Paldean Clodsire and Paldean Wooper: TCG Line Synergy

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Paldean Clodsire card art from Obsidian Flames

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Line synergy and strategic kinship: Paldean Wooper meets Paldean Clodsire

In the Obsidian Flames era of the Paldea region, the bond between Paldean Wooper and its evolving partner Paldean Clodsire offers a fascinating case study in how a line can evolve from support to control. This Stage 1 Pokémon clocks in at a sturdy 140 HP and carries a Darkness energy theme that leans into crowd-control and damage-density strategies. Illustrated by Shin Nagasawa, the card embodies the murky, Poison-inspired aesthetic of its archetype, while the evolved form brings a reliable presence to mid- to late-game scenarios. The line’s synergy isn’t just about evolution; it’s about timing, positioning, and turning a poison plan into a finishing blow.

Paldean Clodsire’s attacks sketch a clear poison-centered engine. Its first attack, Splattering Poison, costs a single Darkness energy and poisons both Active Pokémon. That is a deliberate, two-for-one effect: it pressures your opponent’s board while accelerating your own status condition setup. The second attack, Venoshock, costs Darkness plus two Colorless energies and deals 80 base damage. The real power emerges when your opponent’s Active Pokémon is already Poisoned, as Venoshock adds a substantial 120 more damage, turning a steady 80 into a potential knockout threat. In practical play, this encourages a tempo where Clodsire both spreads Poison and capitalizes on it, creating a rhythm that can swing turns in your favor while maintaining defensive resilience.

Where the synergy shines is in how Paldean Wooper and Paldean Clodsire support one another on a deck-building canvas. Wooper often acts as the early-stage enabler, using its own tools to apply pressure or stall to set up the Clodsire arrival. Once Clodsire hits the board as a Stage 1, it can sustain the Poison engine while threatening heavier damage with Venoshock if you’ve already poisoned the opponent. This line encourages a play pattern that leans into center-aisle control—poisoning the opponent’s Active Pokémon, forcing retreat or switch, and then finishing with a decisive Venoshock when the moment is right. It’s a dance of risk and reward, with each move nudging you closer to a late-game finish.

From a gameplay standpoint, the energy requirements reinforce careful resource management. Splattering Poison needs only Darkness, which pairs neatly with other Darkness-themed helpers you might bring into the deck. Venoshock’s heavier colorless demand invites an energy base that can sustain multiple turns of pressure, especially when support Pokémon or Trainer cards help accelerate attachment or recycling of resources. The retreat cost of 3 also means you’ll want to protect Clodsire with a solid assumption of board control, ensuring you don’t give up momentum during pivot plays or forced transitions.

“The true strength lies not in one flashy attack, but in the way two Poison-tinged moves create a chain of pressure that your opponent can’t easily answer.” ⚡🔥

Collectors’ perspective: rarity, art, and line value

Paldean Clodsire is an Uncommon card in the Obsidian Flames set, a designation that keeps it accessible for players building around the Paldea Poison theme while still offering a degree of collectibility. The card’s dexId is 980, and it sits within a set that features a substantial total of 230 cards (197 official cards in this release’s scope). The artwork by Shin Nagasawa captures the darker, swampy charm of Paldean Clodsire, complementing the line’s Poison narrative with a mood that fans remember and study. The illustrator credit matters in collector circles, and Nagasawa’s work here is widely appreciated for its characterful expressions and subtle tonal shifts that reflect the card’s dual-Active tension.

Market dynamics for this card align with its rarity and demand for Poison-based line synergy. Cardmarket data shows a regular (non-holo) price in the modest vicinity of a few cents, with holo variants commanding higher values. Specifically, the regular version sits around 0.09 EUR on average, while the holo variant can trend toward roughly 0.24 EUR on average, with short-term fluctuations that collectors closely monitor. This disparity between regular and holo pricing underscores the hobby’s interest in cosmetic variants and the continued appetite for Poison-themed playables within Obsidian Flames. For players, that means a practical budget range to roll Paldean Clodsire into a competitive deck, while for collectors, it’s a comfortable entry point with room to grow as line synergy becomes a talking point in competitive and casual circles alike. 💎

Design-wise, the card’s Stage 1 status, combined with the Regulation Mark G and both standard and expanded legality, makes Paldean Clodsire a flexible inclusion for many decks. Its attacks and Poison-oriented toolkit pair well with trainers and other Pokémon that can manipulate status conditions or accelerate energy recovery. The line’s storyline—Wooper evolving into Clodsire—also invites players to narrate their decks with a sense of Paldean lore that resonates with the region’s adventurous spirit. The Paldea connection isn’t just flavor; it’s a storytelling through-line that can influence how you present your deck’s theme to judges and fellow players alike. 🎴🎨

Line synergy in practice: deck-building ideas

  • Poison tempo deck: Focus on spreading Poison quickly with Splattering Poison, then threaten Venoshock for big numbers after your foe’s Active is poisoned. Use Path to the Peak or similar disciplines to keep the pressure on, while Wooper supports the opening gambit.
  • Energy-efficient build: Prioritize Darkness energy sources and cheap attachment routines to make Venoshock’s 80 damage spike reliable. Given Venoshock’s two Colorless requirement, consider classic colorless accelerants to stabilize the late game.
  • Board-control emphasis: Pair Clodsire with Pokémon or Trainers that can stall or disrupt, ensuring your opponent’s options are narrowed while you maintain Poison on their Active Pokémon.

For players and collectors alike, Paldean Clodsire symbolizes a bridge between line lore and practical gameplay. The card’s illustrated design, balanced stats, and synergy with Paldean Wooper position it as a noteworthy piece in any Poison-themed strategy, even as its Uncommon status keeps it approachable for a wide audience. ⚡🎮

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