Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Latios: Rarity Distribution Analytics in Roaring Skies
For players and collectors alike, Latios stands as a fascinating case study in rarity distribution and pull rates during the Roaring Skies era. The Latios card shown here hails from the Secluded Springs set, bearing a distinctive Three Diamond rarity tag. Its presence, along with the holo, reverse, and normal variants, provides a microcosm of how modern TCG distribution works: mid-to-high rarity with multiple foil variants, a strong illustration by the artist Rika, and a combat-ready moveset that rewards thoughtful energy management. ⚡💎
Card profile at a glance
- Category: Pokémon
- Name: Latios
- Set: Secluded Springs (A4a)
- Rarity: Three Diamond
- Stage: Basic
- HP: 110
- Type: Psychic
- Illustrator: Rika
- Variants: holo, normal, reverse
- Ability: Fantastical Floating — If you have Latias in play, this Pokémon has no Retreat Cost.
- Attack: Luster Purge — Cost: Psychic, Psychic, Psychic; Damage: 120; Effect: Discard all Energy from this Pokémon.
- Weakness: Darkness ×20
- Retreat: 2
- Illustration credit: Rika
- Note on rarity distribution: The set contains 71 official cards with 105 total appearances, and Latios’s holo/normal/reverse variants emphasize its collectability beyond just play value.
In Roaring Skies-era analytics, Latios’s package showcases a quintessential energy-intensive attacker that leverages a strategic backbone: the ability to move freely if Latias is on the board, thanks to Fantastical Floating. This dynamic makes Latios a flexible archetype in decks that can spare a moment to set up Latias and then shift tempo with Latios’s high-damage Luster Purge. The move costs three Psychic Energy and requires the player to discard all Energy from Latios, a powerful payoff that can swing late-game exchanges when timed with energy acceleration or energy recycling strategies. The card’s 110 HP and a respectable 120-damage quick KO potential illustrate why mid-tier rarity cards can be central pillars in a well-tuned list. 🎴🎮
“Fantastical Floating isn’t just a flavor text moment—it’s a practical lane-change tool. With Latias on the bench or in play, Latios can threaten large swings while maintaining strategic retreat flexibility.”
Collectors often weigh rarity with nostalgia and artwork. Latios’s holo variant, illustrated by Rika, adds a coveted sheen that can elevate a card from a playable staple to a cornerstone of a vintage-inspired binder. The Secluded Springs set, with its 71 official cards and 105 total prints, provides a balanced pool where Latios sits comfortably in the mid-to-upper tier of desirability—the kind of card that can anchor a deck build and a collection without demanding the astronomical price tag of ultra-rare staples. The absence of a first edition note here doesn’t diminish its appeal; instead, it highlights the modern accessibility of holo and reverse variants for dedicated players and long-time fans. 💎
Gameplay implications in a Roaring Skies context
Latios’s emphasis on Energy management makes it a thoughtful inclusion in decks that can weather the energy costs. The attack’s three-Psychic-energy requirement means you’ll want a reliable energy acceleration plan, or at least a board state that allows Latios to strike while other threats pressure your opponent’s defenses. The attack’s drawback—discarding all Energy from Latios after dealing 120 damage—creates a tactical fork: you either invest in a short-term KO and rebuild, or you pivot into a tempo play with Latias to minimize retreat and keep Latios on the field longer. The synergy with Latias, via Fantastical Floating, is a reminder that the Eon duo thrives on coordination and stage management, a classic Roaring Skies vibe that rewards foresight and careful energy distribution. ⚡🔥
From a strategy standpoint, Latios shines in lists that embrace mid-game pressure and late-game finishers. If you can protect Latios from early disruption and maintain a steady stream of Psychic energy, Luster Purge becomes a punishing tool against opponent feats that rely on intact Energy on the board. The card’s Dark weakness is a consideration in matchups against Darkness-focused strategies, where you’ll need to diversify its support to avoid a one-sided exchange. The 2 Retreat cost is a modest hurdle, but with Fantastical Floating reducing or removing that cost when Latias is in play, you gain resilience against aggressive catching and retreat-out tactics. The result is a flexible, energy-savvy threat that can swing momentum with careful timing. 🔥🎨
Collector insights and market trends
As a Three Diamond rarity with holo/normal/reverse variants, Latios from Secluded Springs offers collectible appeal that can endure as a centerpiece for long-term investment in a player’s binder. While pricing data for these specific prints may not be as publicly cataloged as modern releases, the combination of a strong illustrated piece and a playable profile generally positions Latios holo variants as moderate-to-strong drivers for set completion collections. The scarcity of first-edition prints (noted as non-first edition for this card) is offset by the availability of multiple foil variants and the enduring charm of the Latias-Latios dynamic in fans’ lore. The broader Roaring Skies pull-rate conversation tends to revolve around holo pull frequency, foil stamping, and the nostalgia-driven demand for key pairings from that era, making Latios a welcome inclusion in discussions about rarity distribution trends and the emotional value of a well-timed pull. 💎⚡
For players who track set composition and pull odds, Latios offers a compact case study: a solid attack, a meaningful ability, and a rarity tier that encourages both competitive play and collection-driven goals. The card art by Rika adds an extra layer of appeal, turning every glance at the binder into a mini gallery visit. The Secluded Springs print case demonstrates how a single card can bridge strategy and storytelling, a core pleasure of the Pokémon TCG experience. 🎴🎨
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