CARD INFORMATION

SUBTYPES:
- Stage 1
HP: 100
TYPES:
- Darkness
EVOLVES FROM: Sandile
EVOLVES TO:
- Krookodile
WEAKNESSES:
- TYPE: Grass
- VALUE: ×2
RETREATCOST:
- Colorless
- Colorless
RETREAT COST: 2
RARITY: Illustration Rare
FLAVOR TEXT: They live in groups of a few individuals. Protective membranes shield their eyes from sandstorms.
REGULATIONMARK: I

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

NAME: Tighten Up
COST:
- Darkness
- Colorless
ENERGY COST: 2
DAMAGE: 40
DETAILS: Your opponent discards 2 cards from their hand.

MARKET PRICES FOR KROKOROK 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/12

HIGH	24.99	USD
MID	5.53	USD	TREND
LOW	5.21	USD

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Krokorok from Black Bolt brings an intriguing hand disruption mechanic that tournament players should not overlook.

This Stage 1 Darkness-type bridges the evolutionary gap between Sandile and Krookodile while offering a unique attack that forces your opponent to make tough decisions about their hand resources.

Offensive rating: 7/10

Krokorok's offensive capabilities center around its Tighten Up attack, which deals 40 damage for two energy (one Darkness, one Colorless).

While this damage output is modest by competitive standards, the true value lies in the supplementary effect: forcing your opponent to discard two cards from their hand.

This hand disruption can cripple setup-dependent decks by removing key resources before they can be played.

However, the attack's relatively low damage-to-energy ratio limits its knockout potential against higher HP Pokémon, making it more of a strategic tool than a primary attacker.

Survival rating: 5/10

With just 100 HP, Krokorok falls into the lower-middle range for Stage 1 Pokémon, making it somewhat fragile in the current meta where many attackers can easily reach triple-digit damage.

Its Grass weakness is particularly problematic given the prevalence of Grass-type attackers in many competitive environments.

The two-energy retreat cost is manageable but not ideal, potentially leaving Krokorok stranded in the active position when you need to pivot.

Without any built-in defensive abilities or healing mechanics, Krokorok relies entirely on its modest HP pool to survive attacks.

Versatility rating: 8/10

Krokorok shines in its versatility as a disruptive midgame play.

The hand disruption effect pairs excellently with other hand/deck disruption strategies, making it a solid tech choice in control-oriented decks.

It can function as both a transitional attacker while setting up Krookodile and as a standalone disruptor in decks focused on resource denial.

The combination of Darkness typing and hand disruption gives it good matchups against Psychic decks that typically rely on building large hands.

However, its effectiveness diminishes against decks that operate with minimal hand sizes or can quickly recover their resources.

Speed/Setup rating: 7/10

As a Stage 1 Pokémon, Krokorok requires finding and evolving from Sandile, adding a layer of setup complexity.

The good news is that its attack only requires two energy, making it operational potentially by turn two with the right support.

Darkness-type support cards can expedite this timeline further.

The card benefits significantly from search cards like Ultra Ball, Evolution Incense, or Rare Candy (if aiming for Krookodile).

The main challenge lies in ensuring consistent access to both the evolutionary line and the required energy, which necessitates dedicated deck space for search and energy acceleration.

Krokorok performs best in disruption-focused decks that can maximize its hand pressure effect.

Pairing it with cards that limit your opponent's options while developing your board position creates a frustrating experience for opponents trying to execute their strategy.

Perfect Partners examples:

Marnie

This Supporter card complements Krokorok perfectly by shuffling your opponent's hand and giving them a smaller number of cards, which Krokorok can then further diminish through its attack effect.

Crushing Hammer

Adding energy disruption alongside Krokorok's hand disruption creates a comprehensive control strategy that limits your opponent's ability to both draw cards and play energy.

Dark Patch

Accelerates Darkness energy attachment from your discard pile to your Benched Darkness Pokémon, helping Krokorok reach its attack requirement more quickly and consistently.

Krokorok carves out a specialized niche in the competitive landscape as a disruptive mid-game attacker.

While its 40 damage output won't win any awards, the forced discard effect can significantly impair opponent's strategies, especially when timed correctly.

This card works best as part of a broader disruption strategy rather than as a standalone attacker.

Players should view Krokorok as either a stepping stone to Krookodile or a tactical piece in control-oriented decks.

Its moderate energy requirements and straightforward evolution path make it accessible, though its limited HP and susceptibility to Grass attackers demand careful positioning.

In tournaments, successful Krokorok players will focus on timing its disruptive attack to maximum effect, potentially denying opponents key resources at critical moments rather than relying on raw damage output.