Claydol 31/101 Reverse Holo Pokémon EX Hidden Legends Raw

Pokémon: Claydol

Series: EX

Set: Hidden Legends

Card Number: 31

Rarity: C

Condition: N/A

Grade: Raw

Year: 2004

Illustrator:  Ken Sugimori

Type: Fighting

The Claydol 31/101 is an Uncommon Fighting-type Stage 1 Pokémon card from EX Hidden Legends, released on June 14, 2004 by The Pokémon Company and illustrated by Ken Sugimori, the foundational designer of the Pokémon franchise whose bold, expressive linework defined the visual identity of the original TCG era. As an 80 HP Pokémon that evolves from Baltoy, it carries a Weakness to Water-type attacks (×2), no Resistance, and a Retreat Cost of one Colorless Energy. The "Reverse Holo" variant is distinguished by the holographic foil being applied to the back of the card rather than the artwork window—a production choice that gives the card a shimmering, iridescent reverse side while the front retains its clean, matte finish, making it a visually distinct chase target for collectors who differentiate between the standard and reverse treatments. Notably, this is one of two distinct Claydol cards in the set, the other being the Holo Rare Psychic-type Claydol (2/101) illustrated by Kyoko Umemoto, making the Fighting-type 31/101 a unique variant within the same expansion.

In terms of decks and strategy, Claydol's two attacks make it one of the most tactically efficient Uncommon Fighting Pokémon in the EX era. Hyper Beam costs one Psychic and one Colorless Energy, deals 20 damage, and requires a coin flip: if heads, the player discards one Energy card attached to the Defending Pokémon—a powerful energy-stripping tool that could cripple over-invested attackers like Metagross ex or Registeel ex by removing their fuel for subsequent attacks. Ram costs two Fighting and one Colorless Energy and deals a flat 50 damage, providing a reliable knockout tool against most 50–60 HP Pokémon of the era. In 2004–2006 competitive formats, Claydol found utility in Fighting-type and hybrid decks as a durable mid-board presence that could either strip opponent Energy for long-game advantage or deliver a consistent 50-damage strike, and its single Colorless Retreat Cost gave it exceptional mobility as a bench presence. Its Water Weakness (×2) made it a natural counter to Water-heavy strategies by incentivizing opponents to keep their Water attackers benched, and its dual-type Energy cost for Hyper Beam made it compatible with Psychic-hybrid decks that could fuel the attack without committing to a full Fighting energy line.

Collectors love the Reverse Holo Claydol for its unique position as one of the most visually distinctive Uncommon cards in the entire EX era, a card whose reverse foil treatment elevates an otherwise common printing into a genuine visual chase that catches light at different angles to reveal a subtle, shifting rainbow pattern no standard printing can replicate. Ken Sugimori's illustration—depicting Claydol in a serene, meditative pose with its stone-like body rendered in warm earth tones and its single, watchful eye gazing forward in his signature bold-outline style—captures the raw, ancient calm of the species in a way that stands out among the more aggressive and dramatic artwork of the set's Holographic Rares like Regice ex, Regirock ex, and Registeel ex. As a Stage 1 that evolves from Baltoy, Claydol occupies a structurally important position within the set's evolution ecosystem, and its permanently fixed supply—combined with over 20 years of natural wear from the population of Hidden Legends cards that were opened, played, and traded in the mid-2000s—ensures that quality raw Reverse Holo copies remain a steady target for both set completionists and players of Unlimited format tournaments who still appreciate the creative energy-stripping mechanics of one of the EX era's most strategically rewarding Fighting-type Pokémon.

Product Details

Card Number / Rarity:31/101 / Uncommon

Card Type / HP / Stage:Fighting / 80 / Stage 1

Attack 1:[1P] Hyper Beam (20)
Flip a coin. If heads, discard 1 Energy attached to the Defending Pokemon.

Attack 2:[2F] Ram (50)

Weakness / Resistance / Retreat Cost:W / None / 1

Stock Image(s) Shown.

All cards are professionally rated for quality assurance.

All cards come sleeved, cards above $5 in value come toploaded.