Skarmory - Sword & Shield: Fusion Strike (182/264)

This is a standard-sized Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) card featuring the character Skarmory. The card measures approximately 2.5 by 3.5 inches and is constructed from layered cardstock with a glossy finish. It is identified as card number 182 out of 264 from the Fusion Strike expansion, released in 2021. The card features a 'Single Strike' battle style designation in the upper right of the artwork. The artwork, credited to Megumi Higuchi, depicts Skarmory in a dynamic flight pose over a textured, grey background. Key text include 'Steel Wing' and 'Slicing Blade' attacks, with a listed HP of 120. Condition-wise, the card appears to have centering that is slightly shifted toward the bottom and left. There are visible signs of wear including 'silvering' or light chipping along the bottom left edge and bottom right corner, suggesting significant play or handling. The surface lacks a holographic pattern, identifying it as a non-holo common or uncommon variant. The card's design features the modern yellow border typical of the Sword & Shield era.

I have conducted a visual inspection of this Skarmory (182/264) from the 2021 Fusion Strike expansion. This specific card is an Uncommon, non-holographic variant. Upon examination, the card exhibits clear signs of wear, specifically 'silvering' or edge-chipping along the bottom margins and corners. The centering is weighted toward the bottom-left, and the overall condition is consistent with 'Lightly Played' (LP) to 'Moderately Played' (MP) status rather than a 'Near Mint' (NM) specimen. From a market perspective, this is a high-print-volume modern card. Fusion Strike was heavily produced, and as a non-holo uncommon, the supply vastly outweighs current collector demand. Comparables for this card in similar condition frequently sell for the minimum transactional value on platforms like TCGPlayer or eBay, often serving as 'bulk' fillers for decks or sets. Regarding authentication, the card’s printing patterns, font styles, and Sword & Shield era layout appear consistent with genuine Pokémon Company International products. However, digital images cannot verify the tactile surface texture, cardstock weight, or the 'light test' for the internal black core layer. A full authentication would require an in-person loupe examination of the rosette printing pattern and a transparency test to ensure it is not a high-quality counterfeit. Given the low market value, professional third-party grading (PSA/CGC) is not recommended, as the submission fees would significantly exceed the card's worth.