Understanding Rarity Tiers for Marill in the Pokémon TCG

In TCG ·

Marill ex11-76 Delta Species card art by Midori Harada

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Rarity Tiers in Marill’s TCG Journey

Rarity in the Pokémon Trading Card Game isn’t just about how often you pull a card from a booster pack. It’s a lens into a card’s print history, collectibility, and even its role in a deck. For Marill—this particular print from the Delta Species era, ex11-76 illustrated by Midori Harada—rarity unfolds across three dimensions: base rarity, special-print variants, and market demand. While Marill is recorded as Common in this Delta Species release, the story of rarity gets richer when you compare the plain copy to its holo and reverse-holo siblings. ⚡💎

Delta Species introduced a playful twist to many Pokémon cards by offering distinct printing variants alongside a standout aesthetic. Marill’s basic print sits at 50 HP and belongs to the Water type, a humble yet dependable starter in battles that require steady tempo. The card’s evolution line—Marill evolving into Azumarill—adds strategic depth for players who want to plan transitions from early-game chip damage to heavier mid-game pressure. The fact that this Marill is a Basic Water Pokémon with two attacks and a weak spot to Lightning ×2 gives seasoned players a reason to pilot a simple Water toolkit, while collectors chase the holo and reverse-holo versions for their visual pop and rarity premium. 🎴🎨

From a gameplay standpoint, the attacks tell a compact story about risk and reward. Rollout deals 10 damage for a single Colorless energy, a reliable clean hit that can wear down a foe’s HP over multiple turns. Jump On costs two Colorless energies and offers a coin-flip mechanic: if heads, the attack delivers 10 damage plus 20 more (a potentially meaningful 30-point swing at the right moment). For a common, early-stage M-ray like Marill, this dual-attack package fosters a “hit-something, move-on” rhythm, especially in coin-flip-influenced formats where tempo matters. And because Marill has access to a stable evolution path into Azumarill, players can envision a longer-lived line that scales with energy acceleration and support from other Water types. The art of timing with Jump On becomes a tiny microcosm of how rarity, matchup, and deck-building intersect. 🎮🔥

On the rarity spectrum, the non-holo print is the most accessible, while the holo and reverse-holo variants carry extra cachet. In modern markets, the base print of a common card may hover around a few tenths of a dollar to around a dollar or two depending on condition and demand. By contrast, the reverse-holo and especially holo prints command a premium due to their scarcity and aesthetic appeal. For Marill ex11-76, data from market trackers shows that normal copies stay budget-friendly, while reverse-holofoil copies have seen significantly higher price floors and upswings in certain windows, reflecting collector interest and the allure of Delta Species’ unique holo styling. As of late 2025, you can expect a typical reverse-holo Marill from this set to fetch a market price well above a common, with holo copies sometimes touching multiple dollars when in bright condition. These dynamics illustrate a core truth of rarity tiers: beauty and scarcity often translate into market value, even for a card that’s technically “Common” in its set classification. 💎🎴

For serious players, it’s also worth noting that not all variants are legal in current formats. This particular Marill print finishes a bit outside the modern standard and expanded formats in many circles, emphasizing its role as a collectible snapshot of a bygone era rather than a tournament staple. That distinction—between playability today and nostalgic value—often drives why people chase holo or reverse-holo copies more than their plain siblings. The art by Midori Harada adds a tactile joy to the card, reminding collectors that rarity isn’t just about numbers; it’s about owning a small postcard from a storied era of the game. 🎨

What makes a rarity tier meaningful for Marill?

  • Common base print — Ready-to-play in casual decks with budget energy, Rollout’s steady pressure, and Jump On’s risk-reward flip. This variant represents the backbone of the card’s print run and, therefore, its accessibility for new players and budget collectors.
  • Holo variant — The splash of foil that makes Marill pop on the table and in binder pages. Holo copies of Delta Species cards are notably more collectible, contributing to a higher ceiling for price and display value.
  • Reverse-holo variant — A balance between rarity and everyday usability. Reverse holos are often sought after by players who want a little more shine on their wish-list card without jumping to full holo pricing.
  • Market dynamics — While the normal copy tends to trade in the sub-dollar to low-dollar range, reverse holo and holo print variants can command higher prices, influenced by overall Delta Species nostalgia, the card’s art, and the broader trend of Water-type nostalgia in the vintage cards market.
  • Format legality — The ex11 Marill from Delta Species sits outside most modern formats; this affects how collectors value it in terms of long-term playability versus pure display appeal.

As fans and collectors, we can celebrate Marill’s place in the Delta Species line not only for its childhood memories but also for how rarity shapes our collecting journeys. And while the card’s two simple attacks may not scream tournament powerhouse, they offer a charming glimpse into an era when every print variant felt like a new discovery. The illustrator, Midori Harada, lends a gentle, watery vibe to Marill that many fans still remember fondly, making even the plain copy feel like a postcard from a sunlit poolside. 🪷

For those charting a Marill-focused collection or considering how rarity tiers play into a broader Water-type shelf, remember that a holo or reverse-holo version can transform a single card into a centerpiece—especially when you compare it to the humble common copy tucked away in a binder or a budget deck. And if you’re curious to explore more prints and variants from across the TCG universe, the five article links below offer a spectrum of strategies, lore, and market insights to supplement your knowledge. ⚡🎴

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