Bruxish Promo vs Pack Card: Key Differences for Collectors

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Bruxish card artwork from Burning Shadows - promo vs pack</>

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Spotting Bruxish: Promo vs Pack — What Collectors Should Know

Bruxish, the Water-type basic whose squishy grin hides a surprisingly sharp set of tactics, has appeared in multiple printings across the Burning Shadows era. For collectors and players alike, the difference between a promo Bruxish and a standard pack card isn’t just about aesthetics; it can influence value, accessibility, and the story a card tells in a binder. While the core moves—Gnash Teeth and Synchronoise—remain consistent, the way a Bruxish shows up in your deck or your display case can tell a different tale. ⚡💧

Card snapshot: Bruxish at a glance

  • Set: Burning Shadows (SM3)
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Type / Stage: Water, Basic
  • HP: 100
  • Attacks:
    • Gnash Teeth — Cost: Water. Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Confused.
    • Synchronoise — Cost: Water, Colorless, Colorless. This attack does 60 damage. Then, this attack does 20 damage to each of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon that shares a type with your opponent’s Active Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
  • Weakness: Grass ×2
  • Retreat: 1
  • Illustrator: Masakazu Fukuda
  • Variants: Normal, Holo, Reverse; Promo variant not indicated in the current data
  • Legal: Expanded only (Standard legality typically not applicable for this printing)
  • Pricing snapshot:
    • TCGplayer (normal): low around $0.02, mid around $0.20, high up to $1.49; marketPrice ≈ $0.13
    • TCGplayer (reverse holo): low around $0.08, mid around $0.30, high up to $1.49
    • CardMarket (EUR): avg ≈ €0.12, holo variants trending modestly higher (avg-holo ≈ €0.26)

For players, Bruxish presents a classic “two-attack” toolkit: a disruptive active with Confusion in Gnash Teeth, and a second move that leverages type-based board state with Synchronoise. The interplay of damage (60 on the Active) and the 20-damage spill to benched Pokémon of matching type gives Water-centric decks a way to poke at type-mimicking strategies across the opponent’s board. This synergy shines in games where type-balance and on-board pressure matter, and it’s precisely the kind of nuance that keeps Bruxish relevant across expansions. 🎮💎

Promo vs Pack: The essential differences

In the Pokémon TCG ecosystem, “promo” cards are special printings released outside the standard booster ecosystem—often through events, merchandise bundles, or retailer promotions. For Bruxish from Burning Shadows, the core card text and base statistics stay the same, but the presentation and distribution differ in several collector-facing ways:

  • : Promo versions typically bear a distinct promotional stamp or label somewhere on the card, signaling its special distribution. Pack cards display the standard rarity symbol and set indicator as part of the normal print run. This stamp can affect how graders treat the card and how it sits in a collection’s narrative.
  • : While the Bruxish shown in the Burning Shadows set maintains Masakazu Fukuda’s illustration, promo printings across the Pokémon TCG often feature alternate art or different framing. The promo version may attract collectors who chase art variety or a unique representation of Bruxish.
  • : Regular booster-pack cards come in normal, holo, or reverse holo variants. Promo versions sometimes present unique foil patterns or a distinct holo finish, which can influence appearance and desirability at a glance on a shelf or in a binder.
  • : Pack cards carry standard numbering (e.g., 38/147 for that Burning Shadows printing). Promo cards may diverge in numbering and even the set symbol shown on the card, depending on the promotion’s design. This helps distinguish the card’s provenance at a glance for seasoned collectors.
  • : Promo Bruxish will have circulated through limited channels, which can create a different scarcity profile compared to widely available pack copies. For a budget-focused collector, promos may hold a premium in some markets, while in others, the relative abundance of a given promo event can temper its value.
  • : The gameplay mechanics stay constant. Whether you’re using a Bruxish promo or a pack card, your Gnash Teeth and Synchronoise interactions function the same on the playing field. Collectors weigh the promo’s rarity and art when building a display or a themed binder, while players assess the card’s availability in sleeves and deck boxes.

From a market perspective, Bruxish’s price appears approachable in its standard printings, especially in non-holo forms. Promo editions, when they exist for a given card, can command a premium in certain regional markets or among collectors chasing complete promo sets. The data from price aggregators suggests bright-line potential for holo vs non-holo variants, with holo copies typically trading higher than their non-holo counterparts, and reverse holos driving their own small premium. As with many promo cards, the exact value delta depends on how widely the promo was distributed and how collectors in your area value the provenance. 💎

Tips for collectors and players

  • : When evaluating Bruxish, check for a promo stamp, alternate art, or a distinctive foil pattern. If your goal is to complete a Burning Shadows set, confirm whether you’re purchasing a standard print or a promotional variant.
  • : For budget-conscious buys, non-holo Bruxish in the normal print typically sits at low price points, while holo and reverse holo copies command higher figures. Promo copies, if available in your market, may trade at a premium—but verify authenticity and provenance.
  • : Bruxish from Burning Shadows is generally Expanded-legal, but standard legality can vary by year and house rules. Always verify current play legality before including it in a tournament-ready deck.
  • : If you’re chasing a promo Bruxish, store it in appropriate top-loaders or semi-ronds to protect the stamp and foil finish. Promo stamps can factor into grading considerations, so keep clear documentation of its origin when submitting for grading.
  • : Beyond play, a Bruxish promo or holo can become a centerpiece for a Water-type collection. Pair it with other Water-types and trainer art that reflects the same era for a cohesive, nostalgic display. 🎨
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