It may be time for a Pidgeot comeback. 

Not that he was ever that popular in the first place, but in the same
tradition as Jigglypuff rising from anonimity to challenge Mr. Mime, Pidgeot
just may rise from the proverbial ashes in order to face  the most feared
closer in the game today--Wigglytuff!

Wigglytuff makes a great finisher because he's energy efficient, drawing his
power instead from the number of benched pokemon backing him up.  He's also
resistant to Psychic pokemon, who are more likely to be around late in a
game.  His weakness is fighting, but since fighting pokemon do not evolve
well, they are less likely to be late-game threats.  Enegy removal slows him
down, but since he only needs 3 colorless to "Wave", it's a temporary
reprieve at best.  Add 80 hit points, and Wigglytuff is the best late-game
closer to date.

So, how can you stop him?

Unless you win early, or happen to already use fighting pokemon, your options
are rather limited.  Fighting pokemon are notoriously difficult to "splash",
since only five use strictly colorless attacks (Aerodactyl, Mankey, Kabuto,
Sandslash, and TR's Machop).  If you're willing to use a few fighting
energies, then Rhyhorn is a gift from the pokemon gods, as he stops
Wigglytuff and Electrabuzz.  But a more subtle aproach may be to use Pidgeot.


Pidgeot                 80HP

Bird Pokemon

Type:   Colorless

Evolves from Pidgey & Pidgeotto

Attacks:


Wing Attack        CC       20

Hurricane           CCC      30
Unless the attack knocks out the defending pokemon, return the Defending
Pokemon and all cards attached to it to your opponents hand.

Weakness           L
Resistance          F
Retreat                  (None)


Okay, so his underlying evolutions aren't the strongest, and his first attack
is underwhelming for a Stage 2, but as a solution for Wigglytuff, he ain't
bad.  Hurricane sends Wigglytuff, Jiglypuff, and the 3 energy cards back to
your opponents hand, which means he/she will need 2-3 turns to set up
Wigglytuff again,  In the meantime, your feasting on your opponents benched
pokemon, since they were likely overlooked as your opponent focused on
getting Wigglytuff going.  Add in Pidgeot's free retreat and Colorless energy
requirements, and Pidgeot makes a decent strategic Pokemon.  Try combining
Pidgeot with Psyduck/Golduck (energy removal) or Gastly/Haunter/Gengar (no
weakness, free retreats).  Or for a more ironic twist, try Pidgeot in your
own Wiggly deck.....

C Keefe
CKeefe73@aol.com