Skip straight to the scores and summary for a concise
overview.
Please note that while I denote δ Delta Species
Pokémon by adding a δ to the end of their name, but that
said symbol is not actually part of their name for
gaming purposes to my understanding. For example, a
“Pokémon δ” can Evolve from or into a non-Pokémon δ, so
long as no other rules are being broken. That is, I can
Evolve Dratini δ into a Dark Dragonair,
plain Dragonair, of the “Dragonair δ”. I
cannot, however, Evolve a Dark Dragonair
into a Dragonite δ or a Dragonair δ into a
Dark Dragonite. Also, a card can have δ Delta
Species Pokémon and not be from EX Delta
Species – its just one of those questionable naming
decisions.
Name:
Dragonite ex δ
Set:
EX Dragon Frontiers
Card#:
91/101
Rarity:
Pokémon-ex
Pokémon-ex Rule:
When Pokémon-ex has been Knocked Out, your opponent
takes 2 Prize cards.
Type:
Grass
Stage:
2 (Evolves from Dragonair)
HP:
150
Weakness:
None
Resistance:
None
Retreat:
CC
Attack#1:
(CC) Deafen [40]
Your opponent can’t play any Trainer cards (except for
Supporter cards) from his or her hand during your
opponent’s next turn.
Attack#2:
(GGCC) Dragon Roar
Put 8 damage counters on the Defending Pokémon. If
that Pokémon would be Knocked Out by this attack,
put any damage counters no necessary to Knock Out
the Defending Pokémon on your opponent’s Benched
Pokémon in any way you like.
Name:
Dragonair δ
Set:
EX Dragon Frontiers
Card#:
28/101
Rarity:
Uncommon
Type:
Grass
Stage:
1 (Evolves from Dratini)
HP:
70
Weakness:
None
Resistance:
None
Retreat:
CC
Attack#1:
(C) Wrap
Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now
Paralyzed.
Attack#2:
(GCC) Horn Attack [40]
Name:
Dratini δ
Set:
EX Dragon Frontiers
Card#:
46/101
Rarity:
Common
Type:
Grass
Stage:
Basic
HP:
40
Weakness:
None
Resistance:
None
Retreat:
C
Attributes:
Dragonite ex is yet another Pokémon δ: think I am
ready for another Expansion of (at least mostly) normal
Pokémon. ;) Pokémon δ have the advantage of getting
some extra goodies like Fearow δ to search them
from decks and getting a little more mileage out of the
Holon Trainer Engine than other Pokémon, but we
have seen more anti-Pokémon δ cards (like Dewgong δ).
Grass is a handy type, though, as the Weakness is not
especially rare nor the Resistances especially common.
As a Pokémon-ex, there are a few similar situations
where Dragonite ex can and can’t take advantage
of cards. Mostly, being a Pokémon-ex means it needs to
be very potent since it is worth two Prizes when KO’d.
Dragonite ex
is a Stage 2 Pokémon, of course, Evolving from
Dragonair which in turn Evolves from Dratini.
There are two Pokémon δ versions of those cards, which
are interesting because they lack a Weakness and
Resistance. That is why I would recommend them (none of
them possess particularly potent Abilities or
Attributes). Also, remember to factor in the cards
Stage when we examine other aspects of the card.
150 HP is about average for a Stage 2 Pokémon-ex and the
second highest on any currently legal Pokémon. What is
unusual is that there is no Weakness to go with it (no
Resistance is depressingly common, but forgivable),
helping to protect it from Type matching. The Retreat
Cost is manageable: neither so high it can’t retreat nor
low enough it can retreat without planning.
Abilities:
Deafen does 40 damage when it pays for only 20, and has
that nasty “can’t play any Trainers other than
Supporters” effect which can slow down many decks that
rely on non-Supporters. Like the
Holon
Trainer Engine (Holon Transceiver, the heart of
the Engine). Then it has the very interesting Dragon
Roar attack. It places 8 damage counters on the
Defending Pokémon. This will bypass many protective
effects. It also has a nice way of not wasting
“overkill”: if the Defending Pokémon would be KO’d with
less than 8 damage counters, you can divvy the rest
amongst the opponent’s Benched Pokémon as you wish.
With a cost of (GGCC), you paid for only 50 damage, but
received the equivalent of 80 with a great effect.
Together, these attacks are worthy of being the only
Abilities of a Stage 2 Pokémon-ex.
Uses and
Combinations:
Dragonite ex is clearly meant to be the focus of
a deck. The real question is what to run with it?
Sadly, I can’t think of anything especially potent,
other than the normal support. I suppose Cursed
Stone since it would mean increasing Bench Damage on
Pokémon with Poké-Powers, which in turn would make
Dragon Roar more effective.
Ratings
Unlimited:
3/5 – Big enough that it is hard to KO, and though many
decks contain a few Supporters, most Unlimited decks
won’t work using just those.
Modified:
3.5/5 – Right now, it lacks that nasty OTKO ability that
makes so many competitive decks. At the same time, I am
sure I am missing something that will elevate it to that
level. Some easy way to get a lot of damage onto the
opponent’s side of the field without eating up all the
deck space…
Limited:
4.5/5 – Dragonite ex is big with no Weakness,
ignores effects that protect against damage only, and
can OHKO so many things in this set, often with counters
left over. It’s a great card.
Summary
An intriguing idea and though I look a bit silly not
having any obvious deck for it, at the same time I am
glad they aren’t spoon feeding me an obvious combo.
Unless they are and I am just missing it. ;)
