# Is Machamp Rare? A Detailed Look at This Iconic Pokémon‘s Rarity and Value - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/is-a-machamp-rare/ - Published: 2023-11-07 - Author: Nelson Ayers - Categories: [Business & Worth](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/worth/) --- No, standard Machamp cards and appearances are not considered particularly rare in the Pokémon franchise. However, a small number of special promotional Machamp cards are extremely rare and valuable to collectors. As one of the original 151 Pokémon, Machamp has been beloved by fans for over 20 years. This muscular humanoid Pokémon boasts immense strength – its Pokédex entries claim it can throw over 1,000 lightning-fast punches per second! I have fond childhood memories of evolving my Machoke into Machamp in Pokémon Red on the Game Boy. And who could forget Machamp‘s anime appearances alongside the Machop line? Today, let‘s take a nostalgic, in-depth look at Machamp‘s rarity across games, cards, and more. Just how valuable are those Machamps in your collection? ## A Brief History of Machamp Machamp debuted in the original Pokémon Red and Blue video games in 1996 as the final evolution of Machop. Since then, it has appeared in many core series titles, spinoff games, the anime, films, and on countless pieces of merchandise. Some key Machamp history highlights: - Designed by iconic Pokémon artist Ken Sugimori - Inspired by bodybuilders and multi-limbed Hindu gods - Evolves from Machoke when traded (or at level 28 in newer games) - Made anime appearances with characters like Maylene and Chuck - Can be Shiny hunted across many games - Has a Gigantamax form in Pokémon Sword and Shield - Remains a popular competitive Fighting-type in battling to this day Machamp‘s versatile design and fighting prowess have cemented its status as a fan favorite over Pokémon‘s entire run. Now let‘s examine its rarity and value. ## How Rare is Machamp in the Games? Throughout the main series Pokémon video games, Machamp has never been considered a particularly rare catch: | Game | Machamp Availability | | --- | --- | | Red/Blue | Evolve Machoke or catch in the wild | | Gold/Silver | Trade evolution or catch in Mt. Mortar | | Ruby/Sapphire | Trade evolution; absent in the wild | | Diamond/Pearl | Evolve Machoke, catch in Victory Road or Route 210 | | Black/White | Trade evolution | | X/Y | Trade evolution; can catch Machoke in Victory Road | | Sun/Moon | Trade evolution; can catch Machop on many routes | | Sword/Shield | Trade evolution; catch Machop in motostoke Outskirts | As this table shows, Machamp has never been version-exclusive, event-only, or difficult to obtain through normal gameplay. Players can readily acquire it in the wild or through evolving Machoke in almost every generation. The only real exception is its Gigantamax form, which is limited to 5-star Max Raid battles in Sword/Shield. But the standard Machamp is commonplace. ## Machamp Card Rarity Overview Machamp cards tell a slightly different story. While most versions are easy to find, Machamp has a handful of extremely rare and valuable trading cards: ### Common Printings Here are some of Machamp‘s more common card versions that regular collectors can easily obtain: - **Base Set Machamp** – Given away in starter decks in 1999, very abundant. Worth around $50-$100 graded Gem Mint. - **Shadowless Machamp** – Slightly more rare than unlimited Base Set Machamps, but still fairly common at $150-$300 graded Gem Mint. - **1st Edition Machamp** – Despite the "1st Edition" label, this was mass-produced for many early print runs. Worth $100-$200 in top condition. Other fairly common, affordable Machamps include its cards from the Fossil, Team Rocket, Gym Challenge, and XY Evolutions sets. ### Ultra Rare Promos and Errors Now, let‘s look at the incredibly scarce Machamp cards that sell for insane prices: - **Prerelease Machamp** – This 2016 XY Evolutions promo had an extremely limited print run, with only 50-100 copies believed to exist. Gem Mint prices exceed $10,000! - **No Rarity Machamp Error** – A Base Set misprint with no rarity symbol. Extremely rare and over $20,000 in value. - **1st Edition Shadowless Machamp Error** – The "Holy Grail" Machamp with both 1st Edition and Shadowless traits. The PSA 10 example pictured below sold at auction in 2020 for $50,000! ![](https://i.imgur.com/qceoM0R.jpeg) Clearly, while run-of-the-mill Machamps are common, its rarest misprints command astronomical prices only matched by the likes of 1st Edition Charizards. ## How Does Machamp‘s Rarity Compare to Other Gen 1 Pokémon? Machamp‘s rarity differs greatly from iconic Generation 1 Pokémon like Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur. Let‘s compare: - **Charizard** – Its Base Set card is worth over $300 even in played condition. A 1999 1st Edition just sold for $420,000! Wildly more valuable than Machamp. - **Blastoise** – Base Set cards sell for $200+ in any condition. Prerelease promos exceed $5,000. Much rarer than Machamp overall. - **Venusaur** – Base Set is $150+, Prerelease over $4,000. Shadowless can exceed $7,500. Again, far more valuable. - **Machamp** – While exceptionally rare versions like Prerelease and errors sell for insane amounts, normal Machamp cards can be found for $20-$50 in good condition. Its common cards are far more abundant than the Kanto starters. First generation Pokémon like Charizard and Venusaur have always overshadowed Machamp in card value and rarity. But Machamp can still surprise collectors with its rarest misprinted gems! ## My Personal Machamp Collecting History As someone who collected the original Pokémon cards in the late 90s, I have plenty of Machamp nostalgia! My first Machamp was the Base Set version – I can still remember eagerly ripping open booster packs hoping to find its muscular gray fists bursting through the holofoil. I traded my friend a holographic Magneton for his Machamp. The card felt so satisfyingly _heavy_ in your hand compared to the lighter common cards. I used it to dominate my friends‘ Fighting and Rock types. Looking back, it‘s almost hard to believe how carefree we were tossing around cards worth thousands today! If only I had known to preserve my Charizards and Machamps in mint condition. While my childhood Machamp has sadly been lost, writing this guide has rekindled my love for collecting! I can‘t wait to head to eBay and track down a beautiful Shadowless Machamp for old time‘s sake. ## Conclusion In summary, while Machamp is an iconic and beloved Pokémon, its standard card versions are decidedly _not_ rare. However, a select few promotional printings with extremely limited runs are highly coveted by current collectors. Outside of a scant few misprints and errors, Machamp cards are easy to find affordably. But they will always carry strong nostalgic value for those of us who collected the original 151! I hope this guide has provided helpful insight into Machamp‘s history and marketplace value. Collecting Pokémon cards has surged in popularity again recently – so be sure to check your old binders for any overlooked Machamp gems! --- Source: [Is Machamp Rare? A Detailed Look at This Iconic Pokémon‘s Rarity and Value](https://33rdsquare.com/is-a-machamp-rare/)