Hi PokeManiacs,
Today, in my first run of Gym Expansion cards, I will discuss Blaine's
Ninetales. I will also include the spoilers for its predecessor, both of
Blaine's Vulpix. First, lets take a look at both of Blaine's Vulpix:

Blaine's Vulpix
level 09  40 HP Basic Fire
{Pokemon Power}  Natural Healing
Once during your turn {before you attack} you may remove one
damage counter from this pokemon You cant can't use this pokemon
power if this pokemon is asleep, confused, or paralyzed.
{RCC} Delusion Tail
20
Flip a coin. If heads, the defending pokemon is now confused.
-C retreat    W weakness    (no) resistance

Natural Healing will certainly keep it alive for a while longer, and the
chance
of inflicting 20 damage with a chance of confusion on the second turn is
solid,
though the attack cost is above average. A good start to this evolutionary
line.

Blaine's Vulpix
level 18  50 HP Basic Fire
{C} Bite
10
{R} Regain Flame
Flip 3 coins.  For each heads, put 1 R energy card from your discard
pile into your hand.
-C retreat    W weakness    (no) resistance

The attack isn't hot, but Regain Flame is a good way of getting Vulpix ready
for Ninetales. Look for this pokemon to be playable.

Blaine's Ninetales
level 27   60 HP Stage 1 Fire
{Pokemon Power}   Fire Recovery
Whenever you attack a R energy card to this pokemon, remove 1 damage counter
from this pokemon. This power stops working when this pokemon is asleep,
confused,
or paralyzed.
{RR}Offensive Heat
50
Flip a coin. If tails, discard all energy cards attached to this pokemon in
order
to use this attack.
-CC retreat    W weakness    (no) resistance

The HP is a downer, but you can deal with that since every R energy attached
to it acts
like a potion. Offensive heat is just plain good. Fifty damage for 2 energy
is unheard of.
Sure, you may have to discard some energy but thats better than most fire
pokemon that
automatically have to discard energy.

This entire evolutionary line is going to give fire a much needed boost.
When Gym comes out
in the summer, watch this pokemon become a standard in fire decks as Scyther
is in Haymaker.
But, who knows, maybe WotC is going to change the text of the cards. {it
happened before....
remember Mr.Fuji the new Scoop Up?}

E-mail any questions or comments to Tboyd@halifax.com. Oh, PoJo is the best
pokemon site
on the web! PokeMaster signing off... for now.