Image courtesy of TCGdex.net
Evaluating Machamp GX Through Damage-to-Cost Efficiency Metrics
In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, raw numbers tell only part of the story. The real craft lies in measuring how much damage you can deliver for how much energy and board pressure you must sustain. Machamp GX from Burning Shadows offers a compelling case study in damage-to-cost efficiency. With an imposing 250 HP, a trio of Fighting-energy attacks, and a signature GX move, this Pokémon-GX stands as a heavyweight in the Expanded format. ⚡🔥
From a collector’s lens, the holo variant of Machamp GX remains a standout, its dynamic art by 5ban Graphics capturing the momentum of a powerhouse ready to swing for the fences. The Burning Shadows set (SM3) is known for hard-hitting attackers and stadium-disrupting tools, and Machamp fits squarely into that archetype. The card’s Ultra Rare status adds to its allure for players who want a serious threat on the bench and for collectors chasing a visually striking piece from the late-2010s era of GX mechanics. 🎨💎
Key Card Stats at a Glance
- Type: Fighting
- HP: 250
- Stage: Evolves from Machoke; Pokémon-GX
- Rarity: Ultra Rare
- Illustrator: 5ban Graphics
- Set: Burning Shadows (SM3)
- Weakness: Psychic ×2
- Retreat Cost: 3
- Legal in: Expanded (not standard)
For players, the 250 HP rating matters. It grants Machamp GX staying power against many early-game starts, letting you weather early damage while you assemble a line of benched attackers. The Psychic weakness is a reality check in a meta where Psychic types can present stealthy control and heavy hitters. The retreat cost of 3 means careful energy management is essential—don’t overcommit to a single assault if you can’t retreat to maintain pressure on the next turn. These details matter when you’re calculating damage-to-cost efficiency and planning turn-by-turn tempo. 🧭🎴
Attack-by-Attack Breakdown
- Cross-Cut — Cost: Fighting, Fighting; Damage: 60+; Effect: If your opponent’s Active Pokémon is an Evolution Pokémon, this attack does 60 more damage.
- Bedrock Breaker — Cost: Fighting, Fighting, Fighting; Damage: 130; Effect: Discard any Stadium card in play.
- Muscle Punch GX — Cost: Fighting, Fighting, Fighting; Damage: 180; Effect: This attack’s damage isn’t affected by Resistance. You can’t use more than 1 GX attack in a game.
What does this mean for damage-to-cost efficiency? Cross-Cut gives you a reliable 60 damage per energy on a two-energy commitment unless you exploit the Evolution condition for a 120 total, effectively delivering strong value in favorable matchups. Bedrock Breaker trades a higher energy cost for a solid 130 damage and an immediate Stadium disruption, which can tilt the tempo by removing a key plan your opponent relies on. Muscle Punch GX shines as a high-damage finisher, delivering 180 with three energy and negating Resistance, but the GX limitation—one per game—creates a critical timing decision. In short, Machamp GX rewards precise tempo: early pressure with Cross-Cut, midfield disruption with Bedrock Breaker, and a decisive finish when the window opens with Muscle Punch GX. 💥⚡
The math isn’t purely about raw numbers. The card’s affordability in Expanded play, combined with its ability to outpace Stadium-heavy setups, makes it a compelling option for players who enjoy calculated risk. The fact that Bedrock Breaker requires you to discard a Stadium card adds a strategic layer: you’re not just dealing damage, you’re shaping the opponent’s board state and resource economy. The GX restriction serves as a reminder that power alone isn’t enough—you must time your big moves with the arc of the game. This is damage-to-cost efficiency in a packaged, playable form. 🧠🎯
Collectors will also appreciate the balance Machamp GX presents: a thick, high-HP runner with a vivid, action-packed illustration by 5ban Graphics, and a holo finish that remains visually iconic across print runs. Market data reflects a stable, accessible entry for holo Machamp GX copies, with CardMarket showing a healthy average price in euros and a rising trend, while TCGPlayer’s holo prices land in a competitive USD range. The combination of play-worthiness and collectible appeal helps explain why Machamp GX continues to hold space in both decks and display cases. 💎🎴
Slim Glossy Phone Case for iPhone 16 (Lexan PC)