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Tangela card art from Steam Siege (XY11) high-resolution image

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Overview

Tangela is a Basic Grass-type Pokémon card from the XY Series expansion Steam Siege (set code xy11). Printed with the Dex number 114, this Tangela represents the early-stage, plant-based archetype common in the period’s Grass-type lineup. The card emphasizes a balance between offense and sustain, offering two attacking options that scale with coin-flip variance and energy investment. As a basic Pokémon, Tangela serves as an accessible opening for Grass-heavy decks and as a building block for evolving into Tangrowth, the higher-HP, more resilient member of its evolutionary line.

In the broader context of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Tangela’s Steam Siege print showcases the era’s approach to basic Pokémon with straightforward attacks and a relatively modest retreat cost. Its common rarity indicates wide availability in booster packs from the set, and its holo and reverse-holo variants provide collectors with foil-focused options typical of the set’s print philosophy. The card’s illustration, credited to OOYAMA, contributes to the visual idiom of Steam Siege, which blends vivid nature motifs with the set’s adventurous, exploration-themed atmosphere.

Card Information

Name: Tangela
Set: Steam Siege (xy11)
Card Number: XY11-1
Rarity: Common
Type: Grass
Stage: Basic
HP: 80
Illustrator: OOYAMA
Weakness: Fire ×2
Retreat Cost: 3
Evolves To: Tangrowth (evolutionary line Tangela → Tangrowth)
Dex Number: 114
Legal Formats: Expanded (not standard-legal in the provided data; standard format unavailable for this print)
Attacks:

Slam — Cost: Grass, Colorless. Effect: Flip 2 coins. This attack does 30 damage times the number of heads.
Mega Drain — Cost: Grass, Grass, Colorless. Effect: Heal 20 damage from this Pokémon. Damage: 40

Variants: Standard/normal, Reverse holo, and Holo foil versions were printed for this card in Steam Siege.
Set Details: Steam Siege features a total of 116 cards in its broader print run (official count 114), with the XY11 symbol and Steam Siege logo identifying this release.

Gameplay and Strategy

Tangela’s combination of a reliable 80 HP and two distinct attacks makes it a versatile early-game Pokémon in Grass-oriented decks. The Slam attack requires a Grass and a Colorless energy cost, and its damage scales with the number of heads obtained on two coin flips. This introduces a degree of randomness, but when successful, Slam can reach 60 damage with two heads, offering a solid early-game option to pressure opposing Basic Pokémon.

Mega Drain provides a different strategic vector: a two-Grass energy demand plus a Colorless energy cost for 40 damage and a self-heal of 20 damage. This attack enables Tangela to sustain itself on the Bench or during active play, contributing to stall-based or attrition-focused game plans. In practice, players can leverage Mega Drain to extend Tangela’s survivability while setting up its evolution to Tangrowth, which benefits from higher HP and more impactful attacks in later turns.

From a gameplay perspective, Tangela’s primary considerations include its vulnerability to Fire-type attacks (×2 weakness) and its Retreat Cost of 3. In formats where energy acceleration cards are available, Tangela can be used to establish a steady tempo while attaching Grass energy for Slam and Mega Drain. Its basic status means it can be played on turn one, enabling quick development of a Grass engine that evolves into Tangrowth when the opponent’s board state permits. However, players must account for the coin-flip variance of Slam and the limited HP against faster, aggressive decks that aim to overwhelm Tangela before Tangrowth comes online.

In broader deck-building terms, Tangela can synergize with other Grass Pokémon and trainer support cards that accelerate Grass energy or provide draw to maintain pressure. While Steam Siege-era mechanics emphasize early-stage Pokémon with straightforward moves, Tangela’s role is often as a dependable opener that buys a turn or two for drawing and energy placement before committing to the more powerful evolution line.

Collector and Market Information

Tangela from Steam Siege is designated as a Common rarity, reflecting its relative abundance in booster packs from xy11. The print run includes multiple variants, notably normal, reverse holo, and holo versions, which appeal to different collector preferences. To date, market data from secondary sources provides a nuanced view of pricing across formats and regions.

Pricing information (as of the latest recorded data):

Average price around 0.06 EUR for non-foil copies, with holo foil variants showing higher activity and a holo average around 0.46 EUR. Recent trends for holo copies indicate appreciation in value relative to non-foil copies, though both remain accessible in lower price brackets.
Non-foil (normal) listings exhibit a low around $0.01, a mid around $0.15, and a high around $3.00, with market price approximately $0.11. For reverse holofoil copies, low prices start around $0.05, mid around $0.26, and high near $1.95, with market price around $0.26. These figures reflect standard volatility across online retailers and glimpses of collector interest in foil variants.

These values are time-sensitive and reflect listings updated in late 2024 to 2025. They illustrate the card’s relatively low entry cost as a common base, with foil variants offering modest premiums for collectors. The presence of holo and reverse holo versions in Steam Siege contributes to a broader market dynamic where even common cards can acquire value through scarcity of foil prints and era-specific appeal.

From a collecting standpoint, Tangela XY11-1 represents a straightforward example of a common card that also has a foil alternate, aligning with typical Steam Siege distribution. Grading considerations for this card align with standard guidelines for modern-era Pokémon cards: center, edge, and print quality, along with the presence of any holo or reverse holo foiling, are typical determinants of condition-based value in the hobby market.

Art and Lore

The Tangela artwork for this XY11 print, created by OOYAMA, emphasizes the plant-based design that defines the species. Tangela is characterized by its green, vine-wrapped form, and the illustration captures the creature’s plant-like nature in a way that resonates with the Grass-type identity. The Steam Siege set often draws on themes of exploration and discovery, and Tangela’s depiction sits within that visual vocabulary by foregrounding its tangled vines and natural motif.

While the card itself is a game piece rather than a narrative spoiler, the art contributes to the broader lore of the Pokémon universe by visually interpreting Tangela’s habitat and behavior in a way that aligns with its in-game biology. Collectors frequently appreciate the OOYAMA illustration for its clean linework and faithful rendering of Tangela’s classic silhouette, which ↗ complements the set’s overall aesthetic.

Trivia

The basic Tangela card serves as an anchor for Grass-type decks in Steam Siege, providing a reliable early-stage option with two straightforward attacks that appeal to different playstyles depending on coin outcomes and energy availability.
Slam’s damage relies entirely on a coin-flip mechanic, introducing variance that can influence early-game swing turns. Players may need to plan around potential high-damage outcomes as well as the possibility of lower results.
Mega Drain offers incidental healing, a useful feature in a format where bench management and staying power can determine the pace of a game. This healing possibility makes Tangela a candidate for defensive or attrition-oriented lines that seek to outlast opponents.
Steam Siege printed multiple variants of this card, including holo and reverse holo versions, which adds to its collector appeal beyond basic gameplay value.
In the broader Tangela evolutionary line, Tangrowth becomes the more robust option in later turns, making Tangela a common stepping-stone in decks that seek to capitalize on evolving to a bulkier Grass-type threat.

📘 Tangela — Pokémon TCG Card