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Sprint to the Front: Houndour in Fast Tempo Decks
In the blistering pace of modern Pokémon TCG play, every card’s speed window matters. Houndour from the Obsidian Flames set (sv03-131) is a compact, underappreciated gem for players who want to put pressure on opponents before they can stabilize. This basic Darkness-type Pokémon packs two deliberately crafted attacks that sing in tandem with fast tempo strategies. Its 50 hit points are modest, but its true strength lies in how Coordinated Pack accelerates energy to your bench and how Focus Fangs can deliver reliable damage when you’ve set the table just right.
Card Spotlight: What makes this Houndour tick
- Set: Obsidian Flames (sv03). The card carries the smoky, volcanic aesthetic of the set, illustrated by Scav, and sits in the common tier as a practical workhorse for aggressive lists.
- Rarity: Common. A budget-friendly inclusion with big upside when you lean into deck acceleration rather than raw raw power.
- Type: Darkness. A theme that often merges well with tempo-forward lines, especially when you’re stacking quick hits while your bench supports energy throughput.
- Stage: Basic. A flexible starter that can populate your bench early to fuel future plays.
- HP: 50. A reminder that this is about speed and tempo, not tanky resilience—position and sequencing matter as much as raw numbers.
- Attacks:
- Coordinated Pack (Darkness): For each of your Benched Houndour, search your deck for a Basic Dark Energy card and attach it to that Houndour. Then, shuffle your deck.
- Focus Fangs (Darkness, Colorless): 30 damage. Flip a coin; if tails, this attack does nothing.
- Illustrator: Scav. The artwork captures a nimble, intent look, fitting the snappy tempo archetype you’re chasing.
- Regulation/Legal: Regulation Mark G; Standard and Expanded formats permit this card, keeping it relevant across a broad spectrum of decks.
- Evolution: Houndour evolves into Houndoom, a natural pair in many Darkness-forward lines that appreciate a fast start complemented by mid-game threat escalation.
Strategically, Coordinated Pack is the star here. It lets you transform a handful of bench spaces into energy engines. In a fast tempo deck, you’ll often begin with two or three Houndour on the bench, each awaiting the moment you tutor Basic Darkness Energy and attach it to fuel subsequent attackers. The requirement to attach to each benched Houndour can feel like a puzzle, but when you set up correctly, the early turns morph into a rapid-fire sequence that outpaces slower control lists.
Gameplay Strategy: Building a Fast Tempo Houndour Deck
Fast tempo decks hinge on setting up a relentless rhythm: you establish a board state where every turn delivers meaningful momentum. With Houndour, the plan is to engineer early energy flow while maintaining enough threats to pressure your opponent's resources. Here are practical guidelines to weave into your build:
- Bench density is king. The more Houndour you place on the bench, the more energy you can accelerate with Coordinated Pack. Early on, aim to place 2–3 Houndour on the bench and begin the search-and-attach cycle so that by turns 2–3 you’re energizing multiple targets.
- Turn structuring for speed. Open with a basic setup: strike with your active Houndour if possible, then, on the following turns, flood the bench with Houndour and chain Coordinated Pack attachments. The goal is to place two to three energized Houndour by midgame so Focus Fangs can pick up steam with boosted tempo.
- Coin flip dynamics. Focus Fangs deals 30 for two energy, but the coin flip introduces a risk. Smart lists pair Houndour with other attackers or disruption options that can close games even if Focus Fangs whiffs. In practice, you’ll often reserve Focus Fangs for a turn when you’ve secured bench energy so the 30-damage spike lands cleanly against a key Pokémon with lower defensive counters.
- Support synergy. While Houndour shines on its own tempo, you can gratefully pair it with other Darkness-heavy or energy-accelerating cards that push you toward a sharp first impression. The idea is to keep the pressure high without stalling your bench for too long.
- Evolution timing. If you have a clear path to post-hype threats, Houndour’s evolution into Houndoom can be timed to convert those early advantages into midgame board dominance. The set’s energy acceleration and evolving threat curve reward a flexible, fast pivot rather than a single-curve plan.
From a collector and player perspective, Houndour’s utility in fast tempo builds is a reminder that a card’s value isn’t solely in raw power. It’s about how well the card’s text enables one of the most compelling playstyles in Pokémon TCG: tempo control. The Obsidian Flames aesthetic, Scav’s crisp illustration, and the card’s practical energy acceleration create a package that’s as fun to pilot as it is satisfying to playtest with. ⚡🔥
Collector Insights: Value, Rarity, and Market Pulse
As a Common card in a set with a sizable card count, sv03-131 sits in an approachable tier for new players and budget-conscious collectors. The Obsidian Flames set lists 197 official cards (230 total with variants), a breadth that invites a mix of chase rares and affordable staples. Houndour’s practical utility in fast tempo decks adds a layer of appeal beyond its rarity alone.
Market data provides a helpful snapshot of accessibility. Cardmarket shows a low entry price around €0.02–€0.04 for the non-holo version, with an average around €0.04. Holo variants trend higher, around €0.21 on average, reflecting the broader collector interest in holo foils. The data, updated through mid- to late-2025, indicates steady demand for budget-friendly, play-worthy cards that unlock tempo-based strategies in modern formats. If you’re building a lean, punchy list for leagues or local events, Houndour’s price-to-performance ratio is compelling. The tiny risk of a coin-flip attack is a fair trade for the speed you gain when Coordinated Pack is online.
The illustrator’s crisp line work communicates a sense of urgency and nimbleness that matches the deck theory here. The text’s energy-attaching potential gives players a tangible reason to bench multiple Houndour early, turning a soft HP into a force multiplier as the game unfolds. Collectors who enjoy tracing set themes will also appreciate how Obsidian Flames’ volcanic aura frames Houndour as both a tactical piece and a character with a distinct, memorable vibe. 🎨💎
“Speed isn't just a mechanic; it's a mindset. With Houndour, you’re teaching your deck to think fast and strike first.”
As you consider your next upgrade, remember that the best tempo lists balance aggression with reliability. Houndour offers that balance: a fast start, energy acceleration to your bench, and a pathway to bigger threats as you pivot into Houndoom. It’s a compact toolkit that rewards precise execution, and in the hands of a patient pilot, it can seize early momentum that sets the tone for the entire match. 🔥🎴
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