary-themed binder, or just love Hoenn-era nostalgia, this Groudon card is a solid pickup.
| Card Name | Groudon |
|---|---|
| Set | Celebrations (25th Anniversary subset) |
| Card Number | 017/025 |
| Rarity | Rare Holo |
| Condition (Listing) | Near Mint (Ungraded) |
| TCG Type | Fighting-type (in the TCG) |
| Listing Price | $1.99 USD (at time of listing) |
The seller describes this copy as Near Mint and it appears to be an ungraded raw card, which is ideal if you’re looking for near mint Pokémon cards to play with or display without paying grading premiums.
Overview of Groudon 017/025 from Celebrations
Pokémon TCG: Celebrations released in 2021 as part of the franchise’s 25th anniversary. The mini-set features 25 main cards plus an additional “Classic Collection” reprint subset. This Groudon is part of the core 017/025 cards, not the reprint section, which means its art and mechanics were created specifically for the anniversary release.
In the TCG, Groudon is typically represented as a Fighting-type Pokémon rather than pure Fire, capturing its Ground typing from the video games. While the exact attacks and abilities of 017/025 can’t be quoted here without direct card text, Groudon cards usually emphasize powerful but energy-heavy attacks and synergies with Fighting or Ground-themed strategies.
The Celebrations main set cards are characterized by a uniform holo pattern, silver borders, and a small 25th anniversary Pikachu logo on the card, making them instantly recognizable in a binder or deck. This Groudon follows that pattern, giving it a visually consistent look alongside other Celebrations cards like Kyogre, Yveltal, and Reshiram.
Because Celebrations was a limited anniversary release, sealed product has gradually dried up, and singles like this Groudon 017/025 holo are a convenient way to plug holes in your set without chasing sealed boxes.
Card Artwork & Design: Why This Groudon Stands Out
While everyone has their own taste in Pokémon card art, Groudon’s Celebrations appearance offers a nice mix of nostalgia, dynamic posing, and the modern holofoil style that many collectors enjoy. The card features:
- Legendary presence – Groudon is usually depicted as massive and imposing, and this card continues that tradition with a powerful stance.
- Anniversary branding – the special 25th anniversary logo helps this card visually stand out from regular Sword & Shield-era holos.
- Full holo background – as with other Celebrations rares, the entire background gets a strong reflective treatment that catches the light in a binder or display case.
For collectors building a dedicated Hoenn Legendary binder page, this Groudon pairs well with Celebrations Kyogre and other Groudon prints from older sets. The consistent size (standard Pokémon TCG card dimensions) makes it easy to sleeve and store with your other collectible Pokémon cards.
Visually, Celebrations cards tend to appeal to both modern and older fans. The simpler layout, minimal set size, and consistent holo pattern make it feel more like classic EX-era and early WOTC cards than some of the busier, full-art modern prints.
If you enjoy holo cards that look good even from a distance in a nine-pocket page, this Groudon 017/025 fits that role well as a centerpiece on a Hoenn- or Legendary-themed spread.
Groudon in the Pokémon Anime & Lore
To fully appreciate this card, it helps to remember who Groudon is in the broader Pokémon universe. Groudon is the Legendary Pokémon associated with land and drought, first introduced in the Generation III games (Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire). In the lore, Groudon battles Kyogre for control over the world’s land and sea, with Rayquaza acting as the mediator.
In the anime, Groudon appears in several storylines, particularly within the Hoenn saga. One of the most memorable appearances involves the Team Magma vs. Team Aqua arc, where both villainous teams try to awaken Groudon and Kyogre to reshape the world. These episodes highlighted Groudon’s:
- Massive size compared to humans and regular Pokémon
- Earth-shattering power, using moves like Earthquake and Solar Beam in the games and associated media
- Primal form (Primal Groudon) in later game and anime material, further amplifying its destructive potential
For anime fans, the 017/025 Celebrations card can feel like a small tribute to those dramatic Hoenn episodes. The card doesn’t explicitly reference specific anime scenes, but the overall design taps into that image of Groudon as a fearsome, ancient Legendary shaping continents.
Having a holo version of Groudon in your binder can be a nice reminder of those story arcs, especially if you watched the Hoenn seasons or played the remakes Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, where Groudon again took center stage.
Collector Appeal: Is Groudon 017/025 Worth Picking Up?
From a collector’s point of view, this Groudon 017/025 Rare Celebrations Holo is not an ultra-high-end card, but it fills an important niche in both Celebrations and Groudon-focused collections. Here’s why it’s worth considering:
1. Completing a Celebrations Master Set
The Celebrations main set only has 25 cards, which makes it attractive to completionist collectors. Many players pulled plenty of Pikachu and Professor’s Research, but might be missing specific Legendaries like Groudon. Singles like this listing are one of the easiest ways to fill those gaps.
Because it’s part of the standard 017/025 numbering, any serious Celebrations set collector will eventually need a copy of this card. Picking it up at a modest price point around $1.99 USD (as listed) can be far cheaper than chasing random Celebrations packs, which have gone up in price as sealed product becomes scarcer.
