Crawdaunt 033/172 Reverse Holo from Brilliant Stars – Full Collector & TCG Guide
If you enjoy adding underrated Water-type attackers to your decks or you’re slowly building a complete Brilliant Stars set, the Crawdaunt 033/172 Reverse Holo (Uncommon) is a card worth a closer look. This specific listing appears to offer the card in Near Mint (NM) condition and is described as a reverse holo from the Brilliant Stars expansion.
Below you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the card’s collecting appeal, its place in the Pokémon TCG metagame, and how Crawdaunt connects back to the Pokémon anime and games.
Crawdaunt 033/172 – Quick Card Information
| Card Name | Crawdaunt |
|---|---|
| Set | Sword & Shield – Brilliant Stars |
| Card Number | 033/172 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Finish | Reverse Holo |
| Condition (listing) | Appears to be Near Mint (ungraded) |
| Language | English (based on listing language) |
| Category | Pokémon TCG – Single Card |
The eBay listing indicates that this is an ungraded copy, which is typical for everyday play and collecting. For many players, ungraded near mint Pokémon cards are the sweet spot: affordable, great-looking, and easy to trade or sleeve into a deck.
What Makes the Brilliant Stars Crawdaunt Interesting?
Brilliant Stars is a Sword & Shield era set known mainly for its big hitters like Charizard VSTAR and Arceus VSTAR, plus an impressive Trainer Gallery. However, many collectors quietly chase reverse holo uncommon cards from the set to complete master sets or build themed binders.
Crawdaunt often flies under the radar compared to more popular Water-types, but that makes this card an appealing pickup for:
- Set collectors finishing Brilliant Stars with reverse holos.
- Deck builders looking for solid Stage 1 Water-type options.
- Anime and game fans who enjoy Hoenn-region Pokémon like Corphish and Crawdaunt.
Because the listing describes the card as NM, it’s ideal if you want a copy that still looks sharp in a binder under good lighting but without the price jump associated with professional grading services.
Understanding the Reverse Holo Appeal
Reverse holo cards have become a key part of modern Pokémon collecting. Rather than the artwork being holographic (like classic holos), reverse holos feature a holofoil pattern across the card’s background while the artwork box usually remains non-holo.
For Brilliant Stars, that means you get:
- A shimmering foil across the card background and borders.
- The set’s distinctive energy-type pattern embedded in the shine.
- A different visual effect than the non-holo uncommon version.
This makes reverse holo Crawdaunt 033/172 especially attractive in binder layouts. Many master set collectors insist on reverse holos for all commons and uncommons to match the visual punch of the ultra rares and Trainer Gallery cards.
If you are slowly building a Brilliant Stars binder of collectible Pokémon cards, grabbing the reverse holo version instead of the regular uncommon can make your pages look more premium without a huge cost difference.
Crawdaunt in the Pokémon Anime and Games
Even if this article focuses on the TCG, Crawdaunt is rooted in the wider Pokémon universe. While specific episodes and scenes aren’t referenced in the listing itself, Crawdaunt has appeared in multiple Pokémon anime storylines over the years, usually characterized as an aggressive or territorial Water/Dark-type.
Generally speaking, Crawdaunt in the anime is portrayed similarly to the games:
- It evolves from Corphish, a fan-favorite Hoenn Pokémon.
- Its design emphasizes a tough, armored shell and massive claws.
- It often uses powerful physical Water-type and Dark-type moves.
For many collectors, owning a Crawdaunt card from Brilliant Stars ties back to nostalgia for the Hoenn region and the anime’s depiction of Corphish evolving into a more intimidating, battle-ready Pokémon. That emotional connection is part of why even uncommons like this reverse holo Crawdaunt 033/172 feel worth collecting.
If you enjoy building collections around specific regions or evolutions (for example, a Hoenn binder page), this card sits nicely alongside other Corphish, Crawdaunt, and Water-type cards from the Sword & Shield era.
Card Condition: What “Near Mint” Usually Means
The product title notes NM, which generally stands for Near Mint. While condition is always somewhat subjective, “Near Mint” for Pokémon TCG typically indicates:
- Very light or no edge wear visible at a glance.
- No major surface scratches or dents on front or back.
- No creases, bends, or obvious whitening.
- Clean holo pattern without heavy scuffing.
Because this is an ungraded card, buyers should rely on seller photos and description. From the listing summary, it appears the Crawdaunt 033/172 Reverse Holo is being sold as a solid binder-quality copy, suitable for both collectors and players who want a sharp-looking card in sleeves.
If you are picky about condition but don’t want to pay grading fees, buying from a store that specializes in Pokémon TCG singles and clearly labels cards as NM can be a cost-effective way to build up a high-quality collection.
