Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
From the smoky silhouettes of Team Rocket Returns, a humble Koffing steps into the spotlight with more than a puff of gas. This Basic Grass-type Pokémon, illustrated by Midori Harada, might wear the “Common” rarity badge, but its knack for turning a seemingly quiet board into a turning point is what makes it memorable for players who love celluloid charm and clever tactics alike. Koffing ex7-61 brings a flavor of old-school, mind-games TCG play: a tiny 50 HP body, a budget-friendly attack, and a bubble of strategic potential that erupts when opponents mismanage their KO sequence. ⚡
Card at a glance
- Set: Team Rocket Returns (ex7)
- Illustrator: Midori Harada
- Rarity: Common
- HP: 50
- Type: Grass
- Stage: Basic
- Attack: Gnaw — 10 damage for Colorless
- Ability: Knockout Gas (Poke-BODY) — If Koffing is your Active Pokémon and is Knocked Out by an opponent's attack, the Attacking Pokémon is now Confused and Poisoned
- Weakness: Psychic ×2
In practice, Gnaw is a modest 10-damage ping, but that tiny number becomes part of a more nuanced strategic dance. The real engine here is Knockout Gas—a passive effect that can derail an opponent’s tempo the moment Koffing is KO’d. It’s a flavor of disruption you don’t have to chase with big numbers; you chase it with timing, positioning, and the right bench setup. When you’re playing a card with a Common rarity but a rare kind of game sense, you’re not chasing power you can’t reach; you’re chasing the angles that make the opponent fear a single misstep. 💎
When to deploy for maximum impact
Strategy with Koffing is less about stacking damage on one swing and more about shaping the battlefield so the next turn or two swing the result in your favor. Here’s how to think about maximizing its contribution on the table:
- Open with restraint — Put Koffing on the bench early and attach energy alongside a safe countermeasure. Gnaw doesn’t demand a specific energy type, so you can begin pressuring the opponent while you assemble a broader plan.
- Force the KO sequence wisely — If your opponent commits a large attacker to your Active slot, you’rebaiting a KO that triggers Knockout Gas. The Attacking Pokémon becomes Confused and Poisoned, buying you precious turns to redeploy or evolve other threats without fearing a clean sweep.
- Bridge to bigger threats — Use Koffing to hold the tempo until you can bring out a bigger partner—perhaps a Weezing in the same evolution line or another Grass-type support that benefits from bench pressure. The moment Koffing’s gas disrupts the opponent’s plan, your subsequent attacker can close the game with momentum.
- Mind the weakness — Psychic-type attackers pose a natural risk to Koffing with ×2 damage. If the opposing deck leans heavily Psychic, you’ll want a plan that keeps Koffing alive long enough to tax their resources or pivot to a safer, more damaging line on the bench.
- Leverage the art and feel — Beyond numbers, this Koffing captures a nostalgic era of TCG play, where timing and player psychology often trumps raw power. If you’re building a collection that also celebrates the lore and aesthetics of the era, this card’s look and flavor make it a fitting centerpiece for a themed deck or display shelf.
In a meta that rewards big damage, Koffing’s true contribution is the slow burn: it buys you time, forces the opponent to rethink their KO plan, and sets up your next several plays. The attacker’s confusion and poison interrupts the straightforward KO chain, which can be the difference between losing a swing and securing a win a turn later. 🔥
Collector notes: art, rarity, and the card’s place in history
Midori Harada’s artwork for Koffing ex7-61 is a classic example of Team Rocket Returns’ vibrant, character-rich style. The card’s holo versions sparkle with a nostalgic charm, while the normal and reverse variants carry the same crisp illustration and bold silhouette that fans remember from the mid-2000s era. As a Common card, it’s relatively accessible for collectors starting a Team Rocket Returns mini-set or building a nostalgic Grass-type-themed lineup. The combination of a strong illustration and a clever ability makes this Koffing a standout in casual replications and themed display decks alike. 🎨
Market watch: value and trends
Prices for Koffing ex7-61 vary by edition and condition, reflecting its place as a fan-favorite from a beloved set. Here are the figures you’ll see tracked across major markets, illustrating both the low entry point for non-holo copies and the stronger pull of holo and reverse-holo variants:
- Cardmarket (EUR) — updated 2025-10-30: avg around 0.25 EUR, low around 0.02 EUR; short-term trends show a gentle uptick (0.06). Variants show holo-values around 3.31 EUR on average, with holo-specific averages around 8.99 EUR for standout variants, signaling a modest but steady premium for holo copies.
- TCGPlayer (USD) — updated 2025-10-30: normal copies typically range from a low of about 0.14 USD to a mid around 0.36 USD, with highs near 2.75 USD for well-preserved non-holo examples. Reverse-holo foil versions fetch a higher premium, commonly in the 14–39.99 USD window, with a market price around 19.82 USD.
For players building budgets or collectors aiming for value, this is a card that rewards thoughtful acquisition. Non-holo copies are among the most affordable in the Team Rocket Returns era, while holo and reverse-holo copies offer a more collectible sheen at a price that reflects their relative scarcity in good condition. If you’re eyeing a display piece or a deck centerpiece, allocate a little more for a holo variant and you’ll likely enjoy a pleasing return both visually and historically. 💎
Beyond the table, the card invites players to reflect on how a small, strategic pivot can influence a game’s narrative. The idea of forcing a Confused and Poisoned Attacker through a KO reaction is a tactical cue that’s easy to overlook in a rush to max-damage turns, but it’s precisely the kind of nuance that separates casual wins from standout victories in a historical set like Team Rocket Returns. 🎮
As you plan your next vintage-inspired build, consider how Koffing’s understated power and its gaslit flair can anchor a deck that’s both competitive and character-rich. Whether you’re chasing the nostalgia of Midori Harada’s art, or you’re chasing the exact right moment to unleash a Knockout Gas moment, this card proves that sometimes the quiet options yield the loudest outcomes. ⚡
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