Entei ex: From Johto Legends to the Pokémon TCG

In TCG ·

Entei ex card art from Secluded Springs set

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Entei ex and the enduring legend of Johto in the Pokémon TCG

In the Pokémon universe, Entei stands as a flame-born guardian of the Johto region, a legendary beast whose roar and blaze echo through both the mainline games and the anime. The Entei ex card from the Secluded Springs set captures that mythic aura in a way that translates beautifully to the Pokémon Trading Card Game. With a hefty 140 HP and the fire of a true guardian, this Basic-type EX makes a bold statement on the bench or in the Active Spot. The illustration by Tsuyoshi Nagano brings the legend to life—embers crackling in the air, a furnace of power ready to unleash. 🔥

Card details that matter in play and collection

  • Card name: Entei ex
  • Set: Secluded Springs (A4a) — 71 official cards in the set, 105 total in print
  • Rarity: Two Star
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 140
  • Type: Fire
  • Illustrator: Tsuyoshi Nagano
  • Weakness: Water (+20)
  • Retreat cost: 2
  • Evolution: None beyond this Basic EX

Ability: Legendary Pulse — At the end of your turn, if this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, draw a card. This is more than flavor; it creates a steady hand rhythm and rewards patience. In a format where every card counts, Legendary Pulse can help you maintain pressure while you set up your next two-pronged assault. ⚡

Attack: Blazing Beatdown — Costs two Fire Energy; deals 60 damage. If this Pokémon has at least two extra Fire Energy attached, this attack does 60 more damage (for a total of 120). That conditional boost makes Entei ex especially threatening once you’ve accelerated energy on the field, turning a solid opening into a decisive late-game strike. Use energy acceleration wisely, and you’ll threaten knockouts on key targets before your opponent can redeploy. 🔥

Entei ex is a distinct artifact of its era: a Fire-type powerhouse with big HP and a reliable draw engine tucked into its niche. In the current game environment, it isn’t legal in standard or expanded formats, but that doesn’t diminish its impact for collectors and nostalgic players who want a tangible link to Johto’s fiery guardian. The holo treatment in this set, combined with Nagano’s signature style, gives the card a luminous presence in any binder or display case. A well-preserved Entei ex can spark conversations about deck history, core mechanics of early EX-era designs, and the evolving balance between offense, defense, and resource management. 💎

Strategy: weaving Johto lore into modern play

Entei ex invites a strategy rooted in tempo and resource control. Legendary Pulse rewards a deliberate approach: every turn you keep Entei ex active, you’re one step closer to incremental card advantage. When paired with draw-supports and effects that help you stack Fire Energy quickly, Blazing Beatdown can become a formidable finisher—especially if you’ve already worn down the opponent’s defenses with early pressure. The base 60 damage is respectable, but the 120-damage ceiling under the right conditions means you’re rarely completely out of the running if you’ve planned four-energy turns ahead. Remember to respect the Water weakness and plan bench rotations to avoid getting overwhelmed by a Water-type pivot. The retreat cost of 2 also means you’ll want a solid bench partner who can handle early game hits or provide defensive coverage while you charge up. ⚡🎴

From a lore perspective, Entei embodies Johto’s guardian mythos—the idea that fire can both protect and punish when called upon at the right moment. The anime’s episodes that feature Entei's fiery appearances echo through the card’s art and abilities, making this a meaningful collectible for fans who followed the adventures across Kanto to Johto and beyond. The combination of a legendary spirit with a practical in-game engine makes Entei ex a memorable bridge between story and strategy, a reminder of why fans fell in love with the classic era of the TCG. 🎨🎮

Collector’s perspective: rarity, set, and the lure of EXs

Two Star rarity offers a curious niche for collectors: rarer than common holo reprints but not as scarce as the ultra-rare chase cards that appear in later sets. Secluded Springs’ theme adds a layer of atmosphere—its name suggests hidden springs and secret places where legends rest and awaken. The Entei ex holo variant is particularly appealing to binders and display pieces, thanks to Nagano’s art and the card’s imposing Fire-type silhouette. Even though this Entei ex isn’t a legal staple in modern play, its value in nostalgia-driven collections and display value remains solid. The sense of history—seeing Entei as a core Legendary guardian in a bygone era—continues to draw both veteran collectors and new fans who love the Johto connection. 💎

Neon Desk Neoprene Mouse Pad 4mm Non-Slip

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

More from our network