The True Future (an Article on the Idea of the Nintendo Only format)
Cardzmaster 2004
Submitted on September 29, 2003


Okay, a few month's ago, I posted a topic on the message board entitled
"Realism", in which I stated my opinions of the future of the Pokémon TCG. 
My final conclusion is, while it would be nice to have older sets to play
with, I believe Nintendo will ultimately settle on using only their own sets
in organized play.  No older promos will probably be used either sadly.  Our
great Best Of set will be no more.

However, that is not the basis of my article.  My article is here to pick
out the top two or three cards of each color and also the top EX evolutions,
EX basics, and trainers.  So let's start off this countdown with.


Colorless Pokémon:

The future of colorless pokémon will be to serve more or less as supporters
for larger decks with the exception of our number one colorless wonder.

1)  Slaking (RS): Slaking is the most powerful card available right now.  He
has many combos with Sceptile (Holo) and Blaizken (Holo).  With Switch
available, you'll be able to kick out 100 damage every turn if you're lucky.
  Very nice.

2) Linoone (RS): Getting what you want when you want it is crucial in this
TCG.  And Linoone's extremily cheap first attack does exactly that.  For one
energy, you can get two choice cards from your deck.  Switch, needed
evolutions, and trainers are a few of the obvious choices.  And, if you feel
lucky enough, Linoone's second attack can do unlimited damage. (yeah right. 
Who the heck on God's green earth is going to get 20 heads in a row.)

3) Delcatty (RS, Holo):  You will probably see this card more as an attacker
in the Team format, but in either format, I think his best ability is that
darn Pokémon Power.  Discard one card from your hand and draw 3.  I'll take
that trade any day in this format.

Honourable Mention: Kekcleon (SS) could become popular in the future for its
splash-ability, but I don't see much for it now, Perhaps later.  And
Delcatty (Uncommon, RS) is a very nice attacker, but has too low HP for my
taste.  But I have seen it used in combination with Blaizken, so watch your
back.


Water Pokémon:

We now approach a major type in the new format. Its not one of the top three
most powerful colors, but its still a contender.  But now for my list.

1) Swampert (Holo):  This thing is great.  I've swarmed with these in a
match using Wailord as my main attacker.  These two together are tanks.  I
don't see any Water deck being played with this card.

2) Wailord (RS): This thing has the highest HP of any stage one pokémon out
there that is not an ex pokémon.  Not to mention his cheap costed colorless
attack.  The self damage aspect is not that great as compared to his great
HP.  A very viable card.

3)  Azurmarill (SS): This is the Exeggutor of the new millennium.  The low
HP is a bit of a letdown, so I put it lower on my list.  But the first
attack can be great in team play when combo with the tank of a basic
Wailord.  Even in a 1 on 1 match, this pokémon can be a pain in the.well.you
know.

Honourable Mention:  Sharpedo (RS) and Pelliper (RS) both come to mind as
being very powerful if given enough time to power up.  Sadly, Sharpedo
requires Special Energy and Pelliper is a tad slow, although with the proper
timing can create quite a storm.


Psychic Pokemon:

Now that we've gotten past the days of low HP psychic pokémon, I think we'll
see a resurge of the powerful manipulators.  Its main contributor, Mewtwo
EX, is not rated in this category.  He'll be down with the EX pokémon
(basics, of course).   But, of course, with top ranking cards in the three
categories possible for this, it has to be the most powerful color out there
right now, in my opinion.

1)  Gardevoir (RS):  This thing can be a pain in more than one way.  Damage
yourself to do more damage to your opponent?   Then the damage on your
opponent helps you do more damage?  Very, very nice.  Not to mention his/her
Pokémon Power, with the ability to get more energy into play for his/her
next of kin.  But more on that much later.  This card is almost always seen
comboed with Mewtwo ex, so watch your back if you see this card cokme out.

2)  Wynaut (SS):  I think every psychic pokémon lover fell in love with this
card.  Power this thing up for Wobbuffet while getting the rest of your
evolutions and bench loaded.  Then evolve into Wobbuffet and kick things
around.

