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Weedle card art from Vivid Voltage (SWSh4-1)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Overview

Weedle is a basic Grass-type Pokémon card released as part of the Vivid Voltage expansion (set code SWSh4) in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. As a commonly printed early-game Pokémon, Weedle provides a simple path toward its evolving line—Weedle to Kakuna to Beedrill—while offering a practical deck-thinning function through its single attack. The card's flavor text underscores its defensive warning: “Its poison stinger is very powerful. Its bright-colored body is intended to warn off its enemies.” In terms of gameplay, Weedle serves primarily as a setup engine, helping players accelerate into Grass-type evolutions or other Grass Pokémon that benefit from early-stage momentum. Weedle is cataloged with a low HP total, modest attacking capability, and a fixed retreat cost, aligning with its role as an entry-level support Pokémon. It appears in both normal and reverse-holo variants within the Vivid Voltage subset’s non-First Edition distribution, but not as a holo or first-edition print in this particular release. This card is legal in the Expanded format but not in Standard, reflecting ongoing format considerations for older card pools within the Pokémon TCG ecosystem. The card’s presence in the set contributes to Grass-type representation during the early post-rotation environment, where players often explore quick evolutions and deck-thinning strategies.

Card Information

Name: Weedle
Card Number: swsh4-1
Set: Vivid Voltage
Rarity: Common
Dex Number: 13
Type: Grass
Stage: Basic
HP: 40
Attack: Bug Hunch — {Grass} for 1 energy
- Effect: Search your deck for up to 2 Grass Pokémon, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Weakness: Fire ×2
Retreat Cost: 1
Illustrator: sui
Evolution: Weedle evolves into Kakuna; later evolves to Beedrill in the evolutionary chain (Weedle → Kakuna → Beedrill).
Variants: Normal (standard), Reverse Holo (standard); First Edition: False; Holo: False; Promotions: none
Regulation and Legal Play: Regulation Mark D; Expanded legal, Standard not legal
Updated: 2025-08-16
Description: “Its poison stinger is very powerful. Its bright-colored body is intended to warn off its enemies.”
Pricing (as of late 2025): CardMarket (non-holo): avg €0.03; low €0.02; trend €0.03; holo variants: avg holo €0.14; low holo €0.02; trend holo €0.15; TCGPlayer (normal): low $0.01; mid $0.10; high $25.06; market $0.06; direct low $0.06; TCGPlayer (reverse holo): low $0.01; mid $0.22; high $2; market $0.21; direct low $0.15

Gameplay and Strategy

Weedle’s primary strategic value lies in its attack, Bug Hunch, which allows a player to search their deck for up to two Grass-type Pokémon and add them to their hand. This effect can substantially accelerate a player’s setup, enabling faster progression through the evolutionary line or the rapid deployment of Grass-type Pokémon that benefit from early-board presence. In practice, Weedle is best used as a stepping-stone in a Grass-focused strategy rather than a primary attacker; its 40 HP and basic form make it vulnerable to early knockouts by many opponent Pokémon in the format where it appears.

Key strategic considerations include:

By fetching Kakuna and other Grass Pokémon, Weedle helps players establish a timely evolution into Kakuna (Stage 1) and, subsequently, Beedrill (Stage 2) as the game unfolds. This accelerates the player’s ability to access Beedrill’s more impactful attacks and Grass-type synergy.
The ability to search for multiple Grass Pokémon from the deck reduces reliance on higher-wew forms of hand disruption or draw momentum. It also can thin the deck for future draws, increasing the likelihood of drawing key pieces in subsequent turns.
With a low HP pool and a single modest attack, Weedle can be a liability if left exposed to aggressive early-game pressure. Players often employ Weedle in conjunction with support Pokémon and draw engines to ensure the deck can recover after a loss of tempo.
As Standard legality is not granted for this card in the current rules cycle, Weedle’s utilization is most effective within Expanded-legal Grass archetypes or formats that reintroduce older card pools. Trainers supporting deck consistency—such as those that help maintain a steady flow of Grass Pokémon to the hand—enhance Weedle’s value in formal play.

Beyond its own card text, Weedle’s presence in the Vivid Voltage set contributes to the broader Grass-type strategy in the Expanded environment, where players often seek to leverage Poison-typing and the Beedrill family for aggressive or mid-range plans. The card’s relatively modest power level is balanced by its utility, making it a candidate for players prioritizing speed of setup and early board development over raw damage output.

Collector and Market Information

Weedle swsh4-1 is categorized as a Common rarity within the Vivid Voltage set. As a standard (non-holo) print, it sits among common staples that see broader circulation and lower individual resale values compared with holo or rare alternatives. The set's card count (official 185, total 203) places Weedle among the frequently-sampled common cards in collector households and playgrounds alike.

Pricing data illustrate typical market behavior for common Grass-type Pokémon in this release window. CardMarket’s non-holo Weedle shows a modest average price around €0.03 with a low around €0.02, while holo variants would command higher premiums in other printings. On TCGPlayer, non-holo Weedle tends to fetch very low prices (low around $0.01, mid around $0.10, high reaching roughly $25.06 for exceptionally conditioned or valued listings), with reverse holo copies showing a higher mid-range and potential market variance (mid around $0.22, high around $2). The market values reflect the card’s utility for deck building in Legacy or Expanded environments and its role as a common staple for Grass-type lists in the set’s era. As with all collectible cards, prices fluctuate based on condition, printing, and market demand, and readers should consult current listings for up-to-date pricing.

The card’s availability in both normal and reverse-holo variants contributes to its collectibility in student display binders and comprehensive set collections. While not a target for top-tier grading or high-value investment, Weedle remains a relevant piece for fans assembling complete “Vivid Voltage” collections or those focusing on Grass-type lineages.

Art and Lore

The illustration for Weedle in this release is credited to the artist sui. The artwork typically emphasizes the creature’s small, segmented body and the characteristic fine-line detailing associated with the Beedrill family in the Pokémon universe. Weedle’s aesthetic—bright, warning-colored coloration and a curled, dangerous-looking stinger—aligns with the in-universe portrayal of the Pokémon as a defensive, stinging insect despite its modest means in early game battles. The Vivid Voltage era is known for a wide array of card artwork that pairs dynamic poses with vibrant color palettes, and Weedle’s card presentation fits within this broader stylistic trend, offering a compact yet memorable image that fans can recognize at a glance.

In terms of lore within the Pokémon world, Weedle is one of the early evolutionary line options in the Kanto region, traditionally serving as an accessible Grass-type option for players constructing a Beedrill-centered strategy. The card’s flavor text and mechanical emphasis on stinging defense echo the Pokémon’s canonical characteristics—the stinger is a potent feature that grows in significance as Weedle evolves into Kakuna and eventually Beedrill.

Trivia

Weedle is the base form in a classic evolutionary line, progressing to Kakuna and then Beedrill in the main series. This card highlights the initial phase of that family in the TCG environment.
The card’s legality is restricted to Expanded formats in current rotations, reflecting the ongoing evolution of playable pools within the Pokémon TCG ecosystem.
Variants available for this card include the standard non-holo and reverse-holo prints, with no first-edition or holo versions released in this specific printing window.
The attack’s search effect—finding up to two Grass Pokémon—demonstrates the card’s emphasis on quick setup and grassroots deck-thinning strategies that evolved in later Grass archetypes.
The card’s small HP and relatively low attack power underscore its role as a suppportive, tempo-forward piece rather than a primary damage dealer in most competitive lists.

CTA & NETWORK LINKS

Weedle — Pokémon TCG Card Listings

📘 Weedle — Pokémon TCG Card Listings