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Dark Raichu - Team Rocket

Name: Dark Raichu  Type: Stage 1 - Evolves from Pikachu Rarity: Rare Pojo's Average Rating - Standard: 2.70 (based on 5 reviews) Modified: 3.25 (based on 5 reviews) Reviewed January 29, 2002 Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale 1 being the worst.  3 ... average.   5 is the highest rating.

"Ness" Jason Klaczynski	Dark Raichu, in standard, doesn't make the cut.  It's attack is expensive, and it simply, doesn't do enough damage.  It takes turns for that bench damage to become a real threat, and in these turns, it will be energy removed or knocked out. 2.75/5 As for modified, I guess it's a little better because of the absence of removal, and it could also work with Ampharos.  Either way, promo Pikachu is the best way to get it set up.  3.25/5
Pokepop	Dark Raichu is a fun card and the only card (to date) that has been designed by WotC! It has decent Hit Points for a Stage 1 and a nice, Bench-damaging Attack. Unfortunately, it is not good enough for a Stage 1 Card to survive in Standard. The only evolutions that are used in Standard do things that are exceptional and that you can only do with that card. Dark Raichu doesn't make that cut. In Modified, however, it has a little more time to develop and, using Promo #4 Pikachu's ability to pull Lightning Energy out of the deck, it can be up and running on turn two. Add in Rocket's Hideout and Some Darkness Energy and you will have something for your Opponent to worry about. Standard: 2.25/5 Modified: 3.5/5
RaNd0m	Dark Raichu is a decent stage 1 for a lightning pokemon. The ability to do damage to the bench is sizzling... however you only have a 50 % chance of doing 10, and a 25% chance of doing 20. I think 3 for 30 however is slightly weak... and there are better pokemon out there. Standard: 2.0/5 - In standard today, you HAVE to be a heavy hitter, which is something Raichu isn't. Modifed: 2.0/5 - This is the same way. In modified, you have many big baddies out there that can rip this guy to shreds, and all he can do back is a tad of damage =P
Lord Gothmog	Dark Raichu, like so many other cards, is in fact playable in standard. It's not as easy as some other cards, but it can be done. Movie Promo Pikachu is fairly essential, since it gives it much needed speed. Rocket's Hideout and Darkness Energy can make it hard to stop, but it has to get going first.  Considering it's semi-dependant on good coinflips, I have to give it a 3/5 in standard. Above average, but harder than some to utilize.  In modified, without Energy Removal stomping all over it, it's better. Plus with all the babies being played, the bench damage helps a lot too. It gets a 4/5 in the wide-open world of Modified.
Doll	Dark Raichu created quite a spark (pun intended) when the Team Rocket expansion was first released. When you're flipping heads at your best, DR is a devastating attacker that can put your opponent at a quick disadvantage. Even if you flip straight tails, 30 damage isn't horrible. Not bad at all for a stage 1. Dark Raichu doesn't suffer quite as badly from low HP like many of the other Team Rocket Pokemon do, and at 70 HP is respectable. Your opponent must deal with him or face the possible untimely destruction of his entire bench. In draft, he'd be decent if you didn't have to play Electric. Top that off with a weak Pikachu basic, and he's "eh" at best. Ratings: Standard: 3.5 Modified: 3.5 Limited: 3