What to Look For in Team Rocket
by Neptune
 
Inside this article...
 
As you know, the Team Rocket Expansion Set is coming out this month.  I don't know about you, but I got the Team Rocket Spoiler from Edo's Pokemon Page at <www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Alley/2247/poke.htm>  I read the spoiler, and found several cards that I think will change the tourney environment.  I must say, Team Rocket is a huge disappointment for Haymaker fans.
 
Evil Charizard
Type:  Stage 2 Fire Pokemon (Evolves from Evil Charmeleon)
LV.38     HP 80
C:   Nail:   10
RR:   Repeating Fireball:   50x
  Effect:  Flip a coin for each R Energy card attached to this
    Pokemon.  This attack does 50 damage times the number of
    heads.  Then, discard 1 R Energy card attached to this
    Pokemon for each heads.  (If you can't, this attack does no
    damage.)
-CCC      Retreat
W         Weakness
F         Resistance (Damage -30)
No. 006 (Rare Hologram)
 
Y'know, this Charizard isn't that bad!  Sure, his 80HP doesn't stand up to the LV.76's 120HP, and Nail is a horrible attack for a Stage 2, and he has a Weakness to Water, and he has a Retreat Cost of 3...  Never mind.  Evil Charizard isn't that great.  But then again, 80HP isn't bad, just look at Beedrill, Alakazam, and Gengar.  Also, Repeating Fireball isn't so bad.  Let's say that you flip heads 50% of the time, and you flip 1 heads and 1 tails on Repeating Fireball.  Then you do 50 damage for 2 Fire and 1 discard.  Not that bad, although it could be better.
 
Evil Blastoise
Type:  Stage 2 Water Pokemon (Evolves from Evil Wartortle)
LV.28     HP 70
WW:   Hydro Cannon:   30+
  Effect:  Does 30 damage plus 20 more damage for each W Energy
    attached to this Pokemon but not used to pay for this
    attack's Energy cost.  You can't add more than 40 damage in
    this way.
WCC:   Rocket Tackle:   40
  Effect:  This Pokemon does 10 damage to itself.  Flip a coin.
    If heads, during your opponent's next turn, prevent all
    damage done to this Pokemon.  (Any other effects of attacks
    still happen.)
-CC       Retreat
L         Weakness
No. 009 (Rare Hologram)
 
This guy's not bad either.  70HP does suck, and Evil Wartortle is pretty bad too, but Hydro Cannon can do 70 damage for 4 Water.  Rocket Tackle is good damage for its cost, and the effect is like Agility!  At first I thought to put him in a Raindance deck, but 2 Stage 2s is not good at all.
 
Evil Arbok
Type:  Stage 1 Grass Pokemon (Evolves from Ekans)
LV.25     HP 60
GG:   Shock Eye
 Effect:  Choose 1 of your opponent's Pokemon.  This attack does
   10 damage to that Pokemon. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance)
   Until the end of your opponent's next turn, that Pokemon
   cannot use any Pokemon Powers.
GGG:   Poison Mist:   10
 Effect:  The Defending Pokemon is now Poisoned.  This attack does
   10 damage to each of your opponent's Benched Pokemon.  (Don't
   apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.)
-CC       Retreat
P         Weakness
No. 024 (Rare Hologram)
 
Another guy, not bad at all.  I know, the attacks are high priced and once again the HP is low, but this Stage 1 Grass Pokemon is strong.  Shock Eye can be very useful, and Poison Mist is great.  AUTOMATIC Poison and 10 damage to EVERY benched Pokemon.  The cost is high but it's worth it.
 
Evil Vileplume
Type:  Stage 2 Grass Pokemon (Evolves from Evil Gloom)
LV.29     HP 60
[Pokemon Power]  Allergy Pollen
  Effect:  While this Pokemon is in play, neither player may
    play Trainer cards.  This power stops working while this
    Pokemon is Asleep, Confused or Paralyzed.
GGG:   Flower Whirlpool:   30x
  Effect:  Flip 3 coins.  This attack does 30 damage times
    the number of heads.  If you flip 2 or more heads in this way,
    this Pokemon is now Confused.
-CC       Retreat
R         Weakness
No. 045 (Rare Hologram)
 
I toldja that Haymakers are gonna be hurt by Rocket, and here is the first reason (might as well tell ya the other reason now...  There are no Basics to add to the Haymakers!  No Magmars, Scythers, or anything.  In fact, the only Basic Pokemon in the Rocket Set that doesn't evolve is Poryogon).  Anyway, there are some great thing and some not-so-great things about Evil Vileplume.  Let's start with the good stuff.  Allergy Pollen...  Good for anti-Hay and Raindance.  Of course, it does the same to you so you might want to think twice about putting this guy in your deck.  Make sure that you don't have a Trainer reliant deck if you use this guy (just like you don't wanna put Aerodactyl in a Raindance, eh?).  Actually, the rest of it is pretty sad.  60HP for a Stage 2, Flower Whirlpool will confuse you if it does any good amount of damage, and a Retreat of 2.
 
Evil Dugtrio
Type:  Stage 1 Fighting Pokemon (Evolves from Diglett)
LV.18     HP 50
[Pokemon Power] Pit Trap
  Effect:  Whenever your opponent retreats a Pokemon, he or she
    flips a coin.  If tails, this power does 20 damage to that
    Pokemon (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance).  This power
    stