Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Weavile in the Meta: Machine Learning Predictions for Dark-Side Disruption
As the Pokémon Trading Card Game scene continues to evolve, players and collectors alike lean on data-driven insights to forecast which decks might dominate the next rotation. Machine learning models are parsing thousands of matchups, energy costs, and attack lines to predict meta shifts before they happen. One card that stands out in these simulations is Weavile, a Stage 1 Darkness-type from the Plasma Freeze set (BW9). With a modest 90 HP, a dynamic pairing of disruptive and splashy damage, and a role that scales with discarding strategy, Weavile embodies how ML-curated decks could leverage early bench pressure and late-game power bursts to tilt games in their favor ⚡🔥.
Weavile’s card profile matters as much as its playability. Hailing from Plasma Freeze, this Rare card carries the sleek, shadowy aesthetics fans associate with Team Plasma-era tension. Its evolution from Sneasel signals a classic one-step advance that many players enjoyed in the Expanded format’s rhythm: set up, evolve, and threaten early disruption. Weavile’s stage and rarity suggest it’s designed to be a tempo piece in a larger strategy, rather than a one-card victory condition. The card’s text reflects two distinct toolkits: a board-wide nudge via Hail and a hand-managed power spike via Vilify. The synergy between these two attacks becomes a focal point for ML-driven decks exploring discard-heavy tempos.
- HP: 90
- Type: Darkness
- Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Sneasel)
- Attacks:
- Hail – Colorless; 10 damage to each of your opponent’s Pokémon. (Note: Benched Pokémon are exempt from Weakness/Resistance for this attack’s effect.)
- Vilify – Darkness + Colorless; 30 damage times the number of Pokémon you discarded from your hand.
- Weakness: Fighting ×2
- Resistance: Psychic −20
- Retreat: 1
- Rarity: Rare
- Set: Plasma Freeze ( BW9 )
- Illustrator: 5ban Graphics
- Legal: Expanded only (not standard, as of this card’s era)
- Variants: Normal, Reverse Holo, and Holo
What do these details mean in a machine-learning forecast? The two-pronged attack plan—Hail for early chip damage across the opponent’s board and Vilify for a scalable burst once you discard multiple Pokémon—maps cleanly to ML-identified archetypes that emphasize tempo disruption paired with a measured power spike. In simulations, decks that can consistently trigger Vilify by discarding from hand tend to close gaps quickly, especially when paired with control tools that keep pressure without overcommitting resources. Weavile’s 1-energy retreat cost keeps it viable as a midgame attacker while you set up the next big hit.
Strategic takeaways for ML-informed builds
- Discard engines matter: Vilify’s damage scales with how many Pokémon you discard. In ML predictions, discard-centric lines are often favored because they convert raw card advantage into immediate damage output. Decks that can safely discard three to five Pokémon from hand in a turn can see Vilify delivering 90 damage in a single swing, which is a potent midgame spike.
- Board-wide pressure pays off: Hail’s 10-damage-to-all-Pokémon component accelerates board state changes, especially in decks that can threaten multiple threats simultaneously. The ML models reward decks that can keep a consistent tempo so your opponent cannot easily “weather the storm” with singular attackers.
- Darkness synergy and resilience: While Weavile itself is a standalone attacker, the broader Dark-type toolbox in older formats often includes mates that amplify energy efficiency and disruption. ML-based meta forecasts tend to favor flexible typings that can operate under a variety of matchups, and Weavile’s Darkness identity makes it a natural candidate for such lineups in Expanded environments.
- Collector value doubles as play value: The card’s holo and reverse-holo variants attract collectors, adding a layer of long-term value to any deck-building investment. The holo version, in particular, has shown a notable market trajectory, signaling a healthy demand that intersects playability and nostalgia.
From a collector’s lens, the numbers tell a story. In the digital markets tracked for Plasma Freeze Weavile, non-holo copies typically sit around a modest range (low around $0.85, mid near $1.25, and high up to roughly $2.50 for the standard print). The holo and reverse-holo versions command a premium, with market snapshots showing reverse-holo prices tending toward $3–$6 and holo versions reaching similar or higher peaks depending on condition and print run. CardMarket’s holo print holds an average around €6.22 with a trend indicator suggesting growth, while TCGPlayer’s data places non-holo around the $1–$2 region and holo copies topping around the $6 mark in certain listings. It’s a reminder that the card blends competitive utility with a collectible aura that ML-driven predictions recognize as a driver of demand in the long tail of formats and rotations 🔎💎.
Artistically, Weavile’s portrayal by 5ban Graphics captures the sleek, predator-like presence fans associate with this card. The Plasma Freeze era’s aesthetic—dark, glossy, and a touch of menace—fits Weavile’s ability to strike with precision. For players, that art resonates with the tension of a game where a single Vilify turn can reshape the battlefield. For collectors, the holo variants reinforce the allure of the set’s visual language, making this card a standout piece in any Dark-type collection. The synergy of art and gameplay is a reminder of why the Pokémon TCG has endured as both a strategic pastime and a storytelling medium.
As the dataset behind machine learning predictions evolves, so too will the interpretations of Weavile’s place in the meta. It’s not merely a single card but a node in a broader web of discard strategies, tempo play, and board-wide disruption. The Plasma Freeze era’s Weavile demonstrates how a well-timed Hail can soften defenses while Vilify translates discarded resources into real damage output. In practice, ML-informed decks might run Weavile as a flexible attacker that can pivot with the state of the game—an elegant reflection of how data, deck design, and player intuition intersect in Pokémon TCG mastery ⚡🎴.
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