3) Wobbuffet (SS):  With Mewtwo EX decks running around everywhere, this
thing can, and will shut it down.  And 50 damage for its undercosted attack
will make everyone smile.  A good supporter for a Psychic deck, along with
Wynaut.

Honourable Mention: I can't get out of this category without mentioning the
Kirlia with Life Drain.  This is a great pick for a draft and an even better
pick for a Gardevoir deck.


Fire Pokémon:

This is a dominant force I see in this new format, as I place it at second
in our list of top colors.  With the following fire powers (no pun
intended), their decks can become unstoppable.

1) Blaizken (Holo):  This thing is amazing and has been called the new
Typhlosion.  Its Pokémon Power allows you to power up your bench while
dealing 50 damage a turn.  Comboed with Delcatty (Uncommon, RS) or Camperupt
(SS), this thing can make anything a tank.

2)  Camperupt (RS): I love it.  The 100 damage attack requires you only to
discard 2 BASIC energy, so you won't lose your precious fire energy.  Its
other attack is a decent bench damager.  And its 90 hp can really help out
late in the game.

3)  Flareon (SS): Very solid and normal attack.  The 70 for a Flamethrower
is what caught my eye.  The new effects of status are also going to play in,
and Burn is one of my favorite effects.

Honourable Mention: Goes to Typhlosion ex (SS).  He's okay, but a tad over
costed when it comes to attacking.  And Arcanine would have taken Flareon's
place in the top 3 if the words "If tails, discard all R energy." weren't
printed on it.  Arcanine's auto-burn can come in handy a lot.


Grass Pokémon:

The second most powerful type out there right now.  Status, in my opinion,
has always been the last frontier in my opinion as no one seems to truly
grasp its true potential.  Perhaps in this new era of pokémon, status and
this type will be used to its full potential.

1)  Sceptile (both the Holo and Rare, RS):  I group these together because
they play off each other so well.  If I had to pick one, I'd take the Rare
one because of the ever nice Energy Trans Pokémon Power.  But I love the
Holo Sceptile's first attack because of tis varying effects.  These two are
going to be staples of Grass decks.  However, another major contender in
this is.

2)  Dustox/ Wurmple lines (RS): I love Dustox.  Toxic has been a favorite
attack of mine, and his/her second attack is great.  Wurmple allows you to
get Dustox out by turn three, the fastest possible in the new format,
without the exception of Rare Candy use.  You could also use Beautifly in
the same way, but Dustox I believe is a much more useable pokémon.

3)  Volbeet (SS): I really like this very useable basic.  Its splashable and
can be comboed with Illumise to give you a free retreater.  Guaranteed
status is very nice and 40 for two energy if effected by status can really
hurt early in the game.  This is a very good card to use in supporting a
grass themed deck.

Honourable Mention:  Seviper (SS) is a nice starting pokémon, but can be a
bit hap hazardous later in the game.  The Caturn line is also a very good
supporting line to use.  The grass section of this format has many viable
options to base a deck off of.  Hopefully you can find your own niche.


Lightning Pokémon:

Lightning and Fighting pokémon appear to be the rogue types as of now. 
Hopefull, in the future, this will change.  But as is, it will be hard to
have a lightning based deck.  But here are a few ideas to try to splash into
or center around your deck.

1)  Magnetric (Uncommon, RS):  The first attack is splashable and nice for
trying to counter a water deck.  But Gigashock is a very nice attack for the
cost you have to pay.  I wouldn't suggest making a deck around his pokémon.

2) Electabuzz (SS): All metal pokémon have been cringing since they saw that
Lightning pokémon resist them.  And this Buzz can be a tank.  40 damage to
any pokémon can be a huge advantage, especially to taking out weak benched
pokémon (Slakoth, Treeeko, etc.).  The attack only take one L energy, and he
could Plasma it onto him.  Another good splash of color to a deck.

