Arcanine 22/149 Reverse Holo (SM Base Set) – Full Collector & TCG Guide
If you love classic Kanto Fire-types, the Arcanine 22/149 Reverse Holo Holo Rare from the Sun & Moon Base Set is one of those cards that instantly catches the eye. This specific listing appears to offer the card in Near Mint condition and in its reverse holo variant, making it an attractive pickup for collectors, casual fans of the Pokémon anime, and TCG players who enjoy building Fire-type decks.
Below is a concise breakdown of the card’s essential details before we dive deeper into artwork, anime connections, value, and gameplay.
Arcanine 22/149 – Card Information
| Card Name | Arcanine |
|---|---|
| Set | Sun & Moon Base Set (SM Base) |
| Card Number | 22/149 |
| Rarity | Holo Rare (Reverse Holo version) |
| Type | Fire |
| HP | 130 |
| Stage | Stage 1 (evolves from Growlithe) |
| Language | English (based on SM Base print & listing description) |
| Finish | Reverse Holo Holo Rare |
| Approximate Release Year | 2017 |
| Listed Condition | Near Mint (ungraded) |
The Sun & Moon Base Set was the first mainline TCG set of the Sun & Moon era, released in 2017, and this Arcanine holo rare sits early in the Fire-type section of the set list.
Artwork & Aesthetic Appeal of Arcanine 22/149
Sun & Moon Base cards are known for bright, modern artwork that blends dynamic poses with clean backgrounds, and Arcanine 22/149 is no exception. While we won’t overstate any fine details that can’t be fully confirmed from the listing images, the card shows Arcanine in a powerful battle-ready stance, accentuated by:
- A bold Fire-type color scheme dominated by reds and oranges
- A holographic treatment focused on the card background rather than the Pokémon itself (typical for reverse holos)
- Modern Sun & Moon era template with set symbol and rarity clearly visible at the bottom
The reverse holo layer means that the card’s background and borders (outside the illustration box) display the holo foil, while the main Arcanine artwork remains non-holographic. For many collectors, reverse holos are visually striking in binders because the foil pattern runs across the name bar, type icon, and text areas, giving a more “full-surface” shine when tilted under light.
On top of that, Arcanine is a fan-favorite Kanto Pokémon, which gives this card extra appeal. Even if you’re not actively playing the Sun & Moon format, it looks fantastic as part of a Fire-type or Kanto-themed page of collectible Pokémon cards.
Arcanine in the Pokémon Anime – Why This Card Resonates with Fans
Arcanine has been part of the Pokémon franchise from the very beginning, and its anime appearances help drive demand for cards like this Sun & Moon Base holo rare. In the anime and other media:
- Arcanine is often portrayed as a noble, loyal, and powerful Fire-type, sometimes associated with police or trainers in uniform.
- It’s famous for its incredible speed; Pokédex entries mention that it can run over 6,000 miles in a single day and night.
- Its design mixes canine and tiger-like features, giving it a majestic, almost legendary look despite being a regular evolved form.
These traits carry over into TCG artwork and card design. Many Arcanine cards, including this 22/149 print, emphasize its power and motion—often showing flames or dynamic backgrounds that echo the anime’s portrayal of Arcanine sprinting or attacking with fire moves.
For anime fans who are now returning to the game or starting a collection, picking up a Sun & Moon era Arcanine holo is a nice way to bridge nostalgia with a more modern card frame. It sits nicely alongside older Arcanine cards from the Wizards of the Coast era as well as newer Sword & Shield and Scarlet & Violet prints.
Card Text & Mechanics – What Arcanine 22/149 Actually Does
According to established database listings for Sun & Moon Base Set, Arcanine 22/149 is a Fire-type Stage 1 Pokémon with 130 HP. While the exact wording should always be checked directly on your physical card, the widely referenced text is:
Main Attacks
- Searing Flame – For two Colorless and one Fire Energy ([2R]) this attack deals damage (listed as 60 on major databases) and Burns the opponent’s Active Pokémon. Burn places additional pressure between turns and can force your opponent to pivot or heal.
