Butterfree V and the Psychology Behind Rare Pulls in Pokémon TCG

In TCG ·

Butterfree V holo card art from Darkness Ablaze by Saki Hayashiro

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Butterfree V and the psychology of rare pulls in Pokémon TCG

For many players and collectors, the thrill of pulling a rare card is as thrilling as landing a critical hit in battle. The Butterfree V from Darkness Ablaze sits at the intersection of powerful gameplay and captivating collectibility, offering both a formidable presence on the table and a coveted centerpiece for any binder. Beyond the glossy holo and the art by Saki Hayashiro lies a story about why we chase rare cards at all—the rush of discovery, the social signal of rarity, and the satisfaction of assembling a deck that feels uniquely yours. ⚡🔥

Butterfree V is a Grass-type Basic with an impressive 190 HP, a sturdy frontline for many Expanded-era decks. The card’s holo treatment signals its rarity with a shimmer that catches the eye in any display case or on a tabletop. In the set Darkness Ablaze (SWSh3), this card carries the localId 177 and a rightful place among Ultra Rare tries that push players to innovate rather than settle for the same old lines. The illustration by Saki Hayashiro brings Butterfree to life with a dynamic, wind-swept pose that fans instantly recognize, making the card as much a piece of art as a tool for strategy.

Card at a glance

  • Name: Butterfree V
  • Type: Grass
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 190
  • Rarity: Ultra Rare ( holo )
  • Set: Darkness Ablaze (SWSh3) — card count official 189 / total 201
  • Illustrator: Saki Hayashiro
  • Attacks: Dizzying Poison (Grass) — Your opponent's Active Pokémon is now Confused and Poisoned. Blasting Wind (Grass, Grass, Colorless) — 130 damage
  • Weakness: Fire ×2
  • Retreat: 1
  • Regulation: D; Legal in Expanded, not Standard
  • Pricing snapshot: CardMarket average around €1.73; TCGplayer holo averages about $3.35 with a low of $2.74 and a high of $14.99

The dual-attack package is a strong draw for players who value tempo and board presence. Dizzying Poison turns your opponent’s Active into a liability over time, pairing nicely with stall or control strategies that weather the early-game tempo while you set up a more decisive late-game plan. Blasting Wind, a 130-damage finisher with a modest Energy cost, provides the archetypal “swing for the fences” moment that keeps Butterfree V in contention against many early-game setups. The card’s Fire weakness is a reminder that you’ll want to protect Butterfree V with a careful energy path and a plan for enemy Fire types that might threaten your front line.

Strategic takeaways for gameplay

  • Tempo control with status conditions: Dizzying Poison forces your opponent to adapt, buying you turns to evolve your board, attach energy, or bait defensive plays. In the right matchups, the combination of Confusion and Poison can stall a board while you pivot toward a more aggressive mid- to late-game plan.
  • Damage spike with Blasting Wind: When you reach three Grass energies and a Colorless, Butterfree V can unleash a powerful 130-damage blow. Pair this with Grass-energy acceleration or support from cards that draw extra energy or fetch energy from the discard pile for a smooth transition to the finish.
  • Type matchups and metagame awareness: The Fire weakness means you’ll encounter many fire-oriented decks in Expanded metas; plan for damage mitigation and resist or cover Butterfree V with other Grass or colorless attackers that can capitalize when Butterfree falls.
  • Deck-building implications: Butterfree V shines in lists that prize speed, disruption, and value pickups from the bench. Consider synergy with Grass Fury Trainers and Stadiums that boost your Grass energy—enough to reliably hit the 130-damage threshold while keeping your opponent off-balance.
  • Collector appeal and display value: The holo variant’s aesthetic is a big part of Butterfree V’s charm. The rarity and the illustration by Saki Hayashiro make it a centerpiece for binder displays and show collections, which feeds into the psychology of “prestige pulls.” 🎴

From a collector’s perspective, Butterfree V’s status as an Ultra Rare holo from Darkness Ablaze adds another layer to its appeal. The set’s card count and the holo treatment make this a sought-after piece for players who want both performance on the table and standout display value in their binders. The card is also a reminder of how rarity can influence perception: a single pull can become a landmark moment in a player’s journey, a narrative they carry into many future games and trades. The thrill of discovering a standout card like Butterfree V continues to fuel pack-opening conversations both online and in tournament halls. 🔎💎

Market dynamics for Butterfree V holo reflect common patterns in the TCG landscape: pricing swings based on supply, reprints, and the health of expanded formats. The current pricing snapshots show a wide range—holo copies can be found around €1.73 on CardMarket, while USD listings vary from about $2.74 to $14.99 on TCGplayer, with a mid around $3.82. Such dispersion is typical for Ultra Rare holos from evergreen sets; they remain desirable but must compete with newer V and VMAX options that flood the market. For serious collectors, this is a reminder to weigh the joy of ownership against potential resale dynamics and to consider how this Butterfree V fits within a broader collection strategy.

As you consider your next Butterfree V pull, think about the narrative you want your deck to tell on the table and the story you want to tell in your collection. The card’s art, its place in Darkness Ablaze, and its strategic capabilities together craft a compelling package for players and collectors alike. For players chasing a reliable two-attack threat with a built-in disruption option, Butterfree V is a standout in Expanded play, while for collectors, it remains a luminous symbol of a moment when a rare pull became a memorable character in your Pokémon TCG journey. 🎨🎮

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