Collector Favorites: The Artist Behind Team Magma's Houndour

Team Magma's Houndour card art from Team Magma vs Team Aqua set by Atsuko Ujiie

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Collector Favorites: The Artist Behind Team Magma's Houndour

In the vast gallery of Pokémon TCG art, some artists capture a moment in a single glance—flames licking the edge of a card, the snarl of a creature, the tension of a team-up or rival encounter. Atsuko Ujiie is one of those artists, and her work on this Fire-type staple from the Team Magma vs Team Aqua era earns a special place for collectors who savor the intersection of nostalgia, color, and storytelling. The piece centers on a бюджет-friendly staple: a Basic Fire-type Houndour with a compact stance and a spark of mischief, perfectly suited to a binder that traces the flame-wreathed path of Team Magma through the early 2000s TCG line.

What makes this card a “collector favorite” goes beyond the spotlight of its fine illustration. It comes from a set that teams two iconic factions—Team Magma and Team Aqua—against each other, turning the battlefield into a narrative of rival ambition. The card bears the official stamp of ex4, the Team Magma vs Team Aqua expansion, which is cherished by fans who grew up chasing holo foils and binding sets that told a larger story. The rarity is Common, a friendly entry point for new collectors and a beloved piece for veterans who enjoy completing the holo and reverse-holo runs. The clarity of Ujiie’s line work—paired with the vivid fire motif—gives this Houndour a charisma that translates well from sleeve to showcase case. 🔥🎴

Card specifics at a glance

Type: Fire
HP: 50
Stage: Basic
Set: Team Magma vs Team Aqua (EX4)
Rarity: Common
Illustrator: Atsuko Ujiie
Weakness: Water ×2
Attacks: Kick Away (Colorless) 10; Steady Firebreathing (Fire + Colorless) 20
Evolves into: Houndoom (in later stages of the fire line)

Note how the card’s design anchors a play space that’s both quaint and strategic. Kick Away gives you tempo — a deceptively simple effect that can tilt the field by forcing your opponent to rearrange their defending Pokémon. It’s the kind of attack that rewards smart bench management and anticipates the long game. Steady Firebreathing, requiring one Fire energy, is a clean payoff that fits comfortably into early-to-mid game pacing. At 50 HP, the Houndour is accessible and heartily rewardable for players who enjoy the thrill of a quick disruption followed by a tidy bite of damage. And yes, the Water weakness reminds players to plan matches against Water-leaning decks who can punish a nimble Houndour quickly. ⚡🔥

Art-wise, Ujiie’s portrayal thrives on contrast—the dark snout, the glow of embers, and a dynamic posture that suggests movement even on a flat card. This is not just a creature; it’s a moment in the Team Magma saga, a prelude to the more dramatic evolutions that followed in the era. The visual storytelling resonates with collectors who treasure not just the play value but the memory of a card that felt like a doorway into fire, competition, and a famous set’s lore. 🎨💎

Market pulse and why it matters to collectors

For modern price trackers, this Houndour sits in an interesting bracket. In CardMarket, the non-holo copies show a typical average around EUR 1.86, with a historical low near EUR 0.20 and gentle upward pressure as sets age. On TCGPlayer, the standard (normal) print runs hover around USD 1.45–1.86, while reverse holo variants can command noticeably higher values—approximately USD 9.30 on average, with a market high up toward USD 60 for pristine or graded copies. These numbers reflect the card’s role as a solid, accessible piece for builders while also rewarding collectors who chase holo aesthetics and nostalgic set pairings. Collectors can expect this card to anchor a Fire-type focus in a binder that celebrates the Team Magma vs Team Aqua duel, especially when the holo or reverse-holo options are in the mix. 🪙🎴

Additionally, the card’s current non-rotation status—being not listed as Standard or Expanded legal in the data—highlights its appeal as a cherished relic of the early ex-era design language. It’s a reminder that some of the most memorable pieces aren’t only about tournament legality; they endure as pet favorites that evoke specific memories, art styles, and the thrill of chasing a complete collection. In that sense, this Houndour becomes less about meta viability and more about the emotional value of a beloved artist’s work captured at a pivotal moment in the Pokémon TCG’s history. 💎⚡

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