SirKibbleX
New Member
A quick analysis of various starter strategies.
Pachirisu (4 cards+0 call energy + ? TS-1)
+ Doesn't take Call Energy (space saving)
+ Turn 2 Stage 1 Evolutions w/o Candies (Quicker Claydols, save candies, etc.)
+ Still allows for a high degree of consistency: With 4 you have a slightly-better-than-50% chance for one on every opening hand, better if you use fewer basic pokemon.
+ Not vulnrable to TGW/disruption
- Only useful on opening turn, maybe twice. After that, may be Dusknoir bait.
- It's worth re-emphasizing this card is ONLY useful on opening two turns and then never again except as Claydol fodder.
Sentret-Furret (4-6 cards+4 Call Energy+ ? TS-1)
+ Great w/ Call Energy
+ Grab ANYTHINGx2 T1(<10%) T2(~35%) or T3(99%+), including specific tech cards or situational items.
+ Good with Bebe's, great searcher.
+ Free Retreat, "counter" warp points.
+ Baton Pass into something big T2-3.
- Sometimes low consistency being an evolved starter (see odds above)
- Vulnerable to TGW/disruption
- Somewhat card-heavy, no evolution assists.
Phione (4 cards + 4 call energy + 0 TS-1)
+ Great w/ Call Energy
+ Accelerated Evolutions(Good with low-energy-cost attackers for t2-t3 attacks)
+ Not vulnerable to TGW/other disruption
- End-of-Turn Evolution means no powers or abilities can be used opening turns
Chatot (4 cards + 4 call energy + ? TS-1)
+ "Free" hand refreshment, great in decks using a non-supporter engine
+ Free retreat for maneuverability
- Low-ish HP
- Vulnerable to Wager
Mr. Mime (4 cards + 4 Call + ? TS-1)
+ Opponents cannot attack for a set amount of time.
+ Forces low-energy-cost attackers to waste precious energies
+ Competent staller at many points in a game.
- Predictible, and vulnerable to bench-attack strategies.
- Doesn't greatly accelerate startup.
TS-1 Evolutor/Call (0 Starters + 4 Call + 4 TS-1)
+ 8/60 cards gives a nearly 99% certainty of getting one of the cards in your opening hand.
+ In some decks you will be able to work nearly as well with either item turn 1.
- There is a just-under-50% chance of drawing either specific card in your opening hand.
- TS-1 Suffers from the same problems as Pachirisu, being virtually useless except in opening turns.
- Doesn't accelerate startup as well as a designated starter.
In all cases, let us not forget that from the time you can play your first supporter, you'll most likely be playing Bebe's Search or Roseanne's Research anyways. The new addition of Luxury Ball looks fun. The ball engine is still not dead, and may shortly be improving, especially in certain decks. Look for some interesting new play on opening turns in the next rotation.
Pachirisu (4 cards+0 call energy + ? TS-1)
+ Doesn't take Call Energy (space saving)
+ Turn 2 Stage 1 Evolutions w/o Candies (Quicker Claydols, save candies, etc.)
+ Still allows for a high degree of consistency: With 4 you have a slightly-better-than-50% chance for one on every opening hand, better if you use fewer basic pokemon.
+ Not vulnrable to TGW/disruption
- Only useful on opening turn, maybe twice. After that, may be Dusknoir bait.
- It's worth re-emphasizing this card is ONLY useful on opening two turns and then never again except as Claydol fodder.
Sentret-Furret (4-6 cards+4 Call Energy+ ? TS-1)
+ Great w/ Call Energy
+ Grab ANYTHINGx2 T1(<10%) T2(~35%) or T3(99%+), including specific tech cards or situational items.
+ Good with Bebe's, great searcher.
+ Free Retreat, "counter" warp points.
+ Baton Pass into something big T2-3.
- Sometimes low consistency being an evolved starter (see odds above)
- Vulnerable to TGW/disruption
- Somewhat card-heavy, no evolution assists.
Phione (4 cards + 4 call energy + 0 TS-1)
+ Great w/ Call Energy
+ Accelerated Evolutions(Good with low-energy-cost attackers for t2-t3 attacks)
+ Not vulnerable to TGW/other disruption
- End-of-Turn Evolution means no powers or abilities can be used opening turns
Chatot (4 cards + 4 call energy + ? TS-1)
+ "Free" hand refreshment, great in decks using a non-supporter engine
+ Free retreat for maneuverability
- Low-ish HP
- Vulnerable to Wager
Mr. Mime (4 cards + 4 Call + ? TS-1)
+ Opponents cannot attack for a set amount of time.
+ Forces low-energy-cost attackers to waste precious energies
+ Competent staller at many points in a game.
- Predictible, and vulnerable to bench-attack strategies.
- Doesn't greatly accelerate startup.
TS-1 Evolutor/Call (0 Starters + 4 Call + 4 TS-1)
+ 8/60 cards gives a nearly 99% certainty of getting one of the cards in your opening hand.
+ In some decks you will be able to work nearly as well with either item turn 1.
- There is a just-under-50% chance of drawing either specific card in your opening hand.
- TS-1 Suffers from the same problems as Pachirisu, being virtually useless except in opening turns.
- Doesn't accelerate startup as well as a designated starter.
In all cases, let us not forget that from the time you can play your first supporter, you'll most likely be playing Bebe's Search or Roseanne's Research anyways. The new addition of Luxury Ball looks fun. The ball engine is still not dead, and may shortly be improving, especially in certain decks. Look for some interesting new play on opening turns in the next rotation.