Hi,
I was one of the original poke'mon players, one who started playing at the base
set, and still plays today. Though the actual game is the same, cards,
strategies, and concepts have really changed over the years. I also believe
that it is nearly impossible to pick out the ten best cards throughout poke'mon
history and I'm sure that many of you will disagree with many of my choices.
Still, here's my opinion. Please note that I'm not really going by my own
tastes, I hate some of these cards.
10:
Hitmonchan (Base Set)
Back in the
day, he dominated tournaments. He's the definite base of a Haymaker
deck and he hits quickly.
9:
Blastoise (Base Set)
If you know
the power of a fully powered Articuno (Fossil) or Dewgong (Base Set), then you
have probably realized the power of Blastoise. Rain Dance a.k.a. Freezing Rain
was probably the best deck back at the time and is still very formidable. Sorry
to all the fans out there, but I truly think that Blastoise is better the
Feraligator.
8: Double
Colorless Energy (Base Set)
Love
it...It basically just lets you attack faster, which is good as it is, but that
is just the tip of the iceberg. Have two retreat cost. Give this up and it's
done. Want to splash that Sycther in your psychic deck? Done. Also, it begs
to be used in a combo. Have you seen how well it goes with my all time favorite
card, Ditto?
7: Super
Energy Removal
This is and
Slowking are probably the most aggravating cards I've ever seen. It works
especially well on heavy-hitters with only expensive attacks. Seriously,
playing this card is like forcing an opponent back two turns. It would have
been ranked higher except for its two sort of large weaknesses.
1. Several
decks win with poke'mon powers and trainers more than attacks. Super Energy
Removal can't stop that.
2. Energy
Retrieval is an instant comeback as is playing a Rain Dance or Feraligator
deck.
6: Slowking
Whether the
word "broken" or the word "frustrating" comes to mind, no
serious player can deny this cards power. Mind Games helps in two important
ways. Number one is that is can instantly foil that all important trainer card
which believe it or not can win you the game. The second is that it punishes an
opponent that isn't playing card-drawing trainers. If you draw the same card
over and over, you'll never get to that big game-breaker.
5:
Electabuzz (Base Set)
He's an all
around solid card. Unfortunately, he was in his prime in the base-fossil days
quite a bit more then now. Still, he was included in several decks back in his
day. He, like Hitmonchan, doesn't have too many thrills to him, but he's the
reason to play electric, if there is no other, and he can handle Rain Dance
decks.
4: Sycther
(Jungle)
It took me
so long to figure out who was better between Electabuzz and Sycther, but plain
and simple, Sycther wins. He does 60 on turn 2, which is nice. He's a basic
that has 70 HP and retreats for free, and he resists fighting. The
resistance to fighting isn't really a big deal any more, but it is still worth
mentioning.
3: Mr. Mime
(Jungle)
It blocks
out almost every good card which ranges from Sycther, to Feraligator, and all
the way back to Blastoise and his Rain Dance decks. And as if that wasn't
enough, Meditate can become huge. This card is probably the #1 staller
ever printed.
2. Cleffa
It has no
weakness to start. The "baby rule" keeps it alive for a while. It
retreats for free. Sound good so far? Try this. Eeeeeeeeek gives you an instant
Professor Oak with an additional bonus. As opposed to discarding your
precious cards, they go back into your deck. I can't tell you how much this one
card can mean the difference between winning and losing.
1:
Professor Oak (Base Set)
A new hand
of seven cards...So many people don't understand that just one of the seven
cards you draw can end the game. In Rain Dance, you can finally draw that
Blastoise. In a Haymaker, you get that desperately needed Scoop Up. In a
Slowking deck, you draw Sneasal or Murkrow. NICE CARD... If you are aloud to
play it, play four.
Thanks to
everyone who took the time to read this. Other things that may have made the
list are Feraligator, Gust of Wind, and Scoop Up. Maybe Chansey or Dark
Vileplume too.
Ryan Spring
Contact me
for anything at RyanKiller@attbi.com