Fan of Waves
Chilling Reign (CRE 226)

Fan of Waves from the Chilling Reign expansion is a powerful Trainer Item card with the Rapid Strike trait. While it may seem simple at first glance, its ability to disrupt your opponent's energy setup makes it a staple in both competitive play and collector circles. This review will explore its strengths, potential drawbacks, best-use scenarios, market value, and strategic applications so you can decide if it deserves a spot in your Pokémon TCG deck or collection.

Overview of Fan of Waves

Fan of Waves is an Item card, which means you can play as many copies as you like during your turn. Its effect is straightforward: "Put a Special Energy attached to 1 of your opponent's Pokémon on the bottom of their deck." This seemingly modest action can have a significant impact on the flow of a match, especially given the prevalence of Special Energy in many current meta decks.

Positive Aspects of Fan of Waves

• Disruption: The primary strength of Fan of Waves lies in its disruptive potential. Removing a Special Energy from play doesn't just discard it—it sends it to the bottom of the opponent's deck, making it much harder for them to recover that resource quickly.
• Versatility: Because it's an Item card, it fits into virtually any deck without needing to worry about type compatibility or energy requirements.
• Meta Relevance: Many popular decks rely heavily on Special Energy cards for acceleration, protection, or unique effects. Fan of Waves directly counters these strategies, giving you an edge against top-tier opponents.
• Synergy with Control Decks: Decks focused on slowing down or controlling the pace of the game benefit immensely from the ability to repeatedly remove key resources from the opponent’s board.
• Rapid Strike Compatibility: The Rapid Strike tag allows for synergy with cards and abilities that interact specifically with this battle style, opening up further strategic possibilities.
• Non-Supporter Status: Since it’s not a Supporter card, playing Fan of Waves doesn’t use up your one-per-turn Supporter slot, leaving your options open for other powerful plays.

Negative Aspects of Fan of Waves

• Situational Use: If your opponent isn’t running Special Energy, Fan of Waves becomes a dead card in hand. It has no effect on basic Energy cards, limiting its utility in certain matchups.
• No Immediate Board Impact: Unlike some Items that draw cards or deal damage, Fan of Waves offers no direct advancement for your own board state. Its value is entirely in disruption.
• Deck Space: Every card in your deck must justify its inclusion. In formats where Special Energy is less common, Fan of Waves could be considered a luxury rather than a necessity.

When Is Fan of Waves Most Advantageous?

Fan of Waves shines brightest against decks that depend on Special Energy for their core strategy. For example, decks that use Special Energy to provide multiple types at once, grant immunity to effects, or accelerate energy attachment are particularly vulnerable. Using Fan of Waves at a crucial moment—such as after your opponent attaches a vital Special Energy to a key attacker—can completely derail their plans and buy you valuable turns.

It’s also advantageous in mirror matches where both players rely on Special Energy, as well as in control-oriented decks that aim to starve the opponent of resources over time. Even in decks that don’t focus on disruption, a single copy can swing a game if drawn at the right moment.

When Can Fan of Waves Be Detrimental?

The main drawback comes when facing decks that use only basic Energy. In these matchups, Fan of Waves is essentially a wasted draw, offering no benefit and potentially clogging your hand. Additionally, if you draw it late in a game where your opponent has already established their energy base, its impact may be minimal compared to earlier disruption.

Why Add Fan of Waves to Your Deck?

Including Fan of Waves in your deck is a proactive way to address the rising use of Special Energy in the current meta. It gives you a low-cost, high-impact answer to many popular strategies, and its flexibility as an Item card means it rarely conflicts with your overall game plan. For tournament players, even a single copy can serve as a tech choice to improve matchups against specific archetypes. For casual players, it adds another layer of interactivity and unpredictability to games.

Value Analysis: Quality vs. Price

Fan of Waves, particularly in its Rare Secret form from Chilling Reign, commands attention not just for its gameplay impact but also for its collectibility. The secret rare version boasts stunning artwork and a shimmering finish that appeals to collectors and competitive players alike. While its effectiveness is undeniable in the right meta, its price reflects both its utility and its rarity. For those seeking to optimize their deck for tournaments, the regular version offers the same effect at a more accessible entry point, while collectors will appreciate the prestige and desirability of the secret rare edition. Its value is maintained by consistent demand in both play and collecting communities, making it a solid investment for most Pokémon TCG enthusiasts.

Collector Appeal

The secret rare edition of Fan of Waves stands out thanks to its eye-catching gold border and holographic finish. Cards of this rarity are always in demand, especially when they also see competitive play. As a result, Fan of Waves holds a special place in many collections, often being sought after for both its beauty and its practical application. Owning a copy, especially in mint condition, is a point of pride for many collectors and ensures long-term value retention.

Strategic Tips: When and How to Play Fan of Waves

• Early Game Disruption: Use Fan of Waves early to slow down opponents who rely on Special Energy for quick setup. Forcing them to search for replacements can buy you crucial time to develop your board.
• Target Key Pokémon: Wait until your opponent invests Special Energy onto a high-value attacker or support Pokémon. Removing their only source of a particular type or effect can leave them stranded at a pivotal moment.
• Chain with Other Disruption: Combine Fan of Waves with other forms of hand or energy denial for maximum effect. Layering disruption can create insurmountable obstacles for your opponent.
• Adapt to Opponent’s Strategy: If you notice your opponent holding back Special Energy, try to pressure them into playing it before deploying Fan of Waves. Timing is everything; a well-timed play can swing the momentum in your favor.
• Deck Thinning: In slower games, using Fan of Waves even against less critical targets can help thin your deck, increasing the odds of drawing into your win conditions later.

Deck Synergies and Archetype Fit

Fan of Waves integrates seamlessly into a variety of deck archetypes. Control and stall decks naturally benefit from any tool that denies resources to the opponent. Aggro decks can leverage Fan of Waves to disrupt the tempo of opposing setups, allowing them to maintain offensive pressure. In decks featuring the Rapid Strike mechanic, Fan of Waves can synergize with abilities that recycle or search for Rapid Strike cards, increasing consistency and flexibility.

It’s also worth noting that decks with strong draw engines or search capabilities can afford to include situational cards like Fan of Waves, knowing they can access them precisely when needed. The card’s lack of a usage restriction (other than targeting a Pokémon with Special Energy) makes it a versatile tech choice in nearly any build.

Adapting Usage Based on Matchup

Against Special Energy-heavy decks, consider holding Fan of Waves until the opponent commits multiple energies to a key threat. Against decks with minimal Special Energy, you may want to prioritize other options unless you suspect a late-game pivot. Always keep track of how many Special Energy your opponent has used and adjust your timing accordingly. Experienced players will recognize the threat Fan of Waves poses and may try to play around it; being unpredictable with your timing can maximize its impact.

Conclusion

Fan of Waves is more than just a niche tech card—it’s a flexible, impactful tool that can shift the balance of power in many matchups. Its ability to quietly undermine your opponent’s strategy, combined with its accessibility as an Item and its collectibility as a secret rare, make it a standout choice for both players and collectors. Whether you’re looking to gain an edge in competition or add a beautiful piece to your collection, Fan of Waves delivers on both fronts. Consider adding it to your arsenal and experience firsthand the subtle yet powerful disruption it brings to the table.