Staryu · Base Set 2, what to know.
About the Staryu card
Staryu is card 95 of 130 in Base Set 2, released in February 2000, a Common. It is a Basic Water-type with 40 HP.
As a Basic Pokémon, Staryu needs no prior evolution to put into play, which made it a practical card in the era's decks.
Illustrated by Keiji Kinebuchi. Kinebuchi contributed a smaller body of Wizards-era cards but is responsible for several memorable holos, with a warm, heavily textured style.
The card's flavor text gives Staryu a line of lore: "An enigmatic Pokémon that can effortlessly regenerate any appendage it loses in battle."
About Staryu in the Pokémon world
A star-shaped water Pokémon. Misty's second signature. Fossil Common. Easy and cheap.
What is Staryu worth?
Staryu is a Common, so raw copies trade for very little and most of the print run survives. The only real value is in pristine, high-grade copies, where even a Common can reach low triple digits in 1st Edition PSA 10. See the live price above for the current figure by grade.
Print variants and how to spot them
Base Set 2 produced Unlimited prints. For Staryu, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
Grading and condition
Staryu is the most forgiving tier to grade in the set. Centering on the framed border is the usual cap, and the soft Wizards-era cardstock picks up edge whitening easily, but high print runs keep clean copies affordable.
If you are collecting Staryu
Raw copies of Staryu are inexpensive enough that grading rarely pays unless you have a clearly pack-fresh example. For set completion, a clean sleeved Staryu is the practical move.
