Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Combee: A Case Study in Usage Trends Across Pokémon TCG Sets
In the ever-evolving world of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, even a humble Basic Grass type like Combee can reveal big clues about how players assemble decks and how collectors value old favorites. Tracing Combee across the Supreme Victors era (the pl3 set) and beyond offers a window into both gameplay dynamics and market sentiment. With its 40 HP, two modest attacks, and a design that invites evolution into Vespi Queen, this little bee embodies the balance between accessibility and strategic potential that defines many “commons” in the hobby. ⚡🔥
Card Snapshot: Combee in Supreme Victors
- Name: Combee
- Set: Supreme Victors (pl3)
- Rarity: Common
- Type: Grass
- Stage: Basic
- HP: 40
- Attacks:
- Nap — Grass energy: Remove 2 damage counters from Combee.
- Zzzt — Colorless, Colorless: 20 damage.
- Weakness: Fire (+10)
- Resistance: Fighting (−20)
- Retreat Cost: 1
- Illustrator: Atsuko Nishida
- Variants: Normal, Holo, Reverse
- Card Number: pl3-99
What makes Combee special in this snapshot is not just its stats but how it fits into the broader ecosystem. The card’s basic design means it sees play in early-game stabilization decks where players want a reliable starter that can stall slightly and set up a future evolution into Vespi Queen. The Nap attack—a neat, self-contained healing effect—gives Combee a sliver of survivability, especially in matchups where early damage pressure is common. And while Zzzt is a modest 20 for two colorless energies, it’s the kind of dependable, low-energy flood that can help a player reach a stall-and-pressure arc with basic Pokémon across a game’s longer rhythm. 🎴🎨
Trends in Usage and Market Signals
Tracking usage across sets often begins with appearances in decks and the durability of its price point. For Combee, the fact that it appears in multiple variants—normal, holo, and reverse holo—indicates enduring interest among collectors who chase both play and display value. From a market perspective, non-holo copies of pl3 Combee hover at modest prices, with CardMarket data showing an average around €0.07, a low around €0.02, and a 30-day trend nudging toward €0.16. This suggests a steady, accessible entry point for new collectors who are building budget-complete decks or starting a collection around the Supreme Victors era. 🔎💎
For holo collectors, the numbers are different but telling. The holo variants tend to command higher attention and price: low-holo around €0.49, with a recent upward trajectory (trend-holo) near 1.64, and short-term averages in the €1.75 range for the 1-day to 7-day windows. The holo market, while still favorable to completion-minded players, rewards those who chase elevated rarity with a willingness to wait for price momentum to align with holiday releases or reprint cycles. In short, Combee’s value diverges by variant, which is a classic hallmark of TCG collecting where a common card can still fetch meaningful premiums in certain print runs. 📈💎
Beyond raw numbers, the data hints at how players use Combee’s positioning as a Basic Grass type. Its ability to stall via Nap, while awaiting a Vespi Queen upgrade, parallels how many players leverage early-stage Pokémon to set up more powerful evolutions in later turns. This dynamic isn’t about overwhelming power; it’s about tempo, resource management, and clocking the board so that the evolution curve hits just when the opponent is trying to mount pressure. The set’s iteration, illustrated by Atsuko Nishida’s charming art, helps keep Combee in the memory of players who may not be chasing the latest meta but still savor the nostalgia of classic print runs. ⚡🎨
Strategic Takeaways for Players and Collectors
For players, Combee represents a dependable opening piece in Grass-centered archetypes. Pairing Nap’s healing with a plan to evolve into Vespi Queen can turn a fragile early-stage Pokémon into a longer-term threat as the game progresses. Because Combee has a relatively low HP of 40, careful play is essential—crowding the bench with a plan for a timely Vespi Queen upgrade can turn a potential liability into a midgame anchor. When building a deck around Combee, consider how energy acceleration, trainer support, and type matchups around Fire weaknesses are managed. Fire decks with aggressive pace or Tag Team formats can pressure Combee early, so the Nap healing becomes not just a niche effect but a survival tool. 🔥🎮
Collectors, on the other hand, should appreciate the rarity spectrum within Supreme Victors. If you’re chasing a holo or reverse holo print, keep an eye on trending price movements and reprint cycles. The CardMarket numbers indicate a vibrant micro-market for holo variants, and the non-holo base remains a friendly target for new entrants. The value gap between holo and non-holo emphasizes the importance of condition, edition status, and the presence of a pristine Atsuko Nishida illustration on a common card. A well-preserved Combee from this set is a reminder that even “common” cards can carry meaningful nostalgia and long-term upside. 💎🎴
Art, Lore, and the Collector’s Eye
Atsuko Nishida’s artwork for Combee captures the playful, honeyed world of the Pokémon that buzzes through the planetoids of your childhood memories. Supreme Victors brought a vibrant, transitional era to the TCG, bridging classic mechanics with a fresher look that appealed to both seasoned players and new collectors. The card’s multiple variants—normal, holo, and reverse—offer different ways to celebrate the art, and the common status only makes the holo chase more exciting. The narrative is as much about the artwork as it is about the gameplay, and for many fans, that combination is the heart of the hobby. 🎨⚡
As you map usage statistics and market signals, remember that the real joy comes from building connections: the thrill of pulling a holo Combee, the satisfaction of a well-timed Nap, or the moment Vespi Queen finally hits the table as the payoff for a patient deck strategy. The story of this card is a microcosm of the broader Pokémon TCG journey—where strategy, art, and collection intertwine to create lasting memories. 🎴🔥
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