First of all, the traditional reassurance that I¹m not dead yet. I¹m in California. Why? Don¹t ask. That¹s why my update for last week (and this week too) consists of a couple of ³Reserve Decks² that I sent in untold eons ago to be kept in the Pojo¹s hidden vaults until a situation like this arose. But I¹ve got a computer (if a very slow one) right now, and so I figured I¹d answer a few letters. Maybe I can get Vulpix to do some of his letters, too. (Yes, he¹s with me. Don¹t tell the people at Amtrak I snuck him aboard.)

Before we get started, a couple of things. First of all, I¹ll be away from a computer again by the time this gets posted as my travels take me to Lake Tahoe. Feel free to send me stuff, though, and I¹ll snag it when I get back. Next, a correction: Although I did not explicitly state this fact in my decklist, the Magmars in the most recent version of Cinder are FOSSIL. Yes, some people actually thought I ran Base, so I thought I¹d clear up any confusion.


>hey spike I know you are REAL busy in the garage, but I want to know
>if you could lend me your wisdom for a moment. If you have no cards left in
>your deck, can you just put a card from your prizes on top of your deck
>using TR Rattata's Power trickery (switch a prize with the top card of your
>deck). Thanks for just reading this
>
>P.S Tell Vulpix he rocks! ( ah, the smell of a fresh bashing whafts
>through the air)


Okay people... NO MORE RULES QUESTIONS... Got it?

In answer to your question... I think the answer would have to be NO. ³Switch,² as used here, implies that there must be a card in both places for the power to be used.


>I haven't understood something about some cards of the Trading Cards
>Game. Can you help me, please?
>
>1. How does the Electrode's Pokemon Power work, exactly? (when I put
>Electrode KO, the next turn it will be still alive, etc.)
>
>2. Is the maximum damage that Blastoise can do to others 60?
>
>3. How does the Electabuzz "shield of light" work?


1) Knocked out means knocked out. Once knocked out for any reason, Pokemon don¹t come back unless you play Revive or something.

2) No, you can attach four PlusPowers and have it do 100. =)

3) Since I have no idea what the heck you are talking about, I regret I must pass on this question. Perhaps you are talking about the movie promo Electabuzz. I don¹t remember the exact first attack for this card. I do, however, recall it being a piece of crap.


>Hi Spike. I've been wondering about where you got your Vulpix? Did you
>catch him after a difficult battle? Did you win him at the Game Corner?
>(that's where I got mine, because I didn't like the idea of hurting a Vulpix)
>How'd you get him?
>
>~King Cobra and Arbok (and Raichu)
>
>PS Do you have those KFC Pokemon Toys? If so which ones? I have the
>Vulpix one :)


I was the trainer of Vulpix¹s mother, a Ninetales. She evolved from a Vulpix that I caught just west of Lavender Town. That¹s how I got him. In answer to your second question, I have the Vulpix from KFC too. It¹s the only Pokemon toy I own. =)


>Hey, I really like your new Cinders deck. It is a lot different from
>any other deck anyone plays around here and I am glad to see people winning
>with a deck that is not haymaker or Raindance. Anyway, I was wondering if
>you could help me build an anti-haymaker. Haymaker is about the only deck
>anyone builds at my league...... and it should be pay from when you sent
>Kangaskahn at me. (Remember, Metal pole, kangas at my house any time now.) >You don't really have to build a whole deck, just give me some ideas on >Pokemon and a stradegy. All I can think of is rather alot of resistence in >the deck, or maybe a hardcore stall. Seeya later.


Well, it all depends on what sort of ³Haymaker² people are playing in your area. Are they going with the classic Buzz/Chan/Scy? Sounds like you may want a sort of Scyther/Magmar/Mewtwo deck. Are they the ones playing Magmar? Lapras is your man. Or you could just do as I do...play whatever deck you want, and play it well enough to cream the Haymakers. =)


>Spike-
> Okayyy, this Justin guy is now officially ANNOYING. I get a strong
>feeling that he thinks his deck is superior because his battles are fought at
>the Pokemon League--which is not exactly a gathering ground for the best
>and brightest.
>
> Spike, PLEASE. For the sake of the Pokemon world....BEAT this guy!!
>
> You know, I used to think he was an okay person were fairly
>good...until this ordeal. From his reports, he never lashed out at any >opponents, but this?...Oy. I'll bet anyone that read the article in 6/21 "I >Get Letters" will be cheering for ya. Especially those othet two or three >people that responded to his 'Psychic Deck Cards' article. No doubt that got
>something from Justin too.
>
> Good Luck, and tell Vulpix my Arcanine syas 'hi.'
> ~Satoshi


Hehe. Okay, time for a Justin Smith update. He hasn¹t responded to my challenge. Nor, I think, is he going to. I can¹t figure out why, since by totally ignoring me he seems to demonstrate to everyone watching that he has no confidence in his abilities against a supposedly ³inferior² trainer. Even if he thinks he will lose...it makes no sense, because at least if he accepted, there would be a snowball¹s chance in you-know-where that he might actually win. Or perhaps he prefers the uncertainty of cowardice to the threat of defeat.

