Market outlook
Stable Outlook 7/10
As a modern alternate art from a major Sword & Shield set, the card has already seen most of its initial post-release volatility. Demand should remain supported by Machamp popularity and alternate-art collecting, but broad modern supply and gradual grading submissions may keep price movement relatively measured.
Next months. Likely to trade in a relatively narrow range with occasional spikes from grading or character-driven demand.
Long term. Over 1-3 years, moderate appreciation is possible if alternate arts continue to be a cornerstone collectible category, but gains are likely to be gradual rather than sharp unless supply tightens or Machamp sees renewed franchise attention.
History
Machamp is the final Evolution of Machop and Machoke, a classic Fighting-type Pokémon from the original Kanto era of the Pokémon franchise. It represents overwhelming physical strength, with four arms and a reputation for moving mountains and performing feats of incredible power. In the TCG, Machamp has been a recurring fan-favorite Fighting attacker since early sets, and this alternate full-art Machamp V continues that legacy in the Sword & Shield era with a modern V-era treatment.
First released in English in the Pokémon TCG set Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance in 2022, which launched in the international market in May 2022. This specific card is the Alternate Full Art Ultra Rare version, card number 172/189.
- This is the alternate-art ultra rare version of Machamp V, which typically has significantly higher collector demand than the standard art versions.
- Astral Radiance is the main English set associated with this printing; no widely recognized English reprint of this exact alternate-art card is known as of the current market data.
- The card features an illustration-focused premium treatment, making it popular with both Machamp collectors and alternate-art completionists.
Rarity and print run
- Tier
- Ultra Rare
- Print run
- Low
- First printed in
- Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance
- Demand
- High
- Supply
- Medium
- Alternate-art ultra rare slot with lower pull odds than regular holo or standard ultra rares
- Popular character and collectible artwork increase retention by collectors
- High-grade copies are scarcer than raw supply due to centering and surface sensitivity
Collector notes
Condition. Check for centering, especially on the back; alternate arts often show edge whitening quickly because they are frequently handled and sleeved. Inspect surface for holo scratches, print lines, and dents; look closely at the dark borders for whitening or chipping. Corners should be sharp, and graded/graded/graded grading often penalizes subtle surface or centering issues heavily on this type of premium card.
Storage. Use a penny sleeve plus a semi-rigid holder or top loader for raw copies. Keep away from humidity, sunlight, and temperature swings. For long-term storage, use acid-free materials and consider grading if the card is near-mint or better, since premium alternate arts benefit from encapsulation.
Authenticity. Verify authentic texture, color saturation, and card stock consistency. Genuine English Pokémon cards should have crisp print quality, proper font spacing, and the standard Pokémon card back. Watch for fake texture patterns, incorrect holo foiling, blurry text, misaligned borders, and unusually glossy or flimsy stock. Compare against known authentic scans of Astral Radiance alternate arts if buying raw copies online.
Sources: cardhedger.com, tcgplayer.com, pricecharting.com, pokedata.io, cardmarket.com
