Spiritomb
Chilling Reign (CRE 103)

Spiritomb from the Chilling Reign set brings a unique twist to the Pokémon TCG, offering both disruptive and tactical power in a single Darkness-type Basic Pokémon. With 70 HP, two distinct attacks, and a rare status, Spiritomb is a card that invites creative deck-building and strategic gameplay. In this review, we’ll dive into its strengths, weaknesses, value, and potential as both a competitive tool and collector’s item.

Card Overview: Spiritomb (Chilling Reign)

• Type: Darkness
• HP: 70
• Stage: Basic
• Attacks: Ghostly Cries (Colorless), Will-O-Wisp (Darkness)
• Weakness: Grass ×2
• Retreat Cost: Colorless
• Rarity: Rare
• Set: Chilling Reign (#103)

In-Depth Review: Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

Spiritomb’s primary strength lies in its Ghostly Cries attack. For just one Colorless Energy, you can place a damage counter on your opponent’s Pokémon for each Pokémon in their discard pile, distributed however you like. This makes Spiritomb a powerful late-game option, especially against decks that cycle through many Pokémon quickly. The ability to spread damage counters can set up multiple knockouts or finish off wounded Pokémon, potentially turning the tide of a match.

The secondary effect—forcing your opponent to shuffle all Pokémon from their discard pile back into their deck if you placed any damage counters—can disrupt strategies that rely on recycling Pokémon or using abilities that interact with the discard pile. This disruption can be crucial against decks that depend on recurring resources or specific combos.

With Will-O-Wisp, Spiritomb offers a simple, reliable attack for 20 damage at the cost of one Darkness Energy. While not overwhelming, it provides a straightforward offensive option when needed, especially against low-HP targets.

As a Basic Pokémon, Spiritomb is easy to include in any deck without prerequisites or evolution chains. Its single Colorless retreat cost also allows for flexible movement on the board, making it less punishing if you need to reposition during play.

Weaknesses

Despite its versatility, Spiritomb has notable drawbacks. Its 70 HP makes it vulnerable to most attacks in the current meta, often being knocked out in a single hit. This fragility means you must time its use carefully, as it won’t withstand sustained pressure.

The effectiveness of Ghostly Cries is heavily dependent on your opponent’s discard pile state. Early in the game, or against decks that don’t cycle many Pokémon, the attack’s impact may be minimal. Additionally, the forced reshuffle of Pokémon from the discard pile can sometimes benefit your opponent, especially if they need to recover key attackers or evolve lines.

Its weakness to Grass can be problematic in certain matchups, particularly against decks featuring powerful Grass-type attackers. Although Grass isn’t always dominant, it’s important to consider regional meta trends before including Spiritomb in your main lineup.

When Is Spiritomb Advantageous?

Spiritomb shines in the mid-to-late game, particularly when facing opponents who have cycled through several Pokémon. Decks that rely on quick knockouts, aggressive trades, or self-discarding mechanics often fill their discard piles rapidly. In these situations, Ghostly Cries becomes a potent tool for spreading damage and setting up multiple prizes in a single turn.

It’s especially useful against decks that utilize abilities or effects from the discard pile, disrupting their resource management and forcing them to adjust their strategy. Spiritomb can also help finish off benched Pokémon that have been previously damaged, maximizing prize efficiency.

When Is Spiritomb Disadvantageous?

Conversely, Spiritomb is less effective early in the game or against control decks that minimize the number of Pokémon in their discard pile. If your opponent manages their resources carefully or avoids overcommitting to the board, Ghostly Cries may offer little value.

Its low HP also makes it a liability if played too soon or left exposed. Opponents with fast, high-damage attackers can easily remove Spiritomb before it has a chance to make an impact. In matchups where Grass types are prevalent, Spiritomb’s weakness can be exploited for easy prizes.

Why Add Spiritomb to Your Deck?

Spiritomb earns its place in decks looking for a flexible, disruptive option that can capitalize on opponents’ discard-heavy strategies. It fits well in decks that prefer to control the pace of the game, punish overextension, or spread damage across the board. Its low energy requirements make it splashable in multi-type decks or those running Darkness and Colorless support.

Including Spiritomb can give you an edge in mirror matches or against popular archetypes that rely on evolving and discarding Pokémon quickly. It also serves as a countermeasure to strategies that recycle Pokémon from the discard pile, adding another layer of disruption to your toolkit.

Value for Collectors and Competitive Players

From a collector’s perspective, Spiritomb’s rarity and inclusion in the Chilling Reign set make it a desirable addition to any collection. The card’s unique artwork and thematic design appeal to fans of the franchise, while its competitive utility ensures steady demand among players.

In terms of quality versus price, Spiritomb offers excellent value. Its effectiveness in specific matchups and ability to disrupt opposing strategies make it a worthwhile investment for competitive players, even if it doesn’t command the highest prices on the market. For collectors, its rarity and set association add long-term value, especially as Chilling Reign ages and sealed product becomes scarcer.

Strategic Tips: When and How to Play Spiritomb

• Timing Is Key: Hold Spiritomb until your opponent’s discard pile is sufficiently filled with Pokémon. Deploying it too early may waste its potential.
• Target Weak Benched Pokémon: Use Ghostly Cries to pick off damaged or low-HP Pokémon on your opponent’s bench, setting up for multiple knockouts.
• Disrupt Recovery Strategies: Against decks that retrieve Pokémon from the discard pile, force them to reshuffle prematurely, breaking their planned sequence.
• Adapt to Your Opponent: If you notice your opponent holding back on discarding Pokémon, consider using Spiritomb as a threat to influence their playstyle.
• Energy Efficiency: Since both attacks require only one Energy, Spiritomb is easy to power up even in tight games or decks with limited energy acceleration.
• Bench Management: Don’t leave Spiritomb exposed for longer than necessary. Retreat it if you anticipate a strong response, or use it as a sacrificial lead to absorb a hit if you’re ahead on prizes.

Synergies with Specific Deck Strategies

Spiritomb’s versatility allows it to slot into various deck archetypes:

• Spread Decks: Combine Spiritomb with Pokémon that deal bench damage or move damage counters to maximize the impact of Ghostly Cries.
• Control Decks: Use Spiritomb to disrupt resource loops and slow down decks that rely on discard pile recursion.
• Single-Prize Builds: In decks focused on trading single-prize Pokémon, Spiritomb helps maintain pressure without risking high-value attackers.
• Darkness-Type Synergy: Benefit from Darkness-specific support cards and abilities to enhance Spiritomb’s survivability and reach.
• Multi-Type Decks: Thanks to its Colorless energy requirement for Ghostly Cries, Spiritomb can be included in hybrid builds without straining your energy base.

Final Thoughts: Should You Play or Collect Spiritomb?

Spiritomb from Chilling Reign stands out as a clever, disruptive Basic Pokémon that rewards timing, foresight, and adaptability. While its low HP and situational power mean it won’t fit every deck or matchup, its potential to swing games and counter specific strategies makes it a valuable asset for competitive players. As a collector’s piece, its rarity and artwork ensure ongoing appeal, especially as the set matures.

If you enjoy decks that reward smart play and can adapt to your opponent’s tactics, Spiritomb deserves a spot in your collection—and maybe even your next tournament build.