Latios Synergy Analysis: Using Card Databases for Pokémon TCG

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Latios card art from XY Trainer Kit (Masakazu Fukuda)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Latios Synergy Analysis: Using Card Databases for Pokémon TCG

In the ever-evolving world of the Pokémon TCG, data is a friend you want on your side. Latios, a Psychic Basic Pokémon from the XY Trainer Kit, offers a compelling case study in how a single card can reveal rich synergy patterns when we pull insights from card databases. With 110 HP, a pair of attacks, and a design that invites thoughtful risk management, Latios becomes an approachable lens for exploring how players and collectors leverage set histories, pricing data, and card text to guide decisions—whether you’re building a casual theme deck or cataloging a personal collection. ⚡

Card snapshot: what Latios brings to the table

  • Category: Pokémon
  • Name: Latios
  • Set: XY trainer Kit (Latios) — official set size 30
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 110
  • Type: Psychic
  • Attacks:
    • Supersonic Flight — 40 damage; Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.
    • Psyburn — 70 damage
  • Weakness: Psychic ×2
  • Retreat Cost: 1
  • Illustrator: Masakazu Fukuda
  • Rarity: None
  • Legal (as of today): standard: False, expanded: False
  • Variants: holo, normal, reverse (firstEdition: False, wPromo: False)

From a database perspective, Latios is a fascinating anchor for discussing how to read card data beyond the surface text. The two attacks reveal a built-in risk-vs-reward dynamic: a solid 70 damage on Psyburn, paired with a lower-damage but more fragile Supersonic Flight that hinges on a coin flip. This kind of duality invites deck builders to consider synergy with support cards that either mitigate coin-flip risk or maximize draw and tempo so you can land Psyburn more often. In practice, analysts often map these traits to potential lineups in databases that track energy costs, coin-based effects, and the odds of survival against common Psychic and non-Psychic matchups in historical formats. 🎴

Synergy through data: how databases illuminate deck-building choices

databases shine when you pull structured data for pattern recognition. For Latios, a few key points emerge:

  • HP and durability: 110 HP places Latios in a mid-range endurance zone for Basic Psychics of its era. In synergy analysis, you compare HP across similar archetypes to estimate how often Latios survives long enough to threaten with Psyburn or to set up a follow-up finisher.
  • Attacks and risk management: Supersonic Flight’s coin flip introduces a risk element. In deck design, this invites timetabling: use Latios when you expect to draw into supporting cards that stabilize the bench or when you’re leveraging protection or duplication effects (from other Psychic-type supports or item cards). The 70-damage Psyburn is a straightforward, reliable payout when the coin flip pays off.
  • Weakness considerations: Psychic ×2 highlights the vulnerability Latios faces against Psychic-typed onslaughts in certain metagames. This helps you gauge whether Latios slots into a broader strategy that uses retreat flexibility or synergy with tech cards that distract or remove threats.
  • Rarity and availability: The card’s rarity is listed as None, which isn’t a typical driver of price in modern terms but does influence how players and collectors approach acquisition. Databases track pricing trends alongside print runs, giving you context on supply when building a collection or preparing a budget.

Collector insights: value, condition, and market signals

When you pull Latios into a price-tracking view, a few numbers help tell the story. The TCGPlayer data for this XY Trainer Kit Latios shows a market snapshot that helps collectors decide when to pounce or wait. Typical prices hover where the low is around $0.15, the mid around $0.43, and the high climbs toward $1.49 in some listings. The market price sits near $0.48, a reflection of the card’s non-rare status but solid interest from fans of the XY era and Latios’ artwork. This position makes Latios a value proposition for players who want a budget Psychic option with nostalgic appeal, as well as for collectors chasing complete holo or reverse collections from the XY Trainer Kit.

Artwork and lore add another layer. Masakazu Fukuda’s illustration brings Latios to life with a sense of speed and intellect that fans remember fondly. For collectors, the allure isn’t solely about battle-readiness; it’s about holding a piece of the XY era’s artistic vocabulary. Because the card exists in holo, normal, and reverse variants within the kit, the physical diversity also tempts collectors to seek near-mint examples across all variants—creating a mini-subset pursuit within a single set. 💎

Art, lore, and brand storytelling

Latios is more than a card number in a database; it’s a character steeped in the broader Pokémon universe. The description on the card—“It understands human speech and is highly intelligent. It is a tender Pokémon that dislikes fighting”—invites players to see Latios as a thoughtful tactician on the tabletop. In the context of databases, this storytelling layer becomes a qualitative signal worth noting for fans who weave lore into their collection narratives. The XY Trainer Kit, with Latios as a featured card, also marks a bridge between experimental trainer-focused sets and traditional Pokemon TCG gameplay, offering a friendly entry point for players curious about how synergy ideas translate from theory to practice. ⚡

Practical takeaways for builders and collectors

  • Use databases to compare Latios against other Basic Psychic options from the same era to identify where it outperforms or lags behind in terms of HP, damage output, and risk management.
  • Factor in card condition and variant availability when budgeting. While rarity is listed as None, holo and reverse variants can have outsized visual appeal for display-focused collections.
  • Monitor pricing signals from reliable outlets (like TCGPlayer) to time purchases, especially if you’re chasing specific print runs or variants.
  • Appreciate the historical context: Latios’ non-legal status in current standard/expanded play reminds us that the most valuable synergy often lies in nostalgia, collection quality, and the joy of assembling a complete XY-era themed lineup.

As you widen your data lens, Latios becomes a microcosm of how to read a card’s hidden power: not just in its raw numbers, but in the stories the card tells through its text, art, and print history. For fans who love blending strategy with nostalgia, databases aren’t a dry ledger—they’re a treasure map that points toward smarter, more informed collecting and playing. 🔍🎴

Product note: If you’re looking to carry a real-world parallel for display or protection, consider a modern phone case with card holder MagSafe packaging—an elegant nod to the way we love to combine function with Pokémon flair in everyday life.

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