Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Seasonal Dynamics in Pokémon TCG Pricing
Seasonal fluctuations in the Pokémon Trading Card Game market are a favorite topic for players and collectors alike. Prices ebb and flow with set releases, tournament momentum, print runs, and the steady drumbeat of demand from new builders who want to perfect the meta. When we zoom in on a single card—like Dondozo from Shining Revelry—we can see how a creature with a strong ability and a striking holo presence can ride the waves of Scarlet and Violet seasons. ⚡🔥
Spotlight on a Dondozo from Shining Revelry
Dondozo is a Water-type Basic Pokémon with a stout 120 HP, a sturdy foundation for a deck that aims to outlast opponents through resource management and controlled pressure. In the Shining Revelry set (A2b), this card carries the rarity tag One Shiny, a prized target for collectors chasing holo finishes. The artwork comes to life under illustrator GOSSAN, adding to the allure of a card that sits at the intersection of utility and aesthetics. The set itself is listed with a total of 111 cards, of which 72 are official cards, and it features holo, normal, and reverse variants to scratch that collector itch. 🃏
The move Ocean Cyclone is where Dondozo truly shows its multi-target ambitions. With a required cost of Water, Water, Colorless, Colorless, this attack deals 80 damage and, more importantly, also does 10 damage to each of your opponent's Benched Pokémon. It’s a swing that punishes broad bench builds while pressuring opponents to thin their lines. Dondozo’s Weakness is Lightning, carrying a +20 damage multiplier when facing electric-based threats, and it carries a Retreat Cost of 3. In play, that combination rewards smart energy acceleration and thoughtful bench management. 🔥
Beyond the numbers, the card’s lore is a playful wink to Pokémon teamwork: this Pokémon is a glutton, often teaming up with Tatsugiri to catch prey. That thematic pairing has historically influenced how players discuss strategy and how collectors value related cards in the same era. The official card text situates Dondozo as a reliable anchor in water-centered lineups, with the potential to disrupt an opponent’s plan by distributing damage across the board. 🎴
Gameplay Insights: Building Around Ocean Cyclone
- Deck tempo and bench strategy: Ocean Cyclone’s 80 damage is solid, but the secondary effect makes it a tempo swing card. A deck built around Dondozo often seeks to fill the opponent’s bench with threats you can pressure, while using your own bench to shield your main attacker. The cost of two Water Energy plus two Colorless aligns with mid- to late-game accelerators that can shore up your resource writes—think turn-efficient energy attachment and energy-dense lines to sustain multiple swings per game.
- Synergy with Tatsugiri and board control: The lore-friendly pairing with Tatsugiri translates into practical synergy in formats that allow the two to operate as a duo. While specific game-state interactions can vary by rotation, the core idea remains: Dondozo can hit hard while sending meaningful damage to the bench, pressuring opponents to decide where to allocate blockers and attackers.
- Risk-reward and defensive play: Because Dondozo’s attack hits both the active and the bench, players must weigh the risk of leaving a vulnerable bench exposed to spread damage, versus applying pressure that could swing the game in a single turn. A well-timed Ocean Cyclone can peel away prized threats or force a retreat, especially when the opponent’s bench is packed with solutions you want to deter. ⚡
Collectibility: Rarity, Variants, and Set Context
From a collector’s lens, the One Shiny label for Dondozo stands out in a sea of holo parallels. The Shining Revelry set embraces a vibrant aesthetic, and Dondozo’s holo rendering—alongside the normal and reverse variants—offers multiple pathways for investment and display. The illustrator credit to GOSSAN anchors the card in a contemporary art style that appeals to fans of modern TCG illustration. The set’s card count, balanced between official cards and total releases, means price movement can be sensitive to print waves and collector demand for holo rarities. 💎
Seasonal bumps often align with new content drops in Scarlet and Violet, as players anticipate fresh strategies and collectors seek key chase cards from recent releases. Dondozo’s standing in the market benefits from its workable in-game role and its appealing holo presentation, which makes it a standout in the Shining Revelry lineup. As the seasons turn, the card may rise when players anticipate a Tatsugiri-Dondozo synergy reunion in new decks, or dip when the market shifts toward newer chase titles. The ongoing narrative of Scarlet and Violet encourages both gameplay excitement and cautious collecting—two forces that shape price trajectories in tandem. 🎮
Market Trends: What Drives Swings Across Scarlet and Violet Seasons
Pricing for modern Pokémon TCG cards tends to reflect a tapestry of factors: set rotations, reprint waves, regional availability, tournament relevance, and the evolving meta. Dondozo, with its 80-damage swing and bench-targeting utility, becomes a barometer of how players value versatile Water-type offense in a given season. When Scarlet and Violet seasons converge with a hot tournament result or a new wave of products, you’ll often see a short-term spike as players flock to replicate successful builds. Conversely, off-season gaps, stock replenishments, or the emergence of new archetypes can suppress prices as collectors rotate attention toward new favorites. 🔎
Consider the following drivers as you watch the market move:
- New set releases or reprint announcements that include Dondozo or its supportive Tatsugiri pairing.
- Meta shifts that favor or punish bench-heavy strategies, influencing demand for Dondozo’s style of pressure.
- Variations in holo vs. standard prints, with holo cards often commanding the premium during peak collectors’ windows.
- Overall product availability, including booster boxes, specialty sets, and promotional releases, which affect the speed at which buyers can secure the card.
- Regional tournaments and online events that highlight Water-type decks, nudging players toward inventory purchases.
As always, savvy collectors balance nostalgia with practicality. Dondozo’s story—gluttonous, synergistic, and visually striking—offers both a gameplay anchor and a coveted display piece. The price swings across Scarlet and Violet seasons reward attentive shoppers who track a card’s lifecycle from release to rotation, and who recognize the value of timing in the broader market. ⚡💎
“In a season where players chase new combos, a well-timed Ocean Cyclone can alter board state just when the tide starts to turn.”
Product Spotlight: Neoprene Mouse Pad — Round or Rectangular, One-Sided Print
While collectors debate card prices, a thoughtful purchase outside the game can complement the experience of being a TCG fan. The Neoprene Mouse Pad from Digital Vault—Round or Rectangular, One-Sided Print—offers a durable, responsive surface perfect for long gaming sessions or desk work while you study matchups, inspect price trends, or draft deck lists. Explore more about this product at the link below and treat your workspace to a touch of Pokémon-inspired utility. 🖱️🎨
Neoprene Mouse Pad (Round or Rectangular, One-Sided Print)
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