2. Legendary & Hoenn-Themed Collections
Many collectors like to create thematic pages in their binders—for example, a page of all Groudon cards across multiple eras, or a spread of Hoenn Legendaries. Since Celebrations is a 25th anniversary set, this Groudon acts as a modern tribute print, slotting nicely alongside older EX-era or e-Reader Groudon cards.
Because the card is a holo rare, it still feels special and “Legendary” without carrying the premium cost of full-art or ultra-rare versions. If you’re just getting into collecting Legendary Pokémon cards without breaking the bank, this is a good starting point.
3. Condition: Near Mint (Ungraded)
The seller describes this copy as Near Mint. In the Pokémon TCG community, “Near Mint” typically means:
- Very light to no visible wear on the front
- Minor to no whitening on edges or corners
- No major creases, dents, or scratches
Because condition standards can vary slightly from seller to seller, it’s always wise to inspect the provided images and make your own judgment. This listing appears to offer a clean copy suitable for both casual display and play, but if you intend to grade the card, consider that “Near Mint” in raw form does not guarantee a specific PSA or CGC grade.
That said, building a binder of Pokémon TCG singles in Near Mint condition is a great way to preserve value over time, especially for anniversary sets like Celebrations.
Market Value & Price Considerations
The listing price for this Groudon 017/025 Celebrations holo is shown as $1.99 USD at the time of the product information. For a Legendary holo from a limited anniversary set, this is a relatively low barrier to entry.
Values of Celebrations singles tend to depend on several factors:
- Popularity of the Pokémon – Pikachu and Charizard usually command higher prices; Groudon is popular but more niche.
- Playability – cards that see frequent competitive play have inflated demand.
- Print volume – main-set Celebrations cards were widely opened, which keeps many of them affordable.
- Condition and grading – PSA/BGS 10 copies can command a premium over raw Near Mint cards.
This Groudon is more of a collector-focused, affordable Legendary holo than a speculative investment piece. If your goal is to hold sealed product or chase extremely rare alt arts for long-term appreciation, this card is more likely to be a fun, low-cost addition rather than a cornerstone of an investment portfolio.
However, the fact that it belongs to a 25th anniversary set does give it some long-term appeal, especially for completionists who might be filling out their collections years down the line.
Gameplay & Deck Strategy: How Usable Is Groudon 017/025?
Celebrations was designed more as a commemorative set than a fully competitive one, but several cards from the mini-set do see niche play. Groudon 017/025 fits primarily into casual and theme-style decks rather than top-tier competitive archetypes.
In the Pokémon TCG, Groudon cards generally share a few gameplay characteristics:
- High damage potential at the cost of significant Energy requirements
- Synergy with Fighting-type support cards (damage boosts, Energy acceleration)
- Often mid-to-high HP for a Basic Legendary, making them relatively tanky attackers
Celebrations Groudon likely follows these design principles, meaning it can be a fun, hard-hitting attacker in casual Fighting decks but may not be optimized for top-tier tournament play compared to modern V, VMAX, VSTAR, or ex cards.
Where this card shines is in thematic or budget decks. If you enjoy building decks around Legendary trios, Hoenn themes, or purely for kitchen-table gameplay, this Groudon fits nicely without costing much.
Potential Synergies in Casual Play
Without quoting specific text, we can still talk about general synergies for Groudon-style Fighting attackers in the Pokémon TCG:
- Damage boosters – cards that increase Fighting-type damage can turn Groudon into a one-hit knockout machine against Weak targets.
- Energy acceleration – if Groudon’s attacks are expensive, pairing it with Energy acceleration or Energy recycling can help get it attacking sooner.
- Bench damage or spread – some Groudon cards interact with multiple targets; in casual meta, this can quickly overwhelm weaker decks.
If you and your friends play with a mix of Celebrations cards and older sets, Groudon 017/025 can function as a flavorful finisher that fits the Legendary theme while still contributing meaningful damage in play.
Players who enjoy slightly slower, high-impact strategies often gravitate toward Legendary Basics like Groudon, as they feel thematic and satisfying when they finally hit the board fully powered.
Who Should Buy This Groudon Celebrations Card?
This specific listing for Groudon 017/025 Rare Celebrations Pokémon Holo Near Mint is well-suited to a few types of buyers:
1. Celebrations Set Collectors
If you’re missing Groudon from your Celebrations binder, this is a straightforward, inexpensive way to grab it. With Celebrations packs no longer widely available at retail, singles are the most sensible path to completion.
2. Groudon & Hoenn Fans
Fans of the Hoenn region, Pokémon Ruby, or the anime’s Team Magma storyline will likely appreciate this Legendary’s presence in their collection. Building a page with Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza from different sets is a fun way to visually revisit that era.
If you already own older Groudon cards, adding the 25th anniversary version provides a nice chronological anchor for your collection.
