Pojo's Pokemon Card of the Day

Gyarados - Base Sets, Legendary Coll.

Pojo's Average Rating -
Unlimited: 2.20 (based on 3 reviews)
Modified: 3.30 (based on 3 reviews)
Draft: 4.10 (based on 2 reviews)
Reviewed May 24, 2002

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

Pokepop

TwInSeN21

Gyarados was once one of the most fearsome Pokemon because of Raindance. One of my first few decks when I started Pokemon was a Raindance deck. Before Fossil came out, most Raindance decks were either Blastoise-Gyarados or Blastoise-Dewgong. Why? Both Gyarados and Dewgong can do 50 damage for 3 energies. With Raindance, that's 50 damage on the 2nd turn! They both make excellent backups for the shellshocker. Dewgong evolves from Seel, a decent Basic with 60HP. However, both Dewgong and Blastoise would share the same weakness, Lightning, mainly Electabuzz. With Gyarados, you get 20 more HP and a different weakness. The main problem with Gyarados is that it evolves from a puny little Magikarp. 30 HP is like waiting for it to be Jabbed or Thundershocked with a PlusPower for a FTK. Once Fossil came out though, Articuno steadily replaced Gyarados/Dewgong because it's a Basic with NO Weakness and 70HP. Lapras were even thrown in to combat the many Mr. Mimes. Ahh, those were the good 'ol days. -_^

Now, Gyarados would be reprinted in LC. With both Arcanine and Ninetales being reprinted in LC as well, we definitely need more good Water Pokemon (especially since Gatr would be dead once the new Modified rolls in).

100HP for a Stage 1 is amazing! Resistance to Fighting is nice, although not really needed. Weakness to Grass can be pretty bad since Turbo-Meganium or Venu-Center MIGHT be popular. Fire would definitely be the type to metagame against though.

Dragon Rage. A cool attack, with an awesome name, and lots of damage! Bubblebeam can be so helpful in many situations it's not even funny. Heads, you're paralyzed and I win the game next turn. Tails, I lose. Both attacks are amazing. The main problem was Magikarp. It's just waiting for it to be gusted if it's on the bench. Then a new superior Magikarp was printed in Team Rocket. Rapid Evolution is simply amazing. All you have to do is hold TR Magikarp in your hand until you have Blastoise out. Then, drop 'Karp, Raindance 3 Water Energy to it and Rapid Evolution. Voila, instant Gyarados! Weirdly enough, TR Magikarp won't be reprinted in LC, instead the Base version one would be. The only good point to Base 'Karp is the combo with Recall or NR Aerodactyl.

In Unlimited, Raindance might not be as strong as before, but it's still a force to be reckoned with.

In Modified, I've pretty much summed it up in the above paragraphs.

In Draft, pick it! NOBODY in their right mind is gonna take the Magikarps (unless they also pulled Gyarados!). That means that you might get one or two Magikarps or even more. Keep it safe on your bench and evolve it to Gyarados. 3rd turn 50 damage from a 100HP Pokemon spells trouble for your opponent.  It's just too bad that it wasn't TR Magikarp... By the way, I'm referring to normal Draft and not Rochester...

P.S. Another alternative would be to use Brock's Ninetales instead of Magikarp...

Unlimited Rating: 2.6/5 (Magikarp is Gust and FTK bait...-_-;; )
Modified Rating: 3.8/5 (Fire would be pretty popular...)
Draft Rating: 4.3/5 (Just because I think you can get Magikarps easily ~_^)

John Hornberg

Base set Gyarados has the misfortune of evolving from Magikarp, a basic that has prey written all over it when it gets played. Otherwise, Gyarados is really good for a stage 2.

He has two very potent attacks, and doesn't necessarily need 4 water energies to reach his full potential.

Dragon Rage is a good attack. Three of anything for 50 damage is incredible in my opinion.

Bubblebeam is playable as well. Paralysis has the potential it be overwhelming, and coupled with 40 damage could spell a victory for you.

In standard, a good player will see that Magikarp, roll around on the ground laughing because you are playing it, and then proceed to put it out of it's misery before Gyarados has a chance to hurt him. Super Energy Removal also cripples his severly. Only a 2 in Standard.

In modified, where evolution seems to be more prevalent, and Super Energy Removal is no where in sight, Gyarados can have his cake and eat it too... that is if he has a good supporting cast to come before him, and a consistant way to protect the Magikarps BESIDES Focus Band (it works, but don't rely on it). A 3 here...

Lord Gothmog

In unlimited, I saw many a Raindance with this in it. But alas, Magikarp was weak, and Electabuzz was plenty. Few remain still wrapped around a deck... 1.6/5

In modified, however, people have until August to abuse the Base Gyarados +Recall trick. Just how humiliating is it to lose to this? I'll give you a hint. It rhymes with "a bot." It could actually work! 3/5. I love humilikills.

In limited, it's a dang good choice. Magikarp is a common, so they're plentiful, and 100 HP and monstrous attacks makes it very powerful indeed. Plus, Electric is almost non-existant in draft, so Magikarps won't get FTKO'd as much. 3.9/5

Lurili