Funny how one can miss a post in a long thread, even one affirmed by others.
By this line of reasoning, everything is relatively broken and something to gripe about.
Please demonstrate.
It's been mentioned that Pokemon Catcher is effective in eliminating bench sitters from resurfacing in this format, which is good because it adds a level of skill that otherwise was only secured via a coin flip or an opponent's misplay with Warp Point. It's resonable to assume with that level of bench manipulation, there would need to be a safeguard to help protect those gusted pokemon beyond Switch. (DCE)
Pokemon has had very few cards you play from hand on your opponent's turn, and Switch is not one of them. This was why I pointed out Switch only balanced out a card like Pokemon Catcher in a
slower format. Switch and Double Colorless Energy rarely "counter" Pokemon Catcher in a format of OHKOs, especially when those OHKOs can begin first turn and in successful deck should seldom fail to materialize by a player's third turn (which in and of itself is a "slow start").
Double Colorless Energy has many functions, and filling retreat costs is probably the least of them that aren't truly universal (like filling discard costs). If Double Colorless Energy was all about Retreating, why not re-release Warp Energy instead; that does the job of returning an Active Pokemon to the Bench much better. A new Energy that, while attached, lowers that Pokemon's Retreat Cost would also work. Double Colorless Energy was about speeding up the game and the return of an older card (nostalgia).
Is the solution a little "overpowered" in a few instances via the current EXs? Yes it is, to a degree, but not in a way that it doesn't give everyone a fair opportunity to use it as well (since it works with most all of the aforementioned EXs and other rare/holo cards). With HGSS most likely rotating, the DCE would be gone as well had it not been reprinted. But, Catcher would be alive and well with no counter beyond Switch.
Switch is not a counter to Pokemon Catcher in a format of OHKOs, I established this before you posted, and you did not refute it. DCE is even less of a counter than Switch; it is
less effective even in the event a Pokemon is not OHKOed, and it
enables at least some of those OHKOs. Double Colorless Energy, if that is the "solution" you are talking about, is overpowered in most aspects.
For DCE to be balanced, the format must be carefully crafted so that few Pokemon can utilize it for more than Retreating, and those that do
rely on it to be as competitive as those that don't. There is some leeway if certain "counter cards" exist, but that is a delicate balance the game has struggled with its entire life cycle and I do not like to rely on it.
Does it also allow for surprise attacks and speedier KOs? Yes, it does this as well.
Since you insist on repeatedly stating a point your own words, let alone mine, prove false, the
primary purpose of DCE is to enable surprise attacks and speedier KOs; aiding in retreating is pretty much a side effect. That or it is perhaps the worst designed card ever, given that what it was intended to do, it instead does the opposite.
But not in a way that hasn't been seen before. If you take a look at te game-state right now, everything has shifted to something similar to, well, the Base Set of yore. Only, instead of ChanBuzz, we have Mewtwo/Celebi/Tornadus, or we have Eels replacing Rain Dance, and next set the Zoruark varients replacing Clefable/Wigglytuff. The next few sets, like the Neo before them, (re-)introduce Dark as a viable type and Dragon as a new type altogether. We have Catcher (Gust). We have Lost Remover/Crushing Hammer (ER/SER). We have Candy (Breeder). We have juniper (Oak). We have DCE. If I didn't know any better, i'd say JPN is creating a game state the likes of which we haven't seen before since Base. Oh wait, that is what they're trying to do, like they did with the last VG: creating the basic (no pun intended) format that resets the playing field back to square one. From a creative standpoint, it makes more sense for the powered cards to be legendary to give them their overdue 15 minutes in the TCG as opposed to making, say Sawk and Throh the heavy hitters in the game (like 'Chan before them).
Legendary Pokemon have regularly been competitive at different points in the game. This isn't the first time Mewtwo has dominated a format, after all. Many times it has been a "special" version of the card, such as a Pokemon with an owner (Rocket's Zapdos) or a Pokemon ex (Latios ex), but they still had more than 15 minutes of fame. There is a problem with "filler" cards in the game that has often been glossed over because at the time, it wasn't a big deal.
I have made that mistake in my past, of crying "Legendary Pokemon aren't as powerful as they should be!" instead of "Pokemon aren't being well designed!" All fully Evolved Pokemon need to be on more or less equal footing. Should they be identical? By no means! However for years I assumed that I should start with Basics and build up... instead of starting with fully Evolved Pokemon and working my way
down.
