Beldum vs. Similar Pokémon: TCG Performance Explored

In TCG ·

Beldum card art from Hidden Legends (Ken Sugimori)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Metal on the rise: how Beldum stacks up against similar basics in the TCG landscape

In the crowded early years of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, a humble Basic like Beldum could become a quiet anchor in a deck built for tempo and control. This Uncommon Metal-type from the Hidden Legends set (ex5) carries a clean, steel-plated charm, illustrated by Ken Sugimori in his signature, polished style. With 50 HP and a single, straightforward attack, Tackle for 10 damage, Beldum isn’t chasing big numbers the moment you flip it active. Yet its real trick lies in the Poke-BODY Levitate: If Beldum has any Energy attached to it, Beldum's Retreat Cost is 0. That tiny interaction can swing matchups by preserving energy for a late defensive pivot or an evasive retreat to a more favorable board state. ⚡🔥

From a card-collection perspective, Beldum’s rarity (Uncommon) and its holo/normal/reverse variants make it an appealing piece for players and collectors who love the Hidden Legends era’s metallic theme. The art of Ken Sugimori, paired with the set’s aesthetic, invites nostalgia while reminding us how foundational metal-type Pokémon were for early game plans that rewarded energy management and smart timing. The card’s low energy cost and Levitate ability can shine in decks that emphasize retreat economy and board positioning, even if its offensive punch remains modest. 💎🎨

To understand how Beldum compares to its peers in the same family of early Metal Pokémon, it’s helpful to frame the battlefield realities of the era. Similar Basic Metal Pokémon often emphasized cheap or zero-retreat costs, energy acceleration, and the ability to stall until a stronger attacker takes center stage. Beldum’s 50 HP is just enough to survive a couple of early blows in some matchups, but it’s not built to soak punishment—its weakness to Fighting x2 and its Grass resistance of -30 reinforce a tactical role: use it as a midgame pivot, not a frontline cavalry. The Levitate Poke-BODY, however, can help you keep your evolution chain intact while you search for a pivot or set up a defensive line. And when you attach Energy, you’re free to retreat and redraw the stage for the next objective. 🎴 🎮

Levitate is more than a novelty—it's a retreat enabler. If you’re running energy attachments, Beldum can slip away from unfavorable trades and buy you a turn to reposition your board.

When we contrast Beldum with similar choices, the conversation often centers on tempo and durability. Magnemite, Aron, or other metal-typed basics from the era offered different balances of HP, attack power, and evolution lines. What remains consistent is the value of efficient energy use and reliable retreat. Beldum’s ability to vanish from a tight situation with zero retreat cost, as long as it has energy attached, makes it a strategic piece for players who value stage management and time their evolutions carefully. In practice, this means building a deck where you can attach a basic energy early, keep Beldum on the bench while you accelerate your next attacker, and then deploy it with the Assurance of a safe retreat if needed. ⚡🎴

What the numbers say about performance and price

In today’s market, Beldum ex5-28 sits at an intriguing crossroad between nostalgia and value. CardMarket shows an average price in the neighborhood of roughly €0.30 for standard (non-holo) copies, with a wide spread that reflects demand for holo and reverse-holo variants. The dynamic nature of the market—where a single holo copy can swing above several euro—illustrates how collectors chase the lineage of Hidden Legends while players weigh practical value for casual play. The tcgplayer data reflects similar multipliers: normal copies trend around the mid-to-low USD range (low around $0.49, mid around $0.66, high up to $3 in some listings), while holo versions push higher, with typical ranges well into the single-digit territory. These numbers emphasize that Beldum’s appeal isn’t just about raw power; it’s about the story of a metal Pokémon that captures a particular era’s spirit and the quiet elegance of Sugimori’s art. 💎🔥

For players thinking in deck-building terms, the pricing landscape also hints at the value of the holo and reverse-holo variants for collectors who prize set completeness. Not every clone of a metal-pinned Basic will break your budget, but the right copy—especially a holo from a beloved era—can become a prized centerpiece of a Hidden Legends collection. When you couple these considerations with a strategic playstyle that embraces energy-cycling and precise retreat timing, Beldum becomes more than a stand-alone card—it becomes a foundational piece of a nostalgic deck philosophy. 🎨🎮

Art, lore, and the feel of a metal-filled era

Ken Sugimori’s illustration for Beldum captures the clean geometry and metallic sheen that defined the era’s Steel-type aesthetics. Hidden Legends’ design language often leaned into strong silhouettes and crisp line work, and Beldum’s gleaming plating fits that vibe perfectly. The creature’s simple massing—compact, reliable, and a touch enigmatic—fits the strategic ethos of the deck: a dependable tool you can rely on while you set up bigger threats. The game’s lore around Beldum and its evolutions invites players to imagine a world where steel-based strategies evolve in tandem with the player’s skill and patience. 🔧🎴

For collectors and historians, the ex5-28 card line is a snapshot of a time when the TCG’s energy economy and retreat mechanics shaped the tempo of every match. The combination of a basic stage, Levitate, and a single modest attack makes Beldum a textbook case of how a well-crafted ability can alter the calculus of battles long after the initial flip. The art, the rarity, and the nostalgia all come together to make this card a memorable piece of any metal-themed collection. ⚡💎

Foot-shaped Memory Foam Mouse Pad with Wrist Rest

More players and collectors can dive into the wider conversation about how early metal Pokémon formed the backbone of tempo and control decks. The small, deliberate choices—like whether to attach a single metal energy to unlock Levitate’s retreat or to push forward with a second Pokémon—could define a match’s arc, especially when you’re facing a Fighting-type on the other side of the table. The Beldum’s story is a reminder that sometimes the most economical choice in a deck’s early turns can unlock the most strategic opportunities later in the game. 🪙🔥

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