Hydreigon Synergy Analysis Using Card Databases

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Hydreigon card art from Plasma Freeze (BW9) - holo Rare illustration by 5ban Graphics

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Hydreigon: A Deep Dive into Synergy with Card Databases

In the vast ecosystem of the Pokémon TCG, Hydreigon stands out as a powerhouse that rewards patient build-and-up strategies. From its home in Plasma Freeze (BW9) as a holo Rare illustrated by 5ban Graphics, this Darkness-type Stage 2 evolves from Zweilous to deliver a blend of disruption and raw force. With 150 HP, a sturdy presence on the bench, and two cunning attacks, Hydreigon embodies how card databases and deck architecture intersect to create resilient, late-game threats. For players and collectors alike, Hydreigon offers a rich case study in analyzing synergy across formats, tools, and opponent reactions. Let's take a structured look at what makes Hydreigon tick, and how you can leverage its card data to maximize synergy in a real-world deck. The official card data paints a clear picture: rare holo, Darkness type, Stage 2 evolution, and a retreat cost of 3. Its dual-attack kit—Tractorbeam and Obsidian Fang—gives you both control and power, while its weaknesses and protections shape your match-up decisions in the Expanded pool of play.

Card data at a glance

  • Name: Hydreigon
  • Set: Plasma Freeze (BW9) — holo Rare
  • Illustrator: 5ban Graphics
  • Dex: 635
  • HP: 150
  • Types: Darkness
  • Stage: Stage 2 (evolves from Zweilous)
  • Attacks: Tractorbeam (Darkness, Colorless, Colorless): Switch 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokémon with the Defending Pokémon. This attack does 40 damage to the new Defending Pokémon. Obsidian Fang (Darkness, Colorless, Colorless, Colorless): Before doing damage, discard all Pokémon Tool cards attached to the Defending Pokémon. Then deal 80 damage.
  • Weakness: Fighting ×2
  • Resistance: Psychic −20
  • Retreat: 3
  • Format legality: Expanded (Standard not legal for this card)
  • Pricing snapshot: Cardmarket average around €2.73 with holo premiums; TCGPlayer holo mid around $4.7 with highs near $14.99
From a collector’s and player’s perspective, Hydreigon’s 150 HP gives it staying power in longer games, especially when you pair it with a robust Darkness energy base and supportive trainers that sustain your late-game pressure. The two attacks balance disruption and damage: Tractorbeam can force your opponent to reshuffle their bench, opening favorable matchups or stalling a momentum-heavy setup; Obsidian Fang adds a heavier punch while forcing your opponent to contend with the loss of key Tools. The combination is a classic example of synergy in action—a card that rewards careful sequencing and board-state evaluation.

Strategic synergy in practice

Hydreigon thrives when you orchestrate a deck around tempo manipulation and Tool control. The Tractorbeam effect is not merely a bench-kill tool; it’s a strategic instrument that forces your opponent to reallocate resources, potentially triggering suboptimal plays on their turn. In tandem with this, Obsidian Fang plays off the risk-reward of Tool attachment in modern play—discarding all Tools on the Defending Pokémon can swing a matchup where a single Tool could otherwise lock Hydreigon out of a crucial advantage. Deck builders often seek to maximize Hydreigon’s longevity by using energy acceleration in Darkness-heavy cores and selection-based draw to hit the right timing. The big HP pool helps Hydreigon weather early trades, and its vulnerability profile—Fighting weakness and Psychic resistance—shapes which matchups to prioritize. The retreat cost of 3 means you’ll want reliable switching or extra mobility to avoid getting stalled at key turns. From a database perspective, synergy is visible in the way Hydreigon interacts with the broader Plasma Freeze era. The set’s balance includes powerful evolutions, item interactions, and a tempo ecosystem where size and disruption matter. Hydreigon’s play pattern rewards looking ahead: anticipate your opponent’s Tool choices, bench composition, and potential counters. If you expect Tool-heavy strategies (common in expanded formats), Obsidian Fang becomes a critical counterweight to prevent a single tool from seizing the game for your opponent. Tips for building around Hydreigon: - Prioritize energy acceleration that sustains a turn-two or turn-three großen threat window, enabling Hydreigon to come down with enough momentum to swing late in the game. - Include targeted Tool-removal opportunities (in expanded formats) to maximize Obsidian Fang’s discarding effect without sacrificing your own Tools in the process. - Manage bench pressure with Tractorbeam to force strategic shifts in the opponent’s lineup, especially when they rely on bench-based pivots. - Exploit Hydreigon’s defensive posture by pairing it with other Dark-type assets that can pressure the opponent while Hydreigon cleans up with Obsidian Fang. Collectors will appreciate the Hydreigon holo variant for its aesthetic, plus the rarity’s interaction with the Plasma Freeze era’s storytelling and flavor. The card’s illustration—by 5ban Graphics—captures the fearsome silhouette and the energy of a dragon-night creature that thrives in the Team Plasma-infused world of BW9. In terms of market movement, Hydreigon sits in a comfort zone for mid-range collectors and players, with holo copies commanding a modest premium relative to the standard print, as reflected in Cardmarket and TCGPlayer price tracks updated in 2025. For players who balance nostalgia with metagame awareness, Hydreigon offers a bridge between classic bench-control concepts and modern tool-disruption dynamics. It’s a reminder that even in a game of high-octane creature-on-creature battles, the subtleties of card text—like the mandatory tool-discard on the Defending Pokémon—can redefine turn-by-turn decisions and deck-building philosophy. As you inventory your card databases, Hydreigon’s profile—HP, stage, attacks, and resistances—helps you map where it fits in Expanded decks and how it can synergize with other Darkness drivers in your collection. ⚡🔥 MagSafe Phone Case with Card Holder (Polycarbonate Slim)

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