Wormadam Meta Decks: Matchup Statistics and Strategies

Wormadam card art from XY Fates Collide (XY10-3), illustrated by kawayoo

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Wormadam in the Meta: Matchups, Strategies, and Trends

In the sprawling constellation of the Pokémon TCG, Wormadam brings a quieter, steadier tempo to the table. This Grass-type evolves from Burmy and sits at 120 HP with a patient, healing-forward toolkit that rewards careful planning and resilient board management. In the Fates Collide era (XY10), Wormadam isn’t the flashiest finisher, but its two-pronged attack package—Solar Ray and Leaf Cutter—offers a compelling path to grind out longer matches in the expanded format. Its Uncommon rarity and expansion-only legality further color its role as a niche pivot deck, prized by players who relish tempo, healing, and coin-flip drama in equal measure. ⚡🔥 What makes Wormadam stand out in meta decks is not a one-shot power punch but the way Solar Ray extends the life of your lineup. For one Grass energy, Solar Ray heals 20 damage from each of your Pokémon. That means even aggressive decks that pressure a whole bench can be met with a steady trickle of restoration, letting your Wormadam and Burmy evolve line stay in play longer than a pure damage race would permit. When you combine this with Leaf Cutter—costing Grass plus two Colorless energies—you gain a late-game finisher that can spike to 90 damage on a heads flip (60 base plus up to 30 more). The coin toss adds risk, sure, but the possibility of kiting across a few turns with healing support makes this a consider-worthy inclusion in certain control-leaning or stall-oriented lists in the Expanded format. The card’s Fire weakness is real in a meta that still grinds through aggressive Fire and Fire-type spread, so plan your board states with retreat and energy timing in mind. Card data from the XY10 set (Fates Collide) anchors Wormadam’s identity. With Stage 1 as its evolution, Wormadam sits in a comfortable mid-range HP of 120, giving it staying power against a number of midrange strategies. Its evolving-from Burmy lineage invites thoughtful deck-building that can leverage early Burmy turns to set up a solid midgame—then tag into Wormadam to capitalize on healing and graft in Leaf Cutter when the coin cooperates. The illustration by kawayoo adds to its appeal, lending a soft, nature-inspired aesthetic to the battlefield that resonates with collectors and players alike. The card’s expanded legality makes it a familiar silhouette for long-running players who enjoy weaving older staples into modern play patterns.

Card snapshot: key stats at a glance

Set: Fates Collide (XY10)
Card type: Grass
Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Burmy)
HP: 120
Attacks:
- Solar Ray — Cost: Grass
- Effect: Heal 20 damage from each of your Pokémon
- Leaf Cutter — Cost: Grass, Colorless, Colorless
- Effect: Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 30 more damage (total 60+)
Weakness: Fire x2
Retreat cost: 2
Rarity: Uncommon
Illustrator: kawayoo
Legal in: Expanded only (not Standard)

Matchup statistics in the current meta

In modern Expanded lists, Wormadam’s endurance-focused toolkit tends to shine in slower, resource-constrained matchups where healing can swing the balance. Against heavy early aggression, Solar Ray helps reset the board state, buying you turns to draw into crucial evolutions and energy lines. Leaf Cutter’s 60 base damage with the potential for +30 on heads adds a reliable finisher option when your opponent’s defensive wall starts to crumble. However, the coin flip introduces volatility—there will be games where you don’t hit heads and the damage spike never comes, so timing and energy placement become the deciding factors. - Strengths you can lean on: sustained board presence, the ability to recover damage across the bench, and a flexible attack that scales with a favorable coin flip. Wormadam’s 120 HP is sturdy enough to weather midgame pressure from other Stage 2 and VMAX-adjacent threats in some deck shells, particularly when paired with supporting GX or TAG TEAM-era healing or with Stadiums that sustain your bench. - Typical weaknesses you’ll want to plan around: the FIRE-type weakness is a meaningful consideration, as several aggressive archetypes still rely on Fire-heavy attackers. Leaf Cutter’s coin flip means you can’t always rely on that extra burst, and you’ll need to ensure you have energy for a reliable Leaf Cutter window. Because Wormadam is Expanded-only, you’ll be facing a meta that emphasizes older engine combos, which can be rewarding for players who enjoy crafting niche lists rather than climbing the standard ladder. - Ideal matchups to target: control or stall-oriented decks that can appreciate healing over several turns, plus midrange decks that struggle to finish a drawn-out trench war. Against decks that lack consistent healing or that overextend early, Wormadam can slowly grind to a win through superior resource management and careful sequencing. - Notable counters: decks with fast, high-damage pressure before you can mount a healing answer, or lists that can aggressively chase down Wormadam’s bench spread. In practice, your success rate hinges on deck construction and your ability to manage energy investment while exploiting Leaf Cutter’s chance for a bigger payoff.

Strategic build: how to maximize Wormadam’s potential

If you’re curious about running Wormadam in the Expanded format, here are practical guidelines: - Core plan: emphasize a Burmy-to-Wormadam transition that arrives by midgame to maximize healing on key targets. Prioritize a lean energy base that supports both Solar Ray for healing and Leaf Cutter for potential burst. - Energy management: ensure you’re packing enough Grass energy to comfortably pay Leaf Cutter’s cost, while keeping Solar Ray available to offset damage. If you use any Stadiums or supporters that rotate, plan ahead so Solar Ray remains a safe, recurring option. - Bench control: because Leaf Cutter can require a Heads result for extra damage, you’ll want a bench that can absorb hits and set up clean, finishing blows. Don’t overcommit to a single incoming threat; instead, weave bursts with healing to keep each Pokémon on the table. - Teammates and tech options: consider support Pokémon or tech tools in the expanded pool that can accelerate healing or help you draw into Wormadam’s evolution line. The synergy is not about a single explosive play but about sustaining your field until a decisive Leaf Cutter moment aligns with a healing window.

Art, lore, and the charm of the illustrator

Kawayoo’s art for Wormadam channels the quiet, nature-bound elegance of Burmy’s evolution path. This is not merely a card; it’s a storytelling moment—Wormadam embodies the idea that a patient plan can outlast a brute force push. The blend of soft shading and botanical motifs invites collectors to appreciate the card not only for its play value but also for its place in the broader tapestry of Fates Collide and the XY era. It’s a gentle reminder that strategy and aesthetics can coexist, and that’s part of what keeps the game so inviting for fans who value both competition and lore.

Market value and collecting notes

From Cardmarket and TCGPlayer data in 2025, the Wormadam (XY10-3) card pool shows a niche but stable interest: - Cardmarket (EUR): average around 0.13 EUR for non-holo, with a wide range from 0.02 EUR to around 0.64 EUR for holo variants. The holo side tracks a meaningful premium, with typical holo prices fluctuating and trending higher than non-holo in many cases. The trend indicators suggest gradual appreciation in certain markets, especially for complete playsets or sealed condition copies. - TCGPlayer (USD): non-holo normal around 0.18 USD on market, with some listings as low as 0.03 USD and high listings hitting 1.49 USD. Reverse holofoil versions push higher, often landing in the 0.39–1.64 USD band depending on condition and demand. This makes Wormadam a budget-friendly curiosity for casual collectors and a practical add for Expanded gamers seeking a low-commitment healing engine. Collecting tip: if you’re building an Expanded deck that leans on a slower tempo, Wormadam offers a cost-effective, flexible option that can scale with your list. It also serves as a nice complement to other Burmy evolutions for players who enjoy the full evolution line as a casual centerpiece of their binder. Custom Neon Rectangular Mouse Pad 9.3x7.8 in