Tracking Scolipede Usage Across Multiple Pokémon TCG Sets

In TCG ·

Scolipede card art from Boundaries Crossed BW7

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Scolipede in Focus: Usage Trends Across Pokémon TCG Sets

Tracking how a single card traverses multiple sets is a fascinating glimpse into the evolving Pokémon TCG meta. Scolipede, a Rare Psychic Stage 2 that evolves from Whirlipede, stands out not just for its design but for the way its Poison Point ability and Venoshock attack interact with changing rule sets and deck-building philosophies. With 150 HP, a relatively steep Retreat Cost of 4, and a powerful, conditional Venoshock, Scolipede embodies the tension between big-number stats and the tempo of early- to mid-game decisions. The card, illustrated by 5ban Graphics, hails from Boundaries Crossed (BW7), a set known for its striking holo art and a mix of evolving strategies that players continue to mine for ideas in Expanded in the modern era. ⚡🔥

Card Spotlight: What the Scolipede card actually does

  • Name: Scolipede
  • Set: Boundaries Crossed (BW7) — Rare
  • HP: 150
  • Type: Psychic
  • Stage: Stage 2 (evolves from Whirlipede)
  • Ability: Poison Point — If this Pokémon is your Active Pokémon and is damaged by an opponent’s attack (even if Knocked Out), the Attacking Pokémon is now Poisoned.
  • Attack: Venoshock (cost: Psychic, Psychic, Colorless, Colorless) — 80 base damage; if the Defending Pokémon is Poisoned, this attack does 40 more damage.
  • Weakness: Psychic ×2
  • Retreat: 4
  • Illustrator: 5ban Graphics
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Legal in formats: Expanded only (not Standard)
  • Variants: Normal, Reverse Holo, Holo

In gameplay terms, Scolipede rewards players who can land the Poison Point trigger and set up Venoshock’s extra punch by poisoning the Defending Pokémon. The attack’s potential to leap from 80 to 120 damage (or more, with additional situational effects) creates a dynamic risk-reward scenario that was especially relevant in BW-era formats where status conditions could swing the pace of a match. The card’s 150 HP helps it survive a few early exchanges, but the Psychic weakness and fairly steep Retreat cost keep it honest in a field of agile attackers. The combination of a Stage 2 evolution and a poison-centered toolkit also made Scolipede a compelling case study for transitions between sets—how players invest in evolving lines and how new cards alter the value of slower, mid-game threats. 🎴

Why Scolipede Surfaces in the Meta Across Sets

Across Boundaries Crossed and later expansions, Scolipede’s role often hinged on poison control and disruption. The Poison Point ability is a direct, persistent threat—an opponent taking damage from an attack could be poisoned, turning a regular engagement into a long grind where Venoshock’s boosted damage tilts the balance. In the broader context of weaponized status conditions, Scolipede offered a reliable way to pressure opponents who relied on bulky state changes or resilient basic Pokémon. The 2-Psychic, 2-Colorless cost mirrors common BW-era energy curves, demanding a solid psychic support core to keep the engine running while you stall and set up the Stage 2 line. It’s a design that rewards careful tempo control, not just raw damage. 💎

From a collector’s lens, the BW7 edition sits among holo and reverse-holo variants that players chase for their vivid art and catch-all nostalgia. The set’s official card count sits at 149 (out of 153 total), and Boundaries Crossed art is widely appreciated for its bold visuals. For players who are navigating Expanded formats today, Scolipede remains a reference point for how poison mechanics used to interplay with big Psychic attackers and evolving lines. The card’s status as a Rare within BW7 also contributes to its perceived rarity in holo forms, amplifying its appeal to both players and collectors. 🖼️

Market Snapshot: Value Through the Lens of Data

For collectors eyeing price trends, a snapshot from Cardmarket and TCGPlayer offers a practical sense of Scolipede’s market standing. Cardmarket shows an average price around 5.2 EUR for non-holo copies, with holofoil variants averaging higher, near 12.99 EUR, reflecting holo desirability and scarcity. TCGPlayer data for holofoil copies places typical market prices around 3.59 USD, with a low around 2.5 and highs approaching 5.94 in some listings, revealing a healthy spread driven by condition and edition. For reverse holofoil, market dynamics can push the mid-range above typical non-holo values, with low prices dipping near 2.19 and market prices around 4.93. These figures illustrate how a card like Scolipede remains relevant for players building budget mid-range decks and for collectors chasing holo variants. 🔥

In practice, the pricing narrative mirrors the card’s utility: it’s a solid, mid-to-late-game engine in Expanded where players still chase robust Stage 2 lines, but its vulnerability to Strong Psychic attackers and its lack of Standard-format viability means it thrives more in legacy-style collections and themed decks than in the current metagame. The numbers tell a story of steady interest rather than runaway hype—a testament to the lasting charm of Boundaries Crossed and the Scolipede design by 5ban Graphics. 🎨

Deckbuilding & Strategy Notes

  • Build around a reliable evolution line: Whirlipede to Scolipede, leveraging Whirlipede’s presence to accelerate the Stage 2 transition. A compact trainer suite that accelerates energy and allows you to set up early is key.
  • Play to Poison Point synergy: position Scolipede as a target for your opponent’s attacks while you prepare Venoshock’s payoff. Don’t rush the Venoshock unless you’ve already poisoned the Defending Pokémon or you’ve established a safe route to poison it through other means.
  • Manage retreat costs: a Retreat 4 is manageable with Switch-style tools from BW-era sets; plan your energy attachment schedule to maintain pressure while keeping Scolipede ready to strike again.
  • Format considerations: Expanded formats still embrace this lineage, whereas Standard formats have moved past many BW-era mechanics. If you’re playing in a modern vintage-friendly event, Scolipede can slot into a poison-control archetype that seeks to outlast heavier hitters.
  • Artistic and collectible value: the 5ban Graphics illustration lends a visual appeal that complements the card’s tactical identity, making holo versions particularly appealing for collectors who value both playability and aesthetics.

Whether you’re chasing a precise matchup strategy or curating a Boundaries Crossed collection, Scolipede’s story across sets speaks to the enduring allure of mid-attack poison schemes and the artful execution of a Stage 2 evolution. The card’s blend of reliable HP, disruptive abilities, and a potent, condition-triggered attack makes it a memorable pivot point in the broader tapestry of the Pokémon TCG’s history. 🎮

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