Why Thievul's Unique Stats Change Pokémon TCG Play

In TCG ·

Thievul card art from Shining Fates (SWSh4.5) by Hideki Ishikawa

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Thievul’s Stats Tell a Stealthy Tale

In the Pokémon TCG, a card’s numbers do more than decorate a stat block. They script a character’s behavior on the tabletop, guiding how players engineer openings, apply pressure, and swing momentum into a match. Thievul from the Shining Fates set steps into that role with a deliberate, almost ambush-like design. Its 100 HP, Darkness typing, and a two-attack suite are not random capstones; they are a narrative calculation that rewards aggression tempered with precise tempo. The designer’s intent becomes especially visible when you consider how Thievul’s abilities mirror its lore: a cunning thief that stalks targets by scent and strikes when distractions are at their peak. The card’s illustration, brought to life by Hideki Ishikawa, places Thievul in a shadowed, alleyway-esque frame that evokes its nicked-from-the-darkness motif. This is more than pretty art—it's a visual cue that Thievul seeks opportunities, not just damage. The dark palette and sharp linework help players feel the tension of setting up a bench and then sweeping in with a well-timed attack. It’s a reminder that in this game, style and strategy often march hand in hand. ⚡🔥

Stat profile at a glance

  • Name: Thievul
  • Set: Shining Fates (SWSh4.5)
  • Rarity: holo rare
  • Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Nickit)
  • HP: 100
  • Type: Darkness
  • Illustrator: Hideki Ishikawa
  • Weakness: Grass ×2
  • Retreat: 1
  • Regulation: Expanded legal, Standard not legal

Flavor text: “It secretly marks potential targets with a scent. By following the scent, it stalks its targets and steals from them when they least expect it.” This line isn’t mere flavor—it’s a design compass. The card’s abilities echo that stealthy, opportunistic approach, turning a poised setup into a sudden, decisive swing.

“It secretly marks potential targets with a scent. By following the scent, it stalks its targets and steals from them when they least expect it.”

Gameplay implications: turning stats into table-ready tactics

Thievul’s first attack, Call for Goons, costs a single Colorless energy and reads: “Search your deck for up to 3 Basic Pokémon and put them onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.” That is a tempo-altering tool in any deck that wants to accelerate its board presence. On your third or fourth turn, you can flood the bench with a fresh wave of threats, fueling evolving threats or simply piling attackers to pressure the opponent’s resources. The power here is not merely raw damage—it's setup speed. A smart player will use this to ensure that when opponents are reaching for their big threats, you already have the lines primed in your front row of attackers. The utility of this attack remains relevant across several builds that prize speed and board control. The second attack, Corner, costs Darkness + Colorless + Colorless and delivers 80 damage while applying a punishing constraint: “During your opponent’s next turn, the Defending Pokémon can’t retreat.” This is a classic example of a control element designed to compress the opponent’s options. In a world where retreating can reposition threats or reset unfavorable matchups, locking retreat for a turn yields opportunities to squeeze out additional turns of action—especially when paired with other control-focused cards or stadiums that further stall. The combination of a solid damage output with a tactical retreat restriction makes Thievul a versatile pivot in Darkness-focused decks, capable of pressuring both prize denial and board development. From a reliability standpoint, Thievul’s 100 HP is sturdy enough to weather a few exchanges, but the weakness to Grass types remains a practical caveat. In the evolving meta, Grass-type responses—whether from other decks or from parity adjustments in rotation—can threaten its staying power. The Retreat cost of 1 keeps Thievul accessible on the move, but you’ll want to protect it with the right Tool or Stadium that complements the pace of your plan. Collectors and players alike notice these rhythms: a robust HP pool paired with two distinctive attacks invites a careful balance of risk and reward, encouraging players to think a step ahead about how they’ll fuel their bench and trap the Defending Pokémon in place. For collectors, the card’s holo rarity adds a tactile dimension to its strategy—it's not just a number-chase; it’s a glossy reminder that the design team wanted Thievul to stand out on the table as well as in the binder. The Shining Fates set, which hosts 195 cards with a modest official count, has a dedicated fan base chasing holo rarities that pop with the right lighting and a strong signature from Ishikawa. The combination of lore, gameplay utility, and standout art makes Thievul a compelling pick for both players and collectors alike.

Collector insights: value, set context, and market vibes

Thievul sits in a space where playability and collectibility intersect. In Shining Fates, holo rares are visible in multiple print runs and echo a broader desire for distinctive, character-driven cards that capture a moment in the evolving story of the region. While the card’s damage and effects can sway a match, its value as a holo—plus its place in a popular modern set—keeps it relevant in collector discussions. Market data available for this card shows a range of values influenced by condition and printing. Cardmarket data highlights a low end around a few euro cents for base copies, with holo copies tending to sit higher, and TCGPlayer data often placing holo values in a few tenths of a dollar to a few dollars depending on condition and market demand. The current numbers fluctuate, but the trend leans toward steady interest from players who want a reliable, tempo-friendly attacker that doubles as a curiosity in the binder. The card’s expanded-legal status today means it remains a viable card for many decks beyond standard rotations, reinforcing its lasting appeal in the ever-shifting meta. Art and lore fans will appreciate Hideki Ishikawa’s contribution here. The expressive pose and the intensifying gaze capture Thievul’s predatory nature, translating its lore—“stalking its targets and stealing when they least expect it”—into a tangible, strategic asset on the table. The balance between Call for Goons’s deck-search utility and Corner’s debilitating pressure demonstrates thoughtful design: a single card that can shape early tempo, mid-game pressure, and late-game pruning of an opponent’s retreat options. In terms of formal context, the card’s regulatory marks reflect a period in which it’s Expanded-legal but not Standard-legal, highlighting how card design can align with the broader rotation dynamics of the game. For players building modern collections and for those chasing nostalgic favorites, Thievul offers both a practical playstyle and a storied moment in the Shining Fates arc. Phone case with card holder magsafe compatible slim polycarbonate

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