Gumshoos Across Games and Pokémon TCG: A Card-by-Card Analysis

In TCG ·

Gumshoos SM97 holo card art by nagimiso

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

A Deep Dive Into Gumshoos Across Games and Cards

In the Sun & Moon era of the Pokémon world, Gumshoos stands out as the patient, calculated predator that stalks its territory with quiet confidence. The card from the SM Black Star Promos line captures that essence with a sculpted balance of menace and composure, using a holo finish that makes Gumshoos glare from every angle. This particular print, illustrated by Nagimiso, distills the Alolan vibes into a single card: a Stage 1 evolution that shifts the tempo of a game through perception as much as power. In the broader tapestry of Gumshoos’ appearances, this holo promo sits at a crossroads—bridging the creature’s in-game stalking behavior with the strategic revelations that a card can offer on the tabletop ⚡.

Gumshoos first appears as the evolved form of Yungoos, a relatively simple Normal-type line that thrives on relentless, creeping pressure. In the Pokémon games, Gumshoos embodies the watchful hunter archetype, patrolling routes and burrows with a nose for trouble. On the card battling table, that same hunter instinct translates into a very different kind of game plan: the ability to control information and deal decisive blows once the opponent’s next moves are partly revealed. The name of the game becomes read-and-strike—leveraging knowledge to convert a strategic edge into raw damage, and that tension is precisely what this promo communicates to fans who grew up watching Gumshoos blend into the background before snapping into action 🔥🎮.

Card fundamentals: how the card plays on the field

At first glance, Gumshoos is a Colorless-type Stage 1 with 110 HP. Its evolution path is straightforward: it evolves from Yungoos, maintaining that early-game hustle but trading in a touch of alacrity for a more measured, strategic tempo. The two attacks tell a story about the creature’s blend of reconnaissance and force. The first move, Identify, costs two Colorless Energy and deals 20 damage, but carries a transforming twist: your opponent reveals their hand, and if you spot a Pokémon there, this attack gains a hefty 80 additional damage. That “see and strike” vibe mirrors the gumshoos’ real-world persona, where quiet patience makes room for a crippling advantage when the moment is right. The second attack, Whap Down, costs three Colorless Energy and delivers 70 damage, giving Gumshoos a reliable finisher option in the midgame. This combination—hand knowledge followed by a strong finisher—encourages precise timing and smart energy management in expanded formats ⚡.

The card also offers classic endurance in the form of a 2 retreat cost and a vulnerability profile: Fighting-type attackers deal 2× damage to Gumshoos. In a meta where bulk and consistency reign, a 110 HP pool with colorless energy requirements is a versatile option, especially for decks that rely on flexible energy pacing and a broader range of supporter and trainer cards to keep Gumshoos safe while it reads the opponent’s plan. The synergy in the main mechanics is complemented by the card’s rarity and holo treatment, which makes it a standout for collectors looking for iconic alignment between a Pokémon’s lore and its on-card storytelling 🔎💎.

Set, rarity, and the collector’s lens

SM Black Star Promos (SM97) marks Gumshoos as a rare holo in a subset known for premium prints. The release context—within the SMP promotional window—adds a layer of rarity that resonates with collectors who chase holo foils and first print aesthetics from the Sun & Moon era. The card’s variant lineup includes normal, reverse, and holo prints, with no first edition designation for this particular print. The official card data notes the set’s breadth: a total of 236 official cards within the SMP era (244 total considering all variants). For Gumshoos, the holo version is often the centerpiece of a buy-list, thanks to the shine of Nagimiso’s art and the card’s tactile presence in a display queue. While the pricing fields in some databases show no current listing for Market or TCGPlayer at times, the fan-driven demand for late-Sun & Moon holos remains steady, especially for powerful midrange attackers with a unique gameplay twist 🔥🎴.

Art, lore, and the illustrator’s signature

Nagimiso’s illustration for Gumshoos on SM97 captures the creature’s sly, patient gaze as it surveys its surroundings from a low, grounded stance. The holo texture enhances its fur texture and the subtle shading around the eyes, giving Gumshoos a lifelike presence that feels almost like a still frame from a cinematic chase. For fans of the Alola region’s wildlife—and for those who appreciate the fusion of Pokémon lore with card art—the image speaks as much to the creature’s habits as to its combat philosophy. It’s not just a battle card; it’s a miniature story about patience and precision, a theme that resonates with the card’s Identify mechanic and its potential to reshape a game’s momentum 🎨💎.

Strategic tips: building around Gumshoos in expanded play

In an expanded playfield, Gumshoos is a creature you deploy when you want to tilt the pace in your favor. The two-colorless energy requirement for Identify means you’ll want reliable acceleration that doesn’t lock you into a single energy type, enabling you to fit the card into a wide range of builds. A practical deck concept centers on getting Gumshoos into play by late first or early second turn using a Yungoos setup or supportive searchers, then using Identify to peek at the opponent’s hand and decide whether it’s worth pushing a high-damage turn. If you spot a Pokémon in their hand, you’re primed to push a large 100-damage swing after the 20 base, turning a potential stalemate into a decisive moment. Follow up with Whap Down when the board is set and you’ve drawn into necessary controls, using retreat energy management to keep Gumshoos safe while you apply pressure ⚡🔥.

From a broader tactical lens, Gumshoos’ Fighting-type weakness means you’ll balance your matchups by leveraging decks that can withstand the uphill battles against Fighting-focused decks. Its 2 retreat helps it survive early pressure, while the promo nature of the card makes it a collectible piece you might prize even when not actively playing. The card’s Expanded legality and non-Standard status in certain rotations also invites players to consider Gumshoos as a nostalgia-forward pick for informal or casual play sessions, where the card’s lore-heavy background can shine as much as its mechanical quirks do 🎮.

Ultimately, Gumshoos on the table mirrors its in-game persona: a patient hunter who waits for the perfect moment to reveal what’s hidden and strike with precision. The combo of Identify’s information-gathering power and Whap Down’s straightforward punch provides a satisfying, category-defining rhythm for players who crave strategic storytelling in a card game. And with Nagimiso’s art leading the way, this promo promo stands as a compact tribute to the Alola region’s most persistent predator, a reminder that sometimes the quietest predators deliver the loudest wins ⚡💎.

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