I think the gradual increase in card strength we see is intentional. That way, each time a new set comes out, the cards are in higher demand because they are generally stronger than previous sets. (I'm well aware that there are exceptions to this pattern, but if you look at the pattern from RS on it just seems like the Pokemon's HP go up, and the amount of energy they need require goes down.)
I will admit I am not too happy with this format. It is my least favorite modified format. There are two BIG problems with the current format IMO:
1) Turn one/two wins.
It took Pokemon about 8 years to nearly remove these from the game. In our first modified format, we limited trainers to 15, which helped, but overall, most people agree it was a boring format. (This was Prop15/3 held by WotC at the ECSTS in 2000.) Then, we had our first rotations and modified formats: Team Rocket to Neo Genesis made turn one/two wins fairly difficult, which was a nice change in pace. It was the addition of supporters that really did it, though. Removing player's abilities to go through their deck made turn one and two wins very difficult. From the RS on format, turn one wins weren't very popular. It seems like Pokemon finally adjusted their rules and created a format everyone liked. But then, Crobat G and Poké Turn come out, Stage Twos that do 60 for a single energy and OHKO a basic for a single energy come out, and voila - I feel like we're back in the stone age. It frustrates me because I feel like they were always trying to "fix" the game to remove or at least reduce those Turn 1/2 wins, but then they are careless with what they print in Japan and we're right back to square one. I could be wrong - I mean, it's impossible for me to know the intentions they have for this game because the cards are made in Japan, but I am fairly confident that was one of the main goals of creating supporters.
2) The length of games.
So if you aren't knocked out on turn one or two, be prepared for a long game. Cards like Poké Turn, Super Scoop Up, and in previous formats, Mr. Briney's Compassion make for long games. (I'm not suggesting all of these cards have no place in the format, although with Poke Turn I probabably would like to see it not have been printed.) One of my favorite things about the 2005-2007 formats was that the presence of EX Pokemon sped up games. I think Pokemon games should aim to be about 20 minutes long on average. Anything longer than that and tournaments take too long to complete. The length of games has serious consequences: Look at U.S. Nationals this year, 45 minutes for the first Best 2/3 rounds. 1 Hour for the rest. This isn't the players' fault or POP's fault. The games take too long and their simply isn't enough time to have both an adequate number of swiss arounds and adequate time for the top cut. Additionally. with long games, playtesting becomes more of a chore. This is just my personal opinion, and I'm not sure if people agree with me as much as they would about disliking Turn 1/2 wins, but I have noticed playtesting to become more of a chore than enjoyable when games can easily stretch past 45 minutes. I'd love to hear from other people on what they think about games frequently going 45+ minutes.
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Those two things are both serious problems for the TCG, IMO, but that doesn't mean I'm going to quit. It's still a blast. There's so much more to the Pokemon TCG than the game - it's like a culture. Everyone who plays has their own group of friends and half the fun at Nationals & Worlds isn't even Pokemon related. I will also say there are also things about this format I like: a fair variety of playable decks, and very skill-oriented games when it goes past the first few turns.
I'd like to hear other opinions on these two things, too.
