Top Auction Sales Featuring Bastiodon in Pokémon TCG

In TCG ·

Bastiodon card art from Space-Time Smackdown

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Bringing Bastiodon Into the Auction Spotlight: A Strategic and Collector’s Deep Dive

In the bustling world of Pokémon TCG auctions, certain cards rise to the top not just for their power on the table, but for the stories, artists, and sets that surround them. Bastiodon from the Space-Time Smackdown expansion is one such standout. Card A2-114, illustrated by the renowned Kagemaru Himeno, wears the rare and storied “Three Diamond” designation, signaling its appeal to both collectors and battlers alike. This Stage 2 Metal Pokémon, evolving from Shieldon, anchors decks that value defense, longevity, and a touch of nostalgia. ⚡🔥

What makes Bastiodon tick on the game board? With 160 HP, Bastiodon isn’t the quickest attacker in the lineup, but its kit leans into a classic fortress archetype. The ability Guarded Grill reads as a shield you can flip for resilience: if any damage comes from an attack, flip a coin, and on heads Bastiodon takes −100 damage from that attack. This protective twist lets you soak hits that would otherwise wear down your defenses, especially in longer games where timing and damage mitigation matter. Pair this with its straightforward attack, Headbang, dealing 80 damage for the cost of Metal, Metal, Colorless, and you have a reliable mid-game closer that can wear down opponents while your frontline holds firm. 💎

The card’s evolution line—from Shieldon to Bastiodon—brings a layer of strategic depth. Shieldon players can set up Bastiodon to arrive when the opponent’s tempo is already strained, turning a potential tempo swing into a stalwart defense. The combination of a sturdy HP pool, a shielded defensive ability, and a solid two-Metal energy requirement makes Bastiodon a favorite in metal-type focused lists, especially in formats that value durability and mid-range pressure. Its Fire-type weakness (+20) remains a natural consideration for deck construction, nudging builders toward anti-fire outs or energy management strategies. 🧊🎴

Auction Signals: Why Bastiodon Keeps Turning Up in High-Value Listings ⚡

Across recent top auction sales, Bastiodon’s holo and reverse-holo variations consistently draw premium bids. Set in Space-Time Smackdown, a name that conjures both cosmic battles and ancient earthbound resilience, the card’s Three Diamond rarity marks it as a sought-after piece for completionists and players who prize strong defensive options. The holo treatment—visible in the standard and reverse-foil variants—adds a tactile glow that collectors adore, and a pristine Bastiodon can anchor a binder or a showcase deck with both elegance and utility. The lore-friendly flavor text about the bones of its face—beautifully illustrated by Himeno—only adds to the card’s aura, making it a centerpiece in both display shelves and on-table strategy. 🏆🎨

Price trends in the space-time era of this card reflect a dual demand: players who want a dependable mid-game wall and collectors who chase the rarer holo and first-edition impulses (even though the print run numbers are robust with 140 official cards in Space-Time Smackdown). The dynamic is typical for a set that blends nostalgia with modern mechanics: steady, not explosive, appreciation as long as the deck-building metagame continues to reward Bastiodon’s structural play. For investors and traders, the key is to watch for batches that feature holo copies and to factor in the evolving rule environments that could buff or nerf Guarded Grill’s utility in competition settings. 🔥💎

One interesting facet of the market to consider is the variant desirability. While normal copies are solid and accessible, holo and reverse-holo Bastiodon prints often command a premium. The Space-Time Smackdown booster landscape, which has included Palkia-related promotions, tends to create a broader aura around these cards, drawing in collectors who chase the complete set aesthetic as much as the mechanical edge. In this space, Bastiodon’s imposing silhouette and protective theme resonate with fans who love fortress figures and “tank” play styles. 🎴

Strategy Spotlight: Fitting Bastiodon Into Deck Architecture

  • Defense-forward tempo: Build around Bastiodon’s Guarded Grill to weather early aggression and force the opponent to overextend. The coin flip mechanic rewards patience and precise energy management.
  • Energy discipline: Since Headbang costs two Metals plus Colorless, pairing Bastiodon with reliable Metal-energy acceleration ensures you can reach the attack window after a protective setup.
  • Support synergy: Trainers that fetch or sustain your Metal energies and help you maintain board presence are particularly valuable. Bastiodon shines when you’re able to stack a fortress that slowly erodes the opponent’s pressure.
  • Variant focus: If you’re chasing high-value auctions, holo or reverse-holo Bastiodon prints tend to pull stronger bids. Aesthetics matter to collectors, and the right variant can elevate a display shelf as well as a deck list.

In play, think of Bastiodon as a moving fortress: you don’t rush with it, you weather the storm, then you strike with measured force. Its strength lies in endurance and the ability to blunt aggressive lines, buying time for your other Pok\u00e9mon to set up a winning board state. The presence of Shieldon in its lineage also invites interesting deck-building angles—leveraging pre-evolution pressure while Bastiodon stands firm in the backline. ⚡🎮

“The bones of its face are huge and hard, so they were mistaken for its spine until after this Pokémon was successfully restored.” — a wink to Bastiodon’s lore and a nod to the meticulous artistry of Kagemaru Himeno.

For collectors who love a story with their stats, Bastiodon’s Space-Time Smackdown iteration offers a tactile reminder of the era when armor and guardianship defined anticipated play. The card’s illustration by Kagemaru Himeno captures the stoic fortress vibe with a cool, metallic sheen that reads well in both modern sleeves and display frames. If you’re cataloging top auction moments, Bastiodon’s ascent often tracks with holo releases and collector demand for first-class defense prints—a reminder that utility and beauty can travel hand in hand in the Pokémon TCG marketplace. 🎨🛡️

As you explore Bastiodon’s place in your collection or your deck, keep in mind the practicalities: proper sleeve protection, binders that respect holo indices, and a watchful eye on regional auctions where condition and provenance can amplify value. The cards are more than numbers; they’re a story of strategy, art, and the enduring appeal of a faithful, armored guardian.

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Article notes: this piece blends game mechanics with market observations to provide a balanced view for players and collectors alike. The card data reflects official Space-Time Smackdown details, including Stage 2, Metal typing, and the Guarded Grill ability by Kagemaru Himeno, with Headbang as Bastiodon’s primary offensive option.

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