Claydol in the Anime: How It Shines in Pokémon TCG

In Pokemon TCG ·

Claydol card art from Silver Tempest swsh12-094

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Claydol and the Animé Aura: How Its Story Shines On Screen and On Card Tables

The Pokémon whose clay-faced serenity hides a surprising might is more than a battlefield presence—it’s a bridge between ancient mystery and modern strategy. In the anime, Baltoy and its evolution Claydol often drift through ruins with an eerie calm, their bodies turning as if carved from stone yet alive with latent psychic energy. You’ll see them guarding relics, stirring subtle tremors in the ground, and revealing how a quiet guardian can rearrange a team’s momentum in an instant. That same sense of steady power ripples into the Pokémon TCG portrayal in Silver Tempest, where Claydol (swsh12-094) carries the weight of a guardian that can reallocate energy and command the pace of a match. ⚡🎴

From the perspective of fans who double as players, Claydol’s anime presence often emphasizes ancient guardianship and balance. The show leans into the idea that Claydol and Baltoy are not mere tools but sentient stewards of hidden knowledge. This reverence translates into the TCG as well: Claydol is a Stage 1 Pokémon, evolving from Baltoy, with a solid 110 HP that keeps it in the fight during mid-game exchanges. Its Fighting type nods to the archetype of sturdy earth and rock guardians—the kind of practitioner that can weather a barrage while allies line up their next strategic strike. In the anime, that same patience is rewarded with careful timing; in the card game, it becomes a heartbeat for energy management and position-based plays. 💎🎮

Card profile at a glance

  • Set: Silver Tempest
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Baltoy)
  • HP: 110
  • Type: Fighting
  • Ability: Mystery Charge — You can use this Ability only if you have no Supporter cards in your discard pile. Once during your turn, you may attach a Fighting Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon.
  • Attack: Spinning Attack — Costs Fighting, Colorless, Colorless; Damage: 70
  • Retreat: 2
  • Regulation: Expanded (Standard not legal for this release window)

That combination of an accessible 110 HP with a reasonably energetic attack makes Claydol a versatile mid-game pivot. The 70-damage punch from Spinning Attack can finish a compromised foe or soften a tougher target while your board sets up. The real flourish, though, is Mystery Charge. It’s a clever mechanic that mirrors Claydol’s anime role as a conduit—if you keep your discard pile free of Supporters, you can siphon a Fighting Energy from the discard and reallocate it where it’s most needed. This plays nicely with tempo-driven decks that prize acceleration and field control. 💥

Anime portrayal vs. TCG strategy: a shared theme of energy and guardianship

In the anime, Claydol often exerts influence through its psychic resonance and ancient wisdom, guiding teams through ruins and puzzles with calm certainty. The TCG card captures a similar vibe through Mystery Charge: Claydol isn’t powering itself alone but serving as a conduit, a guardian who helps other Pokémon seize the moment by recharging from a hidden reserve. This alignment of mood—stoic guardianship meeting dynamic energy management—gives players a tactile way to embody that anime mystique at the table. It’s a small but meaningful bridge between story and strategy, letting collectors and battlers alike enjoy the sense that Claydol is more than a line on a card sleeve. ⚡🎨

Collector’s note: value, rarity, and evolving interest

Even within an Uncommon slot, Claydol carries a distinctive appeal, especially for fans who love the ancient guardian archetype. The Silver Tempest set highlights this through its art direction and flavor, and Claydol’s evolving from Baltoy resonates with nostalgia for the Gen 3 era. Current market threads show modest but steady activity across normal and reverse holo variants. Here are snapshot-style figures drawn from reliable marketplaces and price aggregators in late 2024 to 2025:

  • Cardmarket (normal): low around 0.02–0.03 EUR, mid about 0.03–0.04 EUR, high up to 1.49 EUR for near-mint copies; holo trends are higher (avg near 0.11 EUR, with occasional spikes).
  • TCGPlayer (normal): low around $0.01, mid about $0.10, high around $1.49; market price typically closer to the low end, with discounts for bulk or non-foil copies.
  • TCGPlayer (reverse holo): low around $0.03, mid near $0.17, high up to $1.99, reflecting the collectible appeal of holo variants.

For fans who chase the intersection of gameplay value and nostalgia, Claydol’s profile in Silver Tempest offers a neat balance: a solid mid-game attacker with a meaningful loyalty mechanic that rewards careful discard management, paired with a storyline that fans recognize from the anime. The card’s price signals a hobbyist’s level of engagement rather than a high-roller chase—perfect for players who want a dependable, character-rich piece for casual and semi-competitive decks. 💡💎

Art, lore, and accessibility

The Silver Tempest portrayal leans into the earthy, totemic vibe of Claydol’s clay sculpture presence. While the anime emphasizes its role as a guardian investigator of ruins, the TCG frame invites you to channel that ancient energy through careful deck-building and energy pacing. The art captures a sense of weight and mystery, inviting players to imagine the slow-turning sentinel as you line up retreat plans and energy attachments. It’s a reminder that in Pokémon, the strongest stories often unfold in the margins between power and patience. 🎨🎴

As you explore Claydol’s dual identity—as an anime guardian and a strategic TCG asset—remember to watch how Mystery Charge invites you to reallocate energy with intention. When your discard pile is free of a lingering Supporter, you can light up a key attacker or shore up your bench, turning a tense late-game moment into a hopeful rally. In that sense, Claydol remains a reliable emblem of balance between story and strategy. ⚡🔥

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Claydol

Set: Silver Tempest | Card ID: swsh12-094

Card Overview

  • Category: Pokemon
  • HP: 110
  • Type: Fighting
  • Stage: Stage1
  • Evolves From: Baltoy
  • Dex ID: 344
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Regulation Mark: F
  • Retreat Cost: 2
  • Legal (Standard): No
  • Legal (Expanded): Yes

Description

Abilities

  • Mystery ChargeAbility
    You can use this Ability only if you have no Supporter cards in your discard pile. Once during your turn, you may attach a Fighting Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon.

Attacks

NameCostDamage
Spinning Attack Fighting, Colorless, Colorless 70

Pricing (Cardmarket)

  • Average: €0.03
  • Low: €0.02
  • Trend: €0.04
  • 7-Day Avg: €0.03
  • 30-Day Avg: €0.03

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