Gloom Demonstrates Grass Core Mechanics in Pokémon TCG

In TCG ·

Gloom card art from Expedition Base Set

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Gloom and the Grass Core: Core Mechanics in Focus

In the annals of the early Pokémon TCG, certain Grass-type figures stood out for embodying the core mechanics that define a whole color family. Gloom, a Stage 1 evolution from Oddish in the Expedition Base Set, is a quintessential example. With 70 HP, a smartly costed two-attack kit, and a distinctive flavor that blends status play with straightforward damage, Gloom teaches how Grass-type decks can pressure the opponent while maintaining steady board presence. The card’s illustrated charm, crafted by Yuichi Sawayama, captures a mood of mischief and resilience that resonates with players who favor patient, tactical play ⚡.

Card identity at a glance

  • Card name: Gloom
  • Set: Expedition Base Set
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Oddish)
  • HP: 70
  • Type: Grass
  • Attacks: Razor Leaf (Grass + Colorless) 20; Foul Odor (Grass + Colorless + Colorless) 30 — after dealing damage, the Defending Pokémon and Gloom are now Confused
  • Weakness: Psychic ×2
  • Illustrator: Yuichi Sawayama

The move set reads like a blueprint for Grass-type strategy: immediate pressure with a clean 20-point hit, followed by a more punishing, but riskier, option that reshapes the battlefield. Foul Odor’s two-pronged cost (Grass plus two Colorless) is a reminder that Grass-types often balance raw damage with disruptive effects. When you connect for 30, you don’t just chip away; you tilt the odds by forcing your opponent into a Confusion lottery while your own board remains intact.

Gameplay: turning core mechanics into battlefield control

Grass-core decks traditionally lean on a combination of steady energy attachment, advantage-laden evolutions, and status effects to wrestle control from faster opponents. Gloom embodies that philosophy by offering a credible early strike with Razor Leaf and a potent setup for mid-game skirmishes through Foul Odor. The Confusion inflicted by Foul Odor creates a texture of risk and reward: it can derail an opponent’s plan, misalign important threats, and slow them down just long enough for your bench to build momentum.

From a deck-building standpoint, Gloom’s cost structure informs tempo decisions. To reliably deploy Foul Odor, you’ll want a steady energy flow that supports Grass energy plus the additional Colorless draws each turn. In practical terms, you may build around card draw, energy acceleration, or bench-sitter protection to weather the risk of self-confusion. The psychic-type weakness is a real consideration; it means you’ll want to anticipate what your rival will play next and ensure backup attackers or disruption are ready in case a Psychic pivot hits your line.

Historically, Gloom’s evolution line offers a neat ladder of pressure. Evolving from Oddish, it gives you a natural step to extend the Grass core beyond a single punishing blow. While Expedition Base Set formats limit some later-experienced combos, the essence remains: you’re aiming to stall adversaries with Confusion while you chip away at their resources and set up a stronger late-game engine with additional Grass-types or support Pokemon that reward disruption.

Collectors’ notes: rarity, art, and market vibes

As an Uncommon from the classic Expedition Base Set, this Gloom carries a nostalgic appeal that often finds favor with long-time collectors who enjoyed the early era’s distinctive card frame and holo variants. The card’s artistry by Yuichi Sawayama evokes the playful yet eerie mood of the Gloom line—an aesthetic that has aged gracefully and remains a talking point in binder conversations and display cases. For modern collectors tracking value, the card’s market dynamic shows a familiar split: non-holo copies tend to sit in the dollar range, while holo and reverse-holo variants pull higher, especially when graded or shown in good condition. The latest pricing snapshot (notes updated in 2025) hints at modest appreciation for holo and reverse-holo versions, with normal copies lingering around a few dollars depending on condition and market peak times. For instance, pricing data around late 2025 shows normal uncommons around EUR 1.35 on average (TCGMarket), while holo variants can command mid-to-high single-digit USD figures on typical markets, with reverse holos sometimes surpassing the 15–20 USD range in peak conditions. This creates a polite, accessible on-ramp for collectors who want a nostalgic staple without breaking the bank 💎.

For players and collectors alike, Gloom’s enduring appeal is inseparable from the Grass core’s historical resonance. The card’s stance as a Stage 1 evolution, paired with a pair of attacks that can swing tempo, makes it a memorable representative of that era’s design philosophy. The card art, the synergy with Oddish’s evolutionary line, and the simple yet potent gameplay loop all echo a time when strategic play could define a match just as clearly as raw power did.

As you consider adding Gloom to your collection or your deck, remember the broader context: the Grass core thrives on balance—between offense and disruption, between bench stability and on-board threats, and between risk and reward in attacking decisions. Gloom is a vivid teaching tool for that balance, a reminder that playing the long game can yield both victory and a deeper appreciation for the game’s history 🔥🎴.

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