Alcremie V
Champion's Path (CPA 022)

Alcremie V from the Champion's Path expansion is a Basic Psychic-type Pokémon V card boasting 170 HP and a delightful blend of healing and control mechanics. With its vibrant artwork and unique abilities, Alcremie V has attracted both competitive players and collectors alike. In this review, we’ll explore its strengths, weaknesses, strategic uses, synergy with deck archetypes, and its standing as a collector’s item.

Overview of Alcremie V

Alcremie V features two attacks: Sugary Sprinkles and Sweet Splash. Sugary Sprinkles, for just one Psychic Energy, heals 30 damage from each of your Benched Pokémon—an ability that can quickly shift the momentum in games where bench damage accumulates. Sweet Splash, requiring one Psychic and two Colorless Energies, deals 100 damage and, if the Defending Pokémon is Basic, prevents it from attacking during your opponent’s next turn. This combination of healing and control makes Alcremie V a versatile option for a variety of decks.

Strengths of Alcremie V

1. Healing Utility

The Sugary Sprinkles attack is a standout feature, offering substantial healing across your bench. In metagames where spread damage or snipe attacks are prevalent, being able to heal every Benched Pokémon for 30 damage with a single energy is invaluable. This can disrupt your opponent’s plans, especially against decks that rely on chipping away at multiple targets instead of focusing on a single threat.

2. Control Over Basic Pokémon

Sweet Splash provides solid offensive output while also delivering a strong control effect. By preventing Basic Pokémon from attacking, Alcremie V can stall powerful attackers, buying you precious turns to set up your board or execute your strategy. Considering the prevalence of Basic Pokémon V and VSTAR in competitive play, this effect can be game-changing in the right context.

3. Flexible Energy Requirements

Both attacks have manageable energy costs, with Sweet Splash benefiting from Colorless requirements that allow for flexible deck building. This means Alcremie V can slot into various Psychic-based decks without demanding a heavy investment in specialized energies.

4. Respectable Hit Points

With 170 HP, Alcremie V stands up reasonably well against most non-VMAX threats. While not the bulkiest Basic V, it can survive a hit or two, especially when combined with its own healing or other defensive cards.

Weaknesses and Limitations

1. Metal Weakness

Its x2 weakness to Metal types puts Alcremie V at a disadvantage in matchups against popular Metal attackers. In formats where Metal decks are dominant, this can make Alcremie V a risky inclusion unless you have robust counters.

2. Modest Damage Output

While 100 damage from Sweet Splash is respectable, it may fall short against bulkier Pokémon VMAX or high-HP Stage 2s. Alcremie V is unlikely to serve as your main attacker in most decks, but rather as a support or secondary threat.

3. No Built-in Ability

Unlike some Pokémon V that come with powerful passive abilities, Alcremie V relies entirely on its attacks. This limits its utility outside of actively attacking, making it less versatile than some competitors.

4. Retreat Cost

A retreat cost of two Colorless energy is fairly standard but can become a liability if Alcremie V is targeted by effects that trap it in the Active Spot. Decks should include switching options to mitigate this risk.

Situational Analysis: When to Play Alcremie V

Advantageous Scenarios

• Against Spread Damage Decks: Use Sugary Sprinkles to undo your opponent’s incremental damage and keep your benched Pokémon healthy.
• Facing Basic Attackers: Sweet Splash shines here, locking down opposing Basics and forcing your opponent to adapt their strategy or switch out their Active Pokémon.
• Stalling for Time: If you need to buy a turn to power up a bigger attacker or set up your board, Sweet Splash’s control effect can provide the breathing room you need.

Disadvantageous Scenarios

• Versus Metal Decks: The double weakness is a significant liability, making Alcremie V an easy target for quick knockouts.
• Against High-HP Pokémon: Its damage output may not keep up with VMAX or ex Pokémon, limiting its effectiveness as a primary attacker.
• Ability Lock Formats: While Alcremie V doesn’t rely on abilities, it also doesn’t benefit from them, so if you’re up against decks that punish ability-heavy strategies, Alcremie V remains unaffected, but also doesn’t provide any extra passive value.

Why Add Alcremie V to Your Deck?

Alcremie V is a compelling choice for decks that value board-wide healing and control over opposing Basics. If your local meta features a lot of spread damage or fast Basic attackers, Alcremie V can shore up your defenses and disrupt your opponent’s tempo. It also fits naturally into Psychic decks looking for a secondary attacker or a means to prolong the life of key benched Pokémon. The card’s flexibility, ease of use, and potential for stalling make it a valuable tech card in many scenarios.

Market Value and Collectibility

From a collector’s perspective, Alcremie V’s status as a Rare Holo V from Champion’s Path gives it a solid standing. The set itself is highly sought after, known for its limited print run and desirable chase cards. While Alcremie V may not command the highest prices among V cards, its unique artwork and association with a popular set contribute to steady demand. For competitive players, the card’s value aligns well with its utility—while not a staple in every deck, it offers enough strategic depth to justify its place in both collections and competitive builds.

Strategic Tips and Deck-Building Advice

When and How to Play Alcremie V

• Early Game: Deploy Alcremie V early if you anticipate spread damage, using Sugary Sprinkles to mitigate chip damage before it adds up.
• Mid-to-Late Game: Transition to Sweet Splash once your opponent reveals their main Basic attacker. Timing this attack to lock down a key Basic can swing the game in your favor.
• Bench Management: Keep Alcremie V on the bench until you’re ready to use its healing or control effect, minimizing its exposure to Metal attackers or potential knockouts.

Adapting to Opponent Strategies

• Against Aggro Decks: Use Sweet Splash to disrupt aggressive Basic attackers and slow their momentum.
• Against Control Decks: Rely on Sugary Sprinkles to maintain your bench and deny your opponent easy prizes through spread tactics.
• Switching Tools: Include switching cards to offset Alcremie V’s moderate retreat cost, ensuring you can pivot as needed.

Synergies and Deck Archetypes

Alcremie V works best in Psychic-focused decks that leverage healing and disruption. It pairs well with strategies that prioritize bench protection and resource management. Decks that struggle against spread damage or rely on evolving benched Pokémon benefit greatly from Sugary Sprinkles. Additionally, decks that already include ways to accelerate Psychic Energy can get Alcremie V attacking quickly, maximizing both its healing and control potential. While Alcremie V doesn’t offer direct synergy with specific abilities, it complements decks built around durability and tempo control.

Final Thoughts

Alcremie V offers a unique blend of healing and tactical disruption, making it a versatile addition to many Psychic decks. While it has clear vulnerabilities—most notably to Metal types and high-damage attackers—its strengths shine in the right metagame. Whether you’re a competitive player seeking a flexible tech option or a collector drawn to Champion’s Path, Alcremie V is a card worth considering. Its blend of utility, collectibility, and strategic depth ensures it remains relevant for both players and enthusiasts.

If you’re looking to strengthen your deck’s resilience and enjoy a card with both competitive and collector appeal, don’t overlook Alcremie V. Give it a try in your next build and experience firsthand how its sweet abilities can tip the scales in your favor!