Budew: The Little Sprout That Could (Pokémon TCG)

The Pokémon TCG meta has seen a shake up recently, due to one unlikely little fella that was released in Prismatic Evolutions: Budew. Despite its unassuming appearance, this little sprout has been a menace, becoming a staple in competitive play. The majority of top-tier decks are now running Budew and it's safe to say that this tiny rosebud has blossomed into a meta-defining force.

What does Budew do in the Pokémon TCG

Budew’s strength lies in Itchy Pollen - it’s attack which disrupts opponents by preventing them from playing Item cards on their next turn. This simple yet effective ability makes Budew is a powerful disruptor that can ruin opponents game plans and stall to setup their own board.

Attacks

• Itchy Pollen - 10 damage
  • During your opponents next turn, they can't play any Item cards from their hand.

This attack may seem small in damage, but its effect can be an absolute nuisance, forcing trainers to find alternative ways to search for key cards and set up their plays.

Why Budew is so Effective

Itchy Pollen's effect is the main reason Budew is so effective - but several other traits also add to the strength of this lil’ bud:

• Free Retreat Cost: Allows for easy pivoting into a primary attacker when needed.
• Zero Energy Attack Cost: Itchy Pollen can be used immediately without worrying about energy attachments.
• Basic Pokémon: Budew is easily searchable with item cards like nest ball and buddy-buddy poffin (buddy-buddy poffin works since Budew is a basic Pokemon with less than 70HP and nest ball also allows you to draw Budew due to it being a basic Pokemon).

Versatility

Budew is even more effective when combined with the right tools. Attaching Binding Mochi to Budew significantly boosts its offensive power. If you poison your Budew, it can deal 50 damage while maintaining Item lock - scary!

 

Why Budew is Breaking the Meta

Competitive Pokémon TCG decks often favour running with minimal Pokémon and Energy counts, relying heavily on draw and search cards to find what they need. This is where Budew comes in. By shutting down item cards, it cripples many top-tier decks that rely on Item-based search engines.

With Budew disabling Items, trainers often struggle to find the cards necessary to execute their game plan. This impact is felt in decks that depend on item-based setup mechanics, such as:

• Regidrago Decks:  Without access to Energy Switch, Regidrago VSTAR players have a very difficult time.
• Charizard EX Decks: These decks heavily rely on Rare Candy to quickly evolve Charmander into Charizard EX. 

Budew is frequently used for stalling, giving trainers enough time to set up their game plan while the opponent struggles unable to use items. In some cases, Budew is the centerpiece of dedicated Item Lock Decks, where it plays a similar role to past disruptors like Banette ex and Venomoth.

Additionally, Budew’s blossoming has given previously struggling decks a fighting chance against dominant decks like Regidrago. Many decks that would have been overwhelmed by Regidrago now have a viable counter, allowing for more diverse deck-building in the meta.

Is Budew Refreshing for the Game?

Meta shakeups can be exciting, and Budew’s rise has introduced a fresh dynamic into competitive play. The impact of a single card being able to reshape the entire meta shows how delicate the balance can be in the Pokémon TCG.

However, there are downsides. Item lock strategies can be incredibly frustrating, especially for players who have spent significant time and money crafting their decks, only to be faced with Budew. Being unable to play Item cards significantly reduces player choice and forces decks to deal with the lock rather than executing their own game plan.

Whether Budew is a welcome change or an oppressive force depends on perspective. Some players appreciate the challenge it brings, while others find it stifling. Regardless, one thing is certain - Budew has proven that even the smallest sprout can shake the forest.

Are you looking for new cards to get back on track in this meta? Browse our sealed collection here or find the perfect card to keep Budew in check here.