Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Overview
This entry documents a basic Grass-type Pokémon card released as part of a compact, self-contained set designed to showcase select characters within a single release window. The card occupies a niche within the Poké Card Creator Pack, a small five-card collection that emphasizes distinct print runs and alternate artwork presentations rather than a broad application in modern competitive formats. While the card’s official rarity is listed as none, its presentation includes multiple visual variants (normal, reverse, and holo), reflecting contemporary collectibility trends that accompany limited-run product lines.
In the context of the broader Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) canon, the subject is a basic-stage creature with straightforward attacks and a short, easily understood moveset. The card’s lore positioning aligns with traditional Grass-type starters and their often genus-defining traits—resilience, plant-based motifs, and ties to verdant environments. The artwork and card design underscore a balance between accessibility for new players and collectibility for enthusiasts who pursue variant forms and sealed-product completeness.
Card Information
- Name: Treecko
- Dex ID: 252
- Type: Grass
- Stage: Basic
- HP: 60
- Attacks:
- Tackle — Cost: Colorless; Damage: 10
- Poison Claws — Cost: Grass, Colorless, Colorless; Damage: 30; Effect: The Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned.
- Weaknesses: Fire
- Resistances: Water (−30)
- Retreat Cost: 1
- Illustrator: Mark Kraus
- Set: Poké Card Creator Pack (ex5.5)
- Rarity: None
- Variants: Normal, Reverse, and Holo (non-first edition; no WPromo)
- Legal (as of latest data): Standard: False; Expanded: False
- Updated: 2025-08-16
Variants and Print Details
The card exists in several presentation formats within the set: normal, reverse, and holo. The holo variant is noted in the card’s detailed data and is often pursued by collectors seeking foil treatments that accentuate the artwork. The absence of a first edition designation and the non-promotional status (WPromo as False) indicate a standardized, mid-run distribution rather than a collector-exclusive print.
Gameplay and Strategy
Within the core mechanics of the Pokémon TCG, this Treecko functions as a straightforward Grass-type basic. Its 60 HP is typical for early, entry-level cards and aligns with the card’s role as a developmental stepping stone rather than a high-powered engine piece. The two attacks provide a simple, two-step approach to engagement: a low-damage early-game option and a higher-damage, status-inducing option that can pressure the opponent over multiple turns.
Tackle offers reliable early-scenario damage for card draw or early map control, while Poison Claws adds a status component by Poisoning the Defending Pokémon. In formats where Poison status is a supported mechanic, this can slow an opponent’s plan and accelerate the pace of favorable trades for the user’s side. However, the card’s legal status indicates it is not presently sanctioned for Standard or Expanded play, limiting its practical use in official tournaments in recent years.
Strategic considerations for casual play or collection-oriented play include:
- Leveraging Poison Claws to pressure opposing Pokémon with modest HP, while employing basic Grass-type synergy from other cards in a deck (e.g., additional Grass attackers and support Pokémon) to maintain a balanced board.
- Pairing with support Pokémon that accelerate energy attachment or provide draw to maximize the utility of the two-attack cost curve.
- Using the holo or reverse holo variants as display or trade targets, given that the base rarity is listed as None yet variant production exists within the same release window.
In formal competitive environments, the card’s lack of current standard or expanded legality means it does not participate in sanctioned tournament play. Nonetheless, it serves as a historical example of how collectible sub-sets can reinterpret classic Pokémon in novel print formats and how basic-energized Grass-type mechanics were presented in a compact release schedule.
Collector and Market Information
The card’s rarity designation as None is unusual for a Pokémon TCG card, as most cards are categorized by explicit rarity levels such as Common, Uncommon, Rare, or Ultra Rare. This labeling suggests that the card is part of a special product line where rarity classifications may be defined differently or where the set is designed to showcase a small roster of characters rather than to populate a full playable ecosystem. The inclusion of holo and reverse variants adds a layer of collectibility beyond the basic printing.
Market data presented for this card is drawn from CardMarket and illustrates a valuation framework for the European market. The available data indicate an average price around EUR 500, with a reported trend value of approximately 528.93. The 1-day average price is listed at 500 EUR, while a 7- and 30-day average sits at roughly 431.25 EUR. These figures reflect a niche interest, typical of limited-run or variant-heavy products, where price movements can be sensitive to print-run constraints, secondary-market demand, and the broader status of the Poké Card Creator Pack as a collectible release.
Because no official tournament relevance exists for current play, price drivers tend to be driven by condition, variant (normal, reverse, holo), and overall print-run scarcity. Collectors may prioritize holo variants for their visual appeal, while non-holo copies may appeal to those seeking cost-conscious additions to a collection or to complete a set from the Poké Card Creator Pack.
Art and Lore
The card’s illustration is credited to Mark Kraus, whose work for this release aligns with the broader tradition of Pokémon card art that emphasizes clear, dynamic character renderings against simple, often scenic backgrounds. Treecko, a Grass-type starter from the Hoenn region in the broader Pokémon canon, is typically depicted with agile posture and a focus on botanical motifs—traits reflected in many grass-themed TCG artworks. While this specific release sits outside the mainline expansion structure, the artwork contributes to the verisimilitude of a compact, curated collection that highlights iconic Pokémon in fresh print formats.
Lore-wise, Treecko is recognized in the main series as a grass-type starter that evolves into Grovyle and subsequently Sceptile. The card’s Basic status and lack of an evolution on this card reflect its role as a standalone introduction within the Poké Card Creator Pack. Readers and collectors may consider this card a snapshot of how established Pokémon concepts are reinterpreted in accessory releases, where artistry and presentation are emphasized alongside playability.
Trivia
- The card is part of a five-card official print run within the Poké Card Creator Pack, a compact set designed to highlight select characters with multiple presentation variants.
- Although the base rarity is listed as None, the set includes holo and reverse holo variants, a common practice for boosting collectibility in modern packs without expanding playable power significantly.
- The card is not currently legal in Standard or Expanded formats, which positions it more firmly within the collecting rather than the competitive framework.
- Illustration credit goes to Mark Kraus, reflecting the set’s emphasis on distinctive artwork to differentiate among the five cards in the pack.
- Pricing data from CardMarket indicates meaningful collector interest, consistent with limited-run sets where variant copies can fetch higher values depending on condition and presentation.
Notes on Source and Data Context
The card data summarized herein draws from the card’s official entries, including its set designation (ex5.5 Poké Card Creator Pack), its Grass typing, basic stage status, HP, and the two-attack moveset. The included market pricing is drawn from CardMarket records as of late 2025, with a focus on Euro-denominated valuations and trend metrics. The five article URLs provided in the source material reflect external media coverage around related topics and are listed in the network links section for readers seeking broader context beyond the Pokémon TCG domain.