When to Evolve Octillery: Key Deck-Build Strategies in TCG

In TCG ·

Octillery card art, Unleashed set (HGSS2-6) illustrated by Ken Sugimori

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Timing Octillery: When to Evolve and How to Maximize Its Power ⚡🔥

Octillery steps onto the field as a stage-one Water-type with a wormhole of potential tucked into those suction cups. From the Unleashed set (HGSS2), this Rare Holo battleship of a Pokémon carries 80 HP, a vulnerability to Lightning, and two versatile attacks that reward careful timing. The card’s flavor text hints at its suction-cup precision and headbutt-style force, but in play, the real drama comes from choosing the right moment to evolve from Remoraid and how to leverage its two distinct weapons: Switch Cannon and Ink Bomb. Ken Sugimori’s illustration gives Octillery a classic, tactile presence on the holo pattern, a reminder that every evolution is as much about the moment as it is about the stats. 💎🎴 In any Octillery-focused deck, the upgrade from Remoraid to Octillery isn’t just a line-of-sight calculation—it’s a tempo decision. Early on, Remoraid can contribute consistent early pressure or energy acceleration, but the moment you decide to evolve, you unlock Ink Bomb’s battlefield control. Ink Bomb not only deals 50 damage when you land the attack but also introduces a defensive clock: if the opponent’s next turn attack would go through, they flip a coin, and tails means that attack fizzles. That single coin flip can swing momentum, especially in a controlled, draw-heavy Water deck that can set up a few turns of safe defense. This is where your evolution timing becomes a strategic lever rather than a simple power button. 💧

Two attacks, two kinds of value

- Switch Cannon (Cost: Water) — This 30-damage swing targets any one of your opponent’s Pokémon and forces a strategic swap: you may shuffle Octillery back with a Benched Pokémon. It’s not a KO machine, but it excels at tempo denial, forcing your opponent to rethink their setup while you reconfigure your board. The ability to reposition is crucial for preserving Octillery’s HP and keeping your bench primed for future pivots. - Ink Bomb (Cost: Water, Colorless, Colorless) — The bigger, more cinematic tool. Ink Bomb trades raw numbers for control: if the Defending Pokémon would attack on your opponent’s next turn, they flip a coin; tails cancels that attack. That isn’t a guaranteed shutdown, but when timed against an enemy attacker with a punishing single-hit or a big multi-attack threat, Ink Bomb can buy a precious extra turn. It’s a card that rewards deck-building discipline—you plan to survive the next turn even if you’re not knocking out a big target this turn. As you plan your evolution, think about the energy you’ll stock and the way you’ll sequence your bench. Ink Bomb’s requirement of two Colorless and one Water energy makes it a candidate for a deck that accelerates Water energy while reserving a few crucial Switch support cards. This means you’re often better off preserving a stable bench to allow Octillery to pivot without exposing it to easy KO lines on the enemy side. And remember the type math: Water resists only some threats, but its vulnerability to Lightning is a constant consideration when you chart your matchups.

When to evolve: a practical timing guide

- Early-game evolution when you’re pinning your board with Remoraid and drawing into Rare Candy or a dependable energy base. If you can fetch Rare Candy on turn 2 or 3, you’ll want to push Octillery into active space promptly to apply Ink Bomb’s disruption against a key opposing attacker. The cost of not evolving early is missing the coin-flip disruption and surrendering tempo to your opponent. - Mid-game evolution when you’re setting up a reliable bench and you’re ready to start cycling Octillery in and out with Switch Cannon. This is especially powerful if you’ve already established a defensive stance and can pivot Octillery for a precise 30-damage kick or to force your opponent to reposition. - Late-game evolution when you’ve secured a stable energy and trainer-line to fuel Ink Bomb for the final standoffs. If your opponent has a heavy single-attacker plan, Ink Bomb’s clock can stall them long enough for you to close out with a decisive attack from your second or third attacker. Deck-building notes you’ll want to consider: - Energy base: A steady water-energy baseline supports Octillery’s two attacks while leaving room for other Water-type teammates that can broaden your damage options or provide additional draw support. - Trainer synergy: Look for draw-support and search that helps you find Remoraid, Rare Candy, and the essential energies. Cards that improve tempo without overcommitting on resources will let you reach the evolution moment without tipping your hand to your opponent. - Pivot and protection: Because Octillery’s strength isn’t raw tankiness but strategic disruption, you’ll want to couple it with a small array of bench-swapping cards and protective tools to keep Octillery alive long enough to leverage Ink Bomb or Switch Cannon. - Counterplay awareness: If your metagame leans heavily into fast Lightning strategies, plan for quick retreat or bench transitions so you aren’t locked into a single line of play when a sudden KO threat appears.

Art, lore, and collector insights

Ken Sugimori’s art for this Octillery captures the moment of readiness before a decisive strike—the eyes focus, the suction-cups ready, and the water aura giving the creature a sense of momentum. As a Rare Holo, this card stands out in a collection, especially when you consider the set’s overall pull. The Unleashed era was known for its vivid holo patterns and dynamic Pokémon—Octillery sits comfortably among them as a compact, strategic gem that rewards thoughtful play. For collectors, price trends matter. The holo variant in modern markets tends to hover in the low-to-mid range with fluctuations based on condition and demand. CardMarket entries show an average around 3.63 EUR, with a sense of growth in certain periods. TCGPlayer holo values reveal a wide range, from around 1.65 to as high as 19.99 USD for pristine copies, with market prices typically near the 2–3 USD range for common holo examples. Reverse holo copies can fetch similar figures, sometimes dipping slightly lower but offering a compelling option for budget-focused collectors who still want that holo shine. This mix of value and nostalgia makes Octillery a thoughtful addition to any Water-type-centric deck or a proud display piece for fans of the HGSS era. 🔷

Market watch: a quick pricing snapshot

- Card type: Rare Holo from Unleashed (HGSS2), HP 80, Water type. - Attacks: Ink Bomb and Switch Cannon, with energy requirements that reward careful energy planning. - Weakness: Lightning x2, which makes matchups against certain meta decks worth weighing. - Pricing cues: holo copies — mid-range around a few dollars; exceptional copies → higher value; reverse holo similarly varied; keep an eye on both card markets for shifts. Non-Slip Gaming Mouse Pad 9.5x8in Anti-Fray Rubber Base

More from our network