Torkoal #172

Torkoal 172/167 from the Twilight Masquerade set is a highly notable secret rare card, distinguished by its Illustration Rare designation. Its card number, exceeding the set's total of 167, confirms its secret rare status, making it inherently rarer to pull than standard cards. This rarity type emphasizes a unique, full-card illustration, significantly contributing to its appeal among collectors who value exceptional artwork.

The card's value is further driven by the artwork from Masa, who masterfully captures the "Coal Pokémon" in a vivid natural setting. The illustration visually echoes the card's flavor text, highlighting that "Coal is the source of Torkoal's energy. Large amounts of coal can be found in the mountains where they live." Torkoal's Pokédex entry also notes, "You can tell how it’s feeling by the smoke spouting from its shell. Tremendous velocity is a sign of good health," adding depth to the visual narrative.

Beyond its visual appeal, Torkoal offers strategic utility with its attacks: Ramming Shell provides defensive resilience by reducing incoming damage, while Fire Spin delivers potent offensive power at the cost of discarding Energy.