Tracking Machamp EX Usage Across Sets Reveals Meta Trends

In TCG ·

Machamp EX card art from Ancient Origins by Ryo Ueda

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Tracking Machamp EX Across Sets: Meta Trends in the Ancient Origins Era and Beyond

For Pokémon TCG fans, few cards spark as much conversation as a towering Fighting-type staple with knockout potential and a memorable art style. Machamp EX from the Ancient Origins set embodies a specific era of the game: big HP, two high-impact attacks, and a design that rewards patient, strategic planning. By following usage statistics across multiple sets and formats, players can spot patterns in how this Ultra Rare card influences meta decisions, deck construction, and collector interest ⚡🔥.

Card snapshot: Machamp EX at a glance

  • Name: Machamp EX
  • Set: Ancient Origins (XY7)
  • Rarity: Ultra Rare
  • Type: Fighting
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 180
  • Attacks:
    • Steaming Mad — Costs: Fighting, Colorless. Effect: This attack does 20 damage times the number of damage counters on this Pokémon, and this Pokémon is now Confused.
    • Crazy Hammer — Costs: Fighting, Fighting, Colorless. Effect: If this Pokémon is affected by a Special Condition, this attack does 80 more damage. Then, remove all Special Conditions from this Pokémon.
  • Weakness: Psychic ×2
  • Retreat Cost: 3
  • Illustrator: Ryo Ueda
  • Legal: Expanded format (Standard rotation did not include this card at the time of its active era)

With a towering 180 HP and two distinct modes of offense, Machamp EX embodies a classic risk-reward dynamic. The first attack, Steaming Mad, rewards a clever damage-weaving strategy: accumulate damage counters on Machamp EX from other sources, then unleash a multiplier that can topple an opponent’s defense. The second attack, Crazy Hammer, scales dramatically if a Special Condition is present, but it also requires careful control of your own chip-damage timeline. This dual-attack design is precisely why the card has shown up across sets as a reference point for aggressive, damage-spread strategies ⚔️.

Why Machamp EX matters for deckbuilding across sets

Looking at usage trajectories across multiple sets reveals a few constants. First, its raw stats and the “Fighting” energy cost pattern align well with archetypes that lean into heavy single-blow potential and late-game power spikes. The ability to convert damage counters into extra punch with Crazy Hammer incentivizes players to plan when to trigger the condition that unlocks the extra 80 damage. In formats where disruption and techs run high, Machamp EX becomes a reliable anchor for “hit-and-then-stop” sequences that can swing a match in a single turn if the math lines up ⚡🎴.

Second, the card’s vulnerability to Psychic-type attackers creates a natural counterbalance in the meta. In sets where Psychic pressure looms large, Machamp EX’s HP and the timing of its Special Condition interaction become central to matchup planning. Players often pair Machamp EX with partner cards that either accelerate Fighting energy or help protect Machamp from early knockouts, such as healing or temporary protection tools. The artful choreography between offense, defense, and timing is what keeps a card like Machamp EX relevant beyond its initial print window 🔥.

Third, the set itself—Ancient Origins—introduced a broader array of support and stadium effects that shaped how this card could shine. While not every Modern player will include Ancient Origins staples in a current Standard lineup, the expanded play environment continues to reward veteran cards that offer high-impact, swing-turn potential. The combination of 180 HP, two distinct attacks, and a price-to-performance ratio that can surprise even seasoned collectors makes Machamp EX a continuing point of discussion among players who track set-to-set value, not just raw power 💎🎮.

Market and collector insights: value, rarity, and interest

From a collector’s perspective, Ultra Rare Machamp EX has maintained a strong footprint in holofoil form. CardMarket data shows an average price around 4.27 EUR with occasional dips to about 0.90 EUR and a rising trend around 4.89 EUR in recent windows, indicating a steady but nuanced demand among casual collectors and competitive players alike. On the U.S. market, TCGPlayer records holofoil Machamp EX copies with more pronounced value: low around $17.99, mid around $44.50, and high reaches near $80 for pristine, highly sought-after copies. MarketPrice sits near $21.23 for typical listings, reflecting a balance between accessibility and rarity—the kind of pricing that invites both new collectors and seasoned players to snag a piece for their arsenal or display shelf 🔎💼.

The illustrator, Ryo Ueda, contributes a key layer of appeal as well. Fans often cite the bold, dynamic artwork as a primary driver for holo purchases, reinforcing the idea that Machamp EX isn’t just a card to use—it’s a piece of the era’s visual storytelling. In the longer arc of the XY-era ecosystem, cards with standout art frequently see secondary peaks around new set launches or reprint rumors, even if their gameplay viability varies with the rotation schedule.

Practical tips for players and collectors

  • Plan for the damage-counter synergy early. Use aura-boosting tools or other effects that place damage counters on Machamp EX to maximize Steaming Mad and set up Crazy Hammer’s big finish, especially when you anticipate a Special Condition to come into play on your opponent’s board.
  • holo versions command premium attention, particularly near rotation windows or in bundles with other XY-era favorites. Watch market trends that show spikes around new printings or tournaments where Ancient Origins cards shine in nostalgia-driven formats.
  • track both CardMarket and TCGPlayer data for a holistic view. A pair of price points—a stable average and occasional holo surges—can inform timing for listings or purchases that balance play value with long-term collection goals.
  • celebrate the card’s artwork and its place in the XY timeline. The pairing of Ryo Ueda’s illustration with Machamp’s battle-ready stance makes this card not just a tool, but a story piece from a golden age of the TCG.
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