Ancient technical Machine [Steel] 86/101 Reverse Holo Pokémon EX Hidden Legends Raw

Pokémon: N/A

Series: EX

Set: Hidden Legends

Card Number: 85

Rarity: UC

Condition: N/A

Grade: Raw

Year: 2004

Illustrator:  Mitsuhiro Arita

Type: N/A

The Ancient Technical Machine [Steel] 86/101 is an Uncommon Trainer (Technical Machine) card from EX Hidden Legends, released on June 14, 2004 by The Pokémon Company and illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, the prolific Japanese artist whose clean, functional linework and dynamic compositions defined much of the original Pokémon TCG's Trainer card artwork across the Base, Neo, and EX eras. As one of only three "Ancient Technical Machine" cards in the 101-card master set—alongside Ancient Technical Machine [Ice] (84/101) and Ancient Technical Machine [Rock] (85/101)—it features a distinctive illustration depicting an open clam-shaped device with a steel formation suspended in the distant half, a design motif unique to this trio. The "Reverse Holo" variant is distinguished by the holographic foil being applied to the back of the card rather than the artwork window, giving the card a shimmering, iridescent reverse side while the front retains its clean, matte finish. The card's Japanese counterpart, 超古代のワザマシン鋼 (Very Ancient Technique Machine of Steel), appeared in the Undone Seal expansion (077/083).

In terms of decks and strategy, Ancient Technical Machine [Steel]'s attack, Steel Generator, costs two Colorless Energy and triggers a powerful energy-redistribution effect: if the Defending Pokémon has a Poké-Power or Poké-Body, the player chooses up to 2 basic Energy cards attached to one of the opponent's Pokémon and attaches them to the Defending Pokémon. In 2004–2006 competitive formats, this made it a devastating energy-theft tool in control and disruption-focused decks, as it could strip up to two Energy from an over-invested attacker like Registeel ex or Metagross ex and redirect it to a key attacker on the player's side of the field. The conditional trigger—requiring the Defending Pokémon to have a Poké-Power or Poké-Body—added a layer of strategic targeting, forcing players to choose which opponent to attack to maximize the energy theft. The restriction that it can only be attached to Evolved Pokémon (excluding Pokémon-ex and Owner Pokémon) meant players had to commit a non-ex evolved body to the attack, and the mandatory end-of-turn discard created a single-use tempo swing. In modern Unlimited and Modified formats, it remains a functional tech card in any deck that needs a conditional energy-redistribution tool without committing to a Pokémon Tool or Stadium slot.

Collectors love the Reverse Holo Ancient Technical Machine [Steel] for its unique position as one of the most mechanically creative Technical Machine cards ever printed in the franchise, a card whose conditional energy-theft effect represented a design philosophy of resource redirection that was remarkably elegant for a two-Colorless Energy cost. Mitsuhiro Arita's illustration, with its clean, geometric clam-device motif and the floating steel formation rendered in his signature precise linework, gives the card a timeless visual identity that stands out among the more character-driven artwork of the set's other Uncommon Trainers. The Reverse Holo treatment elevates an otherwise common Trainer card into a genuine visual chase, as the iridescent foil on the back catches light at different angles to reveal a subtle, shifting rainbow pattern that no standard printing can replicate. As one of only three Ancient Technical Machine cards in the set, it occupies a singular position within the EX Hidden Legends checklist, and its permanently fixed supply—combined with over 20 years of natural wear from the population of Hidden Legends cards that were opened, played, and traded in the mid-2000s—ensures that quality raw Reverse Holo copies remain a steady target for both set completionists and players of Modified format tournaments who still appreciate the creative energy-redistribution mechanics of one of the EX era's most strategically rewarding Technical Machines.

Product Details

Card Number / Rarity:86/101 / Uncommon

Card Type / HP / Stage:Item / /

Card Text:Attach this card to 1 of your Evolved Pokemon (excluding Pokemon-ex and Pokemon that has an owner in its name) in play. That Pokemon may use this card's attack instead of its own. At the end of your turn, discard Ancient Technical Machine [Steel].

Attack 1:[2] Steel Generator
If the Defending Pokemon has a Poke-Power or Poke-Body, choose up to 2 basic Energy cards attached to 1 of your opponent's Pokemon and attach them to the Defending Pokemon.

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