Legendary Pokemon were just more visible when it comes to design failure because they are so much more potent in the video games. A "bad" (not useful or even interesting) Basic Pokemon of an Evolution is still a design failure and disappointing, but the full burden of seeing play doesn't rest upon it. If the Evolved form is good enough, the "bad" Basic will see play. If an alternative is presented, the entire line may see play without the "bad" basic Pokemon.
When a fully Evolved Basic Pokemon isn't worth playing... it isn't worth playing. It carries the full burden of getting itself into play, unless a particular combo calls for it and allows it to ride on the coattails of another card (perhaps a "Baby" form or a partner like Solrock/Lunatone). This makes the failure in design more noticeable. When it is a Legendary, it it is simply easier to notice.
If they were truly resetting, shouldn't they "simplify" the game by resetting us back to only one kind of Trainer? Or at least do away with Supporters since by their nature they are simply an Item with additional limits on its usage? No, those changes were made for a reason. I often bring up the push for simplification because I understand it and it is in effect; that doesn't necessarily mean I agree with it.
The return to the "old" feel of the game is about nostalgia and, in some days, mitigating some design choices TPC made in the past and have begun to question. It is by no means a mandate; if tomorrow they decided to print and release a few promos designed to return us to an Evolution dominated format, that isn't either; TPC has flipped on us enough in the past that it appears they either don't have a set idea of how the game should run, change their minds frequently, or just have a hard time maintaining what they want.
Is it the format of everyone's choice? No, of course not. But, instead of constantly posting and letting the wine of sour grapes runneth our cups over, why not just go wth it for now? Or, help/support those around you to go with it right now and sit it out for a bit, waiting to shine with the next set/format?or, at the very least, explain these poins to new players so the understand why and help keep them around instead of constantly discouraging fun and growth by needling at all of this?
I suggest caution. I've presented my arguments, and I confess it is hard sometimes to keep my temper; it is easy to mistake misunderstanding for obstinance or even hostility.
I have endeavored to make my points and support them in a logical fashion, barring where it is a matter of preference. You tried, and I am pretty sure I demonstrated how you failed. Yet I am reminded that perhaps you are correct, and your next post will explain things better... so I went through my responses in this post looking for undue snarkiness.
I am accused of sour grapes and whining when most of my post are about explaining my position. Tell me, what sounds more like sour grapes? Listing one's grievances (real or imagined) or being the person mocking such a person? I make no claim of great contributions to this game, but when I have been able I have happily tried to study and share my learning with others.
You tell me to sit it out and keep quiet, or worse to keep quiet and tell others to do the same
when I believe the game is being handled in correctly and in a manner that will ultimately damage it, or in the best case scenario keep it far from its full potential. It pretty much is my duty to voice my concerns, provided I do so in an appropriate manner.
I am a customer of this game, the same as you. As long as I follow the board rules, I am allowed to air my opinions on the matter. If TPC decides to listen to me, they decide to listen to me. If they listen to you, they decide to listen to you. If they never hear either of us or choose to ignore us, that is their right.
I have witnessed other games decline and had the same arguments made to me; "Be quiet and either get off or enjoy the ride!" Eventually if Pokemon declines to a certain point, I will leave it be. Until then, I will seek to help it improve.
To the point: no, there should never be a ban list adopted in a game where the main idea is to foster growth amoung new/young players. It's confusing and frustrating to limit their or anyone's choices in that sense, and there will always be a counter-measure released a set or two down the road anyway, so just tough it out and do everything can to help those kids/new players tough it out and enjoy the aspects everyone can find middle ground upon.
Since that is my position on a "ban list" for Pokemon I assume you suddenly started addressing someone else here and gave no indicator, or have been lecturing me without knowing who I am (which is no one important, but at least my expressed opinions).
At the end of the day, it's just a game, one meant to be fun and bring people together. if it's your favorite game, then stick with it, 'cause you know it'll be worth it down the road. Also, Mewtwo's only been out two months, so simmer down already.
Again, I am confused: you began by indicating you
were addressing me and now you are talking about other people's opinions.
Just, everyone, please stop complaining and focus on playing the game and having fun. I'm tired of there being nothing but rants and complaints piling up every day. (Sorry this was so long, btw.)
You finally state you are addressing everyone, which lends credence that you were addressing me until this point.
You are sick of the complaining and want to focus on the game and have fun, yet you then add your own rants and complaints to the list? Serious question: what if people are trying to play the game and not having fun due to the current rules and card pool? What if their grievances are
legitimate? I get tired of it myself but I ask that people not start multiple threads over the same issue; you know, basic board rules.
Some of us can discuss our concerns with the game while still playing, enjoying, and discussing the rest of the game as well.