Mysterious Fossil (Japanese: なにかの化石 Some Fossil) is a Trainer. It is part of the Fossil set.

Card text

Release information

This card was reprinted in the Legendary Collection reprint set, which was only released outside of Japan. It was also reprinted in the EX Sandstorm set with the same art, as well as in the EX Legend Maker, EX Holon Phantoms, and EX Power Keepers sets with new art by Ryo Ueda.

The card has seen its fair share of wording changes, and even had its HP changed from 10 to 50 for the EX Legend Maker print for no apparent reason.

The EX Sandstorm print was reworded to read as follows:

Play Mysterious Fossil as if it were a Basic Pokémon. While in play, Mysterious Fossil counts as a Pokémon (instead of a Trainer card). Mysterious Fossil has no attacks of its own, can't retreat, and can't be affected by any Special Conditions. If Mysterious Fossil is Knocked Out, it doesn't count as a Knocked Out Pokémon. (Discard it anyway.) At any time during your turn before your attack, you may discard Mysterious Fossil from play.

The EX Legend Maker print made an additional reword, changing "instead of a Trainer card" to "as well as a Trainer card".

It was once believed that the card would have been reworded again in its next printing after the EX Power Keepers print to be similar to the wording on Armor Fossil and Skull Fossil. However, Great Encounters instead decided to do away with Mysterious Fossil and instead introduce Helix Fossil, Dome Fossil, and Old Amber as separate cards, ensuring there won't be another print of Mysterious Fossil.

Trivia

Origin

Fossils are items in the Pokémon games.