Pupitar Community Decklists: Strategies for TCG Players

In TCG ·

Pupitar card art from Journey Together SV09-081

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Community Spotlight: Pupitar in Modern TCG Deckbuilding

If you’ve spent time sifting through community decklists lately, you’ve likely noticed Pupitar popping up as a dependable midgame anchor in Fighting-type lineups. ⚡ This Stage 1 Pokémon from the Journey Together set brings solid HP, a straightforward energy cost, and a risky but rewarding payoff in its Take Down attack. For fans who love the idea of turning tempo into pressure, Pupitar provides a platform to launch into the later, heavier lines of Tyranitar while maintaining a practical early-to-mid game plan. In the hands of thoughtful players, Pupitar helps bridge Larvitar’s development with Tyranitar’s late-game power, embodying the “evolve smart, hit hard, weather the recoil” philosophy that many community decks chase. 🔥

Let’s take a closer look at Pupitar’s card data and how it translates into real-world play. The SV09 Pupitar is a Fighting type with 90 HP, categorized as Stage 1, and illustrated by Scav. The card’s rarity is Common, which means plenty of copies are out there for building or upgrading a deck without chasing down hard-to-find rares. The card’s evolution line—Larvitar to Pupitar to Tyranitar—offers familiar, reliable growth for players who enjoy midrange control and big-punch power in a controlled tempo. 🪶

Card Spotlight: Pupitar (SV09-081) in Journey Together

  • Set: Journey Together (SV09)
  • Rarity: Common
  • Stage: Stage 1
  • HP: 90
  • Type: Fighting
  • Attack: Take Down — Cost: Colorless, Colorless; Damage: 60; Effect: This Pokémon also does 20 damage to itself.
  • Retreat: 1
  • Illustrator: Scav
  • Regulation: I (Legal in Standard and Expanded)

Pupitar’s Take Down is a classic risk-and-reward tool. For 60 damage, you push your opponent’s board toward a pivotal knock-out while paying the price of self-inflicted recoil. In a well-timed sequence, you’ll use Pupitar to keep your opponent honest—applying pressure while you set up for Tyranitar’s bigger, game-changing power. The card’s 90 HP gives it staying power through a couple of exchanges, especially when supported by healing or damage-prevention options typical of many Fighting-type strategies. And because this is a common card, it remains approachable for new players building their first competitive Fighting decks, while also giving seasoned players a reliable baseline to tech in the right tools. 🎴

From a deck-building perspective, Pupitar’s role is about tempo management. You’ll often want to pair it with early-stage Larvitar draws to ensure you hit Pupitar online byturn two or three. The evolution into Tyranitar—when your lineup can absorb the self-damage and convert it into a decisive late-game strike—feels thematically satisfying and mechanically effective in many community lists. The Journey Together set, with its illustrated depth and cohesive thematic arc, provides a nice narrative hook for players who enjoy building a cohesive, lore-friendly lineup as they climb the ladder. 🎨

Market note: Pupitar’s common rarity means it’s widely accessible. CardMarket shows an average price around 0.04 EUR for non-holo copies (low around 0.02 EUR), with holo variants commanding about 0.10 EUR on average. In other words, Pupitar is an affordable centerpiece for a budget-friendly deck that still delivers midrange punch. The dynamic pricing across markets reflects the broader interest in Journey Together and the continued value of familiar evolutions in TCG strategy. 🔎

Collectors and players alike appreciate Pupitar’s art and its place in the ecosystem. Scav’s illustrated Pupitar brings a clean, bold silhouette against a vibrant backdrop that pops on holo and normal versions alike. For collectors, a holo Pupitar from Journey Together can be a nice addition to a Fighting-type binder, serving as a memorable milestone in a player’s growth curve. And for deck builders, Pupitar is a dependable building block—reliable, repeatable, and easy to slot into a wide variety of lists. 💎

Strategies in Practice: Building with Pupitar

  • Tempo vs. power: Use Pupitar to threaten a decisive turn after Larvitar establishes the early engine. The 60-damage Take Down can close a gap when your opponent underestimates the self-damage risk.
  • Evolution timing: Prioritize hitting Pupitar by turn 2–3 and plan Tyranitar for turn 4–5 if your draw supports it. This creates a natural ramp from small but consistent damage to big punishments on a crucial swing turn.
  • Support synergy: Integrate the right items and supporters to stabilize your bench and energy flow. Healing or damage-prevention tools help offset Take Down’s recoil, while draw engines keep your hand refreshed for the tempo shifts you’ll need midgame.
  • Matchup awareness: Against faster decks, Pupitar’s bulk and midrange presence can stall long enough to assemble Tyranitar’s late-game threat. Against heavy control, Pupitar’s ability to force sticky trade can be a gating piece that buys you critical time. ⚡

For community players, Pupitar decks often shine when shared in local meetups and online forums. The beauty of community decklists is that you can see how different players bend the same core card into distinct strategies—some focusing on aggressive tempo, others on value-engine midgame trades. If you’re collecting ideas, try pairing Pupitar with a Larvitar-focused draw engine and a Tyranitar finisher to recreate a familiar, chunky evolution ladder that’s as satisfying to play as it is to look at on the table. 🎮

Related reads

Ready to level up your Pupitar-based strategy? Grab the gear you need and keep testing new lines. And as you dive into community lists, don’t forget to share your twists—your Pupitar may spark the next big deck trend in the forums and local leagues. 💥

Gaming Mouse Pad 9x7 Custom Neoprene with stitched edges

More from our network