- Second attack – Arcanine 22/149 also has a higher-cost Fire-type attack (commonly listed as doing heavier damage for multiple Fire Energy), designed as a finisher. Exact numbers should be confirmed on your specific copy, but it functions as a strong hit once you’re set up.
There is no Ability on this card—its role in the Sun & Moon Base format was that of a reliable Stage 1 attacker that could be powered up reasonably quickly, especially with Fire support cards from the era.
This combination of medium-high HP, solid base damage, and the Burn status effect made Arcanine an appealing mid-level attacker in casual decks and league play, particularly for players who wanted a straightforward, hard-hitting Fire-type that evolves from the iconic Growlithe.
Gameplay & Deck Strategy – How to Use Arcanine 22/149
While Sun & Moon Base Set is no longer part of the current Standard format, Arcanine 22/149 still has solid uses in:
- Casual kitchen-table decks
- Theme-based or era-based formats (Sun & Moon block)
- Online play in custom formats that allow SM cards
1. Mid-Game Fire Attacker
Arcanine 22/149 works best as a mid-game attacker. Once you’ve evolved from Growlithe and attached 2–3 Energy, you can start pressuring your opponent with Searing Flame. The Burn condition makes small HP Pokémon much easier to knock out, and it softens up bulkier targets for later finishers.
Because its main attack cost includes Colorless Energy, Arcanine fits into multi-type decks more easily than fully Fire-locked attackers. In casual builds, you can run a modest Fire line plus some generic Energy acceleration, then pivot to Arcanine whenever you need to clear a threat or apply status pressure.
2. Partnering with Fire Support
In Sun & Moon era formats, Fire decks often used cards that could accelerate Fire Energy from the discard pile or deck. While the exact support you use depends on the specific format or house rules, the general strategy with Arcanine is:
- Get Growlithe down early on your Bench.
- Use supporters or abilities to attach extra Fire Energy quickly.
- Evolve into Arcanine and swing with Searing Flame as soon as possible.
- Transition into the higher-cost attack once you’ve fully powered up.
That makes Arcanine an excellent bridge between your early-game setup Pokémon and your more demanding late-game attackers, especially in Fire-heavy lists.
3. Kanto- or Theme-Based Decks
Many players build decks based around their favorite regions or anime teams. Arcanine 22/149 slots naturally into:
- Kanto-only decks that feature classic Pokémon like Charizard, Ninetales, and Rapidash.
- Police or officer-themed decks if you include anime-inspired cards featuring Officer Jenny’s Growlithe/Arcanine line.
- Sun & Moon era nostalgia decks built using only cards from that block.
In these kinds of builds, raw competitive strength is less important than consistency, fun interactions, and aesthetics. A reverse holo Arcanine adds a nice visual flourish to your board state and gives your deck a centerpiece attacker that feels true to the anime’s portrayal of the species.
For players looking to assemble a Fire-type roster, browsing a curated store for Pokémon TCG singles can make it easier to pull together Growlithe lines, Fire support trainers, and complementary attackers.
Collector Value & Market Perspective
From a strict finance standpoint, the Arcanine 22/149 Reverse Holo from SM Base is typically a mid-range rare rather than a high-end chase card. However, there are several reasons why it still holds meaningful value for collectors:
1. Popularity of Arcanine as a Species
Arcanine has long been one of the most beloved Fire-types, often ranking high in fan polls. Cards featuring popular Pokémon tend to maintain more stable long-term demand than equally rare cards of lesser-known species. That doesn’t automatically translate into big price spikes, but it does mean the card is unlikely to become unwanted bulk.
2. Sun & Moon Base Set Nostalgia
Sun & Moon Base marked the beginning of a new era in the Pokémon TCG, introducing Alola and a refreshed card design. As time passes, first sets of an era often gain sentimental value. Collectors who entered or re-entered the hobby during Sun & Moon may specifically target holo rares like this Arcanine to complete set binders or highlight pages.
