Surskit Synergy: Deck Builds That Benefit From This Effect

Surskit ex13 card art from Holon Phantoms

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Surskit Synergy: Deck Builds That Benefit From This Effect

In the early days of Holon Phantoms, trainers learned that even a small, common Basic like Surskit could tilt a match with a single well-timed attack. This Grass-type Pokémon may humorously wear the label “Common,” but its ability to force the Defending Pokémon into sleep with Super Hypno Wave gives you a rare strategic edge. For players who like tempo play, stall tactics, and a touch of luck with status conditions, Surskit offers a low-cost way to buy time while you assemble a winning board state. And for collectors, this card’s simplicity hides a surprising amount of depth when you trace how Sleep interacts with the broader ecosystem of Trainer and Supporter cards—especially those from the ancient, charm-filled ex13 era.

Super Hypno Wave is a straightforward, cost-efficient attack: one Colorless energy to deal 10 damage and push the Defending Pokémon into sleep. The practical effect is a two-step rhythm: first slow your opponent, then surge with your next few plays while their attacker remains incapacitated. In a format where speed can decide the game, that extra turn is worth its weight in mint-condition holo foils. Surskit’s 40 HP is modest, and its Fire weakness x2 reminds us that this little bug is best placed on the bench until you’re ready to leverage its sleep-inducing power against the right target. The card’s illustration by Atsuko Nishida captures a playful, kinetic moment—the kind of art that fans recognize from the Holon Phantoms set and that makes every Surskit feel like a tiny-but-mighty ally. ⚡🔥

Card snapshot: what makes Surskit tick

Name: Surskit
Set: Holon Phantoms (ex13)
Rarity: Common
Type: Grass
Stage: Basic
HP: 40
Attack: Super Hypno Wave — Cost: Colorless; Effect: The Defending Pokémon is now Asleep; Damage: 10
Weakness: Fire ×2
Illustrator: Atsuko Nishida

When you map out deck archetypes that benefit from a sleep-inducing effect, two flavors stand out: control/stall archetypes that dread nothing as long as the opponent’s Active is asleep, and tempo-forward builds that leverage a turn of rest to push for late-game threats. Surskit provides a neat, low-cost pivot card that can slot into many Grass-themed or Holon-themed shells without demanding a heavy energy investment. The low HP makes Surskit a classic “set up and switch” starter on early turns, buying you crucial actions to search for evolutions or add Piercing or Recovery options as the game evolves. 🎴🎨

From a gameplay perspective, the real magic lies in forecasting how Sleep will alter your opponent’s choices. If you can chain a second Sleep or couple it with a trainer that forces a Retreat or a forced attack, you’ll often gain tempo by denying the opponent an immediate retreat for a fresh attacker. In the context of Holon Phantoms, this often meant pairing Surskit with supportive basics and evolutions that can hit hard once the opponent’s Poké is temporarily incapacitated. A well-timed Sleep can also punish overconfident lines that lean on the Defending Pokémon to stall your early game, creating windows for your own bench to accrue attackers or for you to prepare a stronger finish. ⚡🎮

Deck archetypes that benefit from this effect

Stall and tempo control: A classic approach is to use Surskit to force a turn of sleep while you accumulate resources—draw steps, search for Grass evolutions, and set up a gym of Protect/Support cards. The goal is to survive the early game and swing momentum when Sleep gives you a free turn to lay down Jetstream-like pressure or to attach crucial energy to a bigger attacker.
Sleep-disruption hybrid: In a broader Grass-centric or Holon-themed deck, Surskit acts as a disruptor that makes the Defending Pokémon unreliable for a turning point. When paired with other sleep or status-based effects—either via Trainer support or strategic benching—your opponent finds it harder to deploy a consistent offense while you assemble your winning combination.
Low-cost accelerator shells: Since Surskit costs only Colorless energy, it plays nicely in decks that rely on versatile energy management. You can build around cheap energy acceleration to hit your later threats faster, all while keeping the pressure on the opponent by forcing sleep on the defending Pokémon early in the game.

For collectors and fans, the Surskit card is a reminder of how a modest base card can shape a playful and strategic approach to game design. Its common rarity means you can frequently find multiple copies for casual tournaments and sleeves-upgrade nights, while holo variations (if you’re lucky) provide a touch of nostalgia for a generation that chased holo-fireflies on rainy evenings with friends. The art by Atsuko Nishida remains a highlight for many players who remember a simpler era of Pokémon TCG design, and that warmth translates into the value of this card as a collectible piece—especially for those who chase complete Holon Phantoms collections. 💎

Market values and collector insights

The market shows Surskit as an accessible entry point for new players and a budget-friendly addition for seasoned collectors. CardMarket data highlights that non-holo copies typically sit around an average of about €0.19, with lows dipping near €0.02 and more fluid volatility over time. For holo and reverse-holo versions, the prices trend higher—average holo prices hover around €1.92, with lows near €0.8 and notable spikes when a particularly clean or scarce copy surfaces. On TCGplayer, non-foil (normal) copies are usually found in the $0.15–$0.28 range, sometimes peaking near $1.99 for strong market demand or condition wins. Reverse holo foils show a broader spread, with low around $2.42, average around $3.68, and even reaching up to $11.04 in peak markets for pristine copies. These values reflect the set’s enduring nostalgia and the evergreen appeal of basic Grass-type staples in Holon Phantoms-era collections. Collectors who track price trends will note that common cards like Surskit often represent a stable, low-entry point with the occasional spike driven by fan-driven nostalgia or vintage deck nostalgia. 🔎💎

Beyond numbers, the card’s illustrated identity matters. Atsuko Nishida’s artwork and the Holon Phantoms aesthetic contribute to how players perceive the card—less about raw power and more about the charm of a classic era. In terms of deck-building strategy, Surskit offers a doorway to experimentation: you can test how Sleep interacts with other status effects in your local meta, or simply enjoy the slow-burn joy of a well-executed stall-and-win plan. The card remains accessible to new players while offering a playful edge to veterans who remember the early Nidoqueen-days of TCG strategy. ⚡🎴

For readers who want to dive even deeper or explore related topics, these five articles offer a wider view of strategy, speedrunning, and design—perfect complements to a Surskit-focused exploration:

Surskit Synergy: Deck Builds That Benefit From This Effect