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Pojo's Pokemon Card of the Day

Blaine's Ninetales - Gym Challenge 



Pojo's Average Rating -
Unlimited: 2.75 (based on 2 reviews)
Modified: 3.10
(based on 2 reviews)
Draft: 3.40
(based on 1 reviews)
Reviewed July 18, 2002

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.  3 ... average.  
5 is the highest rating.


Lord Gothmog

(This week's card selector)
Blaine's Ninetales is often overlooked for stuff like Blaine's Arcanine, or Blaine's Rapidash. But Ninetales is different: raw power, concievably within 1 turn.

In unlimited, it's actually viable. Having Blaine be able to charge it's attack in one turn means SER doesn't hurt, and you might discard your own energies anyway. But it's 50 damage for 2 Fire, and it's power heals itself when you attach more. I have to give it 2.5/5.

In modified, it kind of sucks that Feraligatr won't be neutered until this card rotates out of the format. But there is hope! Just play lots of Cinnabar Island Gyms, Centers, and Focus Bands. Also, it acts as an anti-anti-gatr, killing stuff like Venusaur, Jumpluff, and Meganium. 2.7/5 

In limited, it's awesome. Common basic to evolve from, self-healing, and big damage for cheap. The only problem is, unless it's sealed deck and you get Blaine, or you draft Blaine, you're going to have to skip a turn attaching energy sometimes. But it's good anyway. 3.4/5


"Ness"
Jason
Klaczynski
Blaine's Ninetales is one of those cards that you just simply don't see in unlimited.  (Yeah, I called it standard, but then found out standard, technically, is MODIFIED, which made me sick, so we get to use the term "unlimited," now).

Anyway, Blaine's Vulpix is nothing special.  They both have the ability to remove damage from themselves, but with 40 HP, it really doesn't matter.  You'd think the power would be better, but 40 HP and a power is simply Zzzap vulnerability, especially in the old modified, so you're probably better off with the 50 HP, powerless, Blaine's Vulpix.

As for the Ninetale's 60 HP, it can matter.  Of course, the first thing most people realize is that they can Blaine, and remove 20.  Not only that, but because of the attack's downside, they can sometimes surprise their opponent with the Blaine.  Without Blaine, this card is literally unuseable.  Now, that 50 damage doesn't seem perfect, especially with Sneasel having 60 HP, but people play that rainbow on the Sneasel and leave that 10 damage there more often than you may realize, so this card isn't simply something that gets devoured by Sneasel.

With old modified having such little time left, I'd like to rate cards in new modified, but the card is simply illegal in new modified... so, as for old modified, this card isn't that great.  The Pichu can take it down, especially if you get that tails on Burn Up and don't have the Blaine next turn to attack, and they get the free Zzzap.

I'd give it a 3/5 in unlimited.  Afterall, when you look at all the cards, this seems generous.  There's a lot worse cards out there, and that's why it doesn't deserve a lower rating.  It's average; it isn't that bad.

And in that old modified, I'd give it a 3.5/5.  Seemingly better, yet more Pichu weaken it.   It's speed, and the idea that a naked Vulpix is a 50 damage threat, make it a decent card.  This card's only chance versus Gatr would be it's speed.

 


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