Analyzing Applin Rarity Distribution in the Pokémon TCG

In TCG ·

Applin card art from Rebel Clash

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Rarity Distribution Spotlight: Applin in Rebel Clash

Rarity analytics in the Pokémon TCG aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet—they’re a narrative of print runs, deck-building realities, and the whimsical quirks that make collecting feel like treasure hunting. Take Applin, a Grass-type Basic whose innocence belies the deeper patterns you’ll find when you map its presence across Rebel Clash. As a Common card with a straightforward move, Applin serves as a perfect case study for how a card’s rarity interacts with playability, artwork, and market behavior in a modern expansion.

Card snapshot: what this little apple offers

  • Name: Applin (swsh2-21)
  • Set: Rebel Clash
  • Type: Grass
  • HP: 40
  • Stage: Basic
  • Rarity: Common
  • Attack: Withdraw (Colorless) — Flip a coin. If heads, during your opponent's next turn, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks.
  • Weakness: Fire ×2
  • Retreat: 1
  • Illustrator: Kagemaru Himeno
  • Regulation: D (Expanded legal, Standard not legal)
  • Dex ID: 840
  • Description: It spends its entire life inside an apple. It hides from its natural enemies, bird Pokémon, by pretending it's just an apple and nothing more.
  • Printer notes: Normal and Reverse Holo variants exist; no holo foil for this Common, which aligns with Rebel Clash’s printing strategy where many Commons are featured in non-holo or reverse-holo forms.

That last line matters for collectors: Rebel Clash boasted a total of 192 official cards (with some players noting the broader total of 209 when including promos and variants). Among those, Applin sits in the broad, print-heavy crowd that makes up the backbone of a typical English-language retail release. The card’s humble 40 HP and a single, mildly defensive attack create a distinct playstyle niche—one that rewards timing and coin-flip luck as you weather the early game in a fight-heavy meta. ⚡🔥

Gameplay angles: why a common can influence deck-building

Withdraw is a classic “wait and see” tool in the early game. With a Colorless energy cost, Applin is easy to slot into a variety of grass-focused decks. The coin-flip mechanic to potentially prevent all damage next turn adds a probabilistic stall element that can buy precious turns in matches against faster opponents. In formats where single-prize pressure matters, Applin can deter a single attacker long enough for a bigger threat—like a Grass-type or a mega-evolved ally—to take the lead.

Its vulnerability to Fire-type attacks (×2) makes Applin a situational piece, but it also mirrors a broader strategic pattern: balance between risk and defense. In Rebel Clash, where many decks emphasize stable early-game pluck-and-press tactics, a Common like Applin can shine as a training-wheel card for newer players while still giving vetran builders a cheap bench option for stall and support play. The simple design—small HP, cheap retreat cost, and a manageable effect—embraces the charm of the set’s “everyday” cards and invites experimentation with combo ideas that leverage coin flips and timing. The artwork by Kagemaru Himeno—soft lines, a woodland whimsy that captures Applin’s self-contained life inside an apple—adds a warm contrast to the brisk tempo of modern play. 🎴🎨

Collector and market insights: value, rarity, and print dynamics

As a Common, Applin’s price stability typically hovers in the budget tier. Market data from Cardmarket shows normal (non-holo) copies averaging around the 0.02–0.16 EUR range, with occasional spikes driven by bulk buying or regional demand. The mid-range tends to stay around 0.10–0.30 EUR for common copies, while reverse-holo prints stabilize a touch higher due to aesthetic appeal and demand for reverse pulls in deck-building. TCGplayer’s recent readings for the normal variant place a low around 0.02 USD and a mid around 0.16 USD, with occasional high-water marks near 4.99 USD for standout market anomalies—more common in special lots or mispriced listings than in typical shops. The market price for reverse-holo copies sits around 0.27 USD on average, a modest premium that reflects their collectible, non-foil rarity within the same print run. These numbers frame Applin as a stable, affordable entry point for new collectors and a familiar core for budget decks.

The Rebel Clash set, with 192 official cards, presents a wide spectrum of rarity distribution. Common cards like Applin proliferate in boosters, ensuring a steady supply that keeps prices low and accessibility high. For players, that means easy re-entries into the game for new decks; for collectors, it means a steady stream of duplicates that can be traded or bundled in value-filled lots. The lack of a holo version for this particular Common keeps its chase value relatively modest, while the reverse-holo variant remains the preferred route for players who want a little extra glare in their binder. This dynamic mirrors a broader trend: in sets where playability is moderate and print runs are generous, Commons often remain the most approachable entry point, shaping both casual and competitive ecosystems. 💎

Expanded legality (Regulation Mark D) further hints at Rebel Clash’s evergreen status in older formats, where enthusiasts seek a balanced mix of casual and competitive play. The variant breakdown—firstEdition absent, holo absent, normal and reverse present—also tells a story about how the printing team treated Applin as a dependable, repeatable card. For collectors, that translates to abundant copies with the familiar Applin artwork by Himeno, ensuring that the card remains a friendly staple rather than a rarity chase. ⚡🎴

From the vault to the binder: a nostalgic, practical takeaway

Applin reminds us that rarity isn’t only about rarity itself; it’s about how a card integrates into gameplay, deck-building psychology, and the hobby’s ongoing narrative. A Common with a protective Withdraw option gives players a small but meaningful tactical tool, while its everyday presence in Rebel Clash makes it a familiar, approachable collectible for fans returning to the game after years away. The artwork—delicately drawn by Kagemaru Himeno—cements Applin’s identity as a gentle, nature-bound creature whose apple-shell life feels almost literal in the physical world of the Pokémon TCG. And as you sort through your binder, you’ll find Applin not as a missed opportunity, but as a touchpoint of how a well-balanced print run supports both the thrill of the chase and the joy of playing. 🔥💎

To explore a practical example of how this kind of card can fit into a modern budget deck, or to simply admire the artwork and lore, check out the product page for a handy gadget that keeps your setup pristine: the Phone Grip Reusable Adhesive Holder Kickstand.

Phone Grip Reusable Adhesive Holder Kickstand

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