📘 Espeon (Pokémon TCG Card)

Category: Pokemon TCG · Created: · Updated:

Espeon card artwork from Neo Discovery set (Neo2)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Overview

Espeon is a Psychic-type Pokémon card from the early 2000s era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, packaged within the Neo Discovery expansion (Neo2). In the context of the card game, Espeon is a short-range attacker with a modest 80 Hit Points and two attacks that require a mix of Energy types. The Neo Discovery set was part of the Base 2/Neo Series transition, introducing several Eevee evolutions alongside new mechanics and artwork from the period. This Espeon entry reflects the card as it appears in the Neo2 release, including its rarity designation and the stylized illustration by Atsuko Nishida. Notably, the data for this specific card lists an evolution line that diverges from the canonical Eevee-to-Espeon progression, a point discussed in the card’s trivia and data notes below.

Card Information

  • Name / Card ID: Espeon (neo2-1)
  • Category: Pokémon
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Set: Neo Discovery (Neo2)
  • Dex position: DexId 196
  • HP: 80
  • Type: Psychic
  • Stage: Stage 1
  • Evolves From: Dodrio
  • Attacks:
    • Bite — Cost: Colorless, Colorless; Damage: 20
    • Psychic — Cost: Psychic, Psychic, Colorless; Damage: 30+; Effect: Does 30 damage plus 10 more for each Energy Card attached to the Defending Pokémon.
  • Weakness: Psychic ×2
  • Illustrator: Atsuko Nishida
  • Variants (detailed): Normal, Holo, Reverse; First Edition: False; WPromo: False
  • Legal formats: Standard: False; Expanded: False
  • Illustrated details and classification: The card is part of the Neo Discovery line and features the signature artwork of Atsuko Nishida, a prolific illustrator for the early Eevee evolutions and other Gen I Pokémon cards.

Pricing and availability for this card reflect its status as a classic holo-era Rare. Market data in the modern collecting landscape shows significant variation between holofoil print runs and the presence of reprint options in modern markets. The card is tracked in contemporary price guides, which document a range of values that depend on condition, edition (first edition vs. unlimited), and whether the card is holofoil.

Gameplay and Strategy

Espeon’s stat line and moves from the Neo Discovery era place it in a niche role within decks of that period. With 80 HP, Espeon occupies a mid-to-low durability tier for a Stage 1 Psychic creature of its era. Its two attacks provide a straightforward two-step approach: early pressure with Bite, followed by a higher-risk, high-reward Psychic attack that scales with the opponent’s energy commitment.

Bite (20 damage) offers a simple early-game option for chipping away at the opponent’s HP. It requires only two Colorless Energy, enabling Espeon to come online quickly when players focus on early-game aggression. In practice, Bite is often used to set up a favorable exchange as opponents retreat or rely on Energy distribution to sustain their own threats.

Psychic (30+ damage) has a compelling conditional component. The attack’s strength scales with the number of Energy Cards attached to the Defending Pokémon, increasing by 10 damage per attached Energy. In the context of early-2000s resource management, this creates a dynamic where opponents who stack Energy on their defending Pokémon can be punished more heavily by Espeon, while opponents who keep a lean attach on the Defending Pokémon may face a more modest hit. This mechanic emphasizes the importance of predicting energy distribution on the opponent’s side and timing the use of Psychic for maximum impact. It also means that Espeon benefits from favorable matchups against opponents who rely on high-energy defensive setups, but might be less effective against faster, low-energy lines that evade large damage spikes.

From a deck-building perspective, Espeon’s evolution from Dodrio in this data set is atypical compared to the canonical Eevee→Espeon evolution line, which can affect synergy expectations in a constructed deck. In typical competitive environments, players would prioritize Eevee-based evolutions leading to Espeon or other Psychic-focused lines depending on the era’s available supporting cards. In this data-driven context, players should consider how other cards in the Neo Discovery era interact with Espeon’s energy dynamics and the potential mismatch with standard Eevee-based evolution strategies.

In terms of synergy and counterplay, Espeon can be supported by trainer cards and energy acceleration typically available in early-era decks. However, given the format constraints—Espeon’s lack of special abilities beyond its two attacks—its value tends to be situational, serving as a mid-game choice to threaten with Psychic while leveraging Bite for efficient early damage. Against decks that stall or load the Defending Pokémon with Energy, Espeon’s Psychic can deliver substantial numbers, whereas against decks with aggressive low-energy lines, the payoff may be more modest.

Collector and Market Information

Espeon from Neo Discovery carries notable collector interest due to its place in the early Eevee evolution narrative and its holofoil presentation. The Neo Discovery set introduced a number of rare and holo variants, and Espeon’s rarity designation as Rare places it among sought-after cards for completing collections and for display within vintage TCG collections.

Pricing sources provide a snapshot of the card’s market dynamics as of late 2025. CardMarket reports an average price of approximately €71.8 for typical copies, with a low around €24.94 and a historical trend around €86.37, reflecting broader interest in Neo-era Psychic Pokémon. Additional metrics, such as average prices across recent weeks and variations for holos, contribute to a complex pricing picture that correlates with condition, edition status, and market demand.

TCGPlayer’s historical data shows notable value for holofoil copies, especially for 1st Edition holofoil specimens, with low prices around $300, mid prices near $379.95, and highs approaching $399.99 in standard listings of holofoil copies. Unlimited holofoil copies display a broader price spectrum, with reported low prices near $179.87, mid prices around $256, and high prices reaching $500, alongside market prices in some cases. The discrepancy between 1st Edition and Unlimited holofoil pricing reflects rarity, print runs, and collector preference, underscoring the card’s place as a premium vintage option for dedicated collectors.

As of the provided data, Espeon’s legal status in modern rotation is not eligible for Standard or Expanded play. This status aligns with its vintage release window and the evolving card set legality rules that govern contemporary formats. Collectors often rely on historical print run data, condition-focused grading, and holofoil availability when assessing the long-term value of Neo Discovery cards like Espeon.

Art and Lore

The Neo Discovery era epitomizes early 2000s Pokémon card art, with Atsuko Nishida contributing to Espeon’s illustration. Nishida’s work on Eevee evolutions and other Gen I Pokémon helped define the visual language of the era, characterized by bright colors, dynamic poses, and expressive character design. Espeon’s artwork in Neo Discovery typically emphasizes the Psychic-themed aesthetic—soft purple fur tones, poised posture, and a focus on graceful lines that mirror Espeon’s in-game personality as a calm and observant evolution of Eevee.

Beyond the artwork, Espeon’s appearance in Neo Discovery sits within a broader lore context: Eevee’s eeveelution family expanded during this period, and the set introduced new cards that highlighted the evolving tapestry of Psychic-type strategies in the TCG meta of that era. The card’s illustration, combined with its rarity and holo variant, makes it a recognizable piece for collectors seeking to reflect the aesthetic and gameplay norms of the Neo era.

Trivia

  • The card data lists Evolves From as Dodrio, a deviation from the canonical Eevee→Espeon evolution line. This inconsistency is a notable trivia point for collectors and database enthusiasts, often prompting cross-checks with other data sources or reprints from the Neo era.
  • Neo Discovery (Neo2) was part of the early expansion wave that followed the original Base Set and Jungle/ Fossil era, introducing new Eevee evolutions and a distinct holo pattern typical of the period.
  • Espeon’s rarity designation as Rare places it among the more coveted Neo-era cards and among holofoil staples for completing vintage sets.
  • The card’s two attacks—Bite and Psychic—reflect a balanced approach to early Psychic-type gameplay, with the Psychic attack’s damage scaling based on the opponent’s attached Energy adding a layer of strategic energy distribution to battles.
  • Illustrator Atsuko Nishida’s involvement in this card ties Espeon to a broader portfolio of Gen I artwork that remains highly regarded among collectors and fans of vintage Pokémon cards.

References and External Data Context

The data presented here is drawn from the provided card data and pricing sources, including CardMarket and TCGPlayer price histories and Neo Discovery card metadata. The discussion of evolution lines reflects the data’s stated Evolves From field and acknowledges canonical discrepancies noted in the trivia section above. For readers seeking broader context, the Neo Discovery set’s place in the Neo Series and its impact on early Eevee evolutions is well documented in vintage Pokémon TCG histories and collector guides.

More from our network