Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Forecasting Reprint Cycles for Scarlet & Violet: Great Tusk as a Case Study
Predictive modeling for reprint cycles has become a practical art for players, collectors, and market analysts alike. As the Pokémon TCG pivots through Scarlet & Violet’s era, cards like Great Tusk from the Temporal Forces subset (sv05) offer a revealing snapshot of how rarity, utility, and artistic pedigree inform reprint timing. This Basic Fighting-type captures attention not just for its 140 HP and two solid attacks, but for the storytelling that surrounds it—an illustration by Mitsuhiro Arita that fans recognize, and a strategic footprint that resonates in both casual and competitive play.
Great Tusk is officially classified as Uncommon within the Temporal Forces set, a factor that often sits at the sweet spot for reprint probability. Uncommons are frequently revisited in later print runs to maintain deck-building accessibility while preserving the allure of more elusive rarities. The card’s basic status—not an evolution—keeps it straightforward for new players and veteran collectors alike, while its two attacks hint at a deliberate design choice: balance raw aggression with the potential for amplified damage under the right conditions.
Card at a glance
- Card name: Great Tusk
- Set: Temporal Forces (sv05)
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Stage: Basic
- HP: 140
- Type: Fighting
- Illustrator: Mitsuhiro Arita
- Attacks:
- Lunge Out — Cost: Fighting, Colorless; Damage: 30
- Wrathful Charge — Cost: Fighting, Colorless, Colorless; Damage: 80+ (If your benched Pokémon have any damage counters on them, this attack does 80 more damage.)
- Retreat: 4
- Regulation: H (Standard & Expanded legal)
- Pricing snapshot: CardMarket avg ~0.04 EUR, low ~0.02 EUR; holo values historically higher, reflecting collector demand
Artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita remains a strong selling point for this card, reminding collectors of the enduring visual language that defined early generations of the TCG, even as new generations push into the Scarlet & Violet era. The dynamic pose and rugged silhouette of Great Tusk in Temporal Forces resonate with the set’s theme of ancient power meeting modern battlegrounds—the kind of aesthetic that can drive a card’s shelf appeal and, by extension, its reprint visibility.
When we talk about predictive modeling for reprints, the structural data matters as much as the storytelling. Great Tusk’s attack suite illustrates a pattern: a solid early-game threat (Lunge Out, 30 for two energy) paired with a high-potential finisher (Wrathful Charge, 80+). That combination makes it a candidate for reprint consideration when the demand for consistent, affordable Fighting-type staples rises, or when the broader meta shifts to emphasize bench damage synergy. In practice, players can leverage Wrathful Charge by stacking damage on benched Pokémon via other effects or by deploying it in a deck that can reliably access multiple threats across the bench—without neglecting its own vulnerability to energy acceleration and disruption strategies in the opponent’s lineup.
“Forecasting reprints isn’t just about counting how many copies exist; it’s about watching how the metagame rewards certain play patterns and how collectors respond to the art, flavor, and nostalgia embedded in a card.” ⚡
Why timing matters in reprint windows
Temporal Forces, with its sv05 designation, sits in a broader rotation pattern within Scarlet & Violet. Sets in this era frequently see reprints tied to major product launches, anniversary events, or rotations that bring certain mechanics back into standard play. Great Tusk’s moderate rarity and mass-appeal design hint that it could surface again in an upcoming reprint cycle if demand remains steady and supply tightens in the market. The card’s standard-legal status (Standard & Expanded) further elevates its visibility, since players across formats seek reliable, budget-friendly options that can slot into diverse fighting-type builds.
From a collector’s lens, the Uncommon tier remains intriguingly resilient. It doesn’t command the same premium as a holo Rare or full-art variant, but it occupies a consistent, accessible rung on price graphs, as reflected by CardMarket data showing a measured but ongoing interest (avg around 0.04 EUR, with occasional fluctuations). For new collectors, this creates an approachable entry point into the Temporal Forces set, while seasoned collectors might track reprint signals to time upgrades or batch purchases—especially as print runs evolve and supply shifts with new product cycles. 🔎💎
Market signals and strategy for players
In practice, predictive models incorporate several signals: set composition (official card counts, total print runs), card rarity distribution, the card’s combat utility (HP, energy costs, attack efficiency), and rotation-era dynamics. Great Tusk’s 140 HP gives it staying power in early turns, while Wrathful Charge’s potential boost incentivizes a bench-damage strategy when synergy cards are available. The Retreat cost of 4 adds a layer of deck-building discipline—players may pair Great Tusk with energy-efficient accelerators or re-entry tools to ensure it can reach its critical mass before being shuffled back or swapped out by opponents’ strategies.
Illustrated by a veteran artist, with a design that fans instantly recognize, Great Tusk embodies the dual pull of playability and nostalgia. This dual appeal is precisely what drives interest in reprint forecasting: a card that remains relevant in game terms and beloved in art terms is a candidate for future appearances when market demand aligns with supply realities. The regulation mark H keeps it accessible to a broad player base, ensuring that any reprint window would be well-timed to maximize both play and collectability. 🔥🎴
For collectors and players who want to stay ahead, a practical approach is to monitor the balance between print runs and demand across standard and expanded formats. Keep an eye on online marketplaces for fluctuations in low-end pricing, and watch official announcements for any reprint waves tied to new product drops. Great Tusk provides a crisp case study in how a well-balanced, unassuming card—supported by solid artwork and reliable play potential—can remain relevant across evolving formats and market conditions. ⚡🎨
Ready to explore more cards and their journey through reprint cycles? Dive into the linked perspectives below and see how predictive modeling translates to real-world market moves and gameplay choices.
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