Krookodile Custom Formats Spark Pokémon TCG Community Creativity

Krookodile BW6-127 card art from Dragons Exalted by 5ban Graphics

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Krookodile in Custom Formats: Sparking Pokémon TCG Community Creativity

In the Pokémon TCG, the most exciting innovations often blossom outside the official tournament umbrella. Custom formats invite players to remix rules, experiment with prize structures, and celebrate the cards that fuel nostalgia and new strategy alike. At the heart of many discussions is Krookodile, the dark-typed powerhouse from Dragons Exalted. This Secret Rare, a Stage 2 Evolution that evolves from Krokorok, delivers a compelling blend of resilience and aggression with 150 HP and two distinct attacks. It’s a perfect centerpiece for fan-made formats that lean into prize-driven tension and retreat-control mind games. ⚡🔥

Card snapshot: Krookodile at a glance

Card name: Krookodile
Set: Dragons Exalted (bw6) — Official card count 124, total 128
Rarity: Secret Rare
Stage: Stage 2 (evolves from Krokorok)
HP: 150
Type: Darkness
Attacks: Dark Clamp — 60 damage; The Defending Pokémon can't retreat during your opponent's next turn.
Bombast — 40 damage; Does 40 damage times the number of Prize cards you have taken.
Weakness / Resistance: Fighting ×2; Psychic -20
Retreat: 3
Illustrator: 5ban Graphics
Legal in formats: Expanded only

“In custom formats, a high-HP Stage 2 Darkness attacker like Krookodile becomes more than a stat line—it’s a narrative device that shapes pacing, risk, and control.”

Why Krookodile shines in player-made formats

The synergy between Krookodile’s two attacks invites a variety of rule twists that make each game feel fresh. Dark Clamp’s retreat lock for the opponent’s next turn gives you crucial breathing room to set up follow-up hits or pivot to a defensive posture, an advantage that becomes especially potent in formats with altered prize counts or modified energy costs. Bombast adds a scaleable punch, turning every knockout into a potential comeback mechanic when your prize lead grows. In formats that emphasize survival and late-game dominance, Krookodile’s 150 HP is a reliable anchor—tough enough to stick around, relentless enough to threaten. And with its Dark-type focus, clever format builders can pair Krookodile with other Darkness-era staples to create cohesive lineups that test both nostalgia and modern decision-making. 💎🎴

Format ideas inspired by Krookodile

Dark Dominion Expanded Mini-Format: A compact environment using only Expanded-legal Darkness Pokémon and supporters that amplify prize trades. Krookodile’s Bombast rewards players who leverage large prize counts to push for decisive blows.
Retreat Lock Challenge: A ruleset that rewards reducing opponent retreats and forcing standoff scenarios. Dark Clamp becomes a powerful tool for dictating tempo and forcing suboptimal attackers to stay active too long.
Elite Endgame Scrimmage: Focused on late-game durability and big swings; Krookodile’s presence encourages battle lines that endure into the late turns, where high-HP threats often determine the winner.

Market value and collecting insights

The Dragons Exalted Krookodile sits in a fascinating slot for collectors: a Secret Rare from a beloved era with a striking silhouette. Market data reflects both nostalgia and scarcity. CardMarket’s current snapshot shows an average around €83.33, a broad range with lows near €15, and a positive trend around 43.57, signaling healthy interest across European collectors. For holofoil or rarer variants, the holo metrics suggest continued premium demand, with holo-trend modestly higher. On TCGPlayer, holofoil Krookodile copies demonstrate elevated pricing, with low around $149.99, mid near $174.99, and high close to $199.99, while the general market price sits around $87.99 for listings. Taken together, these numbers reflect a card that remains aspirational for many players and a prized exhibit for collectors who value both playability history and artwork credit. The card’s enduring appeal is amplified by the aura of 5ban Graphics, whose work on this piece continues to resonate with fans. 💎

Art, lore, and the artist's influence

The Krookodile artwork from Dragons Exalted captures the gleam and menace of a late-stage Evolution in the dark spectrum. 5ban Graphics has a knack for dynamic creature portrayal—an artistry that elevates the card beyond a battler’s stat line to a collectible with its own storytelling cadence. The card’s holo options, including standard and reverse holos, further enhance its shelf presence. For players who savor the synergy between aesthetic and function, Krookodile stands out as a benchmark example of how art direction can deepen a card’s identity within a format-focused community. 🎨🎮

When communities bridge the gap between organized play and creative play, they often seek tangible reminders of that collaboration. The provided product accessory below embodies that spirit: a personalized workspace companion that echoes the playful tension of custom formats—perfect for night-time card nights, stream setups, or desk-side inspiration.

Gaming Mouse Pad 9x7 Neoprene with Custom Print