Crobat
Battle Styles (BST 091)

Crobat from the Battle Styles set is a Stage 2 Darkness-type Pokémon card that stands out for its unique blend of draw support and straightforward attacking power. With 130 HP, an ability that boosts your hand, and a solid attack, Crobat is a versatile addition to many decks—especially those seeking consistency and tactical flexibility.

Comprehensive Review of Crobat (Battle Styles)

Card Overview

Crobat (Battle Styles 91/163) is a Rare Holo card featuring:

• Type: Darkness
• Stage: Stage 2 (evolves from Golbat)
• HP: 130
• Ability: Drastic Draw – When you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve one of your Pokémon during your turn, you may draw 3 cards.
• Attack: Wing Attack (Colorless, Colorless) – 100 damage
• Weakness: Fighting ×2
• Rarity: Rare Holo

Strengths of Crobat

• Draw Power: The Drastic Draw ability is the true highlight. Drawing three cards upon evolving can be a game-changer, especially in decks that need to dig for specific resources or recover from a low hand size.
• Flexible Attack Cost: Wing Attack requires only two Colorless Energy, making it easy to fit into multi-type decks or those with flexible energy acceleration. Dealing 100 damage is respectable for a Stage 2 Pokémon that isn’t meant to be the main attacker.
• Consistency Boost: Crobat helps smooth out your deck’s performance by providing extra draw at crucial moments, whether early for setup or late to find that last piece you need.
• Darkness Typing: Being a Darkness-type allows Crobat to slot into decks that benefit from type-specific support, and it can hit certain Psychic-type threats for weakness.

Weaknesses and Limitations

• Stage 2 Evolution: Requiring two evolutions (from Zubat to Golbat, then to Crobat) makes it slower and less consistent than Basic or Stage 1 draw engines. It demands more deck space and setup time, which can be a drawback in fast-paced matches.
• Fighting Weakness: A ×2 weakness to Fighting can be problematic against popular meta decks that use Fighting-type attackers, making Crobat vulnerable in certain matchups.
• Moderate HP: 130 HP is serviceable but not outstanding for a Stage 2 Pokémon. Crobat may not survive long against heavy hitters, so timing its evolution for maximum impact is crucial.
• Attack Utility: While 100 damage is decent, it may fall short against high-HP Pokémon V or VMAX, limiting Crobat’s offensive role.

When Is Crobat Advantageous?

Crobat shines in situations where you need extra draw without relying on Supporter cards or when you want to maintain momentum after setting up your board. It’s particularly useful:

• In decks that can accelerate evolutions or recycle Pokémon from the discard pile.
• During turns where playing a draw Supporter isn’t optimal, letting you conserve your Supporter use for other effects.
• When you’re digging for combo pieces, switching options, or recovery cards.
• Against slower decks, where you have time to set up your evolution line without immediate pressure.

Potential Drawbacks and Disadvantages

There are scenarios where Crobat may be less effective or even detrimental:

• If your deck struggles with evolution consistency or lacks search/retrieval options, getting Crobat into play can be challenging and slow down your overall strategy.
• Against aggressive decks, investing resources into evolving Zubat and Golbat may leave you vulnerable to early knockouts.
• Its attack may not provide enough pressure against bulky opponents, relegating Crobat mostly to a support role.

Reasons to Add Crobat to Your Deck

The primary motivation for including Crobat is to enhance deck consistency and hand management. If your strategy relies on finding key cards at the right moment, Crobat’s ability can make those clutch draws possible. It’s also a strong option for decks that can recycle Pokémon or have synergy with Darkness-types.

Value Analysis: Playability vs. Collectibility

From a value perspective, Crobat offers a good balance between playability and collector appeal. Its effect is unique enough to warrant inclusion in certain competitive decks, especially in formats where draw power is at a premium. As a Rare Holo from the Battle Styles set, it has moderate collectibility—especially for fans of Darkness-type Pokémon or those aiming to complete the set. Demand remains steady due to its utility, though its value is tied more to gameplay than rarity or historical significance.

Strategic Tips and Usage Advice

• Timing the Evolution: Maximize Drastic Draw by evolving Crobat when your hand is low or when you need to dig for answers. Avoid evolving too early if your hand is already full, as this wastes the potential of the ability.
• Bench Management: Since Crobat is likely to be targeted by Fighting-types, consider bench protection strategies or evolving only when necessary to minimize risk.
• Energy Flexibility: Use Crobat’s low Colorless energy requirement to your advantage, pairing it with decks that utilize various energy types or acceleration methods.
• Supporter Synergy: Plan your turn so that you can use Crobat’s ability and still play a powerful Supporter card, giving you a double boost to card draw or setup.
• Resource Recycling: In decks that can retrieve Pokémon from the discard pile, Crobat can be re-used for multiple Drastic Draw activations throughout a game.

Deck Synergies and Compatibility

Crobat fits best in decks with:

• Evolution Acceleration: Strategies that quickly evolve Pokémon or search out pieces of the Zubat line increase Crobat’s reliability and effectiveness.
• Darkness-Type Focus: Decks leveraging Darkness-type synergies benefit from Crobat’s typing, opening up additional support options.
• Hand Size Management: If your deck regularly runs low on cards or needs to cycle through the deck quickly, Crobat’s ability becomes even more valuable.
• Bench Utility: Crobat can serve as a secondary attacker or pivot, especially in decks that need to keep options open on the bench.

Adapting Crobat Against Different Opponents

How you use Crobat may shift depending on your matchup:

• Against Aggro Decks: Be cautious about over-committing to the evolution line. Only evolve Crobat when you can protect it or when the card draw is absolutely necessary.
• Versus Control/Stall Decks: Crobat’s draw can help you break through disruption and find counter cards more reliably.
• Facing Fighting-Type Threats: Try to keep Crobat off the field until you’ve dealt with major threats, or use it as a one-turn solution to dig for answers before it’s potentially knocked out.

Final Thoughts

Crobat from Battle Styles is a well-rounded card that rewards thoughtful play and careful deck construction. Its ability to offer draw support outside the typical Supporter system gives it a unique place in the metagame, while its attack provides a backup offensive option. Whether you’re building a Darkness-type deck or simply looking for reliable draw, Crobat deserves your attention both as a player and a collector.

Ready to add some consistency and tactical depth to your next Pokémon TCG deck? Don’t overlook what Crobat brings to the table!