First of all, I really don't like comparing Pokemon of different stages, so there will be separate Basic, Stage 1, and stage 2 lists, as well as a trainer and energy list. Since there are just too many good Pokemon, I couldn't fit them or place them all on the same list.

Basic Pokemon
10. Mr Mime-- One of the better Psychic pokemon. He has a nice attack and a killer Pokemon Power. Only reason he's so low is because of all the Jigglys and Hitmonchans that are around.

9. Chansey-- The ultimate staller. One of the best basics in the game. The ability to prevent AND deal mass damage is great. although I wouldn't recommend Double-edging unless in a tight spot. Oh yeah, its hit points are a bit low though. (sarcasm)

8. Kangaskhan-- One of my favorite colorless pokemon. Fetch is a wonderful move for the early game and Comet punch can be used with the Rigged coin for some KOs. IMO the best Pokemon to start a match with. (except Scyther)

7. Hitmonchan-- One of my favorite all-around pokemon. He is a great starter and has enough power for the middle/late game as well. Only at #7 cause of Scyther's resistance to him.

6. Ditto-- Awsome. Use your opponent's big attacks before they can. Ditto is fun to use, but also requires a lot of thought while using him. For expert level players, he is a dream, but if you're a beginner, I recommend something else.

5. Lapras-- Probably the least used card on the list, except in Raindance. He has 10 more hitpoints than other Haymaker Pokemon, and can also change status. Another of my favorite basics to use. Watch out for Buzzes though.

4. Movie Promo Mewtwo-- This guy destroys hitmonchans and is a good solution to the haymakers that abound. I don't really like him, because I haven't had much luck using him, but is still one of the best.

3. Fossil Magmar-- My current favorite Pokemon in the TCG. Although haymaker fans don't like him much because he lacks power, his ability to change status and do damage without recieving any make him an awsome starter. Oh, he destroys Scyther too.

2. Scyther-- You all knew he'd be on here, and I shouldn't have to explain why. His versatility is unmatched. Free retreat, fighting resistance, and a colorless attack are his good points. His bad points are, well, uh, um, he doesn't really have any.

1. Electabuzz-- This guy is amazing. His power and speed are really unmatched. He can change status AND do whopping damage. If you haven't tried this guy, I suggest you do; you'll like him. There's no describing just how awsome he is.
 

Stage 1 Evolutions
10. Dark Hypno-- I've yet to try this guy, but he sure looks powerful. Psypunch is nice, but Bench Manipulation is the reason he's on here at all.

9. Base Set Electrode-- After the release of Rocket, I gave this guy a try (now that Rocket voltorb is out), and I loved him. 50 for LLL is awsome, with only a POSSIBLE 10 damage to itself. Its hp is average for a stage 1, and its Pokemon Power is great for charging up a big hitter.

8.  Fossil Haunter-- The most annoying pokemon in the game. If it nightmares you, chances of hitting it are 25%. Talk about anoying. A great staller, and can be an attacker as well.

7. Dark Arbok-- Stare is okay, but his real power is in poison vapor. Autopoison, 10 damage to the active, and 10 to the opponent's bench for GGG is a killer move. Low HP though.

6. Dark Raichu-- Another great bench hitter. This guy can get multiple KO's in one turn, and do nice damage to the active. 70 HP is okay, but his selling point is the ability to do 130 damage in a single turn. Combo him with MP pikachu to begin wiping out the opponent's bench turn 2.

5. Ninetails-- A powerhouse if you can load him up. Way better than Charizard (that's not saying much though) because he's a lower stage and only discards one F energy. The one retreat cost rocks the house as well.

4. Dark Muk-- The god of poison types out there. For a minor 2 G energy he can do 20 and autopoison. After that, his PokePower keeps em out and takin' poison damage. One of my favorites to use right now. Watching your opponent's face when you read the pokepower is priceless.

3.  Jungle Rapidash/Base Raichu-- I couldn't decide here, so I put em both in the same spot. Both have the awsome Agility move. Rapidash has lower Hp but a free retreat and takes out scyther, while Raichu does less with Agility but has a better second attack. Both are great, though.

2. Clefable-- Metronome is one of the best attacks in the game. For 1 energy, copy anything your opponent can do, and throw it back at them. It's only weak points are Hitmonchan and that it evolves from Clefairy. Combo with ER and SER to stop your opponents attacks while dealing them back.

1. Wigglytuff-- Turn two 60 damage is awsome, no arguement there. I think he's either despised or loved by players out there. But whether you love him or hate him, he is still one of the best. Nuff said.
 

Stage 2 Evolutions
10. Poliwrath-- while his basic is okay and his stage 1 is bad, Poliwrath, if you can get it out, is a powerhouse. 40 damage and Removal of energy from the opponent is devastating. Obviously, combo with ER/SER for best results.

9. Nidoking-- All right. His basic is just outright bad, and Nidorino is only okay. However, Nidoking is the exception, once again. For a stage 2, he requires low energy, and Toxic packs a whallop. 20 AND autopoison is good as it is, but throw in an EXTRA 10 poison damage a turn and you've got a monster.

