Swinub evolves into Piloswine at level 33, and Piloswine then evolves into Mamoswine when leveled up while knowing the move Ancient Power. This three-stage evolution line maintains the Ice/Ground dual typing throughout, making it one of the more consistent evolutionary families in terms of type identity. For collectors, this means tracking cards across three distinct forms, each with its own pool of releases spanning from Generation II’s introduction of Swinub through Generation IV’s addition of Mamoswine. The evolution requirements differ significantly between the main series games and Pokemon GO.
In the mobile game, trainers need 25 Candy to evolve Swinub into Piloswine, then 100 Candy plus a Sinnoh Stone for the final evolution to Mamoswine. This distinction matters for collectors who follow both the TCG and video game metas, as Mamoswine’s competitive viability in either format often drives card prices and demand. This article covers the complete evolution mechanics, the strategic value of each stage, how evolution impacts card collecting, and what to consider when building a collection around this Ice/Ground family. Whether you’re hunting vintage Piloswine cards from the Neo sets or chasing modern Mamoswine pulls, understanding the evolutionary context adds depth to your collecting strategy.
Table of Contents
- How Does Swinub Evolve in the Main Pokemon Games?
- Understanding Mamoswine’s Competitive Impact on Card Value
- Evolution Requirements in Pokemon GO and Their Collecting Parallels
- Building a Complete Swinub Evolution Collection
- Common Pitfalls When Collecting the Swinub Evolution Line
- Swinub Line Appearances Beyond Standard Sets
- The Future of Swinub Evolution Cards
- Conclusion
How Does Swinub Evolve in the Main Pokemon Games?
Swinub, registered as #220 in the National Pokedex, begins its evolutionary journey as a small Ice/Ground type first introduced in Generation II’s Gold and Silver versions. The evolution to Piloswine (#221) occurs straightforwardly at level 33, requiring no special items, locations, or conditions beyond standard leveling. This made Piloswine accessible to most players during the original Johto games, where it served as the final form until Generation IV expanded the line. The evolution to Mamoswine (#473) introduced a more complex requirement when Diamond and Pearl released. Piloswine must know the move Ancient Power and then level up once to trigger the evolution.
Ancient Power is a Rock-type move that Piloswine learns through the Move Reminder or, in some games, via level-up at earlier stages. This requirement created a retroactive evolution for an existing Pokemon, a design approach Game Freak used for several Generation IV evolutions including Tangrowth and Lickilicky. For collectors, this generational split has practical implications. Piloswine cards from Neo Genesis through EX-era sets represent a time when it was the final evolution, often depicted with more prominent artwork and higher stage placement. Post-Diamond and Pearl releases typically position Piloswine as a middle stage, with Mamoswine claiming the spotlight as the evolutionary apex.
Understanding Mamoswine’s Competitive Impact on Card Value
Mamoswine emerged as a competitive powerhouse thanks to its strong Attack stat and access to powerful Ice-type moves. In the video games, it became a staple for Ice-type coverage in both casual and competitive play, particularly valued for its ability to threaten Dragon, Flying, and Ground types. This competitive relevance translates directly to the TCG, where Mamoswine cards with strong attacks or useful abilities tend to command attention. However, not every Mamoswine card carries competitive weight. The TCG’s rotation system means older Mamoswine cards lose tournament legality, and their value shifts from playability to collectibility.
A Mamoswine from the Stormfront set, for example, holds value primarily for nostalgia and set completion rather than deck construction. collectors should distinguish between cards sought for play versus those sought for display, as the pricing dynamics differ substantially. The evolution line’s dual Ice/Ground typing also creates interesting TCG design space. Cards in this family often feature attacks that reference both types, and some sets have explored the mammoth theme with winter or prehistoric aesthetics. Limited print runs or special art treatments on any stage can create value spikes independent of competitive utility.
Evolution Requirements in Pokemon GO and Their Collecting Parallels
pokemon GO’s evolution system requires 25 Candy to transform Swinub into Piloswine, then 100 Candy plus a Sinnoh Stone for Mamoswine. The Sinnoh Stone requirement mirrors the main series’ Ancient Power mechanic by creating a deliberate gate for the final evolution. During Pokemon GO Community Days featuring Swinub, the Candy requirement became trivial, but the Sinnoh Stone remained a limiting factor for newer players. This mobile game dynamic influences the broader Pokemon collecting ecosystem.
