CARD INFORMATION

SUBTYPES:
- Basic
HP: 80
TYPES:
- Water
EVOLVES TO:
- Clawitzer
WEAKNESSES:
- TYPE: Lightning
- VALUE: ×2
RETREATCOST:
- Colorless
- Colorless
RETREAT COST: 2
RARITY: Common
REGULATIONMARK: I

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

NAME: Wave Splash
COST:
- Water
- Water
ENERGY COST: 2
DAMAGE: 50
DETAILS:

MARKET PRICES FOR CLAUNCHER 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	5.00	USD
MID	0.13	USD	TREND
LOW	0.03	USD

Check the latest prices on:

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Clauncher makes its splash in the TCG meta as a Basic Water-type with straightforward mechanics but potential strategic value.

With 80 HP and a simple attack structure, this crustacean Pokémon might appear modest at first glance.

However, its role as an evolutionary stepping stone to Clawitzer warrants closer examination for players seeking to build effective Water-type strategies.

Offensive rating: 3/10

Clauncher offers minimal offensive capabilities with just one attack option.

Wave Splash delivers 50 damage for two Water Energy, resulting in a damage-to-energy ratio of 25 damage per energy.

This output falls significantly below competitive standards for basic Pokémon attackers in the current meta.

The attack lacks any secondary effects that might compensate for its modest damage output - no status conditions, energy disruption, or defensive benefits are provided.

As a standalone attacker, Clauncher cannot efficiently trade favorably with most meta-relevant Pokémon, requiring multiple turns to secure knockouts while likely being eliminated before achieving significant board impact.

Survival rating: 3/10

With 80 HP, Clauncher sits at the lower-middle tier of Basic Pokémon durability.

This HP level makes it vulnerable to being knocked out in a single attack by most established attackers in the format.

Its Lightning weakness compounds this vulnerability against increasingly prevalent Electric-type attackers.

The two-cost retreat requirement further hampers its survivability, potentially stranding it in the active position when you need to pivot.

Clauncher lacks any inherent defensive abilities or effects that might mitigate damage, prevent status conditions, or otherwise extend its longevity on the field.

In practice, Clauncher will rarely survive beyond a single turn when targeted by opponents.

Versatility rating: 2/10

Clauncher suffers from limited versatility due to its singular purpose as an evolution material.

Its lone attack offers no strategic flexibility or utility effects that might enable it to serve multiple roles.

The card lacks any abilities that could provide alternative value while in play or from the discard pile.

Its Water typing does provide some modest matchup advantages against Fire-type Pokémon, but this benefit is overshadowed by its overall limitations.

In a format with diverse attacker options and utility Pokémon, Clauncher struggles to justify its inclusion except as a mandatory evolution piece.

Without supplementary effects like energy acceleration, card draw, or board control mechanics, it remains a one-dimensional card.

Speed/Setup rating: 5/10

Clauncher requires minimal setup as a Basic Pokémon, allowing immediate bench placement upon draw.

However, its primary purpose as an evolution material means your strategy revolves around evolving it as quickly as possible.

The two-energy attack cost creates a moderate speed barrier if you need to attack with Clauncher before evolving.

While searchable through common Basic Pokémon support cards like Quick Ball and Nest Ball, Clauncher offers no inherent consistency mechanics to improve your setup process.

Its value depends entirely on how quickly you can transition to Clawitzer, making it vulnerable to disruption tactics that target evolution strategies.

To maximize Clauncher in competitive play, focus on evolution acceleration and Water-type support.

Cards that speed up evolution, protect Basic Pokémon while they develop, or recover key pieces from the discard pile are essential companions.

Energy acceleration effects are also crucial to power up either Clauncher in a pinch or its evolution form more efficiently.

Perfect Partners examples:

Rare Candy

Bypasses the Clauncher stage entirely to evolve directly into Clawitzer from hand, dramatically accelerating your setup and avoiding the vulnerability of having Clauncher in play for a full turn.

Irida

This Supporter card helps search for both Water Pokémon and Water Energy simultaneously, increasing consistency by ensuring you find both Clauncher and the energy needed to power its attacks.

Capacious Bucket

Accelerates energy attachment by adding two Water Energy cards from your deck to hand, helping overcome Clauncher's relatively high attack cost or preparing energy for its evolution.

Clauncher represents a functional but uninspiring stepping stone in Water-type evolution decks.

Its primary value lies not in its own capabilities but in its potential to evolve into Clawitzer.

The card suffers from mediocre offensive output, limited survivability, and minimal versatility, making it a liability when stranded in play for extended periods.

Players incorporating Clauncher should focus on minimizing its time on the field through evolution acceleration strategies or protective measures.

In the current meta, Clauncher functions best in dedicated Water-type decks with strong evolution support and energy acceleration.

While not completely unplayable, it requires significant deck building concessions to overcome its inherent limitations.

The card serves as a reminder that in competitive Pokémon TCG, the journey to powerful evolved forms often requires weathering the vulnerability of their basic predecessors.