8. Beedrill-- Where do I start? How about his free retreat, fighting resistance, powerful, yet decent-cost attacks, or his status-changing ability. Although he has low HP and a bad basic, the good outnumbers the bad.

7. Venusaur-- What's up with all these stage 2s with bad basics? Anyway, venusaur is still awsome. A great Pokemon Power, good HP, a killer (albeit high cost) attack and a decent retreat cost make Venusaur a good choice for mono-grass decks.

6. Dark Blastoise-- This guy is what I think of when I think power. 70 for WWWW is AWSOME. Rocket tackle is pretty good too, even with the 10 damage Blastoise takes. Watch out for his low HP, high retreat, and bad pre-evolutions. (All right, Squirtle is okay)

5. Dark Vileplume-- While not the greatest in HP or attacks, this Pokemon really shines in its Pokemon power. Deprivation of trainers will kill most (and all of my) decks that are out there. Finally, a good basic (Rocket Oddish) and an okay stage 1.

4. Dark Alakazam-- I can't say I like this guy, but I'll acknowledge that he's good. While his HP is horrible, his hit-and-run style attack as well as his ability to get around weakness make him a huge threat. The 3 retreat can almost be overlooked as well. Oh, yeah, he has good basic and stage 1 forms.

3. Base Alakazam-- Once again, I don't really like this guy, as I despise Stalling, but he sure is good at it. Not much good by himself, when coupled with Chansey and other High Hp pokemon, this guy is super-annoying. Kadabra and Rocket Abra are awsome to build from as well.

2. Gengar-- Boy, now this Pokemon I like. Decent HP, a KILLER pokemon power, and an awsome attack make Gengar a huge threat. To add to all that, he resists fighting and has a 1 retreat cost. Then there's the fact that his pre-evolutions are awsome.(the fossil variants)

1. Base Blastoise-- I hate fighting these things. Powerhouses in attacks and HP. The pokemon power is the best in the game, making Blastoise and his Fellow water pokemon near immune to Energy Removal. I shudder when I think of these things. Nevertheless, an awsome water and all-around type.

Trainers
10. Scoop Up-- only good in some decks, like haymaker or wigglytuff, because it makes you discard evolutions. Use them as a nice way to heal an injured ditto, so your opponent can't draw a prize. I like this card.

9. PlusPower-- It is truly amazing what an extra 10 damage can do. I run four in all of my decks. I wish that I could have more, though.

8. Item Finder-- Hmmm, get back any trainer from my discard pile by discarding 2 useless cards, sounds like a good deal to me. It is unbelievable how many games are won because of this card.

7. Nightly Garbage Run-- One of the best cards in Rocket. It allows for low basic pokemon and energy counts, and also helps prevent decking. A great addition to any deck.

6. Lass/Rocket Sneak Attack-- My personal favorite disruption trainers. I love Lassing turn 1 to screw my opponent. Watching them get rid of a prof. oak and comp. search while I lose an energy removal is awsome.

5. Energy Removal/Super Energy Removal-- The most annoying trainers in the game IMO. I hate looking like i can Special punch next turn, then getting SERed only to have to build up again. Awsome disruption trainers.

4. Gust of Wind-- This is truly an amazing card. Gust out a high retreat cost Pokemon to stall for time, or bring out a weak or damaged Pokemon for a quick kill. These things have won me so many games.

3. Bill-- Discard 1 for 2. I think you know why He is #3

2. Computer Search-- Get ANY card from your deck at any time. This is the most broken card out there. Another game winner card.

1. Professor Oak-- The best CARD in the game, IMO. Got a bad draw? Not any more. Oak it away for useful things. God, I love this card. No deck should be without them. Oak has saved me soooo many times.
 

Energy
5. Potion Energy-- The worst of the Energy, I think, since you only get to remove ONE damage counter. Nice in mono-colorless decks.

4. Rainbow Energy-- Awsome for Dual or Tri Color decks, even if it does 10 damage to the Pokemon it is attached to. Combo with Potion energy the next turn to nullify the effect.

3. Full Heal Energy-- I like this because it retains the full effect of the trainer, unlike Potion Energy. Good in most decks with colorless attack costs.

2. Double Colorless Energy-- Get that attack off a turn faster, even if it will likely get Removaled. Great with any deck with colorless Pokemon, or Scyther.

1. Basic Energy-All Types -- Without these, no Pokemon can run (except colorless Types). Therefore, these are the number one energy type.
 

Wow. That took longer than expected. Well, I hope you enjoyed this. I probably reflected the opinions of many people, but I know most will disagree. And remember 2 things.
    1. These are OPINIONS
    2. The above lists represent my opinions of the best cards, not my favorite cards.

See ya Pojo fans.
    Sean Norris
E-mail to snorris@snip.net

"Don't hate the archetypes, rather the players who can't make original decks."
-Sean Norris on Archetypes