You're at the local card shop or scrolling through TCGPlayer, and you see it. The Great Tusk ex Tin. It’s bulky, colorful, and features that prehistoric, Paradox version of Donphan staring you down with those angry red eyes. But if you’re like most players or collectors right now, you’re probably wondering if this is a "buy on sight" situation or something you should just leave on the shelf to collect dust. Honestly? It depends entirely on whether you’re looking for a competitive edge or just chasing that dopamine hit from ripping packs.
Paradox Pokémon changed the game when Scarlet & Violet—Temporal Forces and Paradox Rift dropped. Great Tusk ex is one of those cards that looks terrifying on paper. It's got massive HP. It hits like a truck. But in the actual meta? Things get a little more complicated.
The Great Tusk ex Tin isn't just about the promo card, though. It's a bundle. You're getting the guaranteed Ancient Pokémon, but you're also gambling on the booster packs shoved inside. Let’s break down what’s actually happening under the lid of this tin and whether the "ex" era of tins is living up to the hype.
What’s Actually Inside the Great Tusk ex Tin?
If you pick up one of these, you aren't just getting the Great Tusk. Usually, these "window" tins—the ones where you can see the card through the plastic—follow a very specific formula. You’re looking at a foil promo card of Great Tusk ex, which carries the "Ancient" trait. This is huge for certain deck archetypes that rely on Professor Sada’s Vitality for energy acceleration.
Inside the tin, you’ll typically find four to five booster packs. Now, here is where it gets tricky. Pokémon International loves to mix these up. You might get a couple of packs of Paradox Rift, maybe a Temporal Forces, and often a "filler" pack from an older set like Scarlet & Violet base or Paldea Evolved.
Don't expect Evolving Skies. Those days are over.
You also get a code card for Pokémon TCG Live. For the digital grinders, this is actually one of the best ways to port a high-HP tank into your online library without burning through your crafting credits. The tin itself? It's metal. It's sturdy. It’s great for holding your bulk Commons or those Poison/Burn markers that always seem to go missing during a tournament.
📖 Related: The Dead Island 2 OST and Why It Actually Sounds Like a Sun-Drenched Nightmare
Is Great Tusk ex Actually Good in the Current Meta?
Let's talk shop. If you’re playing at a League Challenge or even just at your kitchen table, you need to know if Great Tusk ex is a liability.
Great Tusk ex is a Fighting-type powerhouse. Its primary appeal is its massive 250 HP. For a Basic Pokémon, that’s a lot of bulk to chew through. Its attacks usually revolve around high damage output with a drawback. For instance, the "Great Bash" attack often ignores effects on the opponent's Active Pokémon. This is a godsend when you're facing down something annoying like Mimikyu with the "Safeguard" ability that usually blocks ex Pokémon.
But it’s not all sunshine.
The retreat cost is heavy. Like, really heavy. If Great Tusk gets stuck in the Active spot without energy, you’re basically a sitting duck. You need to run cards like Jet Energy or Switch Cart to keep your momentum. Most top-tier players are currently leaning more toward Iron Valiant or Charizard ex, meaning Great Tusk ex often finds itself in "Tier 2" territory. It’s a "rogue" deck choice. It can win, but you have to work twice as hard as the guy playing the meta-dominant deck.
The Collector’s Perspective: To Open or to Hold?
Collectors have a different set of rules. You aren't worried about Retreat Costs; you’re worried about centering and "The Big Hit."
📖 Related: Why the Gold Flora Hairpin in Black Myth Wukong is Actually Worth the Grind
The Great Tusk ex promo in this tin features unique artwork that you can't just pull from a standard booster box. While it isn't a "Special Illustration Rare" (SIR) in terms of value, it’s a solid addition to a master set.
Should you keep the tin sealed?
Probably not. Unlike the old Hidden Fates tins or the Eeveelution tins from the Sword & Shield era, these modern Scarlet & Violet tins haven't shown massive price appreciation yet. The print runs are significant. Unless you have a specific goal of keeping a "sealed display," you're better off opening it and enjoying the packs. There is a certain "new car smell" to opening a fresh tin that a single blister pack just doesn't provide.
Why the "Ancient" Tag Matters for Your Strategy
If you decide to build a deck around the card from the Great Tusk ex Tin, you need to understand the Ancient synergy. This isn't just a label; it’s a mechanic.
Cards like Ancient Booster Energy Capsule can give Great Tusk an extra 60 HP and remove all Special Conditions. Suddenly, your 250 HP beast becomes a 310 HP monster. That puts it out of reach for a one-hit KO from most standard attackers.
Pairing Great Tusk with Koraidon (the Ancient one) and Roaring Moon creates a deck that scales. You use Professor Sada's Vitality to attach energy from the discard pile to two of your Ancient Pokémon and draw cards simultaneously. It’s fast. It’s aggressive. It feels like playing a primal version of the game where you just smash things until they break.
Common Misconceptions About the Great Tusk ex Tin
People often think every tin contains the same packs. They don't. Pokémon often does "print waves." A Great Tusk tin bought at launch might have different packs than one found in a discount bin at a big-box retailer a year later.
Another mistake? Thinking the promo card is worthless. While it's true that "guaranteed" cards usually have lower resale value than "secret rares," these promos are often the backbone of budget-friendly competitive decks. If you're a parent buying this for a kid, or a student on a budget, this tin is a goldmine because it guarantees a "powerful" card without needing to get lucky.
How to Get the Most Value From Your Purchase
To really make the Great Tusk ex Tin worth it, you have to be smart.
- Check the Seal: Ensure the plastic wrap is tight and has the official Pokémon logo. Resealed products are a nightmare in the TCG world.
- Scan the Promo: Check the centering of the Great Tusk card through the window. If it looks tilted or has white nicks on the edges, grab a different one from the stack.
- Use the Code: Don't let the TCG Live code go to waste. Even if you don't play online, you can trade these codes or give them to a friend.
- Organize the Tin: Once emptied, use the tin to store your "Energy" cards. It fits them perfectly and keeps your desk from looking like a disaster zone.
The Reality of Pull Rates in Tins
Let's be real for a second. Tins are notorious for being "hit or miss." Some people swear that tins have "buffed" pull rates, while others think they're "seeded" with nothing but non-holo rares.
👉 See also: Super Mario Odyssey Bowser: Why This Version of the King of Koopas Hits Different
The truth is boring: it’s totally random.
The packs inside the Great Tusk ex Tin are the same packs you find in a booster box. Your odds of pulling an Illustration Rare or a Gold card are the same. The "value" comes from the tin itself and the promo. If you pull a $50 card from one of the packs, that’s just the universe smiling on you. Don't go in expecting it. Go in expecting a cool promo and a fun afternoon of opening cards.
Final Verdict on the Great Tusk ex Tin
If you’re a fan of the Paradox Pokémon or you’re trying to build a dedicated Ancient-type deck, the Great Tusk ex Tin is a solid B+ purchase. It’s not a "must-have" like a Premium Collection, but it’s a reliable, sturdy product that delivers exactly what it promises.
For those looking to flip cards for a profit, this isn't it. The margins are too thin. But for the player who wants a heavy-hitting Fighting type that can ignore abilities and soak up damage, Great Tusk is your guy.
Next Steps for Players:
Grab the tin, sleeve up that Great Tusk ex immediately, and start looking for Professor Sada's Vitality cards in your bulk. You’ll want at least four of those supporters to make this card viable. If you're more into the collecting side, keep the empty tin as a display piece—it looks killer on a shelf next to the Iron Treads version.