The worst Pokémon cards of all time

The Pokémon buying and selling card recreation has been round for over 20 years. Hundreds of distinctive playing cards made their method to the sport throughout that point—and never all of them are good.

There are two varieties of people that gather Pokémon TCG: those that truly play it by the principles and people who simply gather the playing cards. Both method, a handful of playing cards are unappealing both because of their aesthetic or lack of usefulness in-game.

On this record, we’ll check out the worst playing cards launched to the Pokémon TCG up to now. Some provide no gameplay benefit in any respect, whereas others made the lower based mostly on their appears to be like—or lack of them.

Worst playing cards in Pokémon TCG

Gyarados (Rumble)

In 2009, The Pokémon Firm launched Pokémon Rumble as a WiiWare title for the Nintendo Wii. The beat-em-up gameplay tasked gamers with controlling their chosen Pokémon and battling their method by dungeons full of foes.

To accompany the launch of Rumble, The Pokémon Firm printed an unique enlargement to the Pokémon TCG based mostly on the sport. This introduced one of many worst Pokémon card sequence we’ve ever seen, given the hexagonal design of its characters. Gyarados was particularly dangerous as a result of none of its standout options translate nicely to the graphic model, other than its giant mouth. Outdoors of the collector’s worth, this card actually isn’t a chunk to showcase by any means.

Voltorb (Merchandising)

In Japan, units for the Pokémon TCG are solely obtainable by merchandising machines. In contrast to conventional units the place you’d open a booster pack and be handled to random playing cards, the merchandising machines print off a sheet containing three randomized playing cards. These had unique artwork on them, however for some, this wasn’t an ideal factor.

Voltorb is a shining instance of this. The summary design of its artwork doesn’t fairly do the Pokémon justice, showing as a disfigured circle with some small eyes plastered on it. Perhaps it’s for good purpose that this artwork by no means made its method to any English set of the TCG.

Imakuni?

One of many extra well-known “ineffective” playing cards on our record, Imakuni? was launched as a promotional Coach card. When the cardboard is used, the participant will confuse their very own energetic Pokémon. It may be useful in extraordinarily particular circumstances, however these conditions are few and much between, so there’s little to no level in including this card to your deck. Regardless of its lack of use, Imakuni?’s eccentric attraction makes it a novelty for collectors.

Rhydon (Merchandising)

Rhydon was included within the third set to launch by the merchandising machine mannequin. Regardless of having a extra detailed design than Voltorb, the Rhydon artwork appears to be like disproportionate to the Pokémon itself. Whereas it may need been meant, it positively doesn’t work on this card’s favor. Regardless of not having the best artwork, they’re nonetheless part of a restricted run unique to Japan, so it might be price looking down.

Darkish Gengar (Neo Future)

A part of one of many earlier units of the TCG within the U.S., Darkish Gengar’s design is lackluster, with the Pokémon diminished to a purple smudge with eyes and a mouth drawn on it. This Ghost-type Pokémon could also be able to taking any form it pleases, however its range has positively been higher mirrored on different playing cards.

Onix (Misplaced Thunder)

Pencil designs on Pokémon playing cards can work to play to a species’ strengths and convey out among the most original designs within the recreation. Within the case of this Onix, the design provides little worth—if in any respect—to the Pokémon’s look. The artwork appears to be like much less prefer it’s showcasing the Pokémon itself and extra prefer it’s showcasing a wall carving of the Pokémon from the previous. There isn’t a lot that’s fascinating about this iteration of the Rock-type Pokémon.

Upkeep

Whereas some playing cards could also be excellent for particular deck setups, others simply aren’t price taking part in in any respect. That is the case with the bottom set Coach card Upkeep. Utilizing this, gamers choose two playing cards from their palms to shuffle again into their deck to then draw one card. Sacrificing two playing cards for a random draw isn’t price it, and due to this, the cardboard doesn’t deliver sufficient worth to take up a card slot in most decks.

Porygon (Base Set)

One of many first playing cards launched to the sport, the bottom set Porygon has a singular set of strikes unsuited for aggressive play. The primary assault, Conversion 1, permits Porygon to regulate the enemy Pokémon’s weak spot. Conversion 2 permits Porygon so as to add resistance to itself.

Neither transfer lets Porygon deal injury, making it ineffective for essentially the most half. On high of this, the cardboard solely has 30 HP, which was low even on the time. You’d be hard-pressed to search out any gamers at a excessive stage utilizing the cardboard at this time.

Power Search

Much like Upkeep, Power Search is a Coach card that has a doubtlessly useful, if underwhelming, potential. The maths behind it hardly justifies giving it a spot in your deck.

Power Search works by permitting the participant to look by their deck, choose an Power card so as to add to their hand, after which reshuffle their deck. The true worth on this card is permitting the participant to shuffle seeking a selected card, however there are different playing cards with this potential that additionally boast extra useful instruments.

Slowbro (Darkish Explorers)

The ultimate card on our record is Slowbro from the Darkish Explorers enlargement. This card has a single assault, but it surely’s unable to make use of the transfer in case you have two, 4, or six prize playing cards left. For those who do get an opportunity to assault with Lazy Headbutt, you’ll be put to sleep immediately after. Total, this Pokémon simply doesn’t have any redeeming qualities that make it price taking part in.