Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

To Claydol or Not to Claydol?

D

Darkrai My Eyes!

New Member
This card has been used in practically every championship-worthy deck after its release. But look at it. Its Poke-Power is the best in the format. What could possibly be wrong with it? Surely this simple Stage 1 card deserves a place in every deck. Or does it? Can Claydol really help, or is it just a sniping target for Blazikens?

Claydol (Great Encounters) http://pokegym.net/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=33234

Firstly, let's look at the HP. A decent 80. A decent 80 that can't survive a Salamence (Secret Wonders) or Blaziken (Great Encounters) snipe. This is a problem. Unown G is commonly attached to Claydol, so that it can't be dragged into active by Luring Flame or inviting trap. It doesn't protect it from Innfernape 4 LV.X and Luxray GL LV.X's Poke-Powers. Its retreat cost is two :colorless:. That is terrible. You will get destroyed before you can retreat. Let's face it, only play this card if you're running a speed deck, or play a few Warp Points.

Salamence SW: http://pokegym.net/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=31866

Blaziken GE: http://pokegym.net/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=33272

Unown G GE: http://pokegym.net/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=33245

Infernape 4 LV.X: http://pokegym.net/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=45558

Luxray GL LV.X: http://pokegym.net/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=45505

Play a few Uxie and some SSUs instead. I rate this card a sorry 7/10. :nonono:
 
If you need continues extra drawpower in a deck, is claydol a good card. in other decks, you can play alternative trics like uxie, porygon 2, trainers, Supporters, ...
 
The fact that Claydol can be KO'd isn't a reason not to play it. Everything can get KO'd.

The Bench isn't a safe place for any card these days.
 
Uxie is a good target for all those cards. The main decks that snipe for 80 are garchomp C and Palkia G which should play crobats. Uxie is just as vulnerable, but it will take longer to level up than evolving Claydol leaving a small normal uxie.
 
Right so your one use Uxies, which are very easy to Power Spray are a better choice? Try those Uxie and SSU in T-Tar, Flychamp or any other draw reliant stage 2 deck and let me know how it does.
 
If you're so scared of it getting sniped, play 4 Bench Shield and 4 Dept. Store Girl. Then you can even easily tech in a Lucky Egg!
 
Magnechu said:
hahahaha, got a good laugh. oh wait, it's not April Fool's Day?
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I third this;)

Unown G for Blaze? It isn't hard.

Claydol has got 100's of things that are good about the card, yet you point out some of the very few things.

If you use Uxie, I can easily think of plenty other things that are bad about that card. Sprayable, Can't call for it etc

Honestly this card doesn't get enough credit for what it's worth.
 
Darkrai My Eyes! said:
I get your point. But Claydol is just SUCH an easy target.
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What do you expect? At 80hp, that's pretty decent. A lot of things can get sniped down at 80hp. They are all easy targets. Claydol's just the likely one to take the hit, cause it's probably the best 80hp card in your bench. :rolleyes:

What else are you going to play instead then? Uxie? That's even worse at 70hp. But then again, since it's a one time use (sorta), it's much lower on the priority list to snipe.
 
After a few turns of cosmic power it shouldnt matter if your Claydol gets sniped. You should be pretty much set up by then anyway.
 
So when your opponent says "Switch your active Pokemon please" like they would with Infernape 4 Lv.X, you throw down your hand and go "Golly gee i guess the ONLY thing I can give you is this terrible Claydol thing!" ? Just wondering.
 
Ya its too bad because it can be sniped from bench with 2 energy discards...
Wait a second, ur opponent discards 2 energy cards to kill some st1 from ur bench, u keep hitting with ur guy and bring anotherone out.

It can be killed so whole draw made by it aint good choise, still with decent supporter draw and Uxies, it's BCIF...
 
Yeah, how the hek would claydol possibly be a bad card? With expert belt he reaches 100 Hp and can hit for 60 for two. Plus pokehealers and potions and you've got a tier 1 deck!

It auto-wins luxray SP decks.
 
Magnechu said:
hahahaha, got a good laugh. oh wait, it's not April Fool's Day?
Click to expand...

I fourth this.

Basically, Claydol can be used every turn, whereas Uxie is 1-off every time, unless you level up (for a Pokedex Handy 910). SSU's may or may not help, given that its a flip effect anyway.
 
The Ralts said:
Yeah, how the hek would claydol possibly be a bad card? With expert belt he reaches 100 Hp and can hit for 60 for two. Plus pokehealers and potions and you've got a tier 1 deck!

It auto-wins luxray SP decks.
Click to expand...


Lol that's awesome. I think Claydol is only sniped because it's one of the best drawpower cards in the game... Stop playing claydol and they'll just snipe other things. So by not playing claydol you're inviting your opponent to hit your other attackers on the bench :lol:
 
Something about having cannons for arms. Its become a staple in most decks, because it improves consistency a lot. Even more so than Uxie because you can use Cosmic Power each turn.
 
claydol is no bigger a target than anything else on the bench at 80HP or less. most stage 1s (that evolve to stage 2s) fit under this, as do most SP pokemon that aren't leveled up.

but you dont extend your logic to say that because the other pokemon (blaze FB, luxray GL, crobat G, etc)all have 80, along with seadra or machoke or vibrava, that they shouldnt also be played- but you dont go for that.
 
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