# Machamp’s Presence Across Base Set Print Runs
Machamp did not appear identically across every Base Set print run. The card existed in multiple versions with different characteristics depending on when and where it was printed, and some print runs featured variations that were significant enough to distinguish them from one another[1].
The Base Set was originally printed using the starlight holofoil pattern as its standard holographic design. However, during certain print runs, some Machamp cards were produced with the Cosmos holofoil pattern instead of the expected starlight pattern[1]. This wasn’t a printing error in the traditional sense, but rather a deliberate variation that occurred during specific production batches. These Cosmos holofoil Machamp cards were notably found inside the 2-Player CD-ROM Starter Set deck, which contained Base Set 2 cards and included a reprint of the unlimited Machamp featuring Base Set 2’s cosmos pattern[1].
Beyond the holofoil variations, Machamp cards from different print runs exhibited numerous other distinguishing characteristics. Unlimited prints of Machamp are known to have several documented variations. One notable variant is the “Green Dot Machamp,” which features a blue-green ink blob appearing over the “H” in “HP” at the top right of the card[1]. Another variant is the “Screen Holo Machamp,” where a yellow “screen” of vertical ink lines can be found across the holographic surface, giving the holos a very unique and distinctive effect[1].
The printing quality and consistency varied between print runs as well. Some unlimited Machamp holos are known to rarely have border errors, similar to errors found on 1st edition common cards[1]. This suggests that the manufacturing process wasn’t perfectly consistent across all production batches, and certain print runs had higher instances of these defects than others.
The distinction between different Machamp versions became important enough that it was eventually corrected in later releases. The 4th Base Set print, which was released exclusively in the United Kingdom, addressed some of these variations and inconsistencies[1]. This correction indicates that the Pokemon Company and Wizards of the Coast recognized the differences between earlier print runs and made adjustments to standardize the product in subsequent releases.
The existence of these multiple versions means that collectors and enthusiasts can identify which print run a Machamp card came from based on its holofoil pattern, the presence or absence of ink variations, and other printing characteristics. A Machamp with the starlight holofoil would be from one print run, while a Cosmos holofoil version would be from the 2-Player CD-ROM Starter Set or Base Set 2 era. The presence of the green dot or screen holo effects would further narrow down which specific production batch a card originated from.
This variation in Machamp across print runs reflects the broader reality of Base Set production. The set was printed across multiple years and in different locations, with printing technology and quality control standards that evolved over time. What remained consistent was the card’s existence and its role in the set, but the physical characteristics of individual Machamp cards could differ substantially depending on when they were manufactured and which printing facility produced them.