Anyway, thank you for your letters, Satoshi. =) Letters plural? That¹s right, we have another one right here:


>Yeah, that last letter I wished you luck...now I wish to pick apart
>Justin's article. K?
>
> Justin: CALM DOWN. Your deck reports are labeled "Must Read" because
>of the excess of graphics you use, and because your reports were detailed.
>THAT IS ALL. It is not because your deck is "Superior." Far from it. Your >deck is GOOD, granted, but that gives you NO REASON AT ALL to think you are
>some sort of god of all psychic decks.
> When you do an article like yours, "Cards That Do NOT Belong In
>Psychic Decks" You have to expect comments. Look at my archtype article. >Spike and PokeLady got me good, but did I explode? NO. Y'know, I really don't
>know wat else to say. From your reports, you seemed to be a nice enough >player. You never exploded at your opponents, you seemed okay.
> And as for that 'Superior' crack, no offense, but if you're superior,
>so are the rest of us. The Pokemon League is not the best place to get a
>real challenge. Look at your own reports. Look at your opponents' decks. See
>what I mean? (no offense at al to any of Justin's opponents. This is NOT
>directed at you in any way.)
> You seem to act as though your deck is the best ever. IT IS NOT.
>Japanese cards are in no way legal, and anyone 'round my area would ask to >see english copies. Don't have 'em? Can't use the cards. And the deck
>itself-Alakazam Stall is MEANT to be fast. Without Breeders(which you
>say 'do not belong is stall decks'), Kadabra and Abra are GOW bait. And
>without them, Chansey is a ball of fluff waiting to be KO'd.
> Another reason you got so much bad stuff about your article-you acted
>as though psychic was stalling, stalling, stalling. It is also attacking.
>You did not make this known.
> Justin, again. You need to accept people's opinions. Your card article
>was an opinion? So was Spike's article. And the others that responded. And
>MINE. It didn't get posted, but it was basically the same ol' thing.
>
> "Thinking to highly of yourself is a great invitation for someone to
>knock you down." Think about it.
> Have A Nice Day. :)
> ~Satoshi
> (oh, one more thing. Alakazam has how much hp? 80. and Ninetales does
>how much damage? 80. Hmm...maybe you uinderestimated fire decks a bit.)


Thank you again, Satoshi. And by the way... hate to say it, but I wouldn¹t even categorize Goldenpsy007 as ³Good.² It¹s very passive and seems to rely on topdecking (not to mention the opponent not being able to fight their way out of a paper bag.) It¹s been my experience that passive decks LOSE. Horribly. They get torn to shreds and their bones get left to bleach in the sun. Excuse my imagery, I¹m on a rant here...


>Dear Pete,
>I have e-mailed Justin Smith various times and he has made me a deck. When he sees a deck that >is Mono-Psychic he assumes its a STALL deck. He says that you can't combine archetypes. >Combining archetypes is GOOD, IMO. My deck he made sucked. It did win me a tourney.... >with 3 people including me. But thats because there decks were Ash Ketchum decks with >Magikarps in them. I think Justin Smith is nice overall but is pissed when someone denies him. >Stall decks aren't very good. Gamblers and Turbo Tuff decks (plus Cinder, of course) can beat t>hem any day. Justin Smith said that Dark Alakazam and Dark Golduck can beat these decks. >Well Wigglytuff can beat these guys in one shot when Golduck and Alakazam need 2 shots! >Plus, in his reports he said he got badges. PLURAL. What I mean is that battles with Stall decks >take nearly an hour! How can he possibly do that unless like Meets where he plays last for 36 >years! Plus, how come his recent reports a! nd tips always have so!
mething abo
>--<Name Censored by Author of this Article>


Abo? Abo what? Looks like you got cut off in the middle of a sentence there. Oh yes... and using my real name is an excellent way to get your letter deleted. Please indulge me in my little sensitivities, okay? =) Fair warning, now...


>I really don"t play pokemon  that often and just come and read stuff on
>your site once in a while for no good reason. You have written some funny
>stuff and kinda messed up stuff to some people and i find it interesting
>reading it. Nevertheless, i have written disturbing stuff to you like my deck
>out deck. Nevertheless, i was wondering could you POST ME DECK OUT DECK and
>can you fix magic decks. You need to do some magic stuff on your pojo site.
>Thanks and PLEASE RESPOND.
>
>P.S.-TREACHERY,COUNTERSPELLS,AND SHOCKS STINK IF YOUR NOT USING THEM.
>GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. DON'T GET ME STARTED ON "DESTROY TARGET
>CREATURE CARDS".


