Maschiff vs Top-Tier Decks: Matchup Analysis Guide

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Maschiff SV01-135 card art (Scarlet & Violet)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Practical Meta Perspective: Maschiff’s Role Against Top-Tier Decks

In the Pokémon TCG landscape framed by Scarlet & Violet, Maschiff stands out as a humble, budget-friendly Dark-type Basic. With 70 HP, it isn’t built as a glass cannon so much as a tempo piece—small enough to fit into tight budgets and quick enough to pressure the opponent’s early board. Its two attacks—Rear Kick for 10 damage and Darkness Fang for 20 damage—cost Darkness energy, with Darkness Fang also requiring a Colorless. That modest damage, paid off with reasonable energy flexibility, invites a deliberate tempo where Maschiff stings just enough to keep pressure on while you search for your bigger threats. The retreat cost of 2 nudges you toward careful bench management, because a poorly placed Maschiff can be scooped up by a simple KO if you’re caught flat-footed.

The Scarlet & Violet SV01 print adds a classic Basic silhouette to the Dark toolbox, but this card doesn’t evolve on this sheet. That makes Maschiff a reliable anchor in a toolbox deck, where you lean on other lines for acceleration and finishers. The illustration by Kantaro captures a scrappy, nocturnal spirit that fans of Dark-type adventures will recognize—a reminder that even budget options can carry share-worthy art and character. As a Common rarity, Maschiff appears frequently in casual lists and early-game drafts, offering approachable entry points for collectors who want to own a recognizable member of the Scarlet & Violet era.

Strategy note: Maschiff shines when used as a tempo piece—to harass the opponent’s early board while you seed your engine. Don’t sleep on the little bites; every 10 or 20 damage adds up as you weather the early exchanges. ⚡🔥

Card snapshot at a glance

  • Category: Pokémon
  • Name: Maschiff
  • Set: Scarlet & Violet (SV01)
  • Rarity: Common
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 70
  • Type: Darkness
  • Attacks: Rear Kick (Darkness, 10); Darkness Fang (Darkness + Colorless, 20)
  • Retreat: 2
  • Illustrator: Kantaro
  • Weakness: (not listed in the provided data)
  • Regulation: G (Standard & Expanded legal)
  • Card number: sv01-135

Pricing insights for Maschiff in non-holo form show a typical market value in the cents range, reflecting its Common rarity and role as a budget staple. CardMarket data indicates an average around €0.04 with dips to about €0.02, and a gentle upward trend over short windows. Holo variants (if printed) tend to fetch higher values, averaging around €0.21 with a noticeable trend upward in shorter time frames. For collectors, Maschiff represents an approachable entry into modern Scarlet & Violet collecting and a charming add-on for a themed Dark deck. 🎴💎

From a gameplay standpoint, Maschiff’s limited raw damage means you’ll want to lean on trainer support and smart timing. Top-tier decks frequently accelerate to bigger threats quickly, so Maschiff can serve as a deterrent that buys you a turn or two while you draw into your engine or your evolution line. With Darkness energy acceleration and flexible search effects, opening turns can seed a setup that threatens the opponent’s options without overcommitting to a single line. The decisive move is balance: Maschiff should pressure but not overextend if a more dangerous threat is looming on the other side of the board.

When facing fast, high-HP archetypes, Maschiff’s low cost is an asset, provided you’ve planned your bench strategically. Against bulkier decks, your goal is to apply poison-like chip damage while you assemble your late-game finishers. This approach is in line with a broader meta narrative: Maschiff embodies the “play patient, play smart” ethos that defines many top-tier games. The card’s compact footprint makes it easy to slot into a variety of lists, and its everyday presence in SV01 reinforces the idea that value isn’t solely about the biggest number—it's about staying in the game long enough to reach your power spike. 🎮🎨

In the grand arc of the Scarlet & Violet era, Maschiff’s artful simplicity resonates with players who cherish a scrappy, underdog vibe. Kantaro’s illustration adds a tactile warmth to a card that otherwise might be overlooked in a sea of powerful attackers. For players who enjoy both strategy and storytelling, Maschiff offers a small but meaningful doorway into the deeper meta of top-tier decks, reminding us that every match is a chance to outsmart the board and outplay the opponent with patience, tactics, and a little bit of canine cunning.

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Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

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