Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Gen 1 Nostalgia in a Modern Cardframe
Few Pokémon TCG cards exude the same warm, familiar nostalgia as a well-executed Gen 1 homage. The Lickitung from the Temporal Forces set captures that return-to-roots feeling with a modern twist, celebrating the long-running charm of the original Lickitung while embracing new mechanics and a glimmering holo finish. Illustrated by Orca, this Illustration Rare piece brings a playful, almost tactile nostalgia to life on the card front, inviting veterans and new players alike to pause and smile at the glow of retro design meeting contemporary gameplay. ⚡💎
In the Temporal Forces set, cataloged as sv05, Lickitung stands as a Basic Colorless-type Pokémon with 100 HP. While not a powerhouse on raw stats, its abilities lean into the strategic headwinds of a match: you’re not necessarily picking a bruiser here, you’re selecting a clever disruption and tempo tool. The card’s regulation mark is H, which keeps it in current rotation for both Standard and Expanded formats, ensuring that this homage remains a playable and collectible piece in ongoing meta conversations. The project’s official card count notes 162 cards in the official release and 218 total, underscoring Temporal Forces’ ambition to weave a broad, nostalgic tapestry across its set. 🔄
- Set & rarity: Temporal Forces (sv05), Illustration Rare
- Type & stage: Colorless, Basic
- HP: 100
- Attacks: Tongue Pull (Colorless) and Strength (Colorless ×3) for 50
- Illustrator: Orca
- Legal: Standard & Expanded
- Pricing snapshot: Cardmarket shows an average around €0.03 for non-holo copies, with holo variants averaging closer to €0.09, and holo price trends rising in some submarkets. This makes the holo Lickitung an appealing target for collectors chasing that classic holo glow alongside a solid play option. 🔎
Thematic notes accompany the numbers: the holo treatment of this Lickitung breathes life into its Gen 1 roots, with Orca's illustration channeling the era's playfulness while the card’s layout and font choices nod to the original line. The effect of the Tongue Pull attack is particularly intriguing in a match-up sense. Your opponent reveals their hand, and you may place up to two Basic Pokémon you find there onto their Bench. It’s a startling tempo swing—suddenly you’ve turned information into board state, potentially altering the opponent’s plan mid-game. The other attack, Strength, demands three Colorless energies for a solid 50 damage, offering a credible late-game option when you’ve built up a favorable board position. 🎮
Strategically, a Lickitung with 100 HP sits in a curious spot: not fragile by any means, but not a pure stand-and-bang bruiser either. Its Colorless typing keeps it flexible in decks that lean on diverse energy bases, and its basic status makes it easy to slot into a nostalgic-themed build that emphasizes Trainers, supporters, and disruption rather than raw power. For players who enjoy reading the game as a narrative—the idea of a Gen 1 Pokémon returning with a contemporary toolkit—the card stands out as a collectible centerpiece while still delivering practical in-game utility. The illustration style by Orca—paired with the holo treatment—gives fans a tangible artifact that feels like a bridge between the early days of the TCG and today’s polished production values. 🎨
“A single card can spark a memory loop—the sound of stacking holo foil, the familiar silhouette, and the thrill of a cunning play woven into a modern format.”
From a collector’s vantage point, this Lickitung is more than a playable card; it’s a traveler’s relic from the 1990s–2000s playground that many fans first encountered. The rarity label signals that prints of this piece are not as plentiful as common Lickitung variants, and the holo version often attracts premium attention in markets that celebrate art-forward Pokémon cards. For traders and collectors, watching how the Temporal Forces set’s prices trend—especially the holo copies—offers insight into how nostalgia interacts with modern demand. ⚡💎
For fans who prize the small details, the card’s illustration credit to Orca matters. The artist’s work here is a respectful nod to the original Lickitung concept—soft, friendly features with a tongue-in-cheek twist—that resonates with players who remember base set era Pokémon while appreciating the finesse of contemporary card design. By integrating a classic silhouette with modern mechanics, this Lickitung becomes a talking point in both gameplay conversations and display cases. 🎴
The Temporal Forces set’s blend of classic vibes and new mechanics invites players to think about synergy rather than sheer power. Tongue Pull’s hand-reveal mechanic can be leveraged to reveal opponent tendencies, enabling calculated bench pressure or tempo-based plays. When paired with other disruption or stall cards, Lickitung can contribute to a layered strategy that rewards foresight and board awareness. And as a Illustration Rare with holo potential, it’s a pick that can spark conversations in your local game shop or online showcase sessions. 🎨🔥
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Ergonomic Memory Foam Wrist Rest Mouse Pad