📘 Ampharos δ (EX Delta Species)

Category: Pokemon TCG · Created: · Updated:

Ampharos δ card art from Dragon Frontiers (EX Delta Species)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Overview

Ampharos δ is a Delta Species evolution card released as part of the Dragon Frontiers expansion, a subset of the EX Delta Species era. The card features Ampharos as a Colorless-type stage-2 Pokémon with notable δ-themed mechanics introduced during this period. Its presence in the Dragon Frontiers roster highlights the era’s experimental approach to Pokémon typings, cross-card interactions, and the broader Holon design philosophy that accompanied δ-based strategies.

Characterized by its rarity and distinctive artwork by Kagemaru Himeno, Ampharos δ integrates a Holon Veil ability that reframes how many cards in a deck can function as δ-bearing Pokémon. The combination of a solid 120 HP, a powerful Delta Circle attack, and the strategic depth of its ability makes this card a focal point for players exploring Holon-enabled archetypes and δ-themed deckbuilding from the era.

Card Information

  • Name: Ampharos δ
  • Set: Dragon Frontiers (EX Delta Species era)
  • Card Number: ex15-1
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Dex Num: 181
  • Types: Colorless
  • HP: 120
  • Stage: Stage 2
  • Evolves From: Flaaffy
  • Illustrator: Kagemaru Himeno
  • Abilites: Holon Veil (Poke-BODY)
    • Effect: Treat each Basic Pokémon and Evolution card in your deck, in your discard pile, in your hand, and in play as a Pokémon that has δ on its card.
  • Attacks:
    • Delta Circle — Colorless Colorless Colorless
    • Damage: 20+ (base 20, plus 10 more damage for each Pokémon you have in play that has δ on its card)
    • Effect: Does 20 damage plus 10 more damage for each δ Pokémon you have in play.
  • Weakness: Fighting ×2
  • Variants: Normal, Reverse, Holos (non-first edition); First Edition not released
  • Legal in Formats: Not legal in Standard or Expanded (as of the card’s data update); a legacy release from the early Delta Species era
  • Pricing (CardMarket): Non-holo average price around €9.09; low €1.95; trend €9.84; typical single- and multi-variant values listed (non-holo). Holo variant shows average roughly €7.5 with higher end values near €11–€17 for near-mint examples; holo trend data around €11.36. CardMarket data updated 2025-10-31 for the non-holo and holo listings.
  • Pricing (TCGPlayer): Not available in the provided data (listed as None).
  • Updated: 2025-08-16

Gameplay and Strategy

Ampharos δ operates within the Delta Species framework, leveraging Holon Veil to reclassify a broad swath of your cards as δ-bearing Pokémon. This capability interacts directly with its Delta Circle attack, which scales damage based on the number of δ Pokémon you have in play. In practice, the card rewards players who assemble a board rich with δ-equipped or δ-designated Pokémon, creating synergy with other δ cards that benefit from the Holon Veil effect.

Key strategic considerations for Ampharos δ include:

  • Holon Veil synergy: By treating Basic Pokémon and Evolution cards in your deck, discard pile, hand, and in-play as δ Pokémon, Ampharos δ expands the pool of eligible δ threats on the field. This enables higher Delta Circle damage as you build a board with multiple δ Pokémon in play or in your zones, without necessarily requiring them to be actively evolved on your field.
  • Delta Circle optimization: The attack’s efficiency increases with the density of δ Pokémon in play. Players may favor strategies that protect and reuse δ Pokémon across phases, maximizing the 10 damage per δ in play mechanic. This can be particularly potent when combined with other δ creatures or with cards that fetch or recycle δ-eligible Pokémon.
  • Evolutive demand: As a Stage 2 Pokémon evolving from Flaaffy, Ampharos δ requires a commitment of a turn to evolve and set up, while leveraging its 120 HP to absorb damage while building δ synergy. Defensive considerations include managing Fighting-type threats, given the ×2 weakness.
  • Format considerations: In legacy play environments, Ampharos δ’s legality is limited to formats outside current Standard and Expanded, which typically constrains its competitive footprint to older or casual formats. Collectors and players interested in historically significant Delta Species cards may still pursue it for collection or themed deck-building under appropriate rulesets.

Collector and Market Information

As a Rare card from Dragon Frontiers, Ampharos δ holds appeal for collectors due to its δ mechanics, distinctive artwork, and the historic significance of the Delta Species era. The card exists in several print variants, including normal, reverse, and holo versions, with no first edition release. The holo version represents the more sought-after print for many collectors, aligning with the era’s aesthetic and the popularity of holo-foil presentations.

Market data indicates a range of values depending on variant condition and market trends. CardMarket pricing (as of late 2025) shows non-holo listings averaging around €9.09, with notable variance between low and high-value listings. Holo listings typically command a premium, with average holo values around €7.5 and higher-end listings reaching into the €11–€17 range for near-mint copies. The data also notes fluctuating trends and seasonal changes, consistent with the historical interest in Delta Species-era cards. TCGPlayer data was not available in the provided dataset for this card, indicating regional or platform-specific availability at the time of reporting.

Collectors should consider the card’s format eligibility, the presence of δ-themed mechanics, and the artwork by Kagemaru Himeno when evaluating a potential purchase. Given its status as a legacy card, Ampharos δ often serves as a historical centerpiece in Delta Species collections or as a thematic touchstone in decks exploring early cross-type and δ-focused design concepts.

Art and Lore

The Ampharos δ card bears artwork by Kagemaru Himeno, a prolific illustrator for Pokémon TCG releases in the mid-2000s. The δ designation on Ampharos δ reflects the Delta Species theme—the era’s emphasis on hybrid or non-standard typings and cross-card interactions. Himeno’s depiction typically conveys a dynamic electric presence, consistent with Ampharos’ in-game inspirations, while the δ styling underscores its unique mechanics within the set. The card art, combined with the Holon Veil ability, visually embodies the era’s experimental approach to Pokémon card design, where the boundary between “Pokémon” and “supporting mechanics” was deliberately expanded.

Trivia

  • Ampharos δ is part of the Dragon Frontiers subset associated with the EX Delta Species era, exemplifying the era’s δ-friendly mechanics.
  • The Holon Veil ability enables a broad reclassification of cards as δ Pokémon, significantly impacting how Delta Circle scales its damage based on δ in play.
  • There are multiple print variants for this card (normal, reverse, holo), with no First Edition release noted in the data.
  • The card’s legality is restricted in modern formats, reflecting its historical status rather than contemporary tournament viability.
  • The art is by Kagemaru Himeno, a notable illustrator for early 2000s Pokémon TCG sets, which contributes to the nostalgic value of this card for collectors.

References and External Links

For further reading and related materials, see the provided article URLs. These links explore topics ranging from color indices in astronomy to design considerations in modern hobbyist crafts; while not directly linked to the Ampharos δ card, they illustrate the wide spectrum of content featured in related knowledge ecosystems.

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