Honourable Mention:  I know I cut this category one spot short, but I see no
other card deserving a top 3 spot.  I would like to mention that Pikachu's
(SS) second attack is good on a basic pokémon.  Its sad that it takes too
long to power up.  But anyway.


Fighting Pokemon:

The other rogue type out there right now.  This section has a few hard
hitters and possible hit decks, but I have seen little come out of this
color as of yet.  Let's see our list now, shall we?

1)  Sandslash (SS): A decent attacker and a nice second attack.  10 to bench
(yours and your opponents I assume) and 60 to the active.  I would rarely
use the first attack though.  Free retreat makes this card a decent choice
for a supporting attacker.

2) Haryama (Holo, RS): This guy can become big in the future as an anti-card
for ex centered decks, which I don't see as a threat now but could become
one in the future.  The only major ex threat is Mewtwo ex, who has Haryama's
weakness.  Tough luck big guy.

Honourable Mention:  Again, category is cut short for lack of decent cards. 
One card that looks very intriguing would be the Armaldo (SS) line.   He's a
tank when powered up, but his evolving from the ever weak Mysterious
fossil.(ok, it's call Claw Fossil now, but its that same thing)  Better luck
next time.



Darkness & Metal Pokémon:

.are not doing to well in this new format.  Simply put, there has been no
real representation to help them have a decent chance.  And now that the
special energy effects apply only to same type pokémon, these energy will be
played less.  But let's see what we do have to work with here.

1)  Mightyena (Holo, RS):  I only chose him out of mall my choices because
he had decent HP, a decent attack on heads, and a decent power.  But I don't
see anyone playing this pokémon competitively.

2) Aggron (RS):  Again, chosen for being a decent card, not a good card. 
This card is so flippy that only backwashers will probably use it.  The
second attack is only useful if you get 2 heads.  Mega Punch is the only
good attack on this card.  It's other attack are too flip reliant.  This
will be something you won't see that much of.

3) Murkrow (SS):  May be TecHed into some decks to fight the use of search
trainers or search attacks.  Although it is iffy, it requires no flip to
use, so it's a sure but of at least screwing up your opponent a little bit.

Honourable Mention:  Goes to Aggron ex (SS) for having huge HP and horrible
attacks.  It is also given to Umbreon (SS) for its sheer power, even though
it won't see competitive play.


Trainers:

These are what will help run decks of the future and sadly, without the
presence of many speedy trainers, the game has slowed down considerably. 
But what Tariners will dominate this format, you ask?  Well, here are my
best guesses about what you'll see almost everywhere.  And this list is a
rather close race.

1) Switch (RS):  With the new ruling on only retreat once per turn, anything
that can manipulate that is going to be great.  And this overlooked card
from the days of Modified will makes its appearance in every deck.  This
will be the most used trainer out there, hands down.

2)  Lanette's Net Search (SS):  More or less this is Pokémon Fan Club with
one more basic and no babies.  You can fill your bench and not worry about a
quick KO.  More or less to played early on or in tough jams.  This card and
the next card on the list play off of each other quite well.

3)  Wally's Training (SS):  Again, they could have reprinted an edited
version of Professor Elm's Training Method for this one.  But getting out
the needed evolutions fast is crucial in this game.  Net Searching first
turn and then getting the evolution you need will help you along
tremendously.

4)  Professor Birch (RS):  Either this Professor had bad representation or
something went wrong between contract negotiations.  Our only true Draw
trainer is this, which allows you to enlarge you hand to 6 cards.  I find
this card too situational as you will be running to too many pokémon and too
many energy to make this work.  But he can be a help early in the game and
sometimes later when you have no hand.

Honourable Mention:  The Berry set [Oran and Lum Berry (RS)] will see more
play as they are the only source of healing in this new set.  And I believe
we will see some TecHinG with Energy Removal 2 just to throw people off.  I
believe it will become one of the more popular cards that you would never
expect to see in a deck.  I hope that prediction comes true.


