Why Scyther Has Its Unique Stats in the Pokémon TCG Card

In TCG ·

Scyther card art from Wisdom of Sea and Sky set

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Behind the Numbers: Scyther’s Stat Line Unpacked

For many players, the thrill of building a deck starts with reading the stat block on a Pokémon card and imagining all the matches you’ll win with it. This particular Scyther entry, hailing from the Wisdom of Sea and Sky set, invites a closer look at why its designers gave it a combination that feels both familiar and surprising. The grass-green blade-wielder is a Basic Pokémon with 70 HP, a modest yet meaningful figure that echoes Scyther’s legendary speed in the wild. The card’s Grass typing, paired with a single Colorless energy attack cost, creates a flexible, tempo-driven playstyle that rewards careful energy management and timing.

What makes this Scyther’s stats deliberately unique isn’t just the numeric line—it’s how the numbers shape the way you approach tempo, risk, and board control. With Slash dealing 20 damage, the attack is lean but dependable in the early game, especially when you’re aiming to chip away at a developing strategy while keeping energy costs low. The Fire weakness (+20) provides a familiar risk element—your opponent may pivot to a faster, hotter setup to punish your inching displacement on the board. Yet Scyther’s design embraces a trade-off: high velocity in exchange for a gentler HP buffer, encouraging players to leverage hit-and-run tactics, retreat planning, and bench pressure to maximize value across several turns. ⚡🔥

From a flavor perspective, the card’s description—“It slashes through grass with its sharp scythes, moving too fast for the human eye to track.”—is a microcosm of the strategic mindset the designers wanted to evoke. This is a card that rewards anticipation: you feel the blade-snap speed in your mind’s eye, even as the game clock ticks, reminding players that speed and precision can outpace raw power in the right matchup. The art by Narumi Sato adds a kinetic sheen to that idea, with a composition that seems to blur the boundaries between motion and form. The holo variant, available in some print runs, captures that shimmer of speed in the blades—a collector’s dream for fans who enjoy the tactile thrill of rare finishes. 🎨🎴

stat details at a glance

  • Set: Wisdom of Sea and Sky (A4)
  • Card number: 006
  • Rarity: One Diamond
  • Type: Grass
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 70
  • Attack: Slash — Cost: Colorless; Damage: 20
  • Weakness: Fire +20
  • Retreat Cost: 1
  • Illustrator: Narumi Sato
  • Variants: normal, reverse, holo (holo available in some printings)

From a design standpoint, tying Scyther’s lean HP to a flexible, low-energy attack is a deliberate counterpoint to the more punishing blows you’ll see from other Pokémon in the same cycle. The Colorless cost means you can attach any basic energy—Grass, Water, Fire, or others from your deck—without locking into a single strategy. This versatility is especially valuable in a set that emphasizes arcane synergy and evolving play patterns. The Grass typing adds a layer of nuance, as it opens the door to synergy with other Grass creatures in the Wisdom of Sea and Sky lineup, encouraging players to explore a multi-type approach that can outpace slower hard-hitting decks. 💎

Collectors will also note the rarity and variant options. The One Diamond rarity signals a degree of scarcity, especially when paired with holo treatments. The presence of normal, reverse, and holo variants gives players multiple paths to complete a collection, while holo enthusiasts chase that extra sparkle that makes each blade glow on the battlefield. It’s a reminder that Pokémon TCG design isn’t just about numbers—it’s about creating a spectrum of collectability that spans casual play, competitive drafts, and display-worthy nostalgia. ⚡

gameplay philosophy: how to leverage Scyther’s traits

In practice, Scyther’s stat line rewards a patient, tempo-focused approach. The Slash attack’s modest 20 damage means you’ll want to stack a few incremental hits over successive turns or couple it with supporters that accelerate bench development. Because the card is a Basic Pokémon, you have flexibility in how you open the game—you can push early pressure with quick benching while safeguarding your frontline until you draw a more decisive route to victory. The Fire weakness adds a clear map for your opponent to target, so savvy players will plan their energy attachments and positioning to minimize exposure to fire-heavy lineups. And with a retreat cost of 1, Scyther serves as a pivot in transitional turns, slipping in and out of the active position as you reshuffle your tempo. 🔥🎮

The Wisdom of Sea and Sky set itself as a themed canvas for designers to explore speed, agility, and elemental crossovers. Scyther, with its crisp attack cost and lean HP, embodies that ethos: quick, precise, and a little merciless in the right hands. The card’s illustration, the careful balance of green tones, and the delicate linework all ring true to Narumi Sato’s signature style, grounding a fantastical creature in a tangible, tactile moment that players can feel as they lay down each turn. The set’s broader ecosystem—alongside the holo and reverse variants—gives players room to experiment with different combinations, from energy acceleration to strategic bench pressure. 💎🎴

For those tracking market trends, this Scyther’s collector appeal isn’t just about its power on the table. The combination of rarity and finish type, plus the nostalgic charm of a classic blade-wielder reimagined in a modern card frame, often translates into premium display value. As with many cards that straddle casual play and collectibility, price trajectories can hinge on print runs, condition, and the presence of a holo edition in a deck’s lineup. If you’re building a Wisdom of Sea and Sky collection—or just chasing a striking piece that merges gameplay and art—you’ll want to consider both the practical and cosmetic angles that this Scyther can offer. ⚡💎

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