Ursaring in Pokémon TCG: Mainline Games and Anime References

In TCG ·

Ursaring DP2-38 card art from Mysterious Treasures by Mitsuhiro Arita

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Rising to the Challenge: Ursaring in the Pokémon TCG, with Nods to the Mainline Games and Anime

Bear-piled with ferocity and a hint of gentle ferocity, Ursaring in this era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game captures a moment where a Teddiursa’s patience blossoms into a battle-hardened giant. In the vibrant world of the Mysterious Treasures set, Ursaring (DP2-38) stands as a striking reminder that growth in the mainline games—where Teddiursa evolves into Ursaring at the right moment—can translate into a tense, climactic card battle. The card’s colorless identity mirrors the universality of Ursaring’s strength in the anime and games alike: a force that can swing the tempo of a match when played with patience and timing ⚡🔥.

From a design perspective, Ursaring is a Stage 1 evolution that evolves from Teddiursa, just as many of the series’ best moments hinge on evolving from a seemingly small spark into an overwhelming presence. The artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita breathes life into that transformation, with bold lines and a dynamic pose that suggests Ursaring launching a counteroffensive. In the animated episodes, Ursaring often embodies that explosive ferocity that appears just when you think the bear is at a standstill—an echo you can feel in the card’s two back-to-back colorless attacks. The holo version of this card, common in a set that loves to celebrate collectors’ dreams, gleams with the same energy that anime fans remember when Ursaring charges into action.

Card snapshot: put the pieces on the table

  • Name: Ursaring
  • Set: Mysterious Treasures (DP2)
  • Rarity: Rare
  • HP: 100
  • Type: Colorless
  • Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Teddiursa)
  • Illustrator: Mitsuhiro Arita
  • Attacks:
    • Bad Temper — Cost: Colorless, Colorless. Damage: 30. Effect: The Defending Pokémon is now Confused. During your opponent's next turn, that Pokémon's attacks do 60 more damage to the Active Pokémon (before applying Weakness and Resistance).
    • Defensive Claw — Cost: Colorless, Colorless, Colorless, Colorless. Damage: 60+. If Teddiursa is on your Bench, this attack does 60 damage plus 20 more damage. If Teddiursa on your Bench has any damage counters on it, this attack does 60 damage plus 40 more damage and remove all damage counters from that Pokémon.
  • Weakness: Fighting +20
  • Notes on legality: Not standard-legal, not expanded-legal.

In gameplay terms, Ursaring’s kit is a study in tempo and board presence. Bad Temper functions as a strategic gambit: you lean into the Confusion on the Defending Pokémon and accept that your opponent’s next turn could bring a heavier hit as punishment. The flavor mirrors classic anime arcs where a momentary disturbance—an outburst, a calculated bluff, or a brave scream—tilts a battle in favor of the hero. The long-term payoff comes from Defensive Claw, which scales dramatically when Teddiursa sits on the bench. If you’ve managed to stack energy or damage counters on Teddiursa, Ursaring can swing a game with a spectacular 100-ish damage-per-turn efficiency, while simultaneously clearing the way for Ursaring’s raw power to break through defenses. The duality of offense and defense in a single turn is the kind of storytelling beat that fans love in both the anime and the TCG.

For collectors, the combination of rarity and holo variants in Mysterious Treasures makes Ursaring a sought-after piece. The DP2 set’s identity—a treasure map of powerful Pokémon from early 4th generation lore—lends a particular nostalgia to the card. Mitsuhiro Arita’s illustration captures Ursaring’s imposing frame and a wary, intelligent gaze that resonates with the anime’s best Ursaring moments: a creature whose strength is measured not just in raw power, but in the calculated precision of its counterattacks.

Market awareness adds another layer to the story. Cardmarket’s latest data paints a nuanced picture: the standard (non-holo) version tends to linger around lower price points, with recent averages around 0.53 USD on the lower end to about 2.85 USD at the high end for the holo variant, and a market price near 1.2 USD for the non-variant card. The holo reverse variant tends to attract even more interest, with mid prices hovering around 1.62 USD and peaks near the 5 USD range for standout copies. For a Rare stage-1 from a beloved era, those figures reflect a healthy interest among players who remember Ursaring’s level of raw power and collectors who chase that iconic shimmer in holo form 🎴💎.

Strategy-wise, this card rewards a thoughtful deck plan. You’ll want to maximize opportunities to place Teddiursa on your bench early, slowly building the potential for a decisive Defensive Claw later in the game. The synergy is not just about raw numbers; it’s about reading the board: if the Defending Pokémon is likely to flip the matchup with a big swing next turn, Bad Temper might buy you the turn you need to set up a clean Defend-and-Strike sequence. And when Teddiursa has taken some damage on the bench, Defensive Claw’s extra damage and the counter-clearing effect can be the difference between a stall and a win. It’s a design that mirrors the way many mainline-game battles and anime arcs hinge on timing, not just raw stats—a favorite lesson for players who crave strategic depth as much as nostalgia ⚡🎮.

To accompany the thrill of the match, fans might want a practical way to keep their accessories organized while they queue up for their next game. The product linked below—a phone grip kickstand reusable adhesive holder—offers a convenient way to keep your playing surface steady and your deck within easy reach during tournaments or casual gatherings. It’s a modern nod to the way we bring the thrill of Pokémon from the card table to the real world, making every match feel a little more cinematic 🌟.

phone grip kickstand reusable adhesive holder

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