Decoding Makuhita's Unique Stats in the Pokémon TCG

In TCG ·

Makuhita card artwork from Paldea Evolved SV02-112

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Why Makuhita's Stats Feel Distinct in Paldea Evolved

In the bustling world of the Pokémon TCG, even the most unassuming cards can teach formidable lessons about balance and design. Makuhita, a sturdy Basic Fighting-type from the Paldea Evolved set, embodies a deliberate design philosophy: give a reliable start, a straightforward attack, and a line of evolution that feels rewarding without overshadowing the rest of the early-game slate. The result is a card that rewards patient play, careful energy management, and the joy of watching a plan unfold from a simple beginning ⚡🔥.

Three quick notes jump out when you first meet this card. First, its rarity is Common, which means it’s a friendly entry point for new players and a welcome inclusion for budget-conscious collectors. Second, the illustration by Kurata So captures Makuhita’s confident, squat stance with a sense of kinetic energy—an aesthetic that fits the character’s lore as a fighter who trains relentlessly. Third, the card’s numerical foundation is modest but thoughtful: 90 HP on a Basic Fighting-type, and an attack that costs two Colorless energies for 40 damage. These numbers aren’t flashy, but they’re purposeful, offering a dependable toolbox for midrange decks without crowding the table with ambitious ambitions too early.

Card data at a glance

  • Card name: Makuhita
  • Set: Paldea Evolved (sv02)
  • Rarity: Common
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 90
  • Type: Fighting
  • Attack: Slap Push — Cost: Colorless, Colorless; Damage: 40
  • Retreat: 3
  • Illustrator: Kurata So
  • Regulation: Standard, Expanded
  • Dex ID: 296
  • Card number: sv02-112

From a gameplay perspective, Makuhita’s stats are a study in tempo. The HP of 90 places it in a healthy middle ground for a Basic, sturdy enough to weather a couple of early hits in many matchups. The retreat cost of 3 adds a touch of cost to swapping it out, nudging players toward committing to the board for a turn or two rather than shuffling it away the moment the opponent breathes on it. The attack—Slap Push—costs two Colorless energies, meaning any two energy cards will do, which keeps Makuhita accessible to a wide variety of deck archetypes without demanding a specialized energy line from the start. The 40 damage is respectable for a card in its power band, allowing it to trade efficiently with other Basic Pokémon while you set up your next evolution or plan your path to a bigger threat.

One of the design goals here is pairing Makuhita with the broader Fighting-type ecosystem in Paldea Evolved, while also leaving room for its evolution into Hariyama to shine later in a game. In real play, you might use Makuhita to anchor early- or mid-game pressure, then pivot as you draw into an evolution with greater staying power and attack output. The move’s two-energy requirement also invites thoughtful energy placement—it rewards players who can balance early pressure with a steady stream of energy onto the bench, rather than chasing big bursts too quickly.

Why the numbers matter for strategy

  • Balance between offense and tempo: 90 HP gives Makuhita staying power without making it indestructible, encouraging you to think in terms of trades and board control rather than single-combat blowouts. Strategic tempo is the heart of the card.
  • Reliable energy cost: Two Colorless energies are approachable for most decks, enabling you to pair Makuhita with a broad range of energy acceleration or draw support. Flexibility over complexity is the guiding principle here.
  • Progression toward evolution: The basic line invites you to plan ahead. In the Paldea Evolved era, Makuhita is a stepping stone—your path to Hariyama (and the associated board presence) becomes part of your long game, making early trades feel purposeful rather than filler.
  • Board presence and retreat pressure: The retreat cost of 3 means you’ll want to protect your Makuhita during turns when you’re not ready to pull it back. It’s a small friction that rewards timely planning and resource management.

Collectors will notice Makuhita’s common status and the sibling potential of a reverse-holo variant in the same window. While the base copy tends to hover in a budget-friendly tier, holo or reverse-holo versions can fetch more interest for players completing a set or for those who prize alternate art presentation. A snapshot of recent market activity shows non-holo sv02-112 averaging around €0.03 with dips near €0.02 in lighter supply periods, while holo variants trend higher, often around €0.07–€0.10 depending on market conditions. This reflects a broader pattern where accessible staples from popular sets remain affordable anchors for casual and new collectors alike.

Beyond numbers, Makuhita shines in its role as a gateway to deck-building fundamentals. By focusing on a straightforward attack and a sane HP pool, it helps players practice resource management, turn sequencing, and the art of maintaining board presence while you pursue an eventual evolution payoff. The card also offers a friendly canvas for experimentation with Supporters that draw, search, or accelerate energy—tools that empower you to translate Makuhita’s steady pressure into a climactic late-game moment.

Artistically, Kurata So’s rendition captures the fighter’s confidence with crisp lines and a sense of momentum that matches the card’s tactical message. The Paldea Evolved set continues to celebrate Pokémon personalities through color, stance, and expression, and Makuhita stands out as a practical, aspirational figure on the table—reminding players that patience and persistence can deliver results as satisfying as a well-timed Knockout.

For fans who enjoy tying game design to real-world collecting, Makuhita offers a compact case study: a Common card that remains relevant through robust play options, a pathway to stronger evolutions, and affordable entry in a modern set. Whether you’re drafting your first tournament deck or curating a personal binder, the card’s thoughtful stats invite you to think beyond raw power and toward a cohesive, strategic arc ⚡🎴.

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