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Hello once again, Pojo readers! Today we're reviewing
a new version of a Pokemon that is largely overlooked
from Generation III, but could be useful in one or two
decks in our new Modified format. Today's Card of the
Day is Masquerain from Plasma Blast.
Masquerain is a Stage 1 Grass Pokemon. Grass got a
big boost with Virizion-EX and Genesect-EX in Plasma
Blast, but Masquerain will work more effectively with
two other Pokemon: Trubbish and Sigilyph. 80 HP isn't
very good for a final evolution, as most standard
attacks in Modified will easily OHKO, meaning that
Masquerain will either have to have a great ability or
amazing attacks in order to see some play. Fire Weakness
isn't too big of a deal right now; no Resistance is what
we've come to expect; and a Retreat Cost of one is
easily paid for, even if you don't have a Switch or
Float Stone.
Masquerain has an Ability and a single attack. Tool
Reversal allows you to return a Pokemon Tool card
attached to one of your Pokemon to your hand as many
times as you'd like during your turn. This has great
utility in allowing you to shuffle your Float Stones
around, as well as giving different Pokemon Silver
Mirrors, Silver Bangles, or even things like Eviolite or
Giant Cape. This Ability has the most utility in the
Toolbox deck utilizing Plasma Blast Sigilyph (which can
be equipped with up to four Tools at a time) and Plasma
Storm Trubbish, which does damage based on the number of
Tools in play. As such, Masquerain acts as a support
Pokemon to them, shuffling Tools around as necessary.
Bug Bite is Masquerain's attack, dealing 60 damage
for three Colorless Energy. You're generally better off
sticking with Trubbish for attacking in the Tool deck,
but this can be a decent option in Limited.
Modified: 3/5 Masquerain works very well as a support
Pokemon in a single deck, but not really anywhere else.
80 HP and a weak, vanilla attack mean that Masquerain
will only be used for its Ability. That being said, Tool
Reversal provides great utility in the right place, so
expect to see Masquerain at some tournaments if the
Trubbish/Sigilyph deck becomes popular.
Limited: 3/5 Masquerain is also somewhat effective in
Limited, too. Tool Reversal won't be quite as useful
here, but it can still be good to save Tools from a
Pokemon about to be KOed, or move your Silver Mirrors
and Silver Bangles around. Offensively, while Bug Bite
isn't great, Colorless Energy requirements save the day
and make it more useful. Too bad it doesn't have more
than 80 HP, though.
Combos With: Sigilyph (Plasma Blast 41), Trubbish
(Plasma Storm 65)
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