3. Casual & Kitchen-Table Players
For players who primarily battle friends at home or in local casual scenes, this Groudon provides:
- A thematic, Legendary attacker
- Reasonable cost for a holo rare
- A fun way to experiment with Fighting-type or Legendary archetypes
Even if it doesn’t define competitive metagames, the card still holds gameplay value in low-pressure environments, especially when combined with other Fighting support and anniversary-themed decks.
4. New Collectors Building Their First Binders
If you’re embarking on your first serious Pokémon binder and want a mix of beloved characters without spending too much per card, this Groudon is a good candidate. It checks several boxes:
- Legendary Pokémon
- Holographic rare
- From a special anniversary set
- Described as Near Mint
Adding pieces like this alongside other collectible Pokémon cards from Celebrations and mainline sets helps create a binder that feels both personal and historically connected to the franchise’s 25th anniversary.
How to Store & Protect Your Groudon Celebrations Card
Since the listing notes the card is Near Mint, it makes sense to preserve that condition as much as possible once you receive it. Here are some basic protection tips:
- Use penny sleeves – soft card sleeves are the first line of defense against scratches.
- Add a top loader or binder page – for extra rigidity, especially during transport or trade.
- Avoid direct sunlight – long-term exposure can fade colors over time.
- Keep away from moisture and extreme heat – warping and humidity damage are common issues for cards stored improperly.
If you plan on playing with the card regularly, double-sleeving (a perfect-fit inner sleeve plus a standard outer sleeve) can be a good idea. For display-only cards, a clean nine-pocket binder page is usually sufficient and also lets you enjoy the holo pattern easily.
Storing all of your Near Mint Celebrations cards together can create a very visually appealing section of your binder, with Groudon taking a central spot among other Legendary holos.
Buying from an eBay Store vs Single-Card Sellers
This Groudon listing is part of an eBay store inventory rather than a one-off personal sale. Purchasing from a dedicated store like Pokeferh often has a few advantages:
- More singles in one place – you can often combine shipping on multiple Pokémon cards at once.
- Consistent grading standards – stores typically use repeatable grading criteria for conditions like Near Mint.
- Better packaging – established sellers usually know how to ship cards safely.
Browsing an entire store’s stock lets you quickly add additional Pokémon TCG singles to your cart, potentially including other Celebrations cards, bulk holos, or more Legendary-themed pieces for your collection or deck-building projects.
If you’re building a full Celebrations set, it can be particularly helpful to source several missing cards from the same seller, both to save on postage and to receive cards that are graded on a similar condition curve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Groudon 017/025 from Celebrations a rare card?
Groudon 017/025 is classified as a Rare Holo in the Celebrations mini-set. It isn’t ultra-rare like some secret rares or classic reprints, but as a Legendary holo from a limited anniversary set, it still holds collectible appeal.
Is this Groudon Celebrations card good in competitive play?
Celebrations was not primarily designed for top-tier competition, and Groudon 017/025 is generally more of a casual or thematic play card. It can be fun and powerful in kitchen-table decks, but serious tournament players often favor more efficient modern attackers.
What does Near Mint condition usually mean for Pokémon cards?
Near Mint typically indicates a card with very minor or no visible wear: clean surfaces, sharp corners, and minimal whitening. There may be tiny imperfections under close inspection, but nothing major like creases or heavy scratches. Always review listing photos to confirm the condition meets your expectations.
Does the Groudon 017/025 card have the 25th anniversary logo?
Yes, cards from the main Celebrations set, including Groudon 017/025, feature the 25th anniversary Pikachu logo, making them instantly recognizable as part of the 2021 anniversary release.
Is this listing graded by PSA, BGS, or another grading company?
No. The product details indicate the card is Ungraded and described as Near Mint. That means it is a raw card, not encapsulated or given a numerical grade by third-party grading services.
Is this a good card for new Pokémon TCG collectors?
Yes. At a relatively low price and with a Legendary Pokémon from a special anniversary set, Groudon 017/025 is a strong choice for new or returning collectors who want something iconic and holographic without investing heavily.
Can I play this card in modern Standard format?
Format legality changes over time as sets rotate out. Celebrations was Standard-legal when first released, but you should check the current Pokémon TCG rotation rules or official resources to confirm whether this card remains legal in Standard or is now limited to Expanded and casual formats.
How should I store this Groudon card to keep it Near Mint?
Use a soft sleeve, optionally followed by a rigid toploader or binder page. Keep the card away from direct sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Proper storage will help maintain its Near Mint condition over the long term.
Is this card likely to increase in value?
It’s hard to predict future prices. As a Legendary holo from a 25th anniversary set, it has steady collector demand, but it is also not extremely scarce. Consider this card primarily as a fun, nostalgic addition to your collection rather than a guaranteed investment.
Where can I find more Celebrations singles and near mint Pokémon cards?
You can explore additional Celebrations cards and other near mint Pokémon cards by browsing dedicated eBay stores such as Pokeferh, which stocks a variety of Pokémon TCG singles for collectors and players.
