2011-12-13 NV Virizion 013/097

[waynegg]

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2011-12-13 NV Virizion 013/097

[Jason]

Where's my other Virizion card, I find that artwork really good. Eitherways, nice stats all around but the attack is just kinda weak. 8/10

[MegaVelocibot]

Why is Virizion in my deck? What is it trying to accomplish when put into play?
Virizion tries to act primarily as a set-up Pokemon, secondarily as a Grass-type attacker for low Energy costs. Its low Retreat Cost of 1 (the same amount of Energy it needs to use its first attack), high HP, and ability to also attack help support this role. It does, however, need time to get into motion with its second attack

Can anything do that thing better than Virizion can?
Cleffa can shuffle your hand into your deck and draw 6 for no Energy, and also act as a wall if it remains Asleep (thanks to Sweet Sleeping Face). However, it is only randomly effective at remaining Asleep when you want it to, and waking up when you don't. Manaphy hand-shuffles and draws 5, and has a free Retreat Cost, but sometimes you just want more cards, and not different cards. Aipom has Imitate, which lets you draw up to the number of cards in your opponent's hand, but suffers from low HP. Dunsparce UL allows you to draw cards until you have 6 in hand and also does 10 damage; look to reviews of Bianca for the negative aspects of this attack. Farfetch'd HS allows you to either draw two cards, or do 20 damage and switch to a Benched Pokemon, but shares Aipom's 60 HP problem. It usually ends up being more efficient to either attach another Energy to Virizion and attack with it, using its naturally high HP to take the attacks, than it is to do less damage and use a built-in Switch for the attack. Misdreavus UD/CoL makes both players draw 3 cards, but is dependent on Psychic Energy in order to use the attack, and usually you will not want your opponent to draw cards. Plusle UL draws two cards, but shares the low HP problem and has an inferior second attack. Finally, Togepi UD can either do 20 damage or draw 2 cards, but is entirely dependent on what your opponent chooses, as well as Togepi's low 40 HP.

Does Eviolite need to rely on anything else being in play to work?
The Pokemon Eviolite is attached to must be a Basic Pokemon (no Pokemon LEGEND in this club) and Trainer-lock (Vileplume UD, opponent's Gothitelle EP while Active) must not be in play. Virizion is therefore the easiest Pokemon to set up in order to draw 2+ cards as part of an attack (minimum cost of 2 deck slots, Virizion + Energy card) for the amount of HP it has, without having to shuffle your hand in.

If so, do I have cards in my deck that help get the cards I need out of my deck, so I am ready when I want to play Virizion? If not, can I either stop my opponent before they can stop me, or include something in my deck that helps me win against a deck that stops Virizion?
No cards currently prevent you from drawing cards. Virizion is relatively simple to get out of your deck, either by just running large numbers or by using cards such as Pokemon Collector that help search it out of your deck. However, its second attack, Leaf Wallop, can be interrupted by remaining Asleep, becoming Paralyzed, or attacking yourself when Confused. Switch cannot be used to relieve these Special Conditions AND still allow you to retain the effect of Leaf Wallop. Amusingly, only Full Heal, a card generally considered terrible/inferior, can save you from these statuses. However, be aware that Trainer-lock (Vileplume UD, Gothitelle EP when active) can prevent you from using this.

If my opponent prevents me from playing Virizion, can I still play using my strategy?
Other than Ditto TM, nothing will prevent you from Benching Virizion. If you are uncomfortable with your opponent potentially using a combination of Trainer-lock and Special Conditions to prevent attacking, be sure to set up a secondary attacker. (Actually, I would say to make sure to use a primary attacker, as I would not make Virizion's second attack the only focus of a deck.)

Overall opinion:
A solid Basic Pokemon for drawing, the only things Virizion needs to be wary of is the rampant use of Pokemon that do 110+ (usually 120+ or 130+ to target Zekrom/Reshiram), as well as the popularity of Fire Pokemon (primarily the Reshiram/Typhlosion Prime combo). With the increased popularity of Kyurem to counter Reshiram and its fiery friends, Virizion might help protect itself when active, but be mindful of Glaciate, which will hit your Bench for the full 30 (getting past Virizion's Water resistance). The main question to keep in mind when considering it for your deck should be, "do I want to use my attack for the turn to draw two cards?" If so, Virizion is probably your answer to a "yes".

[PokemonJon]

I'll give it a 7/10 because it's the main Pokemon in six corners.

[nikcamp2]

In six corners- 8/10

Anything else- 5/10

Alright card, not terrible.

[David's Confused Pokedad]

This card went in a deck my son played with Vileplume Dudrio and Haxorus with a fliptini tech. It helped him win a few games but then he went a separate way . So 8/10 for now.

[psychicpokemon]

it's not half bad ;D (of course a draw engine is all it's gonna be able to do unless you have a grass deck in hand) 7/10 I repeat not bad (it can survive a T1 Tornadus yays!)

[ShiftingSky]

7/10 Would Not be a bad card at all in Current decks if Reshirem were not present.

[Regis_Neo]

Today's CotD is Virizion from NV...well it's ok I guess. Statwise 110 HP is great for a Basic, x2 Weakness to is meh, -20 Resistance to is helpful, and to Retreat is cheap. Double Draw is simple enough for , grabbing you 2 free cards and aiding in setting up. Leaf Wallop has some potential, 40 for is about average, and each subsequent Leaf Wallop hits for 80, making it fairly powerful. So eh, if it weren't for the bad Weakness, probably be a lot more nifty...

Modified - 6/10 (It's playable and useful, but eh...just a bad environment at the moment)
Limited - 10/10 (I'd play it solely for Double Draw, though you should include some so you can also take advantage of Leaf Wallop)
Unlimited - 1/10 (Not much use here, better Pokemon to use)

[dialga master]

Good resistance
mediocre HP
good attacks

8.7899878/10