Mawile

Mawile in the games: the Deceiver and its horn-jaws

Mawile's defining feature is the huge set of jaws on the back of its head, which are not a mouth in the usual sense but steel horns that have changed shape. Its small, harmless-looking face is the lure, which is where the Deceiver Pokémon category comes from. It does not evolve.

Introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire as a pure Steel type, Mawile became Steel and Fairy when Generation VI added the Fairy type. Pokémon X and Y also gave it a Mega Evolution: holding a Mawilite, it becomes Mega Mawile, which keeps the same typing and grows a second set of jaws. Its regular abilities are Hyper Cutter and Intimidate, and its hidden ability, Sheer Force, powers up moves that have extra effects by dropping those effects.

Mawile on cards: Sandstorm holo to Mega Mawile ex

Mawile's first card was a Sandstorm holo rare in 2003, illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, who drew it twice more (Holon Phantoms in 2006 and Plasma Freeze in 2013). It appeared only as a regular Basic Pokémon through the EX, Diamond & Pearl and HeartGold & SoulSilver eras before XY promos brought Mawile EX and M Mawile EX to match its new Mega form.

Unified Minds (2019) printed Mawile GX, with ConceptLab art on its full art and secret rare versions. Silver Tempest (2022) went further, with Mawile V, Mawile VSTAR, a secret rare VSTAR by PLANETA Mochizuki and a Trainer Gallery Mawile V by saino misaki. The Mega Evolution set (2025) brought the Mega back as Mega Mawile ex, drawn by aky CG Works, and Ascended Heroes (2026) added an illustration rare by sowsow.

Why collectors follow Mawile

Mawile has no starter or legendary status, yet it has carried four generations of the card game's headline mechanics: EX and Mega EX, GX, V and VSTAR, and Mega ex. Add a Trainer Gallery card and an illustration rare, and a complete Mawile run samples most of the modern rarity ladder through one small Pokémon.

Cards to know

• Mawile (Sandstorm #9)

  Mawile's first card, a 2003 holo rare illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita.

• M Mawile EX (XY Black Star Promos #XY104)

  An XY promo showing Mawile's Mega Evolution, illustrated by 5ban Graphics.

• Mawile GX (Unified Minds #246)

  The secret rare version of Mawile GX, illustrated by ConceptLab.

• Mawile VSTAR (Silver Tempest #200)

  A Sword & Shield era secret rare illustrated by PLANETA Mochizuki.

• Mawile V (Silver Tempest Trainer Gallery #TG17)

  A Trainer Gallery card illustrated by saino misaki.

• Mawile (Ascended Heroes #246)

  An illustration rare drawn by sowsow.