History

Paras is a classic Pokémon species introduced in the original Generation I games. It is a Bug/Grass-type Pokémon inspired by a parasitized insect carrying fungal mushrooms, drawing from real-world parasitic fungi such as cordyceps. In the TCG, Paras is typically used as an early-stage common card that reflects its basic, low-evolution, early-route role in the franchise.

First Printed: This exact English card was first released in the Scarlet & Violet expansion Journey Together (SV09) on March 28, 2025, as card 004/159.

• This card is a Common, non-holo Basic Pokémon card in the Scarlet & Violet series.
• The artwork credit associated with this print is Ayako Ozaki or Tetsu Kayama depending on catalog source, indicating minor database discrepancies across retailers.
• It sits immediately before Parasect #005/159 in the same set, making it part of the set’s evolutionary line pairing.

Print Data

Print Run: Very High

Collector's Notes

Condition Tips: Check for whitening on edges and corners, surface scratches, print lines, and centering. As a common modern card, factory wear and pack dings are more likely than meaningful rarity-driven defects.

Storage: Store in a penny sleeve and top loader or card saver for any near-mint copy. Keep away from humidity, direct light, and pressure; use binder pages only if acid-free and side-loading.

Authenticity: Authentic copies should match official Pokémon TCG print quality, set numbering 004/159, English text, and standard modern card stock. Watch for blurry text, incorrect font spacing, off-color green tones, and poor cut edges that can indicate counterfeits or altered prints.

Notable Sales

• PSA 10 market guide around $34.86 (2025 price guide)
• BGS 10 guide around $45.00 and CGC 10 around $28.00 in 2025 pricing data

Investment Outlook

This is a modern common card with abundant supply and limited competitive or chase demand. Value is mainly driven by condition and a small collector base rather than scarcity.

Rarity Analysis

• Mass-produced in a 2025 main expansion
• Non-holo common slot
• No special stamp, variant, or secret numbering
• Widely available as singles and in bulk lots

Comparable: Parasect 005/159 from Journey Together, Other common Scarlet & Violet era basic Pokémon commons, Common base-set style route Pokémon from modern expansions

Market Forecast

Common modern cards usually trade near bulk pricing unless they become needed for set completion, competitive niche use, or PSA 10 population curiosity.

• Set completion demand
• Graded gem-mint population versus raw bulk availability

Short-term (3-6mo): Expected to remain near bulk to low-single-digit raw pricing, with graded values mostly stable unless supply tightens unexpectedly.

Long-term (1-3yr): Likely to remain a low-value modern common with modest movement tied to sealed product aging and collector demand for complete master sets.