Lycanroc GX and the Anime Arcs Shaping Its TCG Story

In TCG ·

Lycanroc GX card art from Guardians Rising (SM2-74)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Lycanroc GX: How the anime arcs influence its TCG evolution

Across the sun-drenched and moonlit conflicts that color the Pokémon anime, Lycanroc has long symbolized the turning points where a loyal partner becomes a true powerhouse. In the collectible layer of the hobby, Lycanroc GX from Guardians Rising (SM2) captures that narrative in a single card: a fierce Fighting-type with a dramatic mid-evolution moment that mirrors the show’s emphasis on growth, timing, and adaptability ⚡🔥. Illustrated by the celebrated 5ban Graphics, this Ultra Rare piece brings a moment of cinematic tension to the tabletop—the instant a bond is tested and re-forged into something even sharper.

The card’s lore echoes the anime’s core themes. Rockruff’s evolution into Lycanroc is a rite of passage—an arc about trust, training, and the courage to confront the day’s challenges head-on. Lycanroc GX translates that journey into game-ready power: a high-HP front-liner that can flip a battle with a precise evolve-triggered effect and a GX finisher that punishes stacked boards. In the anime, these beats are felt whenever a trainer’s decision to push beyond the ordinary reshapes the battlefield; in the TCG, that same decision appears as Bloodthirsty Eyes and Dangerous Rogue GX, two tools that reward tempo, field control, and a deep read of your opponent’s setup 🔥🎴.

Bloodthirsty Eyes: timing the arc in a single play

Lycanroc GX’s standout ability—Bloodthirsty Eyes—activates when you play Lycanroc GX from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokémon during your turn. In practical terms, you can upgrade a key Pokemon on your bench at just the moment your opponent believes they’ve stabilized, then snatch a benched threat away by swapping it with the Active. It’s a direct nod to the anime’s recurring motif: a sudden, decisive shift that re-centers the struggle around a decisive moment. For players, this means you can force a change in the field’s dynamic at critical junctures, potentially breaking an opponent’s combo line or interrupting a bulky setup before the plot twist lands. The artwork and flavor ride hand in hand with this mechanic, presenting Lycanroc’s piercing gaze as a literal game changer on the table ⚡🎮.

Attacks that mirror high-stakes anime battles

Lycanroc GX comes armed with Claw Slash for 110 damage, a sturdy option to apply pressure and threaten knockout on a wide range of boards. Its second attack, Dangerous Rogue GX, punishes the opponent for every Benched Pokémon, scaling with their board state. This design resonates with the anime’s habit of escalating threats—the more the opponent hinges on their bench, the hotter the moment becomes. Yet the GX rule—no more than one GX attack per game—grounds the fantasy in strategic discipline, reminding players to pick the right moment for their most dramatic burst. The combination of high-damage single hits and a bench-based GX finisher makes Lycanroc GX a versatile asset in Expanded formats, aligning with the arc-driven storytelling the show is famous for: big moments earned through careful planning and bold execution 🏔️💥.

Strategic takeaways for trainers: channeling the anime’s momentum

  • Leverage the evolve trigger: use Bloodthirsty Eyes to pivot the battlefield when you evolve a Pokémon mid-turn. This is your chance to disrupt opponent plans and set up a finishing blow with Claw Slash or a timely GX burst.
  • Bench density as a resource: Dangerous Rogue GX rewards you for a populated bench. Craft a deck that positions multiple targets and timing windows, so you can maximize damage when your foe’s defenses are stretched thin.
  • Expanded format awareness: Lycanroc GX’s legality in Expanded (not Standard) influences how you build around it. Embrace techs that survived rotation and keep the pressure steady across longer games.
  • Weakness discipline: with Grass-type Pokémon posing a ×2 weakness, plan your matchups to avoid giving your opponent easy two-hit wins. Balance aggression with protection for your backfield threats.

Collectors and value: a piece rooted in a beloved era

As an Ultra Rare from Guardians Rising, Lycanroc GX occupies a coveted niche for both players and collectors. The card’s holo variant, animated by 5ban Graphics, is particularly sought after for its dynamic glow and the epic moment it captures on card stock. Market data from late 2025 reflects a stable niche of interest: non-holo SM2-74 tends to hover in the modest euro range, while holo versions fetch higher prices, with fluctuations driven by condition, print runs, and demand among those chasing the GX-era arc pieces. CardMarket shows averages around a couple of euros for many copies, with holo listings reaching higher, and TCGPlayer’s holo values peaking around the $11 range for standout listings, though typical market prices sit in the $2–$3 vicinity in many shops. The expanded-legal stance keeps Lycanroc GX relevant for a broad audience of players and collectors who treasure the set’s thematic cohesion with the anime’s ongoing story arcs 🔥💎.

Beyond numbers, the card’s art—an electrifying portrayal by 5ban Graphics—remains a compelling draw for fans who celebrate the show’s mood and heroism. Guardians Rising’ s theme of guardianship and resilience aligns with Lycanroc’s persona on the battlefield, turning a narrative moment into a tangible, playable force that can still spark memories of the anime’s most memorable clashes. The card’s lore-infused design—paired with its bold attacks and evolving centerpiece—remains a strong argument for why this piece endures in both display and deck-building contexts. The moment Lycanroc steps forward from the bench is a small mirror of the anime’s big moments, a bridge between story and strategy 🎨🎮.

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