This set will certainly make Pokemon a more enjoyable game, and force players to be more creative.
That new Machamp is pretty potent. It's first attack knocks-out Basics, no frills, for one F. That's scary. Hurricane Punch, combined with the effect of it's Lv. X's attack, reminds me of the good old Giovanni's Machamp, with the Power: Fortitude. Now if only they would reprint Focus Band.
Take a look at Rage: if used by a Machamp Lv. X with 140 damage, it peaks an ridiculously and unnecessarily high 260 damage. Combined with No Guard, it's first attack does 100 for one F Energy, and it auto-KO's any unevolved Pokemon, (including stage 1-2 Pokemon Restored by Garchomp Lv. X, not to mention Mewtwo Lv.X, Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit Lv. X, Shaymin Lv.X, Heatran Lv.X, Darkrai Lv. X, Cresselia Lv. X, Palkia and Dialga Lv. X ). Sigh... just when you thought it was safe for Electric Types.
Maybe the new Gengar can help them out. As I'm sure many have noticed, it combo's nicely with the DP Gengar. First spread damage with this guy, score a few KO's with Shadow Dance, and bring him back out; if your opponent KO's it, it just might KO their Active. It's also great Turn 2, wreaking havoc with Poltergeist while your opponent's hand is still full of Supporters (which, I'm sure, will see an increase in use.) Couple that with the ability to slap a benched Poke with a Power with 60 for just P? Count me in. After this set comes out, you can forget about abusing Poke-Powers for setup. Sorry Claydol(GE)/Gardie(SW).
To top that, both of Gengar's pre-evolutions work great with it. After this set is released, pretend DP Gastly and Haunter don't exist. The new Gastly's first (free) attack prevents your opponent from playing any Trainer Cards. That can mean no Rare Candies for your opponent, from T1-2 on, slowing their set-up down considerably. At the same time, it maximizes the damage of Poltergeist. And, though I'd rather follow up Gastly's attack with a Rare Candy to Gengar then Poltergeist, Haunter's second attack isn't bad either, forcing your opponent to pick up discarded Trainers, Supporters, and Stadiums, adding a maximum of 60 to Poltergeist (your opponent will play at least one of 'em.) Simply put, Gengar is amazing.
Heatran Lv. X might help Magmortar cope with the new Kingdra that's coming. Torrid Wave + Heatran's Body guarantee's 30 between turns on your opponent's active, and it's power negates the discard of Flame Bluster, giving Magmortar another leg up on the Magnezone Lv. X that is expected to shake up the format once LA is released.
There are very few bad cards in this set, if any. Sure, I'd rather play DP Steelix over this one (unless an Unown is released that treats all tails flipped during your turn as heads), but other than that, this set is a huge improvement to the game. And who knows, if a double energy card is re-released (I mean, who wouldn't love to have DCE back >
), Charizard may even become playable (for old time's sake... although he wasn't very playable then either.)
Side-note: I'm not exactly current with the Pokemon handheld games, but to my understanding, Skorupi is a poison type... right? It befuddles me that in this set, Skorupi a Grass-type. Why, if Poison types are now Psychic? Anyone know?
Steelix is like the Rebirth of Marowak d, from DS. Exert Strength is just like Energy Bone! I will DEFANITELY use this card when it comes out! AWESOME in Damage Spread decks!!!
As you all said, Sableye is SO Great!
This Format is going to be AWESOME and have A LOT of options for Arches or Rogues, which is Great for me!!!
I didn't even take the time to notice that. You're definitely right; Steelix is usable, and that damage will add up quickly. The Unown wouldn't hurt though. >
Sableye will be the best starter ever printed. Nix that: Cleffa already has that title. But he's a close second. I mean, it can use any supporter from your deck on the first turn. It's like a Super-Stantler. It's attack isn't too bad either; a late game 40 +10 to a heavily damage Poke can be enough to take it out..
