Ekans Inclusion Rate Across Deck Archetypes in Pokémon TCG

Ekans A3b-100 holo card art from Eevee Grove set

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Ekans Inclusion Rate Across Deck Archetypes in Pokémon TCG

In the vast ecosystem of Pokémon TCG deckbuilding, inclusion rate is a careful dance between raw power, cost, and the narrative a player wants to tell on the table. Ekans, a Basic Darkness Pokémon with a crisp 60 HP and a single-energy Bite attack, makes for an intriguing study in how a card with modest stats can still find a meaningful niche across different archetypes. Hailing from the Eevee Grove set (A3b) and illustrated by SATOSHI NAKAI, this holo-eligible card carries a flavor that resonates with players who savor both mechanics and mood. Its description—“By dislocating its jaw, it can swallow prey larger than itself. After a meal, it curls up and rests.”—adds a touch of lore that complements its tactical footprint on the battlefield. ⚡🔥

Card fundamentals that shape its place in the metagame

Ekans is a Basic Darkness-type Pokémon with 60 HP and a single, straightforward attack: Bite for 20, costing one Darkness energy. That low-energy commitment makes it an appealing opening play in decks that prize early aggression or fast bench development, but the light 20 damage and vulnerability to Fighting-type threats introduce clear tradeoffs. The retreat cost of 1 helps you retreat when necessary, but the absence of a more robust attack or a clear evolving line in this particular card’s text means Ekans tends to be a filler piece in many competitive lists—yet it isn’t without a use case. Its holo variant adds visual appeal for collectors and can be a spark of nostalgia in casual builds. The card’s rarity, labeled One Shiny in this print run, marks it as a coveted piece for completionists who chase limited editions in the Eevee Grove era. The set itself carries a lore-rich aura that players often seek, especially when assembling themed decks that celebrate Evolution lines. Illustrator SATOSHI NAKAI’s art brings a crisp, atmospheric vibe that many fans associate with the darker, more enigmatic corners of the Pokémon world.

“A fast, honest bite can win games in the early turns, but the true test is how you evolve and pivot as the board shifts.”

In practical terms, Ekans’ strength lies not in raw firepower but in its role as a tempo asset and a flexible body on the bench. Its type alignment with Darkness—an era-spanning mechanic that often traded on stealth, speed, and slight edge—offers thematic resonance for players who enjoy cunning, risk-reward plays. Yet in standard modern formats, this card’s legal status is noted as non-standard and non-expanded, which means it isn’t legal for official competition in those current frameworks. For this reason, inclusion rate analysis often centers on historical formats, casual play, and cube/limited environments, where players can experiment with archetypes that emphasize early pressure, deck thinning, and evolution routes. 🔮

Where Ekans shines: archetype-by-archetype considerations

Tempo/aggression decks: Ekans can serve as a quick 1-turn threat while you set up a larger attacker. However, its 60 HP means it’s fragile against early anti-meta pressure, so most lists prefer higher-HP options or more reliable early-backup attackers.
Darkness-focused archetypes: In decks that lean into Dark energy and vulnerability to special attributes, Ekans’ single-cost Bite can be a budget-friendly opener. The presence of a potential Arbok evolution later adds a theme-friendly angle, should the deck’s evolution line align with available cards in the same era or print pool.
Casual and boutique builds (Cube, theme decks): Here Ekans often finds a home. Its holo treatment is a draw for collectors, while its lore-friendly flavor text and art give players a narrative anchor for a darker, more nocturnal aesthetic.
Evolution-focused decks: If a player plans to evolve Ekans into Arbok and beyond, Ekans can act as a disposable accelerator in the early game, enabling an evolving payoff by turn 2 or 3—provided the rest of the deck supports reliable evolution timing and energy acceleration.
Fighting-heavy backlines: The +20 weakness to Fighting means Ekans invites careful matchup planning. In archetypes where Fighting-type decks are less prevalent, its inclusion rate rises slightly; when Fighting hits the table, Ekans becomes a liability rather than a linchpin.

Practical tips for builders aiming to optimize Ekans’ inclusion

Pair Ekans with cards that help it weather early harassment—think draw support and energy acceleration so you can reach a safe pivot into Arbok quickly.
Exploit its holo variant in casual or limited formats where the aesthetic adds value, especially for players who build lore-rich, thematic TCG experiences.
In cube-style play, designate Ekans as a budget option that tests the waters of a Darkness-centric strategy without over- committing to high-cost evolutions.

Collector’s perspective: rarity, art, and lasting appeal

The Eevee Grove print of Ekans, highlighted by SATOSHI NAKAI’s illustration, embodies the era’s penchant for moody, characterful artwork. The One Shiny rarity signals to collectors that this holo variant is a more exclusive find, often commanding attention on secondary markets despite not universally dominating play. The holo texture itself becomes a badge of pride for players who love opening packs and discovering that shimmering version of a familiar silhouette. For many, Ekans isn’t just a card to play; it’s a piece of the broader Eevee Grove narrative—an era that explored the darker side of evolution and the delicate art of balancing risk and reward on the bench. 💎🎴

Closing thoughts: what Ekans teaches us about inclusion rate

The story of Ekans in deck archetypes illustrates a broader truth in Pokémon TCG: a card doesn’t need to be a tournament staple to influence how players think about building, pacing, and collecting. Its modest stats, its early-energy requirement, and its position as a potential stepping stone to a larger evolutionary line all contribute to its status as a strategic undercurrent in the metagame. For collectors, the holo print—backed by SATOSHI NAKAI’s evocative art—offers a collectible shrine to the darker corners of Pokémon lore. For players, Ekans serves as a reminder that inclusion rate isn’t only about sheer power; it’s about how a card can spark a deck’s tempo, flavor, and long-term plans, even in formats where it isn’t a legal staple in standard play. ⚡🔥

Ready to add a dash of nostalgia and clever tempo to your collection? Explore the tactile thrill of rare holo cards and the quiet strategy of early-game plays with Ekans and the Eevee Grove lineup.

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