Comparing Blaine's Growlithe Performance to Similar Fire-Types

Blaine's Growlithe card art from Gym Heroes

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Comparing Blaine's Growlithe Performance to Similar Fire-Types in the TCG

Fire-types have always burned bright on the tabletop, and Blaine's Growlithe from Gym Heroes is a perfect case study in balancing aggression with risk. This little Basic Fire-type, illustrated by Ken Sugimori, carries the classic early-1990s charm: a 50 HP frontline attacker with a two-attack kit that rewards tactical decision-making as much as raw numbers. In a meta where stage-one evolutions and trainer disruptors began shaping the pace, Blaine's Growlithe stands as a compact laboratory for understanding how low-cost aggression and bench disruption interact with the broader Fire-type landscape.

Card snapshot: what Blaine's Growlithe brings to the table

Category: Pokémon
Name: Blaine's Growlithe
Set: Gym Heroes (Gym1)
Rarity: Uncommon
Stage: Basic
HP: 50
Type: Fire
Attacks:
- Shake — Cost: Colorless; Effect: If your opponent has any Benched Pokémon, he or she chooses 1 of them and switches it with the Defending Pokémon. (Damage is dealt before switching.)
- Fire Tackle — Cost: Fire + Colorless; Effect: Blaine's Growlithe does 30 damage, but it also takes 10 damage itself.
Weakness: Water ×2
Illustrator: Ken Sugimori
Dex ID: 58
HP/attacks footprint: A 50 HP baseline with a utility attack that can reshuffle the opponent’s bench and a second attack that trades some life for damage.

As a Basic Fire-type, Blaine's Growlithe sits on the front line, inviting careful energy management and thoughtful timing. The Shake attack doesn’t just chip away; it twists the momentum by forcing a bench-switch, which can disrupt set-ups and protect your own threats from a looming knockout. The Fire Tackle attack is a straightforward burn-and-damage tool, but the self-damage reminder keeps players honest about when to commit a scarce fire energy in the early game.

Gameplay implications: how it stacks up against similar Fire-types

In the Gym Heroes era, Fire-types often traded raw HP for speed and tactical play. Blaine's Growlithe shines in two key areas:

Bench disruption as defense: Shake is a deceptively powerful control tool. Against decks that rely on stacking Benched Pokémon or building a single-hugging comeback, forcing an opponent to shuffle a benched threat can open a window for your own low-cost attackers to land decisive blows.
Risk-versus-reward with Fire Tackle: The 30 damage is solid for a Basic, but the self-damage of 10 makes it a calculated risk. In a field with fast KOs, you may choose to conserve Growlithe and pursue chip damage with additional Fire-types rather than labeling him as a long-term anchor.

Comparing Blaine's Growlithe to other Fire-types of the time, the recurring theme is trade-off. Some Fire-types offer higher HP or more aggressive one-attack plays, but Blaine's Growlithe is celebrated for its interactive utility—a virtue that can tilt the early game balance when used with precision. Opponents must respect the potential to disrupt their bench, not just the damage potential. When facing rapid-fire tempo decks, the ability to force suboptimal bench setups can be more valuable than extra raw damage alone.

Collector’s lens: rarity, artwork, and set value

The Gym Heroes set spotlights Blaine’s Growlithe as an Uncommon Fire-type with a distinct early-90s aesthetic. The holo variant adds extra shine, and the Ken Sugimori illustration remains a fan-favorite for its classic, nostalgic flair. For collectors, the card’s appeal lies not only in its battle utility but in its place within the Gym Heroes narrative—how Blaine’s team of gym leaders shaped the early competitive landscape.

From a market perspective, pricing data demonstrates a spectrum driven by condition, edition, and holo status. CardMarket shows an average around €3.36 with a broad low end, while TCGPlayer places the unlimited form around the mid-$3 range and the first-edition examples at a premium. The provided data also indicates a holo premium and typical market dynamic where older holo prints often fetch higher prices than their non-holo counterparts. Always keep an eye on the specific variant you’re considering, as holo versions can swing pricing significantly, especially among long-time collectors who value the artwork alongside playability.

Market value trends: what to watch for in 2025–2026

Market watchers will note how evergreen staples like Blaine's Growlithe ride the waves of nostalgia and function. The latest pricing snapshots show:

CardMarket: avg around €3.36, with a wide range between €0.40 and higher-end holo copies.
TCGPlayer (Unlimited): mid-price around $3.04–$3.23, with market conditions occasionally lifting prices for highly graded copies.
First edition prints: typically more expensive, with observed examples ranging into the higher dollar figures depending on condition and demand.

For players, this means Blaine’s Growlithe remains a budget-friendly blast from the past, while collectors may selectively chase holo first editions or near-mint copies for long-term value. The charm of Ken Sugimori’s art, combined with a flexible, disruptive mechanic, makes this card both competitive in the right deck and a darling for display among Gym Heroes-era collections. ⚡🔥

Integrating a modern desk setup with vintage inspiration

To celebrate the tactile joy of collecting and playing, consider pairing your focus on Blaine’s Growlithe with a practical desk upgrade. The product linked below isn’t a Pokémon card, but a non-slip gaming mouse pad with rubber backing—perfect for keeping your play area steady during tense tabletop moments. It’s a small but satisfying way to honor the tactile rituals of modern card games while you study the nuances of classic Fire-type strategy.

Non-slip Gaming Mouse Pad 9.5x8.3mm Rubber Back