Firstly, this is a POKEMON site. I sprinkle Magic here and there because I like it and I know a lot of my readers do as well. But I¹m supposed to fix POKEMON decks. Got it? Secondly, your deck is probably on the pile out back with about 200 others. Thirdly, given Wizards¹ recent policy of removing all the good burn and printing stuff like Rhystic Lightning, I don¹t want to hear anybody beefing about Shock, Okay?


>Hey this is Lufta here. I know that people have the right to speach
>but, I'm not very pleased with your comments about peoples decks, and >comments. Your job as a deck mechanic is to help people not bash everybody >you see. I'm not trying to tell you what to do that's someone else's job. >People I like to talk wit who are major contributers on this site who aren't >deck mechanics. You just can't block someones e-mail because they like e->mailing your part of your pojo frequentely. Block me off if you will. I just >wanted to get in my word with you. I just wanted to see if you would clean up >your act.
>
>Lufta


Woohoo! Fresh bait! =)

First of all, I help lots of people. See all the decks I post most weeks? Helping people. Hopefully I¹m helping many more people than the people whose decks I actually fix, because others can read my fixes and gain insight from them. The people whose decks I bash are people who are making truly hideous decks... DESPITE the vast wealth of information out there. Honestly, you¹d have to be blind to spend more than 5 or 10 minutes on the Pojo and not be able to make a better deck than some of these. My time is valuable (I can¹t even get to most of the decks I receive in a timely manner, which really bothers me) and I expect people to weed out the most basic, most obvious mistakes before they send their decks in to me. Honestly, it seems like these people don¹t even try. My deck garage guidelines are posted--why don¹t they read them? ...That¹s why I bash. Well, it¹s funny too. =)

And I can block anybody I want, thank you very much. It would be very rude of me to block people at random (which I don¹t) but I could darned well do it. In truth, I block only for egregious offenses, such as spamming, excessive profanity, or uncivilly-worded hate mail. For example, you were not blocked simply on the basis of this letter.


>Justin Smith sucks! You rule! Don't even waste your time on that little
>blow hole. Vulpix should fire blast that punk to pieces! Please tell
>Vulpix that he rules and WOTC really screwed his card.


I know Vulpix rules. But it wasn¹t really WotC¹s fault about his card... they¹re just reprinting the Jap cards. And thank you for telling me what I already know about Justin Smith.


> Guh, nine...holo Mews...five...non-holo Mews...fourteen...stupid-ass...Dark Gyrados...piles...threatening >to...collapse on me...must...band together...to stop...it's threat...


Hehe. Well, I only have two holo Mews, so I had to use two non-holo. But you could theoretically construct up to three copies of my promo deck! Ecstasy!


>Hey Spike. I'm a newbie to Magic: The Gathering and you've mentioned in
>your Deck Garage that you play the game. I was wondering if you have any
>suggestions on what expansions are the best to buy in your opinion and
>whether or not I should buy Theme/Starter Decks, and if so which ones.
>Thanks for your help!


Hmm... For a newbie, I would probably recommend Urza¹s Saga. In my opinion, the whole Urza block is better than the Masques block. Theme decks are up to you. I probably wouldn¹t buy them unless they have rares or uncommons that you really want, or unless you need the land. You might also want to see if your card shop has a commons bin that you can root through--these were great for me when I was getting started. I¹m speaking just from personal experience here.


>Spike, thanks for responding to my last letter. I found the cards at
>Big Cards Big Comics. Its a local store. I liked your article against
>Justin, who sent me a series of nasty emails. Anyway, I have another >question. Where did you learn to understand Vulpix language? My own Vulpix is >very upset because I can't understand it? Please help us?


Ah. That explains it. As for the Vulpix language, it¹s just something that you pick up on. Like Ash and his Pikachu. Ever notice how they can understand each other? Some of the time, anyway....


>> Spike,
>>
>>
>> wuz up? Your probably goin' to delete this the
>> moment after you read it ,
>> but hear me out. I just wanted to say that you
>> should go kick Justin's stall
>> decks @$$. If here gives you any crap you just tell
>> me and I'll whoop his
>> butt! Your cinder deck will whoop him so hard. The
>> only slight problems will
>> be Dark Golduck, but I'll be really surprised If he
>> even lives to see him.
>> "Make him feel the burn!"


Hehe. More outpourings of support. Dontcha love it?


There¹s a lot more letters I could print. However, due to a lack of space, I think I¹ll save them for another time.

SPIKE¹S RANDOM THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

I just want to use this space this week to tell you guys how much I love ya. When I finally managed to get my paws on a computer and check my email, it was almost the next best thing to being at home. (Well, maybe not the NEXT best thing, but that¹s a topic we¹ll drift away from very quickly.) The deluge of email, both decks and letters, reminded me that no matter where I go in this world, I have friends. Thank you all. And hopefully all those of you who DIDN¹T write me will be driven by guilt to drop me a line now! Bwahahahahaha! Just kidding, of course =)

-Spike
spike@pojo.com


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