Mastering Snorlax in Control Decks for the Pokémon TCG

Snorlax holo card art from Paldean Fates by Shigenori Negishi

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Snorlax as a Bulky Gatekeeper: control-focused play with Paldean Fates’ colorless giant

In the Pokémon TCG arena, control decks flourish when a single bulky pivot can buy you turns and resources. Snorlax from the Paldean Fates expansion embodies that role with a rare blend of staying power and utility. This particular card—a holo, Shiny Rare basic Pokémon illustrated by Shigenori Negishi—arrives with a hefty 150 HP and a formidable 130-damage option on Thudding Press. The trick, though, is not just raw offense; it’s the way Snorlax generates card advantage and survivability through its innate Voraciousness ability. ⚡🔥 For players who love tempo games, Snorlax becomes a reliable anchor that your opponent must continually answer.

Card snapshot: what you’re really getting in sv04.5-202

Name: Snorlax
Set: Paldean Fates (sv04.5) — 245-card total set, 91 official cards
Card number: 202
Type: Colorless
Stage: Basic (evolves from Munchlax in the broader line)
HP: 150
Rarity: Shiny Rare
Illustrator: Shigenori Negishi
Weakness: Fighting
Retreat cost: 4
Legal: Standard and Expanded
Ability: Voraciousness — Once during your turn, you may put up to 2 Leftovers cards from your discard pile into your hand.
Attack: Thudding Press — Colorless×3, 130 damage; this attack also does 30 damage to Snorlax itself.
Pricing snapshot: CardMarket avg around €13.2 with a low around €7.9 and a trend nudging upward (~€14 range) as of recent data

Beyond the numbers, the art and design bring Snorlax to life in a way that’s both nostalgic and fresh. Negishi’s rendering captures the sheer oceanic calm of a sleeping giant who knows the patience needed to outlast an opponent’s board state. The holo finish—glimmering under the light—adds a collectible sheen that resonates with both casual players and collectors chasing that shiny rarity. 🎴💎

How Voraciousness reshapes control play

In many control-oriented builds, resource management is everything. Snorlax’s ability, Voraciousness, gives you a targeted way to recycle one of the most valuable resources in your deck: Leftovers. Leftovers is a classic healing tool that, when retrieved from the discard pile and then reattached, helps you stabilize against heavy hitter metas. The ability lets you pull up to two Leftovers back into your hand, setting up multiple healing opportunities across turns. In practice, you’re not just stalling—you’re cycling the means to outlast threats while you execute a controlled, deliberate knock-out with Thudding Press.

Thudding Press is not a gimmick finisher; it’s a reliable finisher in a patient strategy. Paying the colorless triple-Cost energy yields a substantial 130 damage, which often finishes mid- or late-game cliffs when combined with other pressure. The self-damage clause—30 to Snorlax—reads as a calculated risk: your deck should feature steady healing and soft-lock elements that keep Snorlax alive long enough to land repeated hits, while your opponent’s resources dwindle. If you’re building around this, you’ll want to pair Snorlax with a containment theme—think draw supporters, disruption on your opponent’s board, and reliable fetch options that minimize the risk of running out of steam. ⚡🔥

From a construction standpoint, you’ll often see Snorlax slotting into larger, multi-Pokémon guard decks where the bulk and sustain create a “hard gate” that opponents must peel through. Because Snorlax is a Basic Colorless Pokémon, it doesn’t demand a fixed energy type in its pool, granting you flexibility with a variety of energy accelerants and support Pokémon. If your local meta features fast, aggressive lines, Snorlax buys you the breathing room to mount a proper defense, then pivot into a controlled attack window when your opponent is most vulnerable.

Practical deck-building notes for this style

Leftovers synergy: Since Voraciousness retrieves Leftovers from the discard pile, you’ll want a steady intake of Leftovers and ways to accelerate their return to your hand. This creates a resilient loop where Snorlax can stay in play and stay relevant while you execute your plan.
Energy discipline: With a three-colorless requirement for Thudding Press, consider energy-dense lines, plus support cards that smooth energy attachment or acceleration. You’re aiming for tempo control, not raw speed, so plan for drawn-out sequences.
Support cast: Complement Snorlax with disruption and draw to keep your hand full and your board intact. Cards that slow the opponent’s setup or reduce their options can be the key to landing that final Thudding Press when you need it most.
Evolution approach: While this card is Basic, you can look to its evolutionary line for broader synergy. Munchlax, in the Snorlax family, can present additional early-game board presence, letting you accelerate into late-game stalemates where Voraciousness becomes even more valuable.
Weakness awareness: Since the weakness is Fighting, position Snorlax wisely against fighters or multi-attack threats to avoid giving opponents easy prize advantage.

Art, lore, and collector appeal

Beyond gameplay, Paldean Fates is a collection that fans will want on display. The holo variant of Snorlax shines under gallery lighting, with Negishi’s expressive take on the big Pikachu-era don’t-move vibe—an homage to the timeless, comforting presence of Snorlax in the anime and games. The card’s set symbolism, including the Paldean Fates logo and the set’s broader card count, adds a layer of collectible narrative for players who love to track print runs and print quality. The 202-number card sits near the middle of the Paldean Fates pull, making it a practical target for both deck builders who want it in play and collectors who want a standout holo in their binders. 🔥🎨

Market value and long-term collectibility

From a market perspective, Snorlax sv04.5-202 sits in a thoughtful price range for a holo Shiny Rare. CardMarket data shows an average around €13.2 with recent volatility but an overall trend indicating growing interest for Paldean Fates holos at near-midrange price points. That makes this Snorlax a reasonable pick for players seeking value as both a playable staple and a collector’s piece. If you’re monitoring price swings, keep an eye on supply dynamics for holo Snorlax from this set, as limited reprint cycles can nudge values over time for holos with strong gameplay narratives. 💎🛒

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