Buizel Release Triggers Meta Shifts Across Water Decks

In TCG ·

Buizel card art from POP Series 9, illustrated by Midori Harada

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Water Tides Turn: How Buizel Reshapes the Meta for Water Decks

In the evolving world of the Pokémon TCG, a single Basic Water-type from POP Series 9 has a surprising ripple effect beyond its humble stat line. Buizel, illustrated by Midori Harada, enters the battlefield with a modest 60 HP and two practical attacks that can influence not just immediate turns but the tempo of a whole water-focused deck. As a Basic Buizel from the POP Series 9 set, this Uncommon gem carries both a disruptive edge with Whirlpool and a protective hook with Super Fast when certain conditions align. The card’s art, its two-tailed screw-like swimming action described in its lore, and its non-holo presentation all contribute to a nostalgic yet strategic centerpiece for collectors and players alike.

First, the card’s toolkit is not about pure brute force. Whirlpool costs a single Water energy and offers a coin flip: if heads, you discard an Energy attached to the Defending Pokémon. That simple mechanic can derail a key attacker’s momentum, especially in an era where energy acceleration and disruption shape the meta. It invites a tactical approach: Buizel doesn’t need to oneshot heavy threats to be valuable; it can sap resources and slow opponents who lean on energy-heavy plays. The second attack, Super Fast, demands two Water energies and reads that, if you have Pachirisu in play, a heads result can prevent all effects of an attack, including damage, done to Buizel on your opponent’s next turn. The conditional synergy with Pachirisu creates a delicate, tempo-based dance—Buizel survives a hit, buying time for your setup while Pachirisu’s presence stymies your rival’s big swing.

That interplay matters because it nudges water-focused decks toward a more nuanced, hybrid strategy. You’re not sprinting to burn the opponent down in a single blow; you’re managing the pace, maximizing energy denial through Whirlpool, and using Super Fast as a shield in moments when Pachirisu’s board presence is established. In practice, this means Buizel can support a deck that leans on control, stall, and attrition, rather than pure rush. The card’s retreat cost of 1 and its basic stage keep it accessible in early turns, enabling players to thread Buizel into a broader water engine that uses other low-cost Water types to pressure, deny, and eventually capitalize when the opponent falters on energies or status effects. ⚡🔥

“Water decks aren’t just about waves of attackers; they’re about steady erosion—energy management, strategic disruption, and timely protection.”

Strategic takeaways for the water crowd

  • Energy denial matters: Whirlpool’s coin flip can whittle down the opponent’s energy attachments, especially against decks that rely on quick energy acceleration. Even a single discarded energy reshapes the next turns’ math and hit-points math for larger threats.
  • Protective synergy with Pachirisu: Super Fast becomes a tempo-saving tool when Pachirisu is in play. This creates a two-card hinge: Buizel’s longevity and Pachirisu’s shielding effect can push a match into a longer game where late-game water strategies outlast heavier hitters.
  • : With a Lightning weakness, Buizel invites opponents to pivot toward electric strategies or to pressure a Buizel-heavy line with a few quick elect energy sources. It’s a subtle reminder that the meta is never one-note—type matchups and energy colors constantly shift the field.
  • : As a POP Series 9 card, Buizel isn’t standard-legal in current formats, but it remains a collector’s favorite for its art, rarity, and the retro storytelling it brings to a water deck’s arc. The uncommon rarity, combined with its normal variant, makes it a rewarding centerpiece for vintage collections and for players who relish older gameplay design.

Collector insights and market pulse

The Buizel card offers a charming glimpse into how older promos capture both gameplay flavor and nostalgia. The set is POP Series 9, with a cardCount of 17 (official) and a total of 17 cards in that subset. Its illustrator credit to Midori Harada anchors the artwork in a distinct style that fans recognize and seek. The rarity is Uncommon, making it a meaningful but not exorbitantly scarce target for collectors who specialize in POP promos. The rarity, coupled with a straightforward, non-holo presentation, reflects a different collecting psychology than modern holo chase cards, yet those with a soft spot for vintage staples often prize these pieces for their character and era-defining design language.

From a market perspective, pricing data highlights Buizel’s lasting interest, even outside standard play. On CardMarket, the average price sits around €3.25, with a low near €1.50 and a positive trend signal (~2.6). On TCGPlayer, the normal price spectrum shows a low around $1.77, a mid around $6.99, and a high around $12.24, with market pricing around $7.12. These numbers point to a healthy, nostalgia-fueled demand—enough to make Buizel a regular note in discussions about vintage water decks and promo-era collectibles. For players who enjoy budgeting and price discipline, the clear message is that this card remains accessible for a meaningful collection or a themed water deck revival—especially when paired with other water staples that appreciate in vintage ecosystems. 💎🎴

On the art front, Buizel’s description—“It swims by rotating its two tails like a screw. When it dives, its flotation sac collapses”—captures the elegant motion and practical design that fans love to study and admire. Midori Harada’s work on this release helps anchor a narrative about Buizel’s aquatic acrobatics, turning a simple attack into a small story told on card stock. For collectors who chase storytelling through art, the Buizel card stands as a crisp, retro snapshot of how Pokémon’s water seasons were framed in a vivid, illustrated moment. 🎨

A note on the product context

As a modern reader, you might wonder how this vintage-focused analysis connects to today’s practice. The product link below—while not a direct booster of the Buizel meta—offers a parallel reminder of the tactile joy around long sessions of card games and hobby work. If you’re looking for a desk companion for extended TCG sessions, the Gaming Mouse Pad 9x7 Neoprene Custom Graphics Stitched Edge blends practical comfort with a touch of personal style to accompany your Buizel stories and matches.

Product you can explore: Gaming Mouse Pad 9x7 Neoprene Custom Graphics Stitched Edge

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