Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Overview
Caterpie is represented in this entry as a basic Grass-type Pokémon card originating from the SM trainer Kit (Lycanroc) release. With a defined 50 HP, it embodies the early-stage Pokémon commonly used to initiate progression through a deck’s evolution line. The card exists in multiple print variants—normal, holo, and reverse holo—reflecting standard publishing practices for grass-type basics within this set. While Caterpie is widely associated with the Pokémon franchise as the first stage in its evolutionary line, this particular card emphasizes its role as a fundamental Grass-type entry within a trainer-focused promotion, rather than as a high-damage option. The set designation, rarity, and variant availability position this card as a collectible staple for players assembling introductory or nostalgia-driven Grass-type collections.
The card belongs to a broader lineage, with Caterpie evolving into Metapod and subsequently into Butterfree in the core games. In the Pokémon TCG ecosystem, this evolutionary arc often informs how players plan early-game momentum, energy attachment routines, and reach for stage-two evolutions as the game progresses. In this specific release, the Caterpie entry is cataloged under the dexterity-focused identifier 251, aligning with the broader Pokédex mapping used by collectors and competitive players alike. The edition is not marked as first edition, and the card exists in holo, normal, and reverse holo forms, each appealing to different collector preferences and display strategies.
Card Information
- Name: Caterpie
- Dex number: 251
- Type: Grass
- Stage: Basic
- HP: 50
- Rarity: Common
- Set: SM trainer Kit (Lycanroc) — official card count 30 (total 30)
- Set symbol: set symbol
- Variants: Normal, Holo, Reverse
- Weakness: Fire ×2
- Retreat: 1
- Illustrator: Not specified in the provided data
- Evolution: Core evolution line is Caterpie → Metapod → Butterfree; this card represents the basic stage
- Legal in formats: Standard: No; Expanded: No
- Pricing (TCGPlayer data): Normal price — low $0.05, mid $0.20, high $1.49; Market price $0.17 (as of 2025-10-31)
- Pricing data note: CardMarket listing is not provided in the data
Gameplay and Strategy
As a Basic Grass-type with modest 50 HP, Caterpie is positioned as an entry point in a game plan rather than a primary attacker. In typical TCG play, basic Pokémon with low HP are vulnerable to faster knockout pressure, so players often rely on quick evolution to more powerful stage-one and stage-two forms. While this specific dataset does not enumerate attacks, the card’s attributes imply a focus on early-board presence and a setup path toward evolution, a common strategy with Caterpie in official formats. The Grass typing suggests synergy with Grass energies and Pokémon that support early-stage evolutions or provide draw and consistency to accelerate toward Metapod and Butterfree evolutions, which can unlock more impactful attack options in later turns. Because this Caterpie entry is part of the SM trainer Kit (Lycanroc) set, it is reasonable to expect deck-building synergies that emphasize trainer-focused strategies available in that release. Players might leverage trainer-focused interactions to sustain board presence, fetch required evolutions, or enable energy acceleration through trainer cards that pair well with basic Grass-type Pokémon. Given the absence of listed attacks in the provided data, the focus remains on deployment, defensive considerations (such as retreat cost and vulnerability to Fire), and the plan to evolve into more capable stage Pokémon as the game progresses. In competitive formats where trainer kits are used for learning or introductory play, Caterpie serves as a practical example of how early-stage basics function within a broader deck-building approach.
Notably, Caterpie’s vulnerability to Fire-type attacks (×2) emphasizes a defensive dynamic: players must consider matchup considerations when placing Caterpie on the bench or actively using it in the active position. Coupled with a low retreat cost of 1, it maintains reasonable flexibility for quick retreat if threats arise. The balance of HP, weakness, and retreat cost is typical of many basic Pokémon from trainer-kit-oriented sets, designed to be approachable for new players while still offering strategic depth for those exploring variant deck-building tactics.
Collector and Market Information
The Caterpie card from the SM trainer Kit (Lycanroc) set is cataloged as Common, which typically correlates with a wide distribution in booster packs and a broader base of print runs. The card exists in multiple print formats: normal, holo, and reverse holo. The holo variant often garners additional attention from collectors who seek a visually distinct version of the same basic Pokémon. The dataset specifies that the set comprises 30 official cards, with a total print count of 30, indicating a complete, tightly scoped release. First edition status for this card is indicated as false, aligning with modern, non-first-edition print conventions for trainer-kit releases. Pricing data from TCGPlayer (as of 2025-10-31) shows a broad price range for the normal print: low around $0.05, mid around $0.20, and high around $1.49, with a market price near $0.17. This reflects the card’s Common rarity and the lack of extreme demand for basic Caterpie cards, though holo and reverse holo variants can command modest premiums within collector circles. The absence of a CardMarket listing in the provided data does not preclude secondary market activity; it simply indicates no listing was captured in that dataset at the time of retrieval. For players and collectors, Caterpie in this set represents a low-cost entry point that can still hold interest for completionists or players seeking nostalgic or thematic Grass-type staples in trainer-kit ecosystems.
The legal status notes that the card is not legal in Standard or Expanded formats, which is a key consideration for collectors who track format-rotation implications or who organize collections around specific competitive eras. This designation aligns with many trainer-kit releases that are intended primarily for learning and introductory play rather than ongoing tournament legality. Collectors may still value these cards for their artwork, variant forms, and role within a particular release narrative, regardless of their competitive eligibility.
Art and Lore
The artwork accompanying this Caterpie card is not detailed in the provided data, including illustrator attribution. In Pokémon TCG practice, Caterpie illustrations range from simple, nature-focused depictions to more dynamic scenes within grassy habitats. The presence of holo and reverse holo variants suggests that the artwork is produced with a high-contrast finish to accentuate the character against the card’s background. Set symbolism tied to the SM trainer Kit (Lycanroc) release typically reflects a trainer-centric theme designed to introduce players to mechanics and synergy between Pokémon and trainer cards. While the precise illustrator remains unspecified here, Caterpie’s enduring status as a classic Pokémon often influences artists to depict it in a light, approachable manner that resonates with both new and seasoned collectors.
Lore connections in this context align with the broader Pokémon world where Caterpie is recognized as a basic larval Pokémon that evolves into Metapod and Butterfree. The Card’s placement in a trainer-kit release foregrounds the experiential aspect of learning the TCG, highlighting how players interact with the gameplay loop — drawing cards, attaching energies, and advancing along the evolutionary line to access more powerful moves. The artwork’s portrayal—whether in a standard grassy setting or a more stylized trainer-friendly scene—serves to reinforce the educational and accessible aims of trainer-kit products.
Trivia
- The set’s official symbol link for the Caterpie card connects to the SM trainer Kit (Lycanroc) designation, reflecting the product’s branding and release identity.
- The card is available in holo, normal, and reverse holo variants, a common approach for basic Pokémon in modern sets to accommodate both gameplay and collection preferences.
- Though Caterpie is the first stage in its evolutionary line, this entry emphasizes its role as a basic starter within a trainer-focused release rather than as a primary evolution target in competitive decks.
- The card’s legal status excludes Standard and Expanded formats, signaling its function as a learning or promotional piece rather than a mainline tournament asset.
- Pricing data on TCGPlayer shows how Common Grass-type basics can achieve value primarily through condition, print run, and variant status (normal, holo, reverse holo) rather than raw power on the card itself.