Neo Discovery Smeargle
Continuing our Colorless
Basic-Pokemon-that-can't-evolve week, here is Neo 2
Smeargle. A card that used to be played a lot in the
Old Modified to counter the almighty Riptide
Feraligatr. Does it still has a use in today's
environment?
Read the ratings for the
answer. ;x
Unlimited: This could
actually be a pretty interesting card in Unlimited.
Rocket's Zapdos has just Electroburned to KO one of
your Pokemon? Smeargle can Electroburn it back.
Sneasel has just Beaten Up to KO one of your Pokemon
with 3 Heads flips out of 6? (Note that I'm being
realistic here.) Smeargle can Beat Up Sneasel back.
However, a closer inspection reveals that this isn't
that good of a card, for three reasons. First of all,
it's only 50HP, so your opponent can just Gust it to
KO it instead. Secondly, it's weak to Fighting, so
Tyrogue can easily KO it if your opponent again Gusts
it. Thirdly... Clefable can do almost exactly the same
thing, with more HP, and a lower Energy requirement.
1.5/5
Modified: Now, what are
the decks that deal OHKO-type damage in Modified?
Entei/Magcargo, and Nu-Gatr (Riptide Gatr with
Parasect and/or massive Energy Card drawing like
Seer/Juggler/etc.). So, basically, if your environment
is full of either (or both) of these decks, then this
card can be an interesting TeCH. Although, I must
admit, even if you KO Magcargo or Feraligatr back with
Smeargle, you'll then probably watch your opponent
bring up his or her Tyrogue and Smash Punch... oops.
Well, just remember to attach a Focus Band to it. :)
2/5
Draft: I don't know much
about Pokemon statistics, but this card will probably
rate as one of the Holofoils with the least HP in
Pokemon (probably only Mew beats it... and Celebi is
on a par with it). And, umm, Neo Discovery reminds me
of a certain Baby called Tyrogue, which is a Common in
this set and that slaughters this card. Moreover, your
opponent's Draft deck, however lucky they might have
been, won't do massive damage, rendering Smeargle
useless.
1/5