Online price-tracking sites usually show this card in the few-dollar range in raw Near Mint condition, which lines up with the listing’s price of around $3.99 USD at the time it was created. Exact value can move slightly up or down depending on:
- Condition (Near Mint vs Lightly Played or worse)
- Reverse holo vs regular holo
- Market availability and demand at any given moment
3. Reverse Holo vs Regular Holo
This listing appears to feature the reverse holo variant of Arcanine 22/149. In Sun & Moon Base, holo rares generally exist in two versions:
- Regular Holo Rare – Holo effect in the artwork window only.
- Reverse Holo Rare – Holo effect across the card outside the artwork window.
Some collectors prefer regular holos; others prefer reverse holos, especially for binder displays. Completing a full reverse holo rare set is a popular long-term goal for set collectors, and Arcanine 22/149 is a required piece of that puzzle.
4. Condition: Near Mint (Ungraded)
The seller lists this card as Near Mint and ungraded. In TCG terms, Near Mint generally means:
- Very light edge or corner wear at most
- No major creases, bends, or whitening
- Clean front and back surfaces under normal lighting
If you’re picky about condition or thinking about grading in the future, it’s smart to look closely at the images in the listing and compare them to your own expectations for near mint Pokémon cards. While NM raw cards don’t always turn into high-grade slabs, strong copies of popular species can still be worth encapsulating for personal collections.
Who Should Consider Buying This Arcanine Card?
The Arcanine 22/149 Reverse Holo from SM Base is a versatile pickup. It makes sense for several kinds of buyers.
1. Pokémon Anime & Kanto Fans
If you grew up watching the early Pokémon seasons and always loved Arcanine and Growlithe, this card gives you:
- A modern, crisp artwork that still feels true to the original design.
- A holo rare treatment that looks great on display.
- A card that isn’t so expensive you’re afraid to handle or play it.
It’s ideal as a binder centerpiece or as part of a framed Fire-type display alongside other fan favorites—Charizard, Arcanine, Ninetales, and so forth.
2. Casual TCG Players & League-Goers
For kitchen-table players or local league attendees, Arcanine 22/149 offers:
- Simple, effective attacks that are easy to understand.
- Solid HP for a Stage 1, making it a stable mid-game attacker.
- A flashy reverse holo finish that looks great on the battlefield.
Even if your playgroup uses newer formats, many casual circles allow older sets as long as power levels remain fair. Check with your friends or local organizer to see if Sun & Moon cards are welcome in your games.
3. Set & Master Collectors
If you’re building a complete Sun & Moon Base Set binder, you’ll eventually need both the regular and reverse holo versions of the holo rares. Arcanine 22/149 is one of those slots you can’t skip.
For master sets that include every rarity and foil variant, picking up individual reverse holo rares like this on the secondary market is often much more practical than gambling on sealed product. Targeted singles help you finish your pages efficiently without accumulating unnecessary duplicates.
4. Long-Term Fire-Type or Arcanine Focused Collections
Many collectors specialize by species or type—Charizard collectors, Eeveelution collectors, and yes, Arcanine collectors. If your focus is Fire-types or specifically Arcanine, this 22/149 reverse holo is a mandatory addition to cover the Sun & Moon Base era.
Over time, having a timeline of Arcanine prints—starting from early sets all the way to current ones—creates a visually striking and historically interesting collection that reflects how both the TCG and the franchise have evolved.
Tips for Evaluating This Listing
Because the card is listed as Ungraded Near Mint, it’s worth taking a moment to look critically at the listing images and description (where available). Here are a few quick tips:
1. Check Front and Back Images
Look for:
- Edge and corner whitening on the back border.
- Scratches or scuffs in the reverse holo foil when angled under light (if visible in photos).
- Centering of the borders, particularly if you’re considering grading.
2. Confirm It’s the Reverse Holo Version
This listing’s title clearly states “Reverse Holo,” and the images show a reflective card surface outside the art box, consistent with reverse holos from Sun & Moon. Still, it never hurts to double-check that you see the holo effect on the name bar and text area, not just behind the artwork.
For buyers building specific versions of a set (reverse holos vs non-holos), that detail matters a lot. If you have any doubt, you can always contact the seller for clarification before purchase.
3. Compare Price with Current Market
At around $3.99 USD, this listing sits in the expected range for a Near Mint reverse holo Arcanine 22/149. Small variations in price are normal depending on:
- Regional shipping costs
- Seller reputation and packaging standards
- Whether the card is part of a promotion or sale
For many collectors, spending a little extra with a reputable seller who ships securely is worth it compared to chasing the lowest possible price. A specialized store with a focus on Pokémon cards is more likely to understand how to protect foils and maintain condition.
4. Think About Your Collection Goals
Before buying, ask yourself how this card fits into your broader goals:
- Are you finishing your Sun & Moon Base reverse holo set?
- Do you want a playable Fire-type attacker for casual decks?
- Are you filling a gap in an Arcanine or Fire-type themed binder?
If the answer to any of those is yes, this card is typically a low-risk, high-satisfaction purchase. Reverse holo rares at this price point provide a lot of visual appeal and nostalgia per dollar, especially when they feature beloved species like Arcanine.
FAQ – Arcanine 22/149 Reverse Holo (SM Base Set)
Is Arcanine 22/149 legal in current Standard format?
No. Arcanine 22/149 from the Sun & Moon Base Set is no longer legal in current Standard format. It can still be used in casual play, expanded or custom formats that allow Sun & Moon era cards, and of course in collector binders and displays.
What’s the difference between the regular and reverse holo versions of this card?
The regular holo version has a holographic effect only in the illustration window behind Arcanine. The reverse holo version (like the one in this listing) has a holographic effect across the card outside the artwork window—on the name bar, type icon, and text area—while the illustration box itself is non-holo.
Is this card worth grading?
That depends on your goals. In raw Near Mint condition, Arcanine 22/149 reverse holo is typically a modestly-priced card. Grading becomes more attractive if:
- Your copy appears exceptionally clean (near-perfect centering, minimal flaws).
- You’re building a graded Arcanine or Fire-type collection.
- You value long-term preservation and display in a slab.
Financially, it’s not usually a high-end grading target, but for personal collections, grading can still be worthwhile.
Is this a good card for beginner players?
Yes. Arcanine 22/149 is straightforward to play—evolve from Growlithe, attach Energy, and attack. The Burn status introduces beginners to special conditions without being overly complex, and the card’s solid HP makes it forgiving in casual games.
How rare is Arcanine 22/149 reverse holo?
Within the Sun & Moon Base Set, Arcanine 22/149 is a holo rare. Reverse holo versions of holo rares are typically less common than standard non-holo rares but far more accessible than ultra rares or secret rares. It’s a “selective” binder card rather than an ultra-chase, which is why it’s affordable but still desirable.
Does this card have any special anime tie-in text or stamps?
No special anime tie-in text or unique stamps are associated with the standard SM Base 22/149 Arcanine. It’s a main-set card, not a promo. Its connection to the anime is more thematic—Arcanine’s portrayal as a noble, fast Fire-type—rather than a direct printed reference.
Where can I find more Sun & Moon era singles like this?
Many dedicated Pokémon sellers stock Sun & Moon Base and related sets. Browsing a focused eBay store that specializes in collectible Pokémon cards and Pokémon TCG singles is usually the fastest way to track down specific holo rares, reverse holos, and supporting trainers from the era.
Whether you’re a longtime Arcanine fan, a Sun & Moon Base set collector, or a casual player looking for a flashy Fire-type attacker, the Arcanine 22/149 Reverse Holo Holo Rare is a well-rounded choice that balances aesthetic appeal, nostalgia, and playability.
