Machop Rarity Distribution Analytics Across Pokémon TCG Sets

Machop card art from Champion's Path by Shibuzoh.

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Machop: Rarity Distribution Across Pokémon TCG Sets

When you lift a sleeve of cards and glimpse a gentle green figure with a confident, blocky silhouette, you’re not just seeing a Pokémon—you’re peering into the broader world of rarity, print runs, and market dynamics that shape a player's deck and a collector's shelf. Machop, a staple of the Fighting type family, offers a compelling case study in how a Common rarity card can still impact both gameplay and value across different sets. In Champion's Path, the swsh3.5 iteration of Machop is presented as a straightforward, sturdy Basic attacker with a clean, rules-friendly kit that rewards early aggression and coin-flip risk management. ⚡

Data snapshot: what this Machop brings to the table

Name: Machop
Set: Champion's Path (swsh3.5)
Rarity: Common
HP: 70
Type: Fighting
Stage: Basic
Attacks: Low Kick (Fighting) 10; Steady Punch (Fighting, Colorless) 20+ with a coin flip: if heads, +40 damage
Weakness: Psychic x2
Retreat Cost: 2
Illustrator: Shibuzoh.
Regulation/Legal: Regulation Mark D; Standard not legal, Expanded legal
Variants: Normal and Reverse Holo exist in the set; not first edition

In Champion's Path, Machop sits within a print run that totals 80 distinct cards, with 70 cards officially cataloged in the set. That mix of total and official cards is more than a trivia footnote—it informs how widespread Machop appears in booster packs and how frequently collectors encounter its various printings. Even as a Common, the presence of a reverse holo variant means Machop can pop up as a fan-favorite in display binders and trading discussions, amplifying its perceived rarity and collecting appeal among those who chase holo glamour. 🎴

Rarity distribution and print dynamics across sets

Rarity isn’t a single number; it’s a narrative about distribution and printing. Common cards like Machop typically appear in larger print runs, intended to populate decks and new-player experiences. Champion's Path—a subset focused on a cinematic, gym-league vibe—still follows a print philosophy where Common cards are abundant, while a few coveted cards in higher rarities drive chase-worthy moments for collectors. The presence of a Normal and Reverse Holo in this single Machop example illustrates how a single card can exist in multiple print formats within the same set, providing different collecting hooks and market trajectories. 🔎

Pricing signal: what the data says about value and volatility

Market data from CardMarket and TCGPlayer paints a nuanced picture of how a Common Machop is valued today:

CardMarket (EUR): average around 0.06 EUR; low near 0.02 EUR; holo variants average around 0.20 EUR, with holo extremes up to about 0.24 EUR. The trend indicates steady but modest activity as collectors look for complete set inclusions and reverse holo versions.
TCGPlayer (USD): for the standard (non-holo) Machop, low around $0.01, mid around $0.15, and high near $4.99 in rare cases when a copy becomes desirable due to condition, minor art shifts, or deck-building nostalgia. For reverse holo, lows hover around $0.07, mids near $0.25, and highs up to $4.99 in the market, with direct-low prices occasionally dipping further in off-seasons or bulk buys.
Takeaway: As a Common, Machop’s value sits on the lower end, but the presence of a Reverse Holo and its status as a Basic Fighting Pokémon with accessible play power can nudge demand upward in certain markets, especially among players who prioritize budget-friendly staples or reverse-holo binder completeness. The volatility is light, but the price ladder still offers opportunities for savvy collectors who monitor set rotations and local market quirks. 💎

Gameplay angles: how Machop compounds a deck’s early game

Machop’s two-stage approach to damage—ten from Low Kick and a potential 60 at the moment Steady Punch lands heads—creates a risk-reward loop that veteran players relish. In the early game, you can press for 10 damage with a single Energy to pressure your opponent’s early defenses. If you flip heads on Steady Punch, you can push a 60-damage combo with a single turn—though you’ll need to balance the Energy costs and the coin-flip variability. The 70 HP and a Psychic-type weakness mean Machop shines in decks that can protect it with Pokémon or Trainer cards while you race toward your next attacker. The retreat cost of 2 is a modest hurdle, so you’ll want a plan for retreating or swapping Machop in and out of the active spot as your opponent’s setup evolves. ⚡🔥

Art, lore, and the collector’s eye

Shibuzoh.’s illustration captures Machop’s iconic physique—muscle-dense, determined, and ready to push through any gym challenge. The textual flavor line—“Its whole body is composed of muscles. Even though it's the size of a human child, it can hurl 100 grown-ups.”—adds a touch of lore that resonates with fans who imagine the card as a miniature gym coach in a binder. Such art and flavor details contribute to the card’s personal value, especially when the reverse holo variant highlights the illustration in a way that translates to display shelves and binder pages. 🎨🎴

Putting it all together: strategy for collectors and players

Track set-specific print runs to understand how Common cards like Machop circulate within Champion's Path and beyond. The official vs total counts hint at how often you’ll encounter specific cards in sealed product. 🧭
Monitor market windows for reverse holo opportunities, especially when a player-centered set rotation shrinks availability in Standard or expands in Expanded. 🪙
Plan deck-building around Machop’s coin-flip potential—pair it with support cards that maximize consistency or amplify damage when Steady Punch lands heads. 🧰

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