Basic ex Pokémon:

The BBPs we once knew have been upgraded and downgraded at the same time. 
They still have high HP and are now more powerful than ever.  But your
opponent gets 2 prizes for an ex KO as opposed to one.  So which of these
cards are worth your time and which ones aren't?  Read the list and discover
all of that which you seek.

1)  Mewtwo ex (RS): This is what you call Movie Promo Mewtwo on illegal
hallucinogenic drugs (I can't say certain words on this site, so insinuating
will have to do).  60 damage as opposed 40 is a nice improvement is great,
along with the ever great first attack.  If only that stupid ex rule didn't
run rampant all over the card.

2)  Chansey ex (RS): 3 energy for 80?  Amen.  The self damage is a bad
drawback, but it can be cured next turn with Chansey ex's first attack.  I
can see this card being splashed into many decks.

3)  Magmar ex (RS): This card is similar to its Fossil counterpart, but it
has more HP, the ex rule, and guaranteed states for one more energy on his
second attack.   This card will most likely be staple of Fire based decks
for his auto-status and firepower.

Honourable Mention:  Goes to Lapras ex.  Its high HP, auto status, and
decent first attack would have gotten him on the list.  The only problem was
his auto status was downgraded with the new rules.  Sorry big girl.  You'll
have to sit this list out.


Evolution ex Pokémon:

These over powered evos came out with the release of SandStorm.  I believe
we'll be seeing at one of the pop up in a deck, but what about the others? 
Read on and see.

1) Gardevoir ex (SS):  Wow.  Oh wow.  Talk about a nice attack.  Late in the
game, you can use Gardevoir's (RS) Pokemon power three times and add 30
damage a turn.  Feedback isn't that bad either because your opponent should
have a large hand at all times, allowing you to do at the least 50 damage on
average.  Very nice HP makes this card a winner.

2) Kabutops rs (SS):  Hydrocutter's back, and on a pokémon with more HP. 
The second attack is pretty good too, given as you're going to have 3 energy
on this guy anyway.  The new Kabuto can also help you set up quite quickly,
so this card is not a bad choice to have.

3) Wailord ex (SS): Massive HP.  Massive attack.  Too bad that by the time
he's powered up, he'll only do about 40 after one attack.  But I think he'll
still be played.  I can't wait to see him work.

Honourable Mention:  Raichu ex (SS) is a nice card, but it really only works
for about one attack, then you need to retreat it. Aerodactyl ex (SS) is
nice pokémon power, as it stops your opponent from drawing any cards using
their trainers (as, I believe, all draw trainers are Supporters.  It barely
missed making the list


There's my list of the most powerful cards out there right now.  There are
about three decks out there that I would consider archetypes right now.  And
the deck I'm playing is not one.  So, here's what to look out for right now.

1)  Mewtwo ex/ Gardevoir/ Gardevoir ex: This deck relies on getting
Gardevoir out early and then using Mewtwo ex to clean up.  Gardevoir ex is
there for late game when you have played a lot of energy.  Gardevoir ex can
also be used as a main attack if you can swarm with 2-3 Gardvoir, adding 20
damage to Gardevoir ex's attack per turn.  This is probably the most popular
deck out there now.

2)  Blaizken (Holo)/ Skitty (Uncommon, RS): Uses Blaizken to power up a
Delcatty on the bench and then send it up to deal some major damage for
minimal costs.  Can also be played with Magmar ex for backup.

3)  Slaking/ Sceptile (Rare): I have seen a deck similar to this one played
in the LC-SS format and it works quite well.  It uses Sceptile to manipulate
the energy in play and have Slkaing attacking almost every turn via Switch
or retreating.  When it gets up and running, its nearly impossible to stop. 
But with some well timed stategy, it can be taken down.


I hope this list will help you prepare for the future of pokémon.  And
remember, these are only ideas.  Only time will tell what the future can and
will hold for this TCG that we all love.

Cardzmaster 2004
Cardzmaster2004@hotmail.com (if you want to contact me) or
Cardzmaster2004@yahoo.com (for SPAM, viruses, etc.)