Community Day events often coincide with increased interest in related TCG cards, as players engage with the featured Pokemon across multiple platforms. Swinub’s February 2019 Community Day, which granted the exclusive move Ancient Power to evolved Mamoswine, sparked renewed attention toward the entire evolution line in card form. For collectors tracking cross-media value, Pokemon GO’s accessibility means more casual fans recognize Mamoswine as a useful Ice attacker. This broader awareness can support baseline demand for cards featuring the evolution line, even if those collectors never participate in competitive TCG play.
Building a Complete Swinub Evolution Collection
A comprehensive Swinub line collection spans multiple TCG eras, starting with Neo Genesis for Swinub and Piloswine, then jumping to Diamond and Pearl era sets for the first Mamoswine cards. The Stormfront expansion (2008) introduced Mamoswine to the TCG, and subsequent sets have revisited the line with varying frequency. Collectors face a choice between pursuing every printing or focusing on specific categories like first appearances, full arts, or tournament-viable versions. The tradeoff between breadth and depth shapes most collecting approaches.
Chasing every Swinub variant means acquiring common cards from dozens of sets, which builds an impressive display but requires significant storage and modest ongoing investment. Alternatively, focusing on chase cards like Mamoswine V or VSTAR versions concentrates value but leaves gaps in the evolutionary narrative. Neither approach is wrong, but understanding your priorities prevents scattered purchasing. Condition becomes particularly relevant for older Neo-era Piloswine cards, where pack-fresh copies grow scarcer each year. The jump from Lightly Played to Near Mint condition can double or triple prices for vintage cards, making it worth establishing condition standards before committing to a full-line collection.
Common Pitfalls When Collecting the Swinub Evolution Line
One frequent mistake involves overlooking the pre-Mamoswine Piloswine cards. Because Piloswine spent Generations II and III as a final evolution, those era cards sometimes feature more elaborate artwork and holographic treatments than later middle-stage printings. Collectors focused only on chasing Mamoswine may undervalue these historically significant Piloswine releases. Another limitation involves regional and promotional variants. Japanese exclusive printings, tournament promos, and special collection boxes have featured the Swinub line with artwork unavailable in English sets.
Collectors targeting completeness must decide whether their scope includes Japanese releases, which substantially expands both the hunt and the budget. The language barrier and import logistics add complexity that casual collectors may prefer to avoid. Price volatility around new set releases can also trap impatient buyers. When a new Mamoswine card debuts, initial market prices often spike before settling to sustainable levels. Waiting four to six weeks after release typically yields better value, unless the card proves competitively dominant and maintains demand.
Swinub Line Appearances Beyond Standard Sets
The evolution family has appeared in various TCG products outside main expansions. Mamoswine featured in the Platinum: Arceus set’s theme decks, making those sealed products relevant to collectors. Piloswine appeared in the Pokemon League promotional series, creating cards with alternate stamps that completionists seek.
Even Swinub, despite its basic stage status, received promotional treatments through McDonald’s Happy Meal collections in certain regions. These peripheral releases illustrate how a single evolution line can branch across product categories. Sealed theme deck collectors, promo hunters, and international variant specialists might all intersect around the Swinub family, creating diverse demand sources for what initially appears a straightforward Ice-type line.
The Future of Swinub Evolution Cards
As the TCG continues releasing new mechanics like Terastal forms and ex cards, the Swinub line remains a candidate for future spotlight treatment. Ice types often receive winter-themed promotional pushes, and Mamoswine’s distinctive mammoth design lends itself to dramatic artwork. The evolution family’s consistent dual typing and three-stage structure make it reliable design space for set developers needing Ice/Ground representation.
For collectors, this means the Swinub line likely hasn’t seen its final noteworthy printing. Maintaining awareness of upcoming set announcements and special collections helps position collectors to acquire new additions at release pricing rather than chasing aftermarket premiums. The family’s established competitive history in video games suggests continued relevance whenever Game Freak or The Pokemon Company revisits Ice-type themes.
Conclusion
The Swinub evolution line follows a clear path: Swinub evolves into Piloswine at level 33, then Piloswine evolves into Mamoswine when leveled up knowing Ancient Power. This three-stage Ice/Ground family spans from Generation II through Generation IV, creating a collecting scope that touches multiple TCG eras and product types. Understanding these mechanics provides context for why certain cards exist and how their historical positioning affects current market perception.
For collectors, the Swinub line offers accessible entry points through common printings while providing chase potential through vintage Piloswine cards and modern Mamoswine variants. Whether building a complete evolutionary set or focusing on specific highlight cards, the family rewards collectors who understand both the Pokemon’s game mechanics and the TCG’s release history. Starting with clear goals and condition standards will make the collecting journey more satisfying than haphazard accumulation.
