Data-Driven Insights into Simipour Deck Diversity for Pokémon TCG

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Data-Driven Insights into Simipour Deck Diversity in the Pokémon TCG

In the ever-evolving world of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, data invites us to see patterns that aren’t always obvious at first glance. Simipour, a Water-type Stage 1 from the Burning Shadows era, might not shout “top-tier staple” in every metagame, but a closer look at its stats, abilities, and market presence reveals why it remains a compelling case study for deck diversity. With 90 hit points, a modest but meaningful attack suite, and a utility ability that reshuffles energy around your bench, Simipour embodies the tension between raw power and flexible play. ⚡🔥

Simipour at a glance

Type: Water
HP: 90
Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Panpour)
Rarity: Uncommon
Set: Burning Shadows (sm3)
Illustrator: Sanosuke Sakuma
Attacks:
- Scratch — Cost: Colorless; Damage: 30
- Aqua Reflect — Cost: Water + Colorless; Damage: 50; Effect: Move a Water Energy from this Pokémon to 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
Weakness: Grass ×2
Retreat Cost: 1
Legal formats: Expanded (not Standard)
Pricing snapshot (as of late 2025): Non-holo normal copies show a broad spread from about USD 0.01–0.15, with holo-grade copies often ranging higher toward USD 0.25–1.49 depending on condition and market momentum. Cardmarket notes a steady but subtle upward trend for non-holo copies and a slightly stronger trajectory for holo variants. Market prices for holo and reverse-holo copies reflect a niche but persistent demand among Water-focused collectors and players alike.

Designed to be a midrange support Pokémon, Simipour shines not only in damage output but in its energy logistics. The Aqua Reflect attack gives you a practical energy-management tool: you can keep the pressure on with Scratch while priming your bench for a future attacker or a surprise late-game recovery. This is the kind of effect that data-driven meta analyses pick up as a signal for deck diversity—it's not the biggest hammer, but it helps you swing in multiple directions as the prize trade-offs shift in a match. 💎🎴

Why Simipour matters for deck diversification

From a strategic standpoint, Simipour is a study in energy tempo. In a typical Water-focused lineup, you’ll often see a mix of early-stage creatures that can apply early pressure and longer-term threats that want to keep building on the bench. Aqua Reflect enables you to move Water Energy from Simipour to a benched companion, which can accelerate a broader team of attackers or support Pokémon as the game unfolds. This kind of energy choreography contributes to deck variety by enabling multiple pathways to victory—whether you’re setting up a rapid finisher or presenting a flexible board state that adapts to opponents’ tech choices. ⚡

In terms of matchups, Simipour’s 90 HP and Grass weakness frame a nuanced risk profile. Against Grass decks, you’ll want to balance the risk with consensus support—perhaps adding additional draw power or healing to weather the tempo swings. The 50-damage Aqua Reflect is a nice bridging tool when you’re trying to shift energy to a bench Pokémon that can start threatening next turn, while Scratch offers a reliable early line of damage to keep the pressure on while you assemble your lines. This mix of offense and utility is precisely what keeps Simipour relevant in a broader deck ecosystem that prizes flexibility over raw one-turn power. 🔥🎮

Market signals and collector insights

From a collector’s perspective, rarity and print runs matter when assessing deck-diversity value. Simipour appears as an Uncommon in Burning Shadows, a set known for its dramatic artwork and flavorful attacks that encouraged a lot of creative deckbuilding during its era. The card’s holo and reverse-holo variants add an aesthetic layer that appeals to collectors who chase balance between playability and display-worthy condition. The pricing snapshot shows a split between ultra-accessible non-holo copies and holo variants that command higher attention in both casual and more competitive circles. The data suggests a quiet but steady demand for well-kept copies, driven not just by collectability but by the card’s practical utility in flexible Water decks. 💎

Importantly, the expanded-format legality opens opportunities for players who dabble in a broader card pool, including other water-focused Pokémon and supportive Trainer options that aren’t as readily viable in Standard. This landscape encourages builders to experiment with more diverse lineups, fostering creativity and resilience against metagame shifts. The numbers—evolving averages, modest price upticks for holo copies, and ongoing market activity—tell a story of a card that remains relevant for those exploring varied, cost-conscious deck ideas. 🎮

Art, lore, and the voice behind the card

Simipour’s art, brought to life by Sanosuke Sakuma, captures the fluid, nimble spirit of its Water-type kin. The illustration emphasizes motion and hydrative energy—fitting for a Pokémon whose moves revolve around repositioning water energy and keeping opponents guessing. For collectors who savor the royalties and visual storytelling of the TCG, the card’s artwork is as much a draw as its gameplay. In Burning Shadows, Sakuma’s signature style helps us connect with the vibrant world the set creates, making each copy feel like a small window into a broader Pokémon narrative. 🎨

Deck-building ideas: leveraging Simipour for true diversity

If you’re exploring a data-informed Water deck that prizes flexibility, consider a composition around 3 Panpour to 2 Simipour, ensuring you hit the evolution curve smoothly. Coupled with a balanced water-energy count, Simipour serves as a reliable pivot—an early attacker who can pivot energy to a bench-focused threat as the game unfolds. Think in terms of tempo windows: use Scratch to apply early pressure, then leverage Aqua Reflect to reposition energy and empower a bench Pokémon to threaten across multiple turns. The key is to maintain options. You don’t need a single “perfect” attacker; you want a roster that can switch gears as your opponent reveals their strategy. This approach sustains a diverse board state and complicates your foe’s planning. ⚡🎴

For players who want a quick-start framework, you can emphasize:

Energy-efficient sequencing: ensure you have enough Water Energy on your bench to fuel Aqua Reflect when needed.
Bench diversity: include supporting Water types and a couple of flexible utility Pokémon to absorb damage and extend your reach.
Support and draw density: incorporate draw-supporters and consistency tools that keep your options open across multiple turns.

As the data landscape evolves, Simipour stands as a reminder that deck diversity isn’t about a single powerhouse—it’s about the ability to shift gears gracefully. The combination of a practical attack profile, energy-reflective utility, and a place in Expanded play makes this Uncommon from Burning Shadows a small yet meaningful pillar for builders who crave versatility. ⚡💎

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