Anybody ever wonder why Articuno got such little love when compared to the other birds Zapdos and Moltres through the WOTC era?
Articuno only saw 2 main series cards/artworks while the other birds doubled up enjoying 4 artworks each. Such a shame as I would love to see more amazing Articuno artwork like “Misty’s Articuno” or something from the gym series.
Wonder how and why these selections were made and why was Articuno the least favored birdy of the bunch by the decision makers?
Which is your fav of the trio and WOTC artwork?
I love this blaine’s moltres art and holo, still need to pick one up.
Base 2 and Legendary collection I left out cause they are kinda lame and just use the same artwork from the previous sets. I want to see the new artworks.
Also, this was only including the “prestigious” holo versions of cards. Non-holo artworks are cool but of course they give the holos to the most loved pokemon.
I love Articuno as well. First caught him in Yellow and watching him sweep Giovanni’s gym earned him a place in my team’s ever since. I agree he didn’t get as much love in the WOTC era as Moltres or Zapdos but I think there’s still some other artwork thats solid. Personal favorites include the Red/Green Starter Deck Articuno, TRR Rocket’s Articuno Ex, Skyridge Articuno, and obviously Fossil Articuno. Don’t forget that Articuno was the only legendary bird to get a SNAP card, which are some of the rarest cards in the entire hobby
In the games (outside Gen 1), yes. In theory, this thread shouldn’t exist. Granted it was a dumb idea that the Elite Four, Red, Blue/Green, Yellow, Jessie/ James (I know we got the Meowth duh!) and Prof. Oak were excluded in the Gym series which had potential for a complete dex. Only one of few Vending cards to make the flight overseas and as stated the only bird to be in the tier of the rarest monster cards.
I think part of it has to do with the personality of the birds that WOTC was going with. Arcicuno was a more fleeting and more of a wanderer than the other birds. Zapdos was found in the power plant and has a kind of power vibe, while Blaine lived in a Volcano and was promoted as a kind of master of fire. Arcticuno did not have a trainer worthy of really harnessing it like the other two did and ice can be seen as a kind of symbolism for purity. Notice how the rocket pokemon do not really include ice type pokemon typically. Misty is a water type trainer and does not really give the vibe of owning an arcticuno, so there is that too.
It has always been the most popular legendary bird and was generally the best competitively in-game, so it’s not surprising that it gets a lot of love.
Yeah good points by people here of cool promo cards and arts for the birds and Articuno but as a kid growing up, you weren’t really connected with those types of releases. The only Articuno most of us even knew was the fossil art. That was it. We had 3 Zapdos and 3 Moltres but average kids only ever saw the one articuno (unless they lasted collecting to skyridge).
