Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Overview
Beedrill δ is a Rare Pokémon trading card from the Delta Species expansion, notable for its dual Grass and Metal typing and its position as a Stage 2 evolution from Kakuna. The Delta Species set introduced a distinctive mechanic where many Pokémon adopted alternate typings, a feature reflected in Beedrill δ’s Grass/Metal identity. The card is illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda and embodies the era’s emphasis on branching evolution lines and strategic risk-reward mechanics through Poke-Powers and multi-typing design.
Card Information
- Name: Beedrill δ
- Dex ID: 15
- HP: 90
- Types: Grass, Metal
- Stage: Stage 2
- Evolves From: Kakuna
- Rarity: Rare
- Set: Delta Species (ex11)
- Illustrator: Masakazu Fukuda
- Variants: normal, holo, reverse (noted as standard-sized variants); firstEdition: False; wPromo: False
- Attack: Super Slash
- Attack Cost: Colorless, Grass, Metal
- Attack Effect: If the Defending Pokémon is an Evolved Pokémon, this attack does 50 damage plus 30 more damage.
- Poke-Power: Final Sting
- Poke-Power Effect: Once during your turn (before your attack), you may Knock Out Beedrill. If you do, choose 1 of your opponent's Defending Pokémon. That Pokémon is now Paralyzed and Poisoned. Put 2 damage counters instead of 1 on that Pokémon between turns. This power can't be used if Beedrill is affected by a Special Condition.
- Weakness: Fire ×2
- Legal Formats: Standard: No; Expanded: No
- Pricing (CardMarket): avg 11.9 EUR; low 3.5 EUR; trend 12.71 EUR; holo variant avg 13.66 EUR; holo low 4 EUR; holo trend 13.92 EUR; avg1-holo 9.99 EUR; avg7-holo 12.28 EUR; avg30-holo 11.57 EUR
- Pricing (TCGPlayer): Not listed in the provided data.
Gameplay and Strategy
Beedrill δ’s design centers on a high-risk, high-reward mechanic: sacrificing Beedrill to disrupt the opponent’s active setup. The Poke-Power Final Sting allows the player to KO Beedrill on their own turn to paralyze and poison the Defending Pokémon, with an additional damage counter applied on subsequent turns. This effect can shatter an opponent’s plan by removing a threatening Defender from active status while imposing lingering status conditions that complicate future turns. However, the self-inflicted KO requirement means Beedrill δ is typically deployed as a strategic finisher or a tempo swing, rather than as a long-term board presence. The attack Super Slash provides a straightforward base of 50 damage, with a significant 30-damage increase if the Defending Pokémon is evolved. This makes Beedrill δ more effective against evolved threats, leveraging the Delta Species-era emphasis on evolving lines and stage-based combat to generate solid mid- to late-game damage output. Dual typing to Grass and Metal broadens coverage against common types found in various formats, but it also introduces certain weaknesses, notably Fire, which deals double damage. In decks that leverage Beedrill δ, players commonly pair the card with cards that accelerate energy attachment or help set up Kakuna and Beedrill’s evolution chain quickly, ensuring Beedrill δ can be brought into play with a credible threat level. The Poke-Power’s self-sacrifice cost requires careful sequencing to avoid leaving the opponent with a favorable board position after the effect resolves. Notable synergies and considerations: - Timing Final Sting to disrupt a key opponent attacker, while positioning Beedrill δ for a potential late-game knockout via Super Slash against evolved targets. - Managing the risk of KO through careful sequencing with other Beedrill or Kakuna-supporting cards from the Delta Species era. - Accounting for Fire-type weaknesses in both deck building and opponent matchups, with appropriate defensive or mitigation options as needed. - Recognizing that Beedrill δ’s rarity and dual-typing variants (normal, holo, reverse) influence both playability and ongoing value in casual and collector circles. Overall, Beedrill δ embodies the Delta Species philosophy of cross-type versatility and conditional power, rewarding players who can leverage its unique Poke-Power in the right moment while managing its exposure to the era’s common threats.
Collector and Market Information
The Delta Species Beedrill δ carries a typical Rare designation within its set, with holo versions frequently valued by collectors for their aesthetic and rarity. Market data from CardMarket (as of the latest update) shows a broad price range, with an average around 11.9 EUR and a low around 3.5 EUR for the non-holo variant. The holo variant tends to command a higher premium, with reported averages near 13.66 EUR and trending values around 13.92 EUR, alongside lower-end holo values around 4 EUR. This data reflects typical collecting dynamics for Delta Species staples, where holo cards maintain stronger demand due to presentation and perceived rarity. The card’s standard legal status is not applicable in modern standard or expanded formats, consistent with its placement in the Delta Species era. Collectors should consider both graded and ungraded copies when evaluating value, noting that mint condition holo cards generally fetch higher prices and display more pronounced market activity during hobby seasons or card showings. The absence of a current listing on TCGPlayer in the provided snapshot does not preclude interest in the card, as market listings can fluctuate with regional availability and grader demand.
Art and Lore
Masakazu Fukuda’s illustration for Beedrill δ aligns with the Delta Species visual language, which often emphasized dynamic action and the integration of dual typings in the creature’s presentation. The Delta Species expansion is historically notable for introducing δ-symbolized variants and a broader exploration of alternative typings within established Pokémon species. Beedrill δ, with its Grass/Metal typing, exemplifies the creative design approach of the era—expanding strategic breadth while maintaining recognizable Pokémon silhouettes and type cues. The artwork reflects Beedrill’s characteristic menace, adapted to a setting that visually communicates its dual nature and the heightened tension of the battle environment in which it operates.
Trivia
- Beedrill δ is part of the Delta Species expansion, a set that experimented with alternate typing in Pokémon cards.
- The card’s Poke-Power, Final Sting, requires KO-ing Beedrill on the player's own turn, introducing a self-sacrificial mechanic tied to status effects on the opponent's Defending Pokémon.
- The distribution includes normal, holo, and reverse holo variants, a common practice for valuable Rare cards in this era.
- Beedrill δ’s dual Grass/Metal typing is a distinctive feature within its evolutionary line, reflecting the set’s emphasis on type versatility.
- Pricing data indicates holo copies generally carry a higher premium than non-holo versions, commensurate with rarity and collector interest in Delta Species holo cards.
References
- Mastering Conversion Funnels – Practical Steps to Higher Conversions
- Randomness in Un-Set Mechanics – Nantuko Blightcutter Spotlight
- Marketplaces and Tor Wauki: Decoding MTG Card Pricing
- How to Navigate Quality Claims for Custom Neon Desk Accessories
- Crypto-Powered Fan Economies: Tokens, Engagement, and Creator Revenue
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