Collector Value and Long-Term Appeal
As an uncommon reverse holo, this Crawdaunt isn’t in the same value tier as chase cards like alternate art VSTARs. However, it still holds several points of appeal for collectors:
1. Completing Brilliant Stars Master Sets
Master set collectors aim to own every card in a set, including both regular and reverse holo versions. For Brilliant Stars, that means hunting down reverse holos for all 172 main-set cards (plus any subset cards, depending on how you define your master set).
Crawdaunt 033/172 in reverse holo is one of those small but necessary pieces. Without cards like this, a Brilliant Stars binder feels incomplete. That steady demand from dedicated collectors helps keep reverse holo uncommons relevant even years after release.
2. Reverse Holo vs. Non-Holo Uncommon
Non-holo uncommons are generally easier to pull and often end up as bulk. Reverse holos, especially in clean condition, are pulled less frequently and are stored more carefully. That supply difference can make reverse holo copies more attractive in the long term compared to their non-holo counterparts.
For a relatively low price, you gain a version of Crawdaunt that looks better in a binder and has slightly stronger long-run collectibility than the non-holo.
3. Condition and Affordability
Because the card appears to be in Near Mint condition and is ungraded, it offers a good balance between quality and cost. You’re not paying a premium for a slab, but you’re still getting a visually clean card that should display nicely.
For many collectors, especially those building large binders of collectible Pokémon cards, this is the most practical way to collect: multiple NM reverse holos that look excellent together without needing to be graded.
Gameplay and Deck Strategy with Crawdaunt
Exact attack names and abilities for this specific Crawdaunt 033/172 are not detailed in the listing, so it’s best not to speculate on particular damage numbers or effects. However, based on how Crawdaunt is typically designed in the Pokémon TCG, we can outline some general strategic roles it often fills.
1. Stage 1 Water-Type Attacker
Crawdaunt evolves from Corphish, so it usually functions as a Stage 1 attacker. Stage 1 Pokémon often offer a middle ground between Basic and Stage 2:
- More HP and damage output than many Basics.
- Easier to set up than Stage 2 evolution lines.
- Can fit into flexible deck lists without excessive search cards.
In Brilliant Stars-era decks, a Stage 1 Water-type like Crawdaunt can be used as a supplemental attacker or a tech card to respond to particular matchups, especially if it has disruption or utility effects.
2. Synergy with Water Support
During the Sword & Shield block, Water-type decks benefited from various forms of support (such as energy acceleration or search cards that favor Water Pokémon). While this article won’t claim specific combos for Crawdaunt without card text, it’s fair to say that Water-type Stage 1s often synergize with:
- Energy acceleration from certain Trainers or Pokémon.
- Search cards that help you find Basic and Stage 1 Water-types quickly.
- Strategies that focus on consistent chip damage and board control.
Depending on Crawdaunt’s actual attacks in Brilliant Stars, it may fit into a mid-range strategy or serve as a surprise attacker out of the bench.
3. Budget and Theme Decks
Uncommon reverse holos like Crawdaunt 033/172 are excellent for budget decks and themed builds. If you’re playing casual games at home, at local leagues, or with friends, a Stage 1 Water-type that looks shiny on the table adds both style and function to your list.
For example, you might:
- Build a Hoenn-themed deck centered around Corphish, Crawdaunt, and other Gen 3 Pokémon.
- Create a Water-type deck featuring a mix of different sets, with Crawdaunt from Brilliant Stars as a mid-game attacker.
- Use Crawdaunt as a teaching tool for new players learning about evolutions and deck building.
Because the card is affordable, it’s easy to pick up multiple copies so your deck can run a 3–3 or 4–4 Corphish/Crawdaunt line if you find the attacks synergize well with your strategy.
Why Reverse Holo Singles Are Great for Players
Many competitive players don’t strictly need reverse holo versions of their cards, but there are some practical reasons to pick them up when the price is right:
1. Easy to Spot in Deck and Binder
Reverse holo singles are easier to visually identify compared to non-holo versions. When searching your binder for a specific Crawdaunt, a little extra shine can make it quicker to find. Likewise, on the table, some players enjoy the extra bling on key cards like main attackers or favorite Pokémon.
2. Long-Term Trade Versatility
Even if Crawdaunt isn’t the centerpiece of your deck for a particular format, reverse holo uncommons in NM condition often trade more easily than their non-holo equivalents. Collectors and casual players are more likely to prefer a reverse when they have the option.
Buying high-quality reverse holo near mint Pokémon cards now can give you extra flexibility later if you decide to trade, upgrade, or shift your deck’s focus.
