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CARD INFORMATION

  • SUBTYPES:
    • Stage 1
  • HP: 140
  • TYPES:
    • Fire
  • EVOLVES FROM: Darumaka
  • WEAKNESSES:
    • TYPE: Water
    • VALUE: ×2
  • RETREATCOST:
    • Colorless
    • Colorless
  • RETREAT COST: 2
  • RARITY: Uncommon
  • FLAVOR TEXT: Its internal fire burns at 2,500° F, making enough power that it can destroy a dump truck with one punch.
  • REGULATIONMARK: I

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

  • NAME: Searing Flame
  • COST:
    • Fire
    • Colorless
  • ENERGY COST: 2
  • DAMAGE: 50
  • DETAILS: Your opponent's Active Pokémon is now Burned.
  • NAME: Smashing Headbutt
  • COST:
    • Fire
    • Colorless
    • Colorless
    • Colorless
  • ENERGY COST: 4
  • DAMAGE: 180
  • DETAILS: Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon.

MARKET PRICES FOR DARMANITAN 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/12
HIGH

4.99

USD
MID

0.11

USDTREND
LOW

0.06

USD

Check the latest prices on:
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Darmanitan emerges as a fiery contender in the Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt set, bringing significant damage potential and burn effects to the battlefield.

This Stage 1 Fire-type Pokémon blends consistent damage output with status condition advantages that can swing matches in your favor when deployed strategically.




Offensive Score Image Offensive rating: 8/10

Darmanitan packs a dual attack arsenal with distinct strategic value.

Searing Flame offers an efficient 50 damage for just two energy while automatically burning the opponent - a consistent 20 damage between turns that bypasses resistance.

The real power comes from Smashing Headbutt, delivering a massive 180 damage that KOs many popular Pokémon.

While the four energy cost and requirement to discard two energy afterward is steep, this attack reaches an impressive damage-per-energy ratio when calculated across multiple turns.

The burn effect provides reliable chip damage that adds up throughout a match, making even its lower-cost attack a viable offensive option against many meta matchups.




Survival Score Image Survival rating: 6/10

With 140 HP, Darmanitan sits in the middle range for Stage 1 Pokémon - decent but not exceptional.

Its Water weakness is problematic in metas where Water types are prevalent, potentially allowing for easy one-hit knockouts from Water attackers.

The two-energy retreat cost is manageable but not ideal, sometimes forcing you to commit resources to switch it out when threatened.

Darmanitan offers no inherent defensive abilities or HP-boosting mechanisms, making it vulnerable to the current meta's high-damage attackers.

Its survival potential relies entirely on its raw HP stat and any external support cards you pair it with, limiting its defensive capabilities in extended exchanges.




Versatility Score Image Versatility rating: 7/10

Darmanitan demonstrates moderate versatility through its dual-purpose attack strategy.

Searing Flame provides an efficient option for energy conservation while applying continuous pressure via burn status.

This gives it utility against decks relying on low-HP Pokémon or when energy resources are limited.

Smashing Headbutt allows it to function as a heavy hitter when needed.

However, its versatility is constrained by its single typing and lack of ability.

Being locked into Fire-type attacks limits its matchup spread, particularly against Water types.

The absence of an ability that might provide additional utility functions or synergies with other cards further narrows its strategic applications in diverse deck archetypes.




setup Score Image Speed/Setup rating: 6/10

As a Stage 1 Pokémon, Darmanitan requires finding and playing its Darumaka pre-evolution first, adding a consistency hurdle.

Its energy demands are substantial - particularly for Smashing Headbutt which needs four energy to execute.

The discard requirement further complicates matters, necessitating energy acceleration or recovery strategies to maintain attack pressure over multiple turns.

While Searing Flame offers a more accessible early-game option at just two energy, the deck will still need reliable energy attachment mechanisms to reach Darmanitan's full potential.

Rare Candy can help bypass the evolution step, but the energy requirements remain a significant setup challenge that limits its speed compared to more efficient attackers.




To maximize Darmanitan's effectiveness, pair it with energy acceleration cards that can power up Smashing Headbutt quickly and compensate for the energy discard cost.

Cards that enhance burn damage or capitalize on status conditions provide excellent synergy.

Consider defensive tools to mitigate its relatively modest HP and cards that improve consistency for finding its evolution line.

Perfect Partners examples:

This Stadium card accelerates Fire energy attachment, helping Darmanitan reach its powerful Smashing Headbutt attack faster and recover from its energy discard effect by allowing additional energy attachments per turn.

Its Explosive Fire ability can accelerate multiple Fire energy onto your Pokémon, dramatically reducing Darmanitan's setup time and compensating for energy discards after using Smashing Headbutt.

Its Energy Loop ability allows you to recover discarded energy, creating a sustainable energy cycle that enables Darmanitan to repeatedly use its powerful Smashing Headbutt attack without depleting resources.




Darmanitan offers a strategic blend of consistent damage output and status effect pressure that can work well in the right deck construction.

Its greatest strength lies in the flexibility between efficient burn application and high-damage output, allowing tactical adaptation during matches.

However, its success hinges on addressing key limitations - particularly its substantial energy requirements and modest defensive profile.

When supported by proper energy acceleration and protective measures, Darmanitan can serve as a potent attacker that applies continuous pressure through both direct damage and burn effects.

While not a meta-defining powerhouse, it provides a solid option for Fire-type strategies, especially in environments where its 180-damage ceiling and automatic burn application can exploit popular matchups.

With thoughtful deck construction focused on consistency and energy management, Darmanitan can certainly heat up the competition.



POWER INDEX

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62

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