Pillar Analysis: This card perfectly embodies Scarcity (Alpha set, ~1,100 printed), Legendary Power (the most broken artifact ever), Iconic Art/History (by Christopher Rush), and Pristine Condition (a perfect CGC 10 grade)
The answer, as I learned, is pretty simple: Demand currently outstrips supply
Three Pro Tour Champions played Erode to the Las Vegas Top 8: Matt Nass in an Ouroboroid deck, plus Finalist Christoffer Larsen and eventual winner Nathan Steuer in their nearly identical Selesnya Landfall
Series: Scarlet & Violet Shrouded Fable Release Date: August 23, 2024 Set Abbreviation: SFA Honorable Mention: Dusclops (Illustration Rare) $20.75 Card Number: #069/064 Rarity: Illustration Rare Landing at what would be the number 11 spot, the Dusclops Illustration Rare is one of three evolution-story cards, using a mixture of eerie and haunting tones with disarming and, quite frankly, adorable artwork from illustrator James Turner, who is known for designing Shadow Lugia from Pokmon XD: Gale of Darkness
Not only because cards have realistically gotten as powerful as they can without becoming laughable, but because the Pokmon TCG has lost a lot of the strategy of lower-HP eras in favour of cage fights that are over in minutes