Explores Hidden Design Constraints of VSTAR and EX for Wailord

In TCG ·

Wailord card art (SM2-30) from Guardians Rising

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Exploring design constraints in the VSTAR and EX era through a Water giant: Wailord as a case study

Wailord, a towering Water-type behemoth from Guardians Rising (SM2), has long fascinated players and collectors for more than just its size. With 200 HP, a Rare rarity tag, and a pair of attacks that lean into stall and sustain, this Wailord embodies a delicate balance between raw survivability and practical play. Its evolution from Wailmer places it squarely in a mid-game strategy niche, where a player can invest in a durable frontline and lean on healing to outlast opponents. The illustration by OOYAMA captures the oceanic majesty of a creature that feels equally at home in sunlit reefs and in-game turn tides. As we peer into the hidden design constraints of newer mechanics like VSTAR and EX, Wailord becomes a helpful lens to examine how power, cost, and risk are calibrated in Pokémon TCG design.

In the current generation of mechanics, VSTAR introduces a layer of strategic choice built around a powerful once-per-game effect and a distinct energy economy. EX cards, by contrast, harken back to an era where big power came with big risk and heightened prize pressure. Although Wailord itself is not a VSTAR or EX card, its stat line and move set illuminate the kinds of constraints designers consider when imagining a VSTAR- or EX-era reimagining of a classic card. The two key questions designers constantly wrestle with are: how to preserve excitement and agency for players while avoiding overstated dominance, and how to weave synergy with other cards (healing, draw, energy acceleration) without tipping the game balance too far toward one strategy.

A quick look at the card’s design DNA

  • Card name and set: Wailord (SM2), Guardians Rising
  • Rarity and type: Rare, Water
  • Stage and evolution: Stage 1, evolves from Wailmer
  • HP and weaknesses: 200 HP with a Grass weakness (×2)
  • Attacks and costs:
    • Dive — Cost: Water, Water, Colorless; Damage: 40; Effect: Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of attacks, including damage, done to this Pokémon during your opponent’s next turn.
    • Open Sea — Cost: Water, Water, Water, Colorless; Damage: 80; Effect: Heal 30 damage from each of your Water Pokémon.
  • Retreat: 4
  • Illustrator: OOYAMA
  • Legal in formats: Expanded but not Standard (as of the card’s current data)
  • Pricing snapshot (for collectors): Cardmarket averages indicate non-holo around EUR 0.25, holo around EUR 0.41; TCGPlayer shows normal non-holo around USD 0.39 (mid) with some low ends near USD 0.05 and holo variants around USD 0.69 (mid) to USD 1.79 (high) depending on condition

Wailord’s design is a study in “do-it-all durability with a healing punch.” The Dive attack provides a defensive hedge by potentially making Wailord immune to attacks on the opponent’s next turn, assuming the coin flip favors heads. This is a classic example of a risk-versus-reward mechanic that fits neatly into stall or control strategies prevalent in Expanded formats. Open Sea, meanwhile, channels sustain into immediate battlefield payoff by healing 30 damage from each Water Pokémon—creating a natural synergy with a Water-centric roster that emphasizes longevity over raw damage output.

Hidden constraints: how VSTAR and EX would reshape Wailord’s toolkit

When you translate Wailord’s core concepts into a VSTAR framework, the constraint architecture often revolves around three levers: power level, energy curve, and prize dynamics. A VSTAR version of a card like Wailord would likely carry a VSTAR Power that can swing the tide once per game, but it would also be tethered to a clear energy cost and a defined play window. Designers must ensure that a high-HP, healing-focused water giant doesn’t trivialize the opponent’s board state too quickly or exhaust the game’s decision space. In practice, a VSTAR Wailord might trade some of its raw HP for a more controlled, once-per-game reversal that reads something like “once per game, swap up to two of your Water Pokémon’s damage counters, and heal a portion of Wailord’s HP,” paired with a reductive energy requirement that keeps it from becoming the default late-game finisher.

EX-era thinking, conversely, centers on risk and prize dynamics. An EX version of a Wailord would have to balance its sturdy presence with a higher price on the table—perhaps requiring it to surrender two prizes upon KO or to be intentionally sky-high in energy to justify its power tier. The emphasis in EX-era design is to ensure big swings stay fun and fair by splitting risk across both players. In that sense, Wailord’s Dive and Open Sea would need a careful re-phrasing to avoid becoming a runaway stall engine or an instant win button. For instance, a hypothetical EX iteration might reduce the chance of a successful Dive or limit Open Sea healing to only Water Pokémon that have taken damage this turn, preserving tension and timing in the matchup.

These theoretical constraints echo a broader design principle: powerful effects must be earned through cost, timing, and interaction with the rest of the deck. The goal is to keep rewards accessible but not overbearing, to maintain variety in deckbuilding, and to ensure that the game remains responsive to both seasoned players and newcomers. Wailord’s existing moves already demonstrate this balance—defense that can be predictive, healing that scales with your roster, and an energy cost curve that rewards tempo as much as it rewards endurance.

Gameplay and collection insights for fans and players ⚡🔥💎

For players, Wailord invites a tempo-conscious approach. Build around Water-energy acceleration so you can consistently reach two Water energies for Open Sea while leveraging Dive as a defensive stalwart. In practice, timing the flip on Dive is critical — if you can yank a reliable “heads” result, you effectively buy yourself an extra turn to stabilize the field. The 200 HP count gives you resilience, but the Grass weakness is a reminder to pair Wailord with resistances and protections that mitigate its natural vulnerability. The open-healing aspect of Open Sea rewards a well-rounded Water deck that can bounce between frontline abuse and backline support, letting you outlast aggro while pressuring opponents with calculated knockouts.

Collectors will appreciate the set context and variant options. Guardians Rising offers a number of holo, reverse, and normal prints of Wailord, with OOYAMA’s artwork capturing the sea’s expanse in a way that complements its oceanic temperament. The card’s rarity and evolving status—being a Stage 1 from a popular expansion—also make it a meaningful addition for those who chase complete run-throughs of the SM2 subset. In terms of value trends, the market snapshot indicates a stable, budget-friendly presence for non-holo prints, with holo copies carrying a bit more premium, especially in near-mint condition. For many players, this is a card that can anchor a fun, theme-based Water deck without demanding a high price tag.

Market trends and collector strategy 🔎🎴

Current market data points to a broad spread in pricing, reflecting print runs, variants, and condition. Cardmarket’s average for non-holo Wailord has hovered around EUR 0.25, with holo variants closer to EUR 0.41 on average, while low prices dip near EUR 0.02 to 0.12 for certain copies. On TCGPlayer, the normal (non-holo) print typically sits around USD 0.39 as a mid-price, with low prices dipping near USD 0.05 and high prints reaching around USD 5 in some cases. Reverse holo foils tend to average around USD 0.69 mid-price, with market prices around USD 0.74. This spread highlights a practical truth: Wailord remains an accessible target for collectors who want a storied Water card without chasing peak-value holo releases, while still offering a few highly desirable variants for completionists.

As you consider adding Wailord to your collection or your deck, remember that its value isn’t just measured in dollars. The card’s art, its place in Guardians Rising, and its potential to surprise a riffing opponent with a timely Dive make it a memorable piece in any Water-focused lineup. The design constraints of new mechanics—whether imagined in VSTAR or EX terms—underscore how careful balance and thoughtful play design keep the game rich, strategic, and endlessly replayable.

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