Dondozo Inclusion Rates Across Deck Archetypes Revealed

In TCG ·

Dondozo card art from Paradox Rift illustrated by Kouki Saitou

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Charting Dondozo's Role Across Deck Archetypes

In the sprawling ocean of the Pokémon TCG meta, Dondozo from the Paradox Rift set stands out as a patient, heavy-hitting centerpiece. This Water-type Basic with a sturdy 160 HP is illustrated by Kouki Saitou, whose calm, tidal artistry mirrors the card’s strategic ethos: weather the early skirmishes, then pounce with a decisive push. The question on many players’ minds is simple: how often does this stalwart appear across different deck archetypes, and what does that mean for how we pilot, collect, and invest in it? Let’s dive into the data-driven, yet playfully nostalgic world of inclusion rates and deck-building nuance. ⚡🔥

Card in focus: Dondozo (SV04, Paradox Rift)

  • Name: Dondozo
  • Type: Water
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 160
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Set: Paradox Rift (SV04)
  • Attacks:
    • Supplemental Swallow-Up — Look at the top 5 cards of your deck. You may attach any number of Basic Energy cards you find there to this Pokémon. Shuffle the other cards back into your deck.
    • Hydro Splash — Water, Colorless, Colorless, Colorless, Colorless; 180 damage.
  • Retreat Cost: 4
  • Illustrator: Kouki Saitou
  • Regulation/ legality: Standard & Expanded
  • Weaknesses: Not listed here; contextually, Water-type matchups vary by format and opposing strategies.
“Dondozo’s engine is all about energy tempo—creating opportunities to attach multiple Basic Energies in a single turn and then delivering a big, clean hit.”

Hydro Splash is a true finisher: a 180-damage attack for five total energy (Water + four Colorless) can threaten many popular threats before your opponent redeploys their threats. Supplemental Swallow-Up, meanwhile, doubles as a built-in energy-finding tool, letting you tailor the field by pulling energy from the top of your deck and rapidly charging this tanky Basic to keep it attacking across turns. The combination is a classic example of a “tank-and-surge” archetype that rewards careful energy management and deck thinning. Inclusion rate across archetypes is not a one-size-fits-all story. In standard and expanded play, Dondozo tends to anchor water-centric engines that aim to outlast the opponent by stacking energy efficiently and pressuring late-game EV conversions. You’ll see it most often in decks that emphasize energy acceleration or heavy draw/search support to meet Hydro Splash’s energy demands, while leveraging its high HP to weather early aggression. In non-Water archetypes, Dondozo is more of a tech pick—a deliberate inclusion for players who want a resilient late-game closer, but at the cost of capacity in other lines. These dynamics often hinge on two levers: energy acceleration and deck-thinning capabilities. Supplemental Swallow-Up pairs nicely with draw-power and shuffle effects, enabling a tempo-rich line where Dondozo becomes a persistent threat rather than a mere obstacle on the bench. On the collector side, the card’s Uncommon rarity keeps it accessible for casual players while still offering the satisfying play pattern of “build, freeze, explode.”

Archetype breakdown: where Dondozo shines and where it stays on the bench

  • Dondozo often anchors Water-centric decks that seek to maximize energy attachment per turn. The more you can find and attach Basic Energies on turn tempo, the closer you are to dishing out Hydro Splash that can swing the match in a single well-timed strike. Its 4 retreat cost also rewards deck components that can stall or pivot into other attackers without losing field presence.
  • In decks that mix types or rely on multi-type attackers, Dondozo appears as a deliberate choice to demand a higher energy payoff. Tech slots may include search or recovery tools to ensure you hit the top-five draw and energy attachment window reliably, turning what seems like a heavy cost into a predictable late-game engine.
  • The synergy between its energy-affinity effect and Hydro Splash’s power makes Dondozo a natural fit for decks that pack energy acceleration or specialized search to stockpile enough Energy to unleash repeated Hydro Splash blows across turns.
  • Against fast, low-HP attackers, Dondozo’s 160 HP provides a durable anchor, but you must balance retreat costs and resource lines. Against stall or fatigue-oriented decks, its ability to accelerate energy can push the game into a favorable endgame, turning a lengthy matchup into a controlled finish.
  • For collectors, Dondozo SV04 is an affordable entry within CardMarket’s latest data window: non-holo copies averaging around €0.04, with holo variants trending higher (around €0.13) and showing notable daily movement. This balance of playability and value makes it an appealing target for modern-water-focused builds and fan-favorite art.

The Paradox Rift era continues to reward players who value energy economy and big payoff turns. Dondozo’s presence in both standard and expanded formats underscores a broader theme in the TCG: the ability to convert card draw and search into raw damage output can tilt the outcome of even a carefully drafted match. The card’s illustration by Kouki Saitou complements its strategic identity, evoking a calm oceanic depth that players often feel when timing the leap from defense to decisive offense. 🎴🎨

As you plan your next purchase or trade, consider how Dondozo and its energy-centric toolkit can slot into your favorite archetypes. If you’re chasing budget-conscious but powerful tech, the Uncommon slot in Paradox Rift remains a smart target—especially as you hunt for complementary pieces that smooth energy attachment and maximize Hydro Splash’s late-game impact. ⚡

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