📘 Bulbasaur — Pokémon TCG

Category: Pokemon TCG · Created: · Updated:

Bulbasaur card art from Pokémon GO set (swsh10.5)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Overview

Bulbasaur appears in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) as a basic Grass-type Pokémon represented in the Pokémon GO expansion, designated swsh10.5. This card marks the early-stage member of the iconic Kanto starter trio, reflecting Bulbasaur’s role as a foundational creature in many decks and as an accessible entry point for players new to the TCG. Card Nummer swsh10.5-001 identifies this release, which aligns with the broader Pokémon GO cross-media collaboration that brought the mobile game’s world into traditional card gameplay.

With a modest 70 hit points, Bulbasaur provides a straightforward, low-cost option for initiating early-game strategies. Its two attacks—Vine Whip and Razor Leaf—offer incremental damage output suitable for starter-stage plays, while its Grass typing situates it within the broader Grass-type ecosystem of competitive formats. The card’s rarity is listed as Common, reinforcing its practicality as a staple in budget or introductory decks, while its non-holo and reverse-holo iterations reflect common production variants within the swsh10.5 framework.

Card Information

  • Name: Bulbasaur
  • Set: Pokémon GO (swsh10.5)
  • Card Number: swsh10.5-001
  • Rarity: Common
  • Type: Grass
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 70
  • Attacks:
    • Vine Whip — Grass, 10 damage
    • Razor Leaf — Grass + Colorless, 20 damage
  • Retreat Cost: 2
  • Regulation Mark: F
  • Legal in Standard: False
  • Legal in Expanded: True
  • Dex Number: 1
  • Variants: Normal and Reverse (non-holo/holo presence noted as applicable to set)
  • Illustrator: Not listed in the provided data
  • Weaknesses: Not listed in the provided data
  • Evolution: Bulbasaur evolves to Ivysaur, then Venusaur (Kanto starter lineage)

Gameplay and Strategy

In the Pokémon TCG, Bulbasaur functions as a reliable early-game support Pokémon within Grass-type decks. Its two basic attacks offer a simple ramp of damage without requiring advanced setup, making it a practical choice for players constructing introductory or budget-focused decks around energy efficiency and quick board development.

Key factors for strategic use include:

  • Energy Management: Vine Whip requires a single Grass energy, enabling rapid first-turn or second-turn plays to place early pressure on the opponent’s active Pokémon.
  • Progression through Evolution: As a Basic, Bulbasaur acts as the foundation for the Bulbasaur–Ivysaur–Venusaur evolutionary line. Players can plan energy attachment and board progression to evolve Bulbasaur into Ivysaur and, subsequently, Venusaur to access higher HP and stronger attacks.
  • Retreat Considerations: With a retreat cost of 2, Bulbasaur benefits from careful energy budgeting and may require support from cards or abilities that assist in retreating or exchanging for a more favorable matchup late in the game.
  • Synergies: Grass-type strategies in standard formats often emphasize energy acceleration, search effects, and bench management. Bulbasaur’s presence can support a steady build while leveraging subsequent evolutions to enhance damage output and durability.

While the card’s raw damage is modest, its utility lies in its role within a broader evolution strategy and the pace at which a player can establish field presence. In formats where Bulbasaur appears in the Expanded pool, players may combine it with support Pokémon and Trainer cards that help accelerate energy attachment or fetch Bulbasaur’s evolutions from the deck. The modest HP also expects players to balance offense with defensive plays, recognizing that Bulbasaur’s longevity is enhanced by well-timed evolutions and efficient retreat management.

Collector and Market Information

The Bulbasaur swsh10.5-001 card is part of a prominent cross-promotion tied to Pokémon GO content. Rarity is listed as Common, and the card exists in non-holo and reverse-holo variants within the set’s production scope. Market data reflects a broad spectrum of pricing across different platforms and variants, consistent with the card’s general accessibility and collector demand for common cards from the Pokémon GO expansion.

  • Card Market (EUR): CardMarket shows an average price around 0.10 EUR for the normal version, with a low of 0.02 EUR and a trend that has fluctuated around small increments (e.g., 0.08 EUR in latest readings). Updates were noted in late 2025, indicating ongoing collector activity even for common cards.
  • TCGPlayer (USD): For the normal version, average pricing sits near 0.16 USD with a low around 0.02 USD and a high around 5.11 USD, alongside market-priced estimates near 0.11 USD. The reverse-holo variant shows a mid price around 0.32 USD and a high near 3.02 USD, with market pricing listed at approximately 0.27 USD. Recent updates in late 2025 reflect continued variation typical for common cards with multiple print runs.
  • Edition and Variant Notes: The data indicates that the card has normal and reverse-holo variants but is not holo. There is no current indication of first edition release for this specific swsh10.5 printing in the provided data.
  • Collector Relevance: While commonly priced, Bulbasaur from this set remains a practical collectible for players and fans due to its status as a starter in a globally recognized Pokémon game and its role in the Pokémon GO cross-promotion. Value is often driven more by the reverse-holo variant and condition rather than rarity.

Art and Lore

The artwork for Bulbasaur in the Pokémon GO expansion aligns with the aesthetic approaches used across the set, emphasizing bright colors and a vibrant presentation consistent with the GO theme. The illustration typically depicts Bulbasaur in a natural or dynamic setting that echoes the game’s emphasis on exploration and capturing Pokémon in the real world. Specific illustrator credits are not listed in the provided card data, but the art is part of a broader collection that showcases classic Kanto Pokémon in a contemporary, GO-inspired artistry style.

Beyond the immediate card art, the Bulbasaur lineage is deeply rooted in Pokémon lore as one of the original three starter choices. In many sets, Bulbasaur’s evolution line—Ivysaur and Venusaur—embodies the progression from a grass-imbued, bulb-bearing Pokemon to a mature, formidable plant creature. This thematic continuity resonates with players who value both nostalgia and strategic depth in deck construction.

Trivia

  • Bulbasaur is the first Pokémon in the National Dex (Dex ID 1), reinforcing its iconic status within the franchise and its frequent prominence in starter-themed decks.
  • The swsh10.5 printing marks Bulbasaur's appearance within the Pokémon GO crossover set, highlighting the collaboration between the main trading card game and the widely popular mobile game.
  • The card’s rarity is Common, reflecting its accessibility to players and collectors, with both normal and reverse-holo variants existing within the same print run.
  • Regulation Mark F places this card within a specific legal boundary in competitive play, and its standard legality status is listed as false in the provided data, indicating that it is not legal in the Standard format at the time of release data but may be playable in Expanded formats depending on the rotation rules in effect.
  • Economic data indicates modest but active market interest for Bulbasaur from Pokémon GO, with pricing that reflects its status as a common card and the desirability of reverse-holo variants among collectors.
Bulbasaur — Pokémon TCG

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