How Serperior Stacks Up Against Similar Grass Pokémon in the TCG

Serperior card art from XY10 Fates Collide

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Serperior's Stand in Grass-based Matchups: A Closer Look

In the vibrant world of the Pokémon TCG, Serperior from the Fates Collide line enters as a sturdy, mid-game contender. With 140 HP and a Stage 2 evolution from Servine, this Rare Grass-type brings a thoughtfully balanced toolkit that rewards careful resource management and precise timing. The artwork, by You Iribi, radiates Serperior’s regal poise, a detail that fans often celebrate in binder displays and exhibit shelves. ⚡🔥

At a glance: key card facts

Set: Fates Collide (XY10)
Rarity: Rare
Stage: Stage 2 (evolves from Servine)
HP: 140
Type: Grass
Attacks:
- Coil — Cost: Colorless; 40 damage. During your next turn, this Pokémon's attacks do 60 more damage to your opponent's Active Pokémon (before applying Weakness and Resistance).
- Slashing Strike — Cost: Grass; 80 damage. This Pokémon can't use Slashing Strike during your next turn.
Weakness: Fire ×2
Retreat: 2
Illustrator: You Iribi
Variants: holo, normal, reverse
Legal: Expanded only (Standard not legal)

Serperior’s two-attack package is the heart of its tempo. Coil sets up a powerful follow-up. On the very next turn, Serperior’s attacks deal 60 extra damage to the opponent’s Active Pokémon, making a well-timed Slashing Strike a potential two-turn KO on many threats—assuming the board state cooperates. This price of patience is what makes Serperior appealing to players who enjoy planning several moves ahead, rather than sprinting for a quick early knockout. 🔥💎

Strategic considerations: how to leverage Coil and Slashing Strike

Coil’s 60-point boost turns Slashing Strike into a surprisingly potent finisher, especially given its base 80 damage. If you can land Slashing Strike on Turn 2 (or later) while Coil’s effect is active, you’re looking at a 140-damage swing (before applying Weakness or Resistance), a number that can cleanly KO many Grass-weak targets in the format. The cost structure—Coil for Colorless and Slashing Strike for Grass—means you don’t rely on heavy Grass-energy attachment to pull off the two-hit plan. You can begin setting up even with a modest energy base, and tempo becomes your ally as you pressure the opponent’s field while you prepare the big payoff turn. 🎮🎴

That said, Serperior is not a glass cannon. Its 140 HP is solid for a Stage 2, but it remains vulnerable to Fire-type threats that common in many decks, and its Retreat cost of 2 adds a small tile of vulnerability if you need to reposition. In practice, a typical line might involve loading a few energies onto Serperior, using Coil early to threaten the big next-turn hit, and then following with Slashing Strike when the foe’s Active is within lethal range. If space allows, adding bench support to stall or to draw into the crucial pieces can be the difference between a clean KO and a blown opportunity. ⚡🎨

How Serperior stacks up against similar Grass Pokémon

Grass-type decks historically hinge on a blend of speed, energy acceleration, and multi-attack pressure. Serperior distinguishes itself with a clean, two-attack package that rewards players who can choreograph a turn-by-turn plan. While some Grass staples in other eras lean on rapid early aggression or on effects that disrupt opponents, Serperior’s Coil–Slashing Strike combo excels in medium tempo games where you’ve weathered an early rush and are ready to close the duel with a precise KO. Its Stage 2 status means you often come in after Servine, delivering a late-game punch that many Basic-into-Stage 2 lines can struggle to match without a lengthy setup. The Fire weakness is a caveat, and you’ll want to time your entries to avoid rough matchups with aggressive Fire-driven strategies. 🔥💎

Compared to other Grass Pokémon of its era, Serperior offers a predictable energy profile and a crisp payoff on Turn 2 or Turn 3. Some competing Grass lines push for even faster starts or more versatile attacks, but Serperior’s payoff is that neat, two-turn window where the 60-damage boost makes a Slashing Strike feel decisively powerful. For players who enjoy a patient, control-heavy tempo with a reliable two-turn KO opportunity, Serperior sits as a solid, if not flashy, choice. 🎴⚡

Art, lore, and collection vibes

The XY series frames Serperior in a world of elegant linework and bold, regal presentation. You Iribi’s illustration captures that poised, serpentine grace that fans associate with Serperior’s in-game demeanor. For collectors, the holo variant—when available—offers that extra sparkle, while the standard and reverse foils give you a broader spectrum of display options. The Fates Collide set itself veers into a mythology-inspired vibe, and Serperior’s presence within that narrative adds another layer of charm to the card’s value in a binder or display. 🎨💎

Market vibes: value and collectability

From a market perspective, Serperior XY10-7 sits in a friendly, budget-conscious range for modern and vintage purses alike. Cardmarket’s data, updated in late 2025, shows a healthy baseline: the average price for non-holo copies sits around €0.43, with lows near €0.05 and a gentle upward trend around €0.46. For holo copies, the average hovers around €1.70, with a low near €0.33 and a similar positive trend. On TCGPlayer, the standard non-foil line ranges from a budget low of about $0.13 to a middle value near $0.48, with highs topping around $4.95 in rare cases. The transform in holo variants shows comparable interest, typically a step above the non-foil. In short, Serperior remains an attractive pickup for players and collectors who want a solid, mid-range Grass Pokémon with a satisfying two-turn KO potential, without demanding a premium price tag. 💎🎮

Whether you’re hunting a complete collection, building a budget-friendly deck, or chasing a specific holo variant for display, Serperior provides a dependable option that remains relevant in the right contexts. Its combination of solid HP, a strategic two-attack plan, and reasonable market pricing makes it a worthy addition to any Grass lineup. 🌱🔥

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