Dhelmise’s Shipwreck Anchor: Symbolism in Pokémon TCG Art

In TCG ·

Dhelmise SV05-019 card art, a shipwreck anchored by seaweed with a dark, oceanic backdrop

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Symbolism Behind Dhelmise’s Shipwreck Anchor

In the Pokémon TCG, sometimes a card does more than deal damage or anchor a strategy—it anchors a mood. Dhelmise, the grass-type basic Pokémon shimmering from the Temporal Forces set, embodies a maritime myth of resilience and memory. The artwork layers symbolism: a shipwrecked anchor wrapped in swaying seaweed that tethers a sunken vessel to the living world. This is not just a creature on a card; it’s a narrative about salvaging what remains, about turning ruin into purpose, and about finding strength in the tides of change. ⚡

Art, lore, and the season of Temporal Forces

Credit to Saya Tsuruta for a design that feels both ancient and immediate, as if the anchor itself remembers every voyage it helped stabilize. The color palette—deep greens and sea-foam blues—evokes underwater depth and the quiet endurance of marine wreckage. The anchor’s rugged silhouette, entwined with kelp, seems to resist both the ocean and the passing of time. It’s a quiet legend you can hold in your hand, a reminder that sometimes the most formidable power is not speed or flash but the stubbornness of staying put when others drift away. 🎨

The symbolism resonates with the game’s core: a basic Pokémon that offers steady, dependable presence on the board, much like an old ship’s anchor that keeps a vessel secure against rough seas. Dhelmise’s design invites players to lean into a longer game—set up a strong bench, protect your field, and let the anchor-based offense Copenhagen into the later turns. This is the artistry of a card that teaches patience as much as it teaches attack values. 🎴

Card data in context

  • Set: Temporal Forces (sv05) — a chapter within a sweeping arc, with the set symbol visible on the card and a total of 218 cards in the full release.
  • Card number / rarity: 019 / Uncommon
  • Type: Grass
  • Stage: Basic (a true starting anchor for a deck)
  • HP: 130
  • Attacks: Spinning Attack (Colorless, Colorless) for 30; Steel Anchor (Grass, Grass, Colorless) for 80+, with a crucial condition: if you have any Metal-type Pokémon on your Bench, this attack deals 80 more damage. This combination invites careful bench management and synergy with Metal-type partners on your team. 🔩
  • Retreat cost: 3
  • Illustrator: Saya Tsuruta
  • Dex number: 781
  • Regulation: Standard and Expanded legal, Regulation Mark H
  • Variants: Normal and Reverse, with no first edition or holo variants for this specific listing
  • Pricing snapshot: Cardmarket averages for non-holo around €0.04, with lows near €0.02 and a gentle trend around €0.03; holo variants sit higher, averaging around €0.08 with holo lows near €0.02 and holo trends near €0.08

Beyond the data sheet, the card’s storytelling invites players to build around a theme: a shipwreck turned salvage operation where the anchor’s pull is amplified by allied Metal-type Pokémon. The attack text, though simple at first glance, unlocks a layered playstyle—protect the bench, bank on a Metal synergy, and unleash a heavier hit when the board is primed.

Strategic play notes and deck-building ideas

In battle, Spinning Attack serves as a reliable opener: a modest 30 damage that helps set up the board while you prepare your stronger line. The real workhorse is Steel Anchor. In practical terms, you’ll want to stabilize your bench with Metal-type Pokémon so that your final damage output climbs to 80+ on top of the base 80. That means pairing Dhelmise with Metal-type teammates, or simply ensuring your field has one or more Metal Pokémon to unlock the attack’s full potential. This kind of synergy breathes life into otherwise straightforward Grass-type aggression, creating a hybrid plan that pressures opponents to adapt mid-game. ⚡🔥

With 130 HP, Dhelmise sits in a comfortable middle ground: robust enough to weather early aggression, yet not so bulky that it ignores the need for stage management and energy acceleration. Its Grass typing invites a diverse energy mix, but the Steel Anchor’s requirement nudges players toward a thoughtful bench composition. In practice, you’ll often see this card used in lists that emphasize resource control—maximizing your energy placement, controlling the tempo of the match, and punishing opponents who miscalculate their tempo against a well-timed Steel Anchor hit. 🎮

Market insights for collectors

From a collector’s perspective, Dhelmise from Temporal Forces remains an appealing option for players who value a well-rounded, quietly potent Basic with a unique thematic hook. The Uncommon rarity means it’s accessible, but still holds a collectible charm that fans of maritime motifs relish. The pricing data from Cardmarket indicates a stable, low-barrier investment for non-holo copies, with holo variants commanding a premium—an appealing path for those who chase variety in foil and reverse-foil runs. The card’s legality across Standard and Expanded makes it a practical addition to a wide range of deck archetypes. 💎

For enthusiasts who track card aesthetics, Saya Tsuruta’s art stands out as a memorable piece in the Temporal Forces subset. The shipwreck anchor is more than a creature’s emblem—it’s a visual reminder of how design can fuse lore with mechanics, turning a card into a storytelling artifact you’re proud to show off at meets and tournaments.

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