Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Statistical highlights: how Suicune GX stacks up among Water-type GXs

Suicune GX enters the stage as a Secret Rare from the Lost Thunder era, carrying a blend of sturdy bulk, big finishing power, and a toolbox of effects that reward smart play. With 180 HP, this Water-type GX sits toward the upper end of the typical GX stat line, giving it resilience in longer matchups and making it a reliable anchor for decks that expect drawn-out skirmishes. Its two attacks deliver serious damage and strategic leverage, while a powerful ability—Phantom Winds—pulls a bench-friendly trick into your toolkit. All of this combines to create a card that rewards careful pacing as much as it rewards raw numbers.

Key stats at a glance

• HP: 180
• Type: Water
• Rarity: Secret Rare
• Illustrator: 5ban Graphics
• Set: Lost Thunder (SM8)
• Weakness: Grass ×2
• Retreat: 2
• Attacks: Cure Stream (120) and Brinicles GX (150)
• GX Attack: Brinicles GX — 150 damage, switch this Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon; you can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game
• Ability: Phantom Winds — shuffle Suicune GX and all cards attached to it into your deck once during your turn (before your attack)
• Legal in: Expanded (not Standard)

To place Suicune GX in context, its attack costs follow the familiar Water-heavy design of the era: Cure Stream and Brinicles GX both demand Water, Water, and Colorless. Cure Stream’s effect is a defensive tempo play—on the opponent’s next turn, their Defending Pokémon’s attacks deal 30 less damage before applying weaknesses and resistances. That subtle damage reduction can buy you crucial turns to set up the bench or swing with your other attackers. Brinicles GX, a true finisher, dishes out 150 damage and swaps Suicune GX with a benched partner, a powerful form of field reorganization—though you can use only one GX attack per game, so timing is everything.

What truly separates Suicune GX from many peers is Phantom Winds. This handy ability lets you reposition the entire stack of cards off Suicune GX back into your deck, potentially protecting your attacker from a would-be targeted removal or retooling your setup with a pivot play. In practice, that means you can weather a pressure sequence, refill your options, and keep the board state from getting overwhelmed by a single opponent's assault. It’s the sort of edge that fans of careful resource management appreciate, especially when paired with the right bench psychology and retreat planning.

How it compares to similar Water-type options from the era

Within the Lost Thunder era, Water-type options tended to emphasize bulk, big numbers, or shrewd utility. Suicune GX’s 180 HP places it among the sturdier Water GX cards, giving it staying power in many matchups where a quick knockout isn’t feasible. Its 120-damage Cure Stream is solid enough to threaten early knockouts or to pressure an opposing suspect, while the 150-damage Brinicles GX hits hard enough to close games when combined with the right helpers. The combination of a high HP pool and a versatile GX attack differentiates Suicune GX from many contemporaries that might rely more on pure one-shot power or on support-oriented abilities rather than bench manipulation and defensive play.

Where Suicune GX stands apart is its blend of offense, defense, and field control. Attacks requiring Water energy tap into the well of Water-typical synergy seen in many Lost Thunder decks, but the option to debuff the opponent’s next-turn damage and to shuffle itself back into the deck via Phantom Winds adds a layer of resilience not always present in other Water GXs. The Grass weakness remains a natural caveat in an era where Grass types can leverage spread mechanics and speed pressure, so strategic deck choices—like pairing with Grass-dedicated counters or techs—can influence matchup outcomes.

Market value and collector appeal

Beyond gameplay, Suicune GX is a sought-after piece for collectors due to its Secret Rare status and its place in Lost Thunder, a set recognized for its popularity and splashy artwork. Pricing data paints an interesting picture: CardMarket lists an average around €5.93 with a modest upward trend, while holo-price data on TCGPlayer shows a broad range for this kind of high-demand card. The holo variant tends to fetch higher prices, with reported low-to-mid ranges around $65 to $90 and market prices hovering near the $84 mark, with highs pushing into the $120s for particularly clean copies. For players, this means a card that remains playable in Expanded lineups, while for collectors it offers a relatively accessible entry into a coveted Secret Rare slot from the era. Fascinatingly, the Lost Thunder print run itself—214 official cards, 236 total with inclusions like Secret Rare—adds to the sense of scarcity and desirability among dedicated collectors who chase the full Lost Thunder experience.

Phantom Winds isn’t just a novelty; it’s a strategic tool. In the right hands, Suicune GX can swing tempo, protect its board, and set up a late-game blowout with Brinicles GX that lands a decisive hit when your opponent’s defenses are stretched thin. ⚡

Deck-building notes and practical tips

• Prioritize a bench line that thrives on controlled re-entry. Phantom Winds gives you a way to fetch results while keeping threats at bay.
• Timing is everything for Brinicles GX. Reserve it for mid-game when you’ve built your board to maximize the chance of a knockout, while respecting the “1 GX attack per game” limit.
• Manage Grass-type threats with anti-weakness tech or supportive damage mitigation, since that ×2 weakness can swing a close fight.
• Leverage Cure Stream to soften the blow on a tough opponent’s next turn, buying space to reconfigure your setup or pivot to another attacker.
• In Expanded-only environments, Suicune GX shines as a sturdy, flexible option that can anchor a Water-focused shell while providing unique bench-interaction tools.

Whether you’re chasing a memorable card for your collection, or you’re building a resilient Expanded deck that can pivot under pressure, Suicune GX offers a well-rounded package. Its stat line, combined with a thoughtful ability and a pair of potent attacks, invites you to craft tempo-rich plays that keep opponents guessing—and your bench ready for the next big move. 💎🎴

Ready to explore more from the network and see how other strategic analysis pieces approach card data and market trends? Check out the related reads and resources linked below, then swing back to compare notes with fellow collectors and players. 🔥

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