Why Casual Players Love Hariyama Cards in Pokémon TCG Deck Builds

In TCG ·

Hariyama card art from the Undaunted set (HGSS3) by Tomokazu Komiya

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Hariyama: A Casual-Player Favorite in Pokémon TCG Deck Builds

For players stepping into the Pokémon Trading Card Game with a casual mindset, Hariyama offers a perfect blend of power, reliability, and approachable tactics. This Fighting-type Stage 1 Pokémon from the Undaunted set—stylized in the artwork of Tomokazu Komiya—delivers a satisfying punch without demanding the most extreme deck optimizations. Its rarity as a Rare card makes it a rewarding pickup for collectors who enjoy dependable staples that still carry a distinctive punch on the table. The card’s non-holo presentation in the normal and reverse variants keeps it accessible for playable builds and casual boosters alike.

On the table, Hariyama’s two attacks map neatly onto how casual players like to approach mid-game battles. Hammer In costs Fighting with two Colorless energy and delivers a solid 60 damage, a respectable number that often supports finishing opponents who are just shy of knockout range. The second option—Backward Belt Throw—feels like the heart of Hariyama’s risk-versus-reward appeal. With a hefty cost of two Fighting and two Colorless, it can dish out 80 damage and an additional 20 if you land the extra hit, but at the price of Hariyama taking 20 damage in return. That self-damage twist is not a flaw so much as a flavor of choice: it invites players to weigh tempo against endurance and swings the game in favor of bold, decisive moments when the board is set for a big swing. ⚡🔥

  • HP 100
  • Type Fighting
  • Stage Stage 1 (evolves from Makuhita)
  • Attacks Hammer In (60) and Backward Belt Throw (80+, self-damage 20 if you add the extra)
  • Weakness Psychic ×2
  • Retreat Cost 3
  • Set Undaunted (HGSS3)
  • Illustrator Tomokazu Komiya

The flavor text on Hariyama’s card—“It loves challenging others to tests of strength. It has the power to stop a train with a slap.”—resonates with casual players who enjoy the straightforward, muscular aesthetic of early generation Fighting types. The art by Komiya captures that sense of unstoppable momentum, and the card’s status as Rare adds a little extra thrill to pulling it from a pack or locating it in a store display. For collectors, the Undaunted line offers a vibrant snapshot of an era where big hits and bigger personalities defined many decks, and Hariyama stands as a dependable, sometimes underappreciated centerpiece in that story. 🎴🎨

From a gameplay perspective, Hariyama’s pricing narrative reinforces its casual-friendly appeal. On CardMarket, the average price for non-holo copies hovers around the mid-single digits in EUR, with a current around €2.66 and a broad low end. On TCGPlayer, non-holo copies typically sit around the $1–$2 range in recent listings, with market prices around $1.24 and relatively accessible entry points for collectors and players alike. These values reflect Hariyama’s status as a solid mid-range option that doesn’t demand the premium investments associated with top-tier holo rares, while still offering meaningful impact in a wide variety of casual builds. This accessibility is exactly what draws players who want a reliable, powerful engine without grinding through long, hard-to-find metas. 💎

"It loves challenging others to tests of strength." Hariyama embodies that spirit—simple, direct, and a little daring in its big-hit ethos.

Strategically, casual players can lean into Hariyama by leveraging its evolution line from Makuhita to build a compact, energy-efficient curve. Early in the game, Hammer In can pressure the opponent and help you establish board control while you assemble the energy required for the dramatic Backward Belt Throw. Because this second attack costs four total energy (two Fighting and two Colorless) and delivers 80 damage plus a potential extra 20, it rewards a player who stacks energy steadily and times the knockout carefully. The flip side—self-damage of 20 on the extra hit—encourages mindful decision-making: if you’re up against a volatile board state, you might opt for a safer line to preserve Hariyama’s presence and momentum. The risk is part of the charm, inviting casual players to experiment with tempo and range without feeling boxed into a single strategy. ⚡🎮

Hariyama’s weaknesses and retreat cost matter in deck-building decisions as well. With Psychic ×2 weakness, you’ll want to be mindful of opposing Psychic threats that can threaten Hariyama’s staying power in longer games. A retreat cost of 3 isn’t prohibitive, but it does necessitate energy management and a simple plan to bring Hariyama back into the fight after a big swing. In casual decks, pairing Hariyama with reliable Energy acceleration and supportive Pokémon that can absorb hits or heal between turns creates a satisfying, durable engine. The result is a deck that feels sturdy, satisfying to pilot, and ripe for a few memorable comebacks. 🔥🎴

To connect this Pokémon’s gameplay to a broader collector and audience context, consider Hariyama’s place in the Undaunted set. The HGSS3 collection showcases a strong cast of martial Pokémon that continue to resonate with fans who started collecting in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The non-foil variant’s accessibility makes it a frequent presence in casual collections, while reverse-holo versions offer a separate, appealing collector’s path for players who enjoy alternate visuals without chasing the most exclusive foils. The art, the vibe, and the strong, easy-to-understand moves keep Hariyama relevant for new players and veterans who love a clean, punchy design in their decks. 👊🎨

For readers who want to explore similar content or dive deeper into how casual players curate lines like Hariyama into cohesive, fun decks, our network has several articles that explore approachable strategies, lore, and market trends. Explore the linked pieces for broader context and fresh ideas:

Neon Phone Case with Card Holder MagSafe-Compatible Glossy Matte

More from our network