Name:
Pichu
Set:
EX Emerald
Card#:
59/106
Rarity:
Common
Type:
Electric
Stage:
Basic
HP:
40
Weakness:
Fighting
Resistance:
None
Retreat:
(C)
Poké-Power:
Baby Evolution
Once during your turn (before your attack), you may
put Pikachu from your hand onto Pichu (this counts
as evolving Pichu) and remove all damage counters
from Pichu.
Attack:
(C) Collect
Draw a card.
Attributes:
Pichu is a Basic Pokémon, making it easy to get into
play. It can be Evolved into Pikachu, thanks to its
Poké-Power, so it isn’t a dead end. Pikachu itself
can Evolve into Raichu, giving you plenty of growth
room. It is an Electric Pokémon… but since the
attack don’t do damage, it shouldn’t really matter.
Pichu only has 40 HP, so be careful with it: two
good hits from all but the earliest opening Pokémon
will KO it, and many Fighting Pokémon, at least that
see play, have a shot at OHKOing it since it has a
Weakness to Fighting. Said Weakness isn’t too
great, but could be worse. There is no Resistance,
so [insert complaint/]. The Retreat Cost is just
one Energy: this is easy to pay and should rarely be
a concern.
Abilities:
Baby Power allows Pichu to be Evolved into
Pikachu, with the added bonus of removing any
damage counters. This is very nice, since it means
you have a decent shot at erasing early damage. The
attack, Collect, is pretty standard. This shouldn’t
come as a surprise: it’s been on every Pokémon this
week. It only needs one Energy, and it lets you
draw. Far from the worst opening move, but not as
useful as some others.
Uses and
Combinations:
Secondary opener for a Raichu deck (the
primary should be either Dunsparce or Deoxys
Plusle, both of which can snag Pokémon from
your deck and bench them). There isn’t much more to
it than that.
Ratings
Unlimited:
1/5-Tyrogue bait.
Modified:
2.5/5-Specifically in a Raichu oriented deck,
which I don’t think would be too great, this becomes
a decent option, some might say filler, to ensure
you have plenty of basics to start with.
Limited:
3/5-Pikachu and a Raichu ex are in
this set, and it is a decent opener on its own
thanks to collect. The score is for on its own, but
if you get at least a Pikachu and can work it
in, make it a 3.5/5.
Summary
This feels like filler “Pre-Evolved” Pokémon. It
doesn’t do anything very exciting, but at least it
isn’t completely useless. Could have used another
10 HP as well.
