📘 Hoppip (Pokémon TCG Card)

Category: Pokemon TCG · Created: · Updated:

Hoppip card art from Secluded Springs (A4a)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Overview

Hoppip is a basic Grass-type Pokémon card featured in the Secluded Springs expansion (set code A4a). The card presents a classic early-game entry for Grass-type decks, offering a simple, low-attack option and a straightforward evolution line that leads toward more powerful members of its family. With a modest 50 HP and a single Plink-like attack, Hoppip serves as a foundation for player familiarity with evolving strategies and bench management in the early turns of a match.

In the broader context of the Secluded Springs collection, Hoppip appears alongside a range of Grass-type Pokémon that emphasize natural motifs and regionally themed aesthetics. The set includes a mix of normal, reverse, and holo variants, illustrating the hobby’s collector-focused approach to card rarity and presentation. Hoppip’s place in the lineup as the 001st card in the set underscores its role as an accessible, introductory piece within the ecosystem of A4a card designs.

Card Information

  • Name: Hoppip
  • Category: Pokémon
  • Set: Secluded Springs (A4a)
  • Illustrator: Kyoko Umemoto
  • Rarity: One Diamond
  • HP: 50
  • Type: Grass
  • Stage: Basic
  • Attacks: Splash — Colorless; 10 damage
  • Weaknesses: Lightning × +20
  • Retreat Cost: 1
  • Evolution (Line):
    • Hoppip → Skiploom → Jumpluff ex
  • Legal (Modern formats): Standard false, Expanded false
  • Variants: Normal, Reverse, and Holo (first edition not indicated)
  • Card Number (set): 001/071
  • Set Card Count: Official 71, Total 105
  • Description: "Outside of cold regions, Hoppip can be found practically everywhere. This is because the wind carries this species all over the world."

Gameplay and Strategy

As a Basic Grass-type with a modest 50 HP, Hoppip is not designed to function as a primary attacker in most competitive builds. Its sole attack, Splash, requires one Colorless energy and delivers 10 damage, making it a low-impact option on its own. The card’s real value lies in its role as an early-stage battler and a stepping stone to its evolution line, particularly into Skiploom and eventually Jumpluff ex, should a deck architect choose to pursue that path.

Strategic considerations for using Hoppip include:

  • With 50 HP and a low-damage attack, Hoppip is best utilized as a on-bench starter that sets up future evolutions rather than a primary damage dealer in the opening turns.
  • The card’s lineage enables players to plan a progression toward Jumpluff ex, a more formidable presence on the field. If a deck includes reliable evolution support, Hoppip can act as the first link in a tempo-based strategy that outpaces opponents who stall on weaker turns.
  • The Lightning weakness (+20 damage) means that opponents with Electric-type attackers can threaten Hoppip early. This factor motivates careful retreat and bench rotation to avoid unfavorable trades.
  • In decks that emphasize search and draw during the early turns, Hoppip can be a convenient target for continual bench replenishment and evolution acceleration, provided the deck contains the appropriate Trainer support to reach Skiploom and Jumpluff efficiently.

Collector and Market Information

Hoppip from Secluded Springs carries the One Diamond rarity, indicating a special or elevated collector value within the set’s distribution. The card exists in multiple display variants within the same print run: normal, reverse-holo, and holo, with first edition not indicated for this card. The set Secluded Springs is cataloged with a total of 105 cards, of which this Hoppip is the first sequential entry (001/071) in the official card count.

Pricing data is not publicly listed for Cardmarket or TCGplayer in the provided dataset, reflecting either limited external market activity for this particular card or its status within a niche or region-specific market. Collectors often seek holo and reverse-holo variants for their visual appeal, and the holo version of Hoppip can carry additional demand due to its rarity designation and position within the set’s numeric order.

In terms of presentation and condition, the card is associated with Kyoko Umemoto as the illustrator, a detail that can influence collector interest when paired with the card’s artwork and the set’s thematic cohesion. The absence of standard or expanded legality means the card is typically cataloged as a contemporary or vintage collectible intended for format rotation outside current competitive play, affecting its market prominence among players and collectors focused on modern play.

Art and Lore

The illustration for Hoppip is credited to Kyoko Umemoto, whose work is characteristically aligned with the gentle, nature-inspired aesthetic of Grass-type Pokémon. The Secluded Springs set itself emphasizes tranquil, natural environments, and Hoppip’s art typically communicates a wind-swept, airy vibe consistent with its in-game behavior and lore—Hoppip is a seed-pod Pokémon that drifts on the breeze and is found across many climates and regions. The artwork, alongside its holo and reverse variants, showcases the seasonal and regional diversity celebrated within the Pokémon TCG’s broader art direction.

Trivia

  • The card’s legal status indicates it is not currently legal in Standard or Expanded formats, aligning it with older or special-issue print runs within the Pokémon TCG ecosystem.
  • Hoppip’s evolutionary line in this region centers on the classic Grass-type family, culminating in Jumpluff ex, which serves as a focal point for potential mid-to-late-game transitions in a compatible deck build.
  • The set’s card count and numbering (001/071) reflect its role as an introductory entry within Secluded Springs, a thematic subset characterized by its unique symbolism and regional flavor.
  • The card’s rarity designation, One Diamond, marks it as a standout within the Secluded Springs collection—distinct from more common prints and aligning with collectors’ interest in rare variants.
  • Artwork by Kyoko Umemoto provides a visual tie to the set’s overarching nature-inspired motif, reinforcing the environmental storytelling that accompanies Grass-type Pokémon in this expansion.
Hoppip

More from our network