CARD INFORMATION

SUBTYPES:
- Basic
HP: 70
TYPES:
- Lightning
EVOLVES TO:
- Heliolisk
WEAKNESSES:
- TYPE: Fighting
- VALUE: ×2
RETREATCOST:
- Colorless
RETREAT COST: 1
RARITY: Illustration Rare
REGULATIONMARK: I

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

NAME: Double Scratch
COST:
- Colorless
ENERGY COST: 1
DAMAGE: 10×
DETAILS: Flip 2 coins. This attack does 10 damage for each heads.

MARKET PRICES FOR HELIOPTILE 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	49.99	USD
MID	7.00	USD	TREND
LOW	4.84	USD

Check the latest prices on:

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Helioptile enters the TCG arena as a modest Lightning-type Basic Pokémon with potential beyond its initial impression.

This 70 HP generator lizard serves as the gateway to its evolution, Heliolisk, while offering a simple yet unpredictable attack that can occasionally surprise opponents.

Let's break down whether this sun-basking Electric type deserves a spot in your competitive lineup.

Offensive rating: 3/10

Helioptile's offensive capabilities are limited by its single attack, Double Scratch.

Costing just one Colorless energy, this move flips two coins and deals 10 damage per heads.

At best, you're looking at 20 damage for one energy, which is actually decent efficiency for a basic Pokémon.

However, the coin flip mechanic introduces significant inconsistency - you could just as easily do zero damage.

The attack's Colorless requirement provides flexibility in any deck, but without modifiers or special effects, Double Scratch lacks the punch needed to threaten opponents in the current meta.

This attack primarily serves as a placeholder until you can evolve into Heliolisk.

Survival rating: 3/10

With just 70 HP, Helioptile falls on the lower end of durability even for a Basic Pokémon.

This modest health pool makes it vulnerable to being knocked out in a single hit by most competitive attackers.

Its Fighting weakness compounds this vulnerability in a meta where Fighting-type Pokémon frequently appear.

The single retreat cost is manageable, allowing for reasonable battlefield mobility without excessive resource commitment.

However, Helioptile lacks any defensive abilities, resistances, or protective effects that might extend its longevity.

Its primary survival strategy is to evolve quickly before opponents can target it, as it simply cannot withstand sustained attention on the battlefield.

Versatility rating: 3/10

Helioptile offers limited versatility in competitive play.

Its single attack with a coin-flip mechanic doesn't provide reliable damage output or utility effects.

The card's main value comes from its role as an evolution stepping stone to Heliolisk, which may offer more strategic options.

The Colorless energy requirement for its attack does provide some deck-building flexibility, allowing it to fit into various energy configurations.

However, without any abilities or secondary effects, Helioptile struggles to adapt to different matchups or perform multiple roles beyond being evolution fodder.

In specialized Lightning decks, it may find more purpose, but its overall adaptability across the competitive landscape remains quite restricted.

Speed/Setup rating: 8/10

Helioptile earns points for its minimal setup requirements.

As a Basic Pokémon requiring just one Colorless energy to attack, it can hit the ground running immediately.

This accessibility allows it to function as an emergency attacker in pinch situations.

Its single retreat cost also means you can easily pivot away from it when better options become available.

The evolution path to Heliolisk is straightforward, though you'll need the evolution card in hand to maximize Helioptile's potential.

With standard search cards like Quick Ball, Nest Ball, or Ultra Ball, finding Helioptile is rarely an issue.

The card's true limitation is that while quick to deploy, its immediate impact remains modest.

To unlock Helioptile's full potential, you'll need cards that either enhance its evolution strategy or boost its limited attacking capabilities.

Evolution accelerators and damage modifiers are essential, while energy acceleration can help transition quickly to its evolved form.

Perfect Partners examples:

Heliolisk

The obvious evolution partner that transforms Helioptile from a weak attacker to a potentially formidable threat, depending on the specific Heliolisk variant in your deck. Without this evolution, Helioptile has limited competitive value.

Rare Candy

Allows you to skip directly to Heliolisk from Helioptile, assuming Helioptile has been in play for a turn. This acceleration can be crucial in keeping pace with faster decks in the current meta.

Electropower

This Trainer card adds 30 damage to attacks from Lightning Pokémon, potentially transforming Helioptile's inconsistent Double Scratch into a more respectable attack that could actually threaten smaller Pokémon.

Helioptile represents a classic first-stage evolution card with modest standalone capabilities but potential as part of an evolution strategy.

Its strengths lie in immediate playability and low energy requirements, making it accessible in various deck configurations.

However, its low HP, inconsistent damage output, and lack of abilities significantly limit its competitive viability as a standalone attacker.

In tournament play, Helioptile functions best as a quick bridge to its evolution rather than a card you'd expect to deal meaningful damage.

Players should protect it on the bench while preparing to evolve, using its Double Scratch only in emergency situations.

For casual players, Helioptile offers an entry-level option for Lightning decks, but serious competitors will view it primarily as a stepping stone to more impactful cards rather than a key strategic piece.