Counter Buizel: Top TCG Strategies and Deck Builds

In TCG ·

Buizel BW6-32 card art from Dragons Exalted by Kyoko Umemoto

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Counter Buizel in Dragons Exalted: Strategies & Deck Builds

Buizel slides onto the field as a nimble Water-type Basic with a tidy 70 HP and a single, simple attack: Wave Splash for 10 damage at the cost of a single Colorless energy. While that may not look imposing at first glance, Buizel’s real story lies in tempo. In a Dragons Exalted era, this little aquatic Pokémon embodies the “hit fast, retreat quick” mindset that can tilt a match if your opponent isn’t prepared. Its artwork, brought to life by Kyoko Umemoto, captures the breezy playfulness of Buizel as it paddles through a splash of water—a reminder that TCG duels often hinge on how well you translate a card’s vibe into each turn’s plan ⚡🎨.

Card snapshot: what Buizel brings to the table

  • Card name: Buizel
  • Set: Dragons Exalted (BW6)
  • Rarity: Common (with holo and reverse holo variants available)
  • HP: 70
  • Type: Water
  • Stage: Basic
  • Attack: Wave Splash — 10 damage (Colorless)
  • Weakness: Lightning ×2
  • Retreat: 1
  • Illustrator: Kyoko Umemoto
  • Legal (format): Expanded legal, not Standard

These details shape Buizel’s counterplay. A 70 HP target with a 10-damage attack might look like a punching bag, but Buizel is a tempo engine in disguise—especially because anything with a Lightning weakness can threaten it quickly. In the right matchup, you can punish Buizel’s pace by flooding the board with efficient attackers that capitalize on its vulnerability and its inability to hold a long, drawn-out frontline. And with the holo and reverse holo variants out there, collectors also have a chance to celebrate the card’s artful presentation while you chase wins on the table 🔥💎.

How to counter Buizel: practical gameplay strategies

Key principle: leverage Buizel’s low HP and simple attack by applying fast, high-impact pressure. Here are proven routes you can adapt for your next tournament or casual session.

  • Exploit the weakness with Electric attackers. Buizel’s ×2 Lightning weakness invites Electric-type plays. If your deck can power up a Lightning Pokémon quickly, you’ll often KO Buizel as soon as it’s active. Prioritize rapid energy acceleration and search so you can threaten KO on turns 1–2 whenever possible ⚡.
  • Fast, low-energy knockouts beat slow trades. Wave Splash costs only Colorless energy, so Buizel can be bounced around with minimal investment from your side. Aim for attackers that can deliver efficient damage with 1–2 energies and can contest Buizel before it gets comfortable on the bench 🎯.
  • Pressure with bench control. Because Buizel retreats with ease and has a modest 70 HP, forcing your opponent into unfavorable board states—like reading multiple Bench Slammers or spread attackers—can accelerate its demise. Trainer cards that disrupt setup or reposition threats help you maintain tempo advantage.
  • Volatile early game, steady later game. If your deck lacks immediate Electric threats, pivot to a multi-attack plan that ensures you trade evenly on early turns and then snowball with bigger threats. Buizel’s damage output is low, so you’re aiming for clean, one-turn knockouts rather than extended skirmishes.
  • Search and draw to keep the pressure up. Incorporate reliable draw and search to fetch both energy and attackers quickly. The goal is to keep Buizel from stabilizing its field presence and to ensure you have a KO ready when you bench it.

Deck build ideas: efficient electrified tempo and flexible counters

Top-tier concepts for countering Buizel focus on speed, consistency, and exploiting its weakness. Consider these approaches when planning your Dragon Exalted-era or modernized equivalents:

  • Lightning tempo shell. A lean Electric core with fast-energy acceleration and quick KO potential can overwhelm Buizel before it accumulates momentum. Pair consistent draw with reliable energy acceleration so you can push for a KO by turns 1–2 if your opening hand cooperates.
  • Hybrid with Grass or other supporting types. If your local meta favors varied matchups, a hybrid approach that can threaten a range of threats while still preserving a dedicated Electric focus can be valuable. Buizel’s vulnerability invites flexible play—don’t box yourself into a single plan.
  • Bench-swarming and spread damage. In some matchups, distributing damage across Buizel and its neighboring Pokémon forces your opponent to over-commit resources, letting you pounce with a decisive knockout elsewhere on the board.

For collectors and players, Buizel’s Dragons Exalted print carries an extra layer of appeal. The set’s era built many players’ favorites through art and synergy, and Kyoko Umemoto’s depiction adds a cheerful, aquatic vibe to your collection. If you’re chasing holo or reverse holo variants, the market often reflects those rarities more brightly than the common base card, with holo copies commanding a premium in higher-grade conditions. In Expanded formats, Buizel can still spark fun, budget-friendly decks that lean into quick KO tempo, while Standard play keeps it tucked away in older rotations.

Market vibes: pricing, variants, and collectibility

Buizel’s price dynamics mirror its rarity and format status. CardMarket data shows an average price around €0.16 for standard copies, with low points as cheap as €0.02 and a healthy upward trend in holo-vs-non-holo values. On TCGPlayer, normal copies hover around $0.25 mid-price, with lower “direct low” figures near $0.09 and holo variants climbing higher, sometimes approaching $2–$3 for well-preserved examples. With a rarity labeled as Common, the holo and reverse holo iterations often steal the spotlight for collectors, while gameplay pricing stays accessible for players building entry-level decks. The card’s expanded-legal status means it remains a nostalgia-driven pick for players who enjoy revisiting the Dragons Exalted era, even as new sets roll out with cutting-edge mechanics 🎴🎨.

Whether you’re chasing victory on the table or a pristine holo for your binder, Buizel serves as a reminder that even modest numbers can unlock meaningful strategic tension when you pair them with the right plan and tempo. The key is patience, speed, and punishing your opponent’s misreads—precisely the kind of gameplay that makes Pokémon TCG battles feel alive every time you draw a card ⚡🔥.

Slim Lexan Phone Case for iPhone 16 (Glossy Ultra-Slim)

More from our network