How to Store and Protect Your Crawdaunt Reverse Holo
Reverse holo cards are notoriously prone to surface scratching and light scuffing, especially if shuffled unsleeved. To keep your Crawdaunt 033/172 Reverse Holo in the best shape possible, consider these basic protection tips:
1. Use Quality Sleeves
As soon as you receive the card, place it into a clean penny sleeve. For added protection, especially if the card is destined for a binder, you can then place it into a 9-pocket page or a toploader if you prefer more rigid protection.
2. Avoid Bending and Warping
Holofoil cards sometimes experience slight warping due to humidity. Storing your cards in a stable, low-humidity environment and using binders with firm covers can help minimize this. Keeping the card inside a binder page with other cards provides some counter-pressure as well.
Careful storage is particularly important if you want to maintain NM condition over time, especially for a card with a full reverse holo background that can show scratches more easily than non-holo cards.
Who Should Consider Buying This Card?
The Crawdaunt 033/172 Reverse Holo from Brilliant Stars in Near Mint condition is a small but smart pickup for a few different groups:
- Brilliant Stars master set collectors seeking all reverse holo uncommons.
- Water-type or Hoenn-region fans who want anime- and game-connected Pokémon in their binder.
- Casual and budget players looking for shiny Stage 1 options for themed decks.
- Traders and local community players who like keeping a variety of good-condition reverse holos on hand.
At a modest price point, this card is an easy way to upgrade from a non-holo Crawdaunt or fill a missing spot in your reverse holo collection.
If you’re building out a section of your binder dedicated to Sword & Shield-era collectible Pokémon cards, adding this Crawdaunt helps round out the Water-type representation while staying budget-friendly.
Buying from a Specialized Pokémon TCG Seller
While the listing highlighted here focuses on Crawdaunt 033/172, many collectors and players prefer purchasing from a store that handles a wide variety of Pokémon singles. A dedicated eBay store like pokeferh typically offers:
- A broad selection of reverse holos, rares, and ultra rares.
- Consistent grading language such as NM, LP, etc.
- Batch shipping options if you’re buying multiple cards at once.
That’s especially useful if you’re working on a Brilliant Stars master set or upgrading your deck to include more visually appealing reverse holo cards. Instead of chasing one card at a time from different sellers, you can often source multiple Pokémon TCG singles from the same store, saving time and shipping cost.
FAQ: Crawdaunt 033/172 Reverse Holo (Brilliant Stars)
Is Crawdaunt 033/172 from Brilliant Stars a rare card?
This specific Crawdaunt is listed as an Uncommon, not a Rare. However, the reverse holo finish makes it more desirable than the standard non-holo uncommon version for many collectors, especially those building master sets.
Is this Crawdaunt card good for competitive play?
Without the exact card text from the listing, it’s hard to evaluate its competitive strength accurately. Historically, some Crawdaunt cards have seen niche or rogue play, while others have mostly been used in casual and themed decks. If you’re interested in high-level competitive use, it’s best to check the exact text of Crawdaunt 033/172 and compare it with the current metagame.
What does “Near Mint” mean for this listing?
“Near Mint” usually means the card has minimal wear: clean edges, no major scratches, no creases, and a strong overall appearance. Since the card is ungraded, buyers should still look closely at the seller’s photos and description, but NM typically indicates a card suitable for both play and display.
Is reverse holo more valuable than non-holo?
In most cases, yes, especially for collectors. Reverse holo uncommons like Crawdaunt 033/172 tend to be a bit more desirable and can be slightly more valuable than their non-holo counterparts, particularly in high-grade or Near Mint condition.
Should I grade this Crawdaunt Reverse Holo?
Grading a card like this is mostly a personal choice. As an uncommon from a modern set, it typically doesn’t justify grading fees unless you are building a very specific graded collection or the card has exceptional sentimental value. For most collectors, keeping it as a raw NM copy in a binder is perfectly sufficient.
How can I use this card in a casual deck?
Crawdaunt is usually played as a Stage 1 Water-type attacker evolving from Corphish. In casual play, you can include a small evolution line as part of a Water-focused deck, or build a thematic Hoenn-region deck featuring other Gen 3 Pokémon. The reverse holo finish makes it a nice centerpiece for friend-group games and local league matches.
Where can I find more Brilliant Stars reverse holo cards?
If you’re looking to expand your Brilliant Stars collection beyond Crawdaunt, consider browsing a dedicated eBay store like pokeferh, which appears to stock a variety of singles from different sets. That’s often the easiest way to track down multiple reverse holo commons and uncommons in one place.
Whether you’re chasing a Brilliant Stars master set, upgrading a Water-type deck, or just love Hoenn Pokémon, the Crawdaunt 033/172 Reverse Holo offers a shiny, affordable addition to your collection.
