Countering Rhyhorn: Top Strategies for Your Pokémon TCG Deck

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Rhyhorn card art from Unbroken Bonds (SM10-93)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Countering Rhyhorn: Practical Tactics for Your Deck

In the bustling realm of the Unbroken Bonds expansion, Rhyhorn arrives as a sturdy, uncomplicated disruptor on the initial battlefield. This Basic Fighting-type creature carries a modest 90 HP, a straightforward two-attack line, and a retreat that tests your ability to capitalize on tempo. While it may not shout in headlines like a legendary myth, its durability at the front lines makes it a frequent nuisance for newer players and a patient thorn for seasoned strategists alike. Understanding how to counter Rhyhorn effectively can tilt a match in your favor, especially in Expanded play where sm10 cards linger in the mix. ⚡

Rhyhorn’s prime appeal is its reliability rather than dazzling speed. Its Horn Attack for 30 damage is a cheap entry point, and Boulder Crush for 80 damage demands a Fighting energy plus three Colorless energies. That four-energy cost means a pressurized early game where your opponent tries to assemble the last few pieces to land a knockout. Yet the real wheelhouse of counterplay is its Grass-type weakness. A single powerful Grass attack or a well-timed sequence of Grass hits can bend the ledger in your favor, since Rhyhorn takes double damage from Grass Pokémon and attacks. This makes Grass-heavy decks, or any plan that can deliver a Grass-type hit, a natural foil to Rhyhorn’s forward push. 🔥

Why Grass Hurts, and How to Exploit It

  • Weakness awareness: Rhyhorn’s ×2 Grass weakness means every Grass-type hit carries serious KO potential if you can line up the damage. Even if you don’t KO on the first turn, you can threaten the prize with precise, high-damage Grass attacks and force your opponent into suboptimal plays.
  • Energy acceleration matters: Because Boulder Crush requires a Fighting energy plus three Colorless, you want to deny or disrupt the energy flow that powers the bigger attack. Cards that accelerate Grass energy, or remove opponent’s energy at the right moment, tip the odds toward you.
  • Bench management: Rhyhorn’s retreat cost is 4, which makes it a tempting target to stall on the bench with an active that can keep it from sliding away. Forcing a retreat delay or a two-turn KO can bend the match into your favor, especially when you pair it with spread or parallel disruptors.

Practical Counterplay: What to Include in Your Deck

  • Fast Grass attackers: Look for Grass Pokémon or attacks that can threaten KO in two turns once Rhyhorn hits the bench or remains in the active spot. The idea is to leverage Grass weakness to close the game quickly before your opponent can set up Rhydon or Rhyperior lines.
  • Energy acceleration and tempo: Include trainer cards and energy accelerators that help you attach Grass energy quickly and consistently, so you can punch through 90 HP with minimal setup. Timing matters: you want a clean KO to prevent Boulder Crush from curving the exchange in your opponent’s favor.
  • Removal and disruption: Target Rhyhorn’s ability to threaten stronger evolutions by removing its helper on the bench or limiting its options. Things like switching out of the active spot, forcing damage spread, or denying its next evolution turn can swing momentum your way.
  • Retreat denial or lock mechanisms: With a retreat cost of 4, Rhyhorn is vulnerable to effects that lock or slow retreat. Deny its ability to reposition and you gain a significant edge in controlling the pace of the game.

In practice, a well-timed KO with a Grass attacker is often enough to swing the match. Suppose you can land 60–80 damage across two turns with Grass energy—Rhyhorn’s 90 HP means you’ll be Pressuring, not always KOing immediately, but you can force a suboptimal Sylvan tempo, especially if you’ve already set up additional attackers or a bench-drain strategy. And if your deck can land Boulder Crush in a controlled window, you’ll clear the field decisively. 🎴

Card Insights: Rhyhorn in Unbroken Bonds

  • Name: Rhyhorn
  • Set: Unbroken Bonds (SM10)
  • Rarity: Common
  • HP: 90
  • Type: Fighting
  • Stage: Basic
  • Attacks:
    • Horn Attack — 30 damage
    • Boulder Crush — 80 damage
  • Weakness: Grass ×2
  • Retreat: 4
  • Illustrator: otumami
  • Legal: Expanded format only (standard not legal for this card)
“Rhyhorn may look simple, but it forces you to think two steps ahead—whether you’re choosing to push for the KO now or maneuver to deny your opponent the chance to scale up.” — a seasoned TCG observer ⚡

From a collector and market perspective, Rhyhorn’s common status keeps it accessible, while its holo and reverse-foil variants add a splash of sparkle for fans. Current market trends show non-holo copies hovering in the tens of cents range on Cardmarket and roughly a couple of dimes to a few dollars on TCGPlayer depending on condition and variant. The holo variant tends to sit higher—reflecting the visual appeal and collectability of Unbroken Bonds’ artwork with otumami’s distinctive style. If you’re chasing a complete Unbroken Bonds binder, holo Rhyhorn can be a satisfying, low-cost inclusion that still brings gameplay value. 💎

As you build around this counterplay, consider how your strategy folds into Expanded format realities. The card pool in Expanded allows for deeper synergy, more versatile trainer choices, and a wider array of Grass attackers—perfect for crafting a patient plan that punishes Rhyhorn’s tempo while staying within a budget. And if you want a practical, tactile reminder of your setup to keep you sharp during long tournaments or casual ladder sessions, a quality mouse pad—like a Custom Rectangular Mouse Pad 9.3x7.8in White Cloth Non-Slip—can help you keep your play surface clean and your focus steady as you navigate the match. 🎮

Market Snapshot: Rhyhorn in 2025–2026

In terms of value, the standard copy remains highly affordable, with average prices around 0.10 EUR on Cardmarket and roughly 0.18–0.25 USD on TCGPlayer for non-holo copies, though pristine or holo versions can crest higher, often around a few dollars for well-kept cards. Tracking these trends helps collectors decide when to buy, upgrade, or trade based on your local meta and long-term collecting goals. If you’re chasing a holo, expect a premium due to the collectible appeal and otumami’s artwork that fans recognize and appreciate. ⚡

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