Wailmer Rarity Distribution Analytics Across Pokémon Sets

Wailmer card art from Great Encounters (dp4-58) by Satoshi Ohta

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Rarity Distribution Analytics: Wailmer and the Great Encounters Set

In the vast, ever-evolving world of the Pokémon TCG, rarity distribution across sets is more than a collector’s curiosity—it’s a lens into print runs, design choices, and the economics of card collecting. The Wailmer card (dp4-58) from the Great Encounters era serves as a perfect case study. This Water-type Basic Pokémon, illustrated by Satoshi Ohta, anchors a snapshot of how common cards populate a set that totals 106 cards officially. With its listed rarity as Common and its multiple print variants—normal, reverse, and holo—Wailmer embodies the way a single creature can appear in several flavors across one set, inviting players to weigh gameplay value against collectible appeal. ⚡🔥

Wailmer: A Snapshot of Common Rarity in a Water-logged Parade

Wailmer enters the fray as a sturdy Basic Water-type with 90 HP, a respectable baseline for early-game playability in decks built around water strategies. Its two attacks—Tsunami and Ram—offer a gentle introduction to how a common card can contribute meaningfully to a player's early turns. Tsunami costs Water plus Colorless and, with a coin flip, can ping each of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon for 10 damage (ignoring Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon). Ram is a straightforward 30-damage Colorless-Cost attack that can pressure a retreating opponent. Together, these moves emphasize tempo and board presence rather than raw power, a common thread in early-era commons designed for accessibility and speed. The card’s retreat cost of 3 keeps players honest about bench management and energy economy. In the broader card ecosystem, Wailmer’s Basic stage is a reminder that even entry-level Pokémon can shape the pace of a match if used with proper timing and synergy. Illustration by Satoshi Ohta adds a touch of charm that makes the card memorable, a hallmark of Great Encounters’ approachable art style. 🎨

Rarity, Print Variants, and Market Signals

The dp4 Great Encounters set features a total of 106 cards, a distribution that historically mirrors the era’s design philosophy: many commons to seed the meta, with an assortment of rares and holo variants to lure collectors. Wailmer itself is listed as Common, but the presence of normal, reverse, and holo variants within the same card helps explain why “commons” can still command collector interest. The holo variant, in particular, typically carries a premium relative to its non-holo counterpart, driven by scarcity, aesthetics, and the thrill of chasing a foil version in good condition. This dynamic is exactly why a seemingly humble card can become a gateway to broader market exploration. 💎

Pricing data bundled with Wailmer offers a practical view of value trends. Cardmarket shows an average price around €0.19 for the common baseline, with a broad low of €0.02 and a positive trend indicator of €0.18 in recent activity. On the U.S. side, TCGPlayer lists a standard non-holo market range with a mid-price around $0.36 and a directLow around $0.23; meanwhile, reverse-holofoil copies sit higher, with a mid around $1.35 and market data suggesting a broader curve for condition and print run. The holo variant, where present in the dp4 print, has reported average values around €3.75 in some markets and a higher volatility range depending on the print cycle and grader status. These numbers aren’t just numbers—they reflect print-run realities, demand for nostalgia, and the occasional spike tied to a limited print run or a graded copy. The value narrative for Wailmer illustrates how common cards can drift upward when tied to holo or reverse-holo printings, even within a single set. ⚡

Gameplay, Collecting, and the Collector’s Mindset

Strategic utility: In a deck aiming to sustain early pressure while you set up bigger threats, Wailmer’s Tsunami can help you keep the board honest by punishing the opponent’s Benched Pokémon, while Ram adds a clean backup option for closing out the early game. Its 90 HP keeps it relevant in the right matchups without breaking the bank on resources. 💥
Print variance as a catalyst: The normal, reverse, and holo variants invite collectors to chase specifically foil or non-foil versions, often driving price gaps that don’t necessarily align with raw gameplay power. This is a fascinating phenomenon: value is a function of rarity shape, print quality, and condition, not just the Pokémon’s on-card strengths. 🎴
Economic signals across sets: Since dp4 contains a fixed card count and a defined rarity ladder, analysts can track how common cards perform over time as reprints, market interest, and vintage nostalgia intersect. Wailmer, as a simple water starter in a classic set, helps anchor this analysis because its value does not merely reflect strong stats—it reflects a narrative about accessibility, print runs, and collector heuristics. 🔍

Art, Lore, and the Great Encounters Era

Great Encounters marks a notable chapter in the Pokémon TCG timeline—the era when card art started to take on a more cinematic feel, even for budget-friendly staples. Satoshi Ohta’s artwork on Wailmer contributes a gentle, ocean-breathing zest that fans remember fondly. The card’s Basic stage anchors a lineage: Wailmer evolves into Wailord in the broader evolutionary chain, a reminder that even “small” Pokémon can be the progenitors of large, splashy late-game power. This era balanced approachable play with a sense of discovery, a mix that remains nostalgic for players who began in the mid-2000s and collectors who chase those iconic print runs today. 🐋

Pricing Trends, Availability, and Market Insight

The market data attached to Wailmer underscores a broader truth about commons in long-running sets: availability and print runs matter as much as raw power. While a common Wailmer can be found for a few cents to a couple of euros/dollars in bulk, holo and reverse variants create micro-markets of their own. For builders, this means budget-friendly deck options exist, but collectors should watch for print-specific quirks—like foil print sequences, reverse-holo distribution, and the timing of reprints—which can shift value dramatically year over year. Investing in a well-preserved, non-foil copy may be ideal for budget players, while a mint holo variant can be a neat cornerstone for a nostalgia-focused collection. 🔬

Bottom Line for Fans and Analysts

Wailmer’s journey from a Common dp4 card to a case study in rarity distribution illustrates how Pokémon TCG sets balance accessibility with excitement. The Great Encounters set’s 106-card landscape offers a microcosm of rarity allocation, variant printing, and market dynamics that still resonate with players and collectors today. The card’s 90 HP, Water typing, and two-move toolkit remind us that even “ordinary” Pokémon can contribute meaningfully to a deck’s tempo and a collection’s charm. And the art by Satoshi Ohta provides a visual heartbeat for the era, making Wailmer feel both familiar and special as you dive into the analytics behind rarity. ⚡🎨

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