Fans React to Zangoose Reveal in Scarlet & Violet TCG

In TCG ·

Zangoose card art from Cosmic Eclipse (SM12-173) illustrated by Tetsuya Koizumi

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Zangoose Makes a Splash in Scarlet & Violet Previews: Fan Reactions, Tactics, and Collectors’ Eyes

When Scarlet & Violet previews hit the scene, Pokémon TCG fans braced for familiar favorites to step into a new light. The reveal of a classic Gen 3 pugilist like Zangoose sparked a lively conversation across social media, forums, and video channels. This card—pulled from the Cosmic Eclipse era and illustrated by the renowned Tetsuya Koizumi—found a surprising moment in the spotlight as players debated how a Colorless Basic with 100 HP could shine in a modern meta. Fans didn’t just talk about raw power; they debated angles of strategy, collectability, and the delightful nostalgia of seeing a beloved sprite re-emerge in a fresh set of rules and art direction. ⚡🔥

At first glance, this Zangoose is a straightforward duelist: a Colorless-type Basic with solid staying power and two concise attacks. The design is clean, and Koizumi’s dynamic pose brings the character to life—the sort of art that makes you want to sleeve the card and stare at it while planning your next move. While some fans hoped for dramatic reimaginings of older Pokémon in Scarlet & Violet, many appreciated how this print stays true to the card’s heritage while still feeling at home in today’s gameplay. The rarity is Uncommon, a tier that many collectors keep an eye on for value and condition-sensitive playability. Collectors love a strong holo or reverse variant, and Zangoose’s trio in Cosmic Eclipse (normal, holo, and reverse) gives multiple lanes for investment and display. 💎🎨

Card at a Glance: Zangoose SM12-173 from Cosmic Eclipse

  • Name: Zangoose
  • Dex ID: 335
  • HP: 100
  • Type: Colorless
  • Stage: Basic
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Set: Cosmic Eclipse (SM12)
  • Illustrator: Tetsuya Koizumi
  • Attacks: Corkscrew Punch (Colorless) 10; Brutal Edge (Colorless, Colorless) 20+
  • Brutal Edge text: This attack does 10 more damage for each damage counter on your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
  • Weakness: Fighting ×2
  • Retreat: 1
  • Variants: normal, holo, reverse (firstEdition: False; wPromo: False)

The two attacks tell a compact story about Zangoose’s role in a deck: Corkscrew Punch is a low-risk opener, while Brutal Edge scales with the game state. In a meta where damage counters and crowd-control effects matter, that scaling can tip a game late—especially when your opponent’s Active Pokémon bears a few blemishes from early damage. It’s a design that rewards careful sequencing and smart energy management, which is exactly the kind of thoughtful play that Scarlet & Violet previews celebrated: familiar Pokémon, modernized tactics, and a dash of nostalgia that fuels both casual and competitive play. ⚡🎮

From a collector’s standpoint, the card’s print run tells a familiar story. The Cosmic Eclipse set is beloved for its breadth—236 official cards and 271 in total—yet Zangoose remains a clever addition to any Uncommon slot, especially when you factor in its holo and reverse-foil variants. Pricing data from Cardmarket and TCGPlayer shows a familiar pattern for uncommons: stable, affordable copies in typical condition, with holo variants sometimes catching higher bids in the market depending on print quality and demand. In late 2025 data snapshots, non-holo versions hover around modest values, while holo or reverse versions can fetch a little more for collectors chasing pop art and condition. It’s the kind of card that’s approachable for newer players but still desirable for long-time fans who want a touch of Cosmic Eclipse’s cross-set charm in their binders. 💎

“Fans love how Zangoose hits the Scarlet & Violet stage with idiosyncratic flavor—the brutal edge text feels intentional for a meta that thrives on damage engineering. It’s satisfying to see Koizumi’s art still making the rounds in modern print runs.”

In terms of gameplay strategy, Zangoose invites creative list-building. A deck focused on precise damage checks can leverage Brutal Edge’s scaling to finish a match once your opponent’s Active Pokémon has accumulated chips of damage. Players might pair Zangoose with Pokémon that apply consistent pressure or with tools that help sustain the board while you set up counters. While Zangoose itself isn’t a heavyweight finisher, its presence can prompt opponents to rethink their approach—forcing them to respect the possibility of a damage-counter-based crescendo. For newer players, Zangoose’s low retreat cost and sturdy HP provide an approachable learning curve: you can plan your turns around getting an early Corkscrew Punch and then escalate with Brutal Edge as the game unfolds. 🎯🎴

For fans who want to dive deeper into the broader world of Scarlet & Violet previews and to place Zangoose within this evolving landscape, a few related reads can offer valuable context. These articles aren’t about this specific card, but they illuminate the kind of strategic thinking, market dynamics, and community chatter that color card reveals and collectability alike:

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