Kricketune Custom Formats Spark Community TCG Creativity

Kricketune card art from BREAKpoint (XY9-6) by Suwama Chiaki

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Kricketune: Remixing the Rules with Community-Driven Formats

In a hobby built on iconic moments, clever plays, and gorgeous art, a single card can spark a wave of creativity far beyond standard decks. Kricketune from the BREAKpoint era is an excellent lens for exploring how players breathe new life into the Pokémon TCG through custom formats. This Stage 1 Grass-type evolves from Kricketot and carries a playful blend of precision and tempo that invites inventive limit-pushing in formats that celebrate variety, not just victory. ⚡🔥

At a Glance: what this Kricketune brings to the table

Kricketune (xy9-6) stands out as an uncommon staple from the Breakpoint set. Here’s a quick, clear snapshot of its essential data—useful when considering how to slot it into your own formats:

Type: Grass
Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Kricketot)
HP: 90
Attacks:
- Screech — Cost: Colorless. The key to tempo: “During your next turn, any damage done to the Defending Pokémon by attacks is increased by 60 (after applying Weakness and Resistance).”
- Slash — Cost: Grass. Deals 40 damage.
Weakness: Fire x2
Retreat: 1
Rarity: Uncommon
Illustrator: Suwama Chiaki
Set: BREAKpoint
Legal in formats: Standard: No; Expanded: Yes
Pricing snapshot: Cardmarket average around 0.10 EUR (low ~0.02 EUR; holo variants show higher values), TCGPlayer normal around 0.14 USD (low ~0.02, mid ~0.20, high ~1.49); reverse holo pricing tracks closely with holo trends

Kricketune’s design and abilities embody the playful spirit of custom formats: it rewards planning, supports unusual tempo swings, and invites players to experiment with timing and card draw pacing. The art by Suwama Chiaki adds a musical flourish to the card, reinforcing the character’s identity as a cricket-turned-chorus-master—a perfect metaphor for community-led formats that harmonize multiple ideas into one playable experience. 🎨💎

Two-turn puzzles and bold tempo in custom play

The Screech attack is not a raw punch but a strategic instrument. By boosting the damage your opponent takes on the next turn, you set up a two-turn crescendo: a careful Screech to prepare, followed by Slash or a supporting attack to capitalize on the increased pain. In custom formats that emphasize tempo, this creates fascinating decisions: should you hold Screech to threaten a knockout, or fire it early to push through a mid-game finish? Kricketune’s 90 HP and modest retreat cost keep it reasonably resilient in a variety of stacks, while the Grass typing helps it survive some common threats in non-standard environments. The Fire weakness adds a familiar caution, reminding players to anticipate targeted counters, especially in alt-rotations where Fire-type attackers might become more prevalent. 🔥⚡

In practice, builders can design rules that encourage two-turn sequencing—perhaps by limiting item cards that reset status, or by allowing players to draft “tempo counters” that interact with Screech’s timing window. These kinds of constraints and freedoms are at the heart of community-driven formats: they honor the core game while inviting bold, imaginative play. The Breakpoint aesthetic—snappy art, dynamic moves, and a sense of swingy momentum—serves as a perfect backdrop for such experiments. 🎴🎮

Collecting Kricketune: value, rarity, and what to watch

For collectors, Kricketune’s Uncommon rarity from a popular XY set makes it a thoughtful addition to a Grass-themed sub-collection or a broader Expanded-format archetype. Market data from Cardmarket and TCGPlayer echoes the card’s modest-yet-notable footprint: base prices tend to hover in a low ballpark, with holo and reverse-holo variants carrying higher value due to demand, finish, and print run variations. If you’re chasing a pristine copy for a display or a playable format, expect the holo or reverse-holo to carry the price premium, even if the base card remains accessible for casual play. This is a card that shines in both display and deck-building contexts, making it a versatile centerpiece for a Kricketune-focused format or a Grass-type mini-tribe. 🧺💎

“A card like Kricketune reminds us that great ideas in the Pokémon TCG often come from small, clever interactions. In custom formats, its Screech can become a keystone, enabling memorable, edge-of-the-seat moments that players talk about for weeks.”

Art and lore: Suwama Chiaki’s touch and the Breakpoint vibe

Artwork matters in TCG communities because it anchors a memory in the card’s physical form. Suwama Chiaki’s illustration for Kricketune captures a sense of musicality and motion that parallels how players think about tempo in formats. The Breakpoint set itself is known for its energetic, fast-paced feel, and Kricketune’s chibi-like, expressive design translates well to casual play spaces and tournament warm-ups alike. For collectors, the holo variants matter more here, with the printed finish acting as a visual reminder of the card’s place in the era’s tapestry. The card’s evolution from Kricketot also reflects a common theme in custom formats: progression and growth, both in deck strategy and in the community’s shared creative journey. 🎨🎶

Designing with Kricketune: practical ideas for your own formats

Want to spark a Kricketune-centered format at your local game night? Here are a few starter ideas you can try with consent from your play group:

Tempo-tied rounds: Screech triggers a two-turn window where players must capitalize or lose momentum.
Grass synergy shenanigans: pair Kricketune with other Grass types that benefit from healing or defensive buffs to balance the two-turn risk.
Reward structures: add a local prize for the most creative Screech-finisher combo, encouraging experimental lineups and patient planning.

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