OP14-001-AA Trafalgar Law [Alternate Art]
LEADERCollector's Notes
Why collectors chase this card
- Alternate Art premium: AA leaders tend to be âbinder-front-pageâ cards because the leader is always visible in play and the art is the main attraction.
- Character gravity: Trafalgar Law is a fan-favorite, which often translates into deeper demand across both collectors and competitive players.
- Cross-demand effect: AAs that are playable can get pulled in two directions at once: collectors want pristine copies; players want copies now. That tug-of-war is where price spikes are born.
Gameplay notes (what the card actually does)
Lawâs leader ability is: [Activate:Main] [Once Per Turn] you select two of your {Supernovas} or {Heart Pirates} Characters and swap their base power for the turn. In practice, this creates tactical weirdness: you can âmoveâ power to force awkward blocks, punish misreads, or turn a low-power utility body into a sudden threat.
Collector-friendly way to think about playability
- Skill expression: effects that reward timing and board-reading tend to keep a loyal player base.
- Tribe support matters: the more good Heart Pirates/Supernovas cards exist, the more relevant this leader stays.
- Metagame risk: leaders can swing with formatsâgreat for excitement, annoying for âset and forgetâ value assumptions.
Art & print considerations
- Display value: AA leaders often look best in a one-touch or graded slab because the full-art composition reads at armâs length (important for shelf-display collectors).
- Surface sensitivity: premium finishes love to show micro-scratches under harsh light. When buying raw, ask for angled-light photos (front and back).
Condition & grading: what to scrutinize
If youâre aiming for high grade outcomes (or just want a clean binder copy), focus on the usual âFour Horsemen of card conditionâ: corners, edges, surface, and centering.
- Corners: look for tiny whitening or compression dingsâcommon from pack-to-sleeve handling.
- Edges: check for chipping along darker borders (if present) and for factory rough cuts.
- Surface: tilt the cardâholo lines, scuffs, and print lines become obvious at an angle.
- Centering: verify symmetry front/back; some print runs lean slightly off.
Buying tip: if the seller canât provide sharp, well-lit photos of both sides, assume âLP until proven NM.â That rule saves wallets.
Authenticity & avoiding fakes
- Compare to known-real copies: look at font weight, color tone, and fine-line sharpness. Counterfeits often get âalmost rightâ but fail in micro-detail.
- Watch the finish: many fakes have a flat shine or odd texture that doesnât match authentic stock/foil behavior.
- Buy smart: prioritize reputable sellers, clear return policies, and listings with multiple angles.
Market watch & buying strategy
The page lists an average NM price of $64.00. Treat that as a snapshot, not a law of physics: prices move with supply waves, tournament visibility, and collector hype cycles.
- Best time to buy: typically during heavy product opening periods (more supply, more undercutting).
- Best time to sell: often when the leader gains competitive attention or after supply dries up.
- Raw vs graded: graded can stabilize value; raw can offer bargains if youâre good at condition-spotting.
Practical move: track a handful of sold listings rather than asking pricesâasking prices are wishes, sold prices are reality.
Storage & display recommendations
- Baseline: penny sleeve + semi-rigid or top loader (prevents edge wear and surface rub).
- Display: one-touch cases look great for AA leaders; use a perfect-fit sleeve if compatible.
- Binder: side-loading, ringless binders reduce pressure points and accidental corner dents.
- Environment: cool, dry, out of direct sunlightâUV and humidity are slow-motion card villains.
Completionist notes
If you collect by character, leader, or set, this card is a natural anchor piece. If you collect by âplayable premium,â itâs the kind of card that can justify a slab or a featured display spot because it carries both art value and table value.
FAQ
Is this a âplay copyâ or a âdisplay copyâ card?
Both. AA leaders are peak âplayable bling.â If you want zero anxiety while shuffling, keep a clean binder copy and play with a slightly less perfect one (or a non-AA version, if youâre completing the card line).
Whatâs the #1 thing to check when buying raw online?
Surface condition under angled light. Tiny scratches and print lines can turn a ânear mintâ listing into âwhy is my soul leaving my body?â the moment it arrives.
What makes the price move the most?
Supply waves (new product openings), tournament visibility (leader popularity), and collector demand for character/alt-art prestige.