Nosepass vs Top-Tier Decks: Matchup Analysis

In TCG ·

Nosepass card art from Legends Awakened (dp6-109)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

The Strategy Spotlight: Nosepass in Legends Awakened

In the Legends Awakened era of the Pokémon TCG, Nosepass arrives as a sturdy little anchor for Fighting decks. Painted by the legendary Ken Sugimori, this Basic Pokémon with 70 HP wears its simplicity proudly: two modest attacks, a low retreat cost, and a very specific interaction that can tip the scales when a certain bench companion is ready. The card’s charm isn’t just nostalgia; it’s a teachable moment in how a pocket pick with a precise condition can shape matchups against top-tier decks. ⚡🎴

Card snapshot

  • Name: Nosepass
  • Set: Legends Awakened (dp6)
  • Rarity: Common
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 70
  • Type: Fighting
  • Attacks:
    • Sharpen — Cost: Colorless — 10 damage
    • Nose Poke — Cost: Fighting, Colorless — 20+ damage

    Text: If Probopass is on your Bench, this attack does 20 damage plus 20 more damage.

  • Weakness: Water (+20)
  • Retreat: 1
  • Illustrator: Ken Sugimori
  • Evolution: Evolves into Probopass (on future cards)
  • Legal (as of 2025-08): Not standard-legal, nor expanded-legal — an older classic for collection and niche play

Nosepass’s strength isn’t raw power; it’s tactical positioning. The Nose Poke attack becomes a meaningful finisher only when Probopass sits on your Bench, turning a humble 20+ into a potential 40-damage tempo swing. That conditional punch is a reminder of how older sets often rewarded clever bench management and subtle synergy. The card’s rarity as Common does not diminish its potential to surprise top-tier decks when used with discipline and a clear game plan. 🔥💎

Matchup philosophy: top-tier decks and a niche engine

Against the era’s top-tier archetypes—often fast, powerful, and pressuring the opponent's bench—Nosepass takes on the role of a miniature, tempo-based accelerator. The core idea is to establish a bench Probopass early enough to unlock Nose Poke’s bonus damage, while Nosepass itself absorbs a few early hits thanks to its modest HP and a low retreat cost. In practice, you’re not aiming for a knockout with Nosepass alone; you’re shaping the board so your heavier hitters can finish the job while your nose-tapping basic holds the front line just long enough to fuel the plan. ⚡🎨

  • Bench conditioning: The key is to sequence your draws so Probopass reliably appears on the Bench by the time you need Nose Poke to translate into real damage. This requires careful energy placement and a couple of utility cards that fetch or search your Evolutions, creating a controlled tempo rather than a hail-mary play.
  • Risk vs. reward: With a vulnerable 70 HP, Nosepass invites pressure from fast one- or two-card KOs from aggressive top-tier decks. Your defense is patience and the conditional payoff of Nose Poke—40 damage if the bench condition is met—so you’re betting on your ability to stall and pivot rather than trading blows straight away.
  • Weakness considerations: Water-type decks loom as a natural counter, given the +20 weakness. In a meta with strong Water pressure, Nosepass-based lines must be supported by healing, removal, or the capaz to retreat and reframe the damage race before the opponent runs away with the tempo.
  • Evolutionary timing: The evolutionary hook matters. While Nosepass itself is a basic, the deck’s plan centers on transitioning to Probopass to unlock that extra-damage payoff. Without a bench Probopass, Nose Poke remains a straightforward 20-damage option, which is a far gentler proposition against top-tier decks.

In practical terms, the matchup hinges on your ability to sustain a slow-burn strategy while your late-game hitters—backed by Nosepass’s setup—land those clean, decisive blows. It’s a duel of patience, resource juggling, and reading the board—an ode to the deeper, more thoughtful side of the Pokémon TCG. 🎮

Market insights and collecting value

For collectors, this Nosepass from Legends Awakened sits at an approachable edge of the market, especially the non-holo copies. The card’s pricing reflects its Common rarity and its role as a budget-friendly nostalgic pick. Here’s a snapshot of current values tracked across major markets (as of mid-to-late 2025):

  • : avg €0.18; low €0.03; holo variant avg €0.35; holo low €0.20; holo trend roughly +0.74 over the last period
  • TCGplayer: Normal cards low around $0.15, mid around $0.25, high around $0.99; Market price around $0.24; Reverse holofoil variants show higher volatility with low around $0.91, mid $1.66, high $4.99

What makes Nosepass appealing beyond the gameplay is the nostalgia factor and the artistry from Ken Sugimori—the clean, bold linework that defined many classic Pokémon cards. Its holo variants, while not exorbitant, become desirable for players who love the “blink-and-you-miss-it” rare chase or for those who enjoy the careful nostalgia of a Legends Awakened era. The numbers also hint at a modest but steady interest for holo collectors, particularly those who curate complete sets or seek nostalgic pieces to pair with Probopass-themed decks in vintage collection displays. The evolving market data as of October 2025 shows a gentle uptick in holo demand, which is a nice signal for long-term collectors. 🎴💎

Art, lore, and the enduring appeal

Ken Sugimori’s art anchors Nosepass with personality—an unassuming rock Pokémon that reminds us how even the smallest decisions can matter in a card game. The Legends Awakened set, identified by dp6, weaves a narrative of discovery and evolution, and Nosepass sits at the crossroads of that journey. The simple design invites players to imagine Probopass stepping into the battlefield, the two Pokémon complementing each other like a matched pair in a painter’s sketchbook. The synergy between Nash-like bench strategy and an evolving battleground is a classic reminder of why so many players remain devoted to the TCG across generations. 🎨🔹

For players looking to explore niche strategies, Nosepass is a tiny but insightful case study in conditional power—how a card can punch above its weight when the right partner is nearby on the bench. It’s a charming reminder that even in a game filled with big, flashy attackers, careful planning and tempo control can prove decisive against even the most overwhelming top-tier lines. ⚡🎮

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