Exploring Numel Holofoil Texture and Depth in Scarlet and Violet

In TCG ·

Numel card art from Unleashed (HGSS2-35) showing its fiery hump and bold illustration

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Texture and Depth: Numel and the Magic of Holofoil in Scarlet & Violet

Fire flickers not only in Numel’s belly, but in the way a card catches the light. When collectors swap stories about holofoil texture, they’re often chasing that moment when the art seems to pop off the surface, as if the magma itself could spill into the real world. The Numel in Unleashed (HGSS2-35), illustrated by Hajime Kusajima, is a quintessential window into how early holo variants approached texture—and why Scarlet & Violet’s era has intensified that sense of depth. This Numel is a Basic Fire-type with 60 HP, a small but sturdy foundation that supports two sharp attacks and a very practical understanding of how a card’s tactile finish can elevate a deck’s storytelling, even when it’s not the centerpiece of your strategy.

Let’s first ground ourselves in the card’s actual data. Numel’s set, Unleashed, sits within the heart of the HeartGold & SoulSilver era and carries the uncommon rarity that often rewarded players who explored a broader cardpool. Its attacks reflect a straightforward but flavorful design: Flare Bonus (Colorless energy cost) lets you discard a Fire Energy from your hand to draw three cards, a boon for setup and hand refresh in a fast-paced game; and Combustion costs two Fire Energy plus a Colorless, delivering 40 damage to pressure an opponent’s evolving lineup. The card’s weakness to Water ×2 and a modest retreat cost of 1 keep Numel firmly in the “get in, attack, and get out before the steam clouds close in” camp. Kusajima’s illustration captures Numel’s molten elegance—the hump a living furnace, the coloration bold yet grounded. The lack of holo in this particular variant doesn’t diminish its visual impact, but it does serve as a contrast to how modern holofoil textures push the border between art and illusion.

From Old school texture to modern depth: a collector’s lens

Scarlet & Violet marks a new era for holofoil craftsmanship, expanding the textural vocabulary beyond the smooth frost of earlier finishes. In the older Unleashed line, holo cards were present but sometimes modest; the Numel we’re discussing today does not offer holo texture on the card itself. Still, the legacy of that era informs how we judge depth now: the way light glints across Kusajima’s line work, the subtle shading on Numel’s magma, and the bold color blocks in the background all work together to create a perceived relief—an early precursor to the “feel” of depth fans chase when the holo pattern arrives in newer sets. In Scarlet & Violet, this depth is often heightened by more dynamic holo patterns and the way the foil interacts with art that leans into full-art or trainer-gallery aesthetics. The result is a sense that the image isn’t just printed on a card—it exists in a slightly different plane of light and texture. ⚡🔥

For modern collectors, holo variants aren’t just about shine; they’re about narrative continuity. When you see a Numel from a newer Scarlet & Violet release with holo treatment, you’re watching a lineage evolve—from simple gloss and color to something that can shimmer with color shifts as you tilt the card at different angles. This is where the art and the mechanics begin to intertwine in a way that draws players and collectors together: the same Numel that used to be a compact fireball on a 60 HP frame now can become a centerpiece in a collection that appreciates depth—both literal ink depth and the depth of its lore in the Pokémon TCG universe. 🎨🎴

Playability vs. collectability: where holo texture meets market vibes

Ownership and value in the Pokémon TCG don’t hinge solely on how hard a card hits. They’re influenced by rarity, print quality, and the ongoing desire of players to complete sets or curate optical showcases. The Unleashed Numel sits as an uncommon card with practical Fire-type utility and a couple of lean but effective attacks. In markets tracked around late 2025, the non-holo version shows an average market price of roughly 0.59 EUR, with occasional low-point values around 0.02 EUR. The holo market tends to show more volatility; low holo values near 0.1 EUR are documented, while holo-trend indicators suggest more variability (the market data lists a trend-holo of 1.05). For a fan who collects by aesthetics—by texture, color, and the tactile feel of a well-placed holo—Scarlet & Violet releases are where the conversation about depth truly broadens. It isn’t just about raising a number on a card’s price tag; it’s about the experience of turning a card in your hand and watching the light reveal layers of Kusajima’s fiery Numel in a way that the older print could only hint at. 🔥💎

Art, lore, and the name behind the flame

Hajime Kusajima’s work on Numel captures a primal energy—the kind of volcanic power Numel embodies with that hallmark “hump of magma” backstory. This card, while not holo, remains a touchstone for appreciating how the art can carry the creature’s lore into a player's deck. Scarlet & Violet continues to honor such artistry by providing newer holo textures that interact with modern printing techniques, yet the core charm—the creature’s molten spirit—stays constant. For collectors who adore the tactile thrill of a well-inked illustration, Kusajima’s Numel is a perfect reminder that even in a set without holo, the artwork can feel alive and present within its own dramatic frame. ⚡🎴

The connection between strategy and presentation is part of what makes the Pokémon TCG so enduring. A Numel with a strong build—Fire type, 60 HP, basic stage, dependable attacks—offers a straightforward gameplay footprint, while its visual journey from Unleashed to Scarlet & Violet represents the breath of the hobby: a balance of tactical depth and artistic wonder. Whether you’re chasing the original art or the latest holo experiences, Numel’s flame persists, a small but bright beacon in a game that thrives on memory, competition, and shared wonder. 🎮🎨

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