📘 Ethan's Pinsir — Pokémon TCG

Category: Pokemon TCG · Created: · Updated:

Ethan's Pinsir card art from Destined Rivals SV10

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Overview

Ethan's Pinsir is a Basic Grass‑type Pokémon card featured in the Destined Rivals expansion (set code sv10). This variant showcases a thematic tie-in with the character “Ethan,” a nod to the collectible approach of trainer‑flavored cards within the Pokémon Trading Card Game. As a Basic Pokémon with a solid 120 Hit Points, it serves as an early‑to‑midgameoption in Grass‑type decks, offering direct damage from its first attack and a capable supplementary finisher through its second attack when the metagame conditions align.

Card Information

  • Pokémon Name: Ethan's Pinsir
  • Set: Destined Rivals (sv10)
  • Card Number: sv10-001
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Type: Grass
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 120
  • Attacks:
    • Vise Grip — Cost: Grass; Damage: 20
    • Rallying Horn — Cost: Colorless ×3; Damage: 70+
    • Effect: If any of your Ethan's Pokémon were Knocked Out by damage from an attack during your opponent's last turn, this attack does 100 more damage.
  • Retreat Cost: 2
  • Regulation Mark: I
  • Legal in Standard: Yes
  • Legal in Expanded: Yes
  • Dex Number: 127
  • Variants: Normal and Reverse versions exist; First Edition: No; Holo: No
  • Evolution Line: Basic (no pre-evolution; Pinsir itself is a standalone basic form in this card’s context)

Gameplay and Strategy

The card centers on two core attacks that define its role in a deck-building context. The first attack, Vise Grip, offers a reliable 20 damage for a low energy cost, providing early board presence and a straightforward option to pressure the opponent’s active Pokémon. The second attack, Rallying Horn, serves as the primary payoff for the card, delivering a solid 70 base damage with the potential to spike dramatically to 170 damage (70 base + 100 extra) when the match state meets its prerequisite condition.

The conditional amplification on Rallying Horn is a defining mechanic for Ethan's Pinsir. The requirement states that if any of your Ethan's Pokémon were Knocked Out by damage from an attack during your opponent's last turn, Rallying Horn becomes a 170‑base attack (70 + 100). This creates a strategic incentive to engineer turn transitions that preserve or recover momentum after opponent actions. In practical terms, this means: - Synchronizing with other Ethan's Pokémon to maximize opportunities for Rallying Horn’s boosted damage. - Favoring board states where your bench and active threats compel your opponent to strike, creating opportunities for big post‑knockout damage bursts. - Protecting Pinsir with retreat or defensive support to ensure it can deliver Rallying Horn when the condition is met, rather than falling victim to removal before it can capitalize on the trigger. In terms of deck archetypes, Ethan's Pinsir fits alongside other “Ethan’s” cards that share the activation condition. This synergy can be leveraged with support Pokémon that help maintain pressure or permit re-establishment of threat after a knockout, while Grass energy and generic Colorless energy costs keep it flexible in mixed Grass decks. Its 120 HP is respectable for a Basic Grass Pokémon in the era of Destined Rivals, providing a reasonable cushion against common early‑game threats. However, players should be mindful of typical Grass‑weak matchups and avoid overcommitting to one-lane aggression if the opponent can exploit healing, disruption, or speed-based strategies.

Collector and Market Information

Rarity classification for Ethan's Pinsir places it as an Uncommon card within the Destined Rivals set. The card exists in multiple print variants, notably standard (normal) and reverse-holo formats, which can influence collectibility and value depending on condition, edition, and market demand. In this dataset, printing details such as holographic treatment are limited, and no card market pricing data is provided. As with most Pokémon TCG cards, market value is influenced by factors including print run size in a given set, demand for trainer-themed subsets, and the overall popularity of Pinsir within the broader card ecosystem. For collectors, condition (mint or near-mint), the presence of a reverse‑holo variant, and whether the card is from a reprint or alternate printing may affect pricing and desirability.

For those tracking market trends, standard references and price guides typically update pricing based on recent sales data, edition, and condition. Because official pricing data is not included in the provided dataset, readers should consult current market listings and graded card services for up-to-date values. The card’s relative popularity may also be influenced by its role in deck strategies centered around the “Ethan’s” motif and the conditional power of Rallying Horn in the right matchups.

Art and Lore

The artwork for Ethan's Pinsir, as depicted in the Destined Rivals subset, reflects the stylized presentation typical of trainer-themed Pokémon cards, where character branding accompanies the creature’s iconic silhouette. While the card’s illustrator credit is not provided in the data, the Destined Rivals line is known for integrating narrative elements and regional flavor into its artwork and card frames. Pinsir, a Bug-type Pokémon in the broader franchise, is assigned Grass typing on this card, aligning with the set’s thematic design choices. The card’s title, “Ethan’s Pinsir,” signals a crossover between Pokémon creature lore and trainer personalization, a recurring approach in subsets that emphasize character narratives alongside traditional gameplay mechanics.

Trivia

  • The attack Rallying Horn has a built-in conditional damage boost, enabling a potential 170 damage output under the right conditions, effectively turning a standard 70 damageability into a high‑impact finisher in the appropriate matchups.
  • The card is printed as both normal and reverse variants, which is common for many non-rare cards, contributing to its appeal among collectors who chase variant diversity.
  • Destined Rivals is the set context for this card, and sv10-001 denotes its position at the beginning of the sv10 collection, reinforcing its role as a flagship in the Ethan’s sub‑theme within the set.
  • As a Basic Pokémon with 120 HP, Ethan’s Pinsir offers a solid early board presence without requiring any evolving stages, making it a straightforward option for players new to the subset’s mechanics.
  • The card’s Regulation Mark I indicates it adheres to the current rotation framework for Standard and Expanded play, ensuring it remains playable in eligible formats within the designated print window.

References and Related Resources

CTA & NETWORK LINKS

Ethan's Pinsir

More from our network