Chien-Pao ex (Special Illustration Rare)
As established, Chien-Pao is the coolest of the Treasures of Ruin, with its ice-spiked sword blade and hilt for teeth, and shards of ice sticking out of its body. As such, it’s by far the most popular card, as my poor 8-year-old can attest to, frantically wanting to pull it, and endlessly disappointed by its price when he tries to buy it. $29 is way too big of a dent into his savings, and far too much for me to even countenance spending on a small piece of card. It’s not like it’s got Mantine or Snorlax on it, for goodness sakes!
Still though, plenty of others are, and it’s the fourth highest priced card of the set as a result. I have to admit to being somewhat underwhelmed by the art. Kodama is a stalwart artist with 75 cards, including one of SV’s adorable Lechonk, that gorgeous Hisuian Samurott V from Crown Zenith, and Brilliant Stars’ adored Trainer Gallery Single Strike Urshifu VMAX
This art just doesn’t hit for me, the Chien-Pao lost in the image, and its face far too comical. Still though, it’s a Basic ex that is getting tournament play thanks to its ease to get into play, and solid skills. It has an Ability that allows you to get two basic Energies into your hand, while its tw0-Energy attack, Hail Blade, can do up to 180 damage. In a deck with Frigibax, Palkia and Bidoof, you can feed it the energy it requires to do real harm.
