Zacian V Inclusion Rates Across Deck Archetypes in Pokémon TCG

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Zacian V holo card art from SWSH Black Star Promos

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Strategic Pulse: Zacian V and Inclusion Rates Across Deck Archetypes

When you first glance at Zacian V, you’re looking at a card that blends raw power with tempo-friendly execution. This SWSH Black Star Promo, illustrated by 5ban Graphics, channels the metal-fast energy of a warrior prince into tempo-driven plays. With 220 HP and a bold attack that demands three Metal energy, Zacian V rewards players who can set up early pressure and weather the turn after—where Brave Blade’s brutal 230 damage can threaten nearly everything in play. The card’s Intrepid Sword ability is the real accelerant, letting you peek at the top three cards, attach any number of Metal energies to Zacian V, and draw the rest—at the cost of ending your turn. It’s a trade-off that many archetypes willingly embrace for the tempo swing it provides.⚡

From a collector’s lens, this holo promo stands out not just for its battlefield viability but for its place in the broader SWSH era. The set’s name—Black Star Promos—signals rarity and collectible status, yet the card’s rarity is listed as None, a quirk that speaks to its distribution and promo nature. The artwork, credited to 5ban Graphics, honors classic sword-and-shield iconography while remaining unmistakably modern in line work and glossy finish. In practice, the art and holo treatment often drive demand alongside play value, a combination that tends to push inclusion rates higher in collector-driven formats.🎴

Card Snapshot: What Zacian V Brings to the Table

  • Type & Stage: Metal, Basic
  • HP: 220
  • Attack: Brave Blade — 230 damage. During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack.
  • Ability: Intrepid Sword — Once during your turn, you may look at the top 3 cards of your deck and attach any number of Metal Energy cards you find there to this Pokémon. Put the other cards into your hand. If you use this Ability, your turn ends.
  • Weakness/Resistance: Fire ×2, Grass -30
  • Retreat Cost: 2
  • Set & Illustrator: SWSH Black Star Promos, illustration by 5ban Graphics
  • Regulation: Not legal in Standard (Reg. Mark D), but Expanded-legal
  • Pricing snapshot (as of data up to 2025): Cardmarket average around €1.20 with a low around €0.40 for non-holo-ish instances; holo variants trend higher, often around €3.0–€3.15 in recent windows
“Intrepid Sword isn’t just a draw engine—it’s a blueprint for energy strategy. The moment you set up three Metal energies on Zacian V, you may be accelerating toward a Brave Blade that threatens a heavy fetch of the next-phase damage, provided you weather the turn afterward.”

Inclusion Rates Across Deck Archetypes: Where Zacian V Feels at Home

In the Expanded environment, Zacian V often appears as a tempo-driven centerpiece. Its Intrepid Sword ability acts as a compact, reliable engine for accelerating Metal energy and refreshing the hand—an important capability when you’re trying to splice early pressure with mid-to-late game finisher plans. The trade-off—ending your turn after using the ability—means players pair Zacian V with other attackers that can push through after your opening tempo, or with support cards that recover momentum on the subsequent turn. The result is an archetype family where Zacian V sits as the catalyst for early aggression, with Brave Blade delivering the knockout threat once energies are properly loaded.🔥

In deck archetypes focused on control or stall, Zacian V can function as a reliable, power-paced threat that finishes the game once the tempo is established. The 230 damage is no joke, and, with proper energy acceleration, players can manufacture moments where Zacian V’s Brave Blade lands a decisive hit before opponents can stabilize. The card’s weakness to Fire and vulnerable attribute to being a big target means you’ll often see tech choices that protect Zacian V from specific matchups, such as spread or energy denial strategies. The overarching message is that inclusion rates rise in decks that prize quick setup and decisive mid-game finishes—especially in Expanded where rotation doesn’t purge older, compatible tools.🎨

Of course, one mustn’t overlook the practicalities of play when assessing inclusion. The ability to attach any number of Metal Energy cards to Zacian V can drive explosive turn-one or turn-two sequences, especially when paired with energy acceleration staples like Metal Saucer or other energy-recursive options (depending on the exact card pool of a given meta). The synergy is straightforward: funnel energy onto Zacian V to unleash Brave Blade as soon as possible, while relying on your remaining resources to keep the board state favorable. This is why you’ll often see Zacian V in archetypes that prize big, single-attacker turns paired with steady hand refreshment.⚡

Market Pulse: Collector Demand and Price Trends

Pricing dynamics for Zacian V reflect a blend of playability, promo status, and the enduring appeal of the Sword & Shield era. Cardmarket data reveals an average price around €1.20 for non-holo instances, with a low around €0.40, and a steady upward “trend” around 1.19 over recent windows. The holo variants tell a more spirited story, with recent trend metrics hovering around a solid three-plus euros per copy. In practice, this means collectors often invest in holo versions when they seek a complete holo-forward collection from the SWSH Black Star Promos line, particularly when the card’s art by 5ban Graphics resonates with fans. For players, the price point remains accessible enough to justify inclusion in Expanded decks that can leverage Intrepid Sword to accelerate energy. The market narrative reinforces the idea that Zacian V sits at a crossroads of playability and collectability. 💎

As decks shift and rotation reshapes the Standard meta, the Expanded environment preserves a different rhythm: Zacian V remains a credible option in metal-themed lines, where its ability to accelerate energy and its formidable Brave Blade can neatly line up with other threats. The dynamic value—reflecting both gameplay utility and holo-centric collector demand—means you’ll often see price nudges tied to tournament performance, promo reprints, and supply fluctuations from the promo pool. For enthusiasts, these signals are a reminder that strong cards can maintain a steady presence across formats even as the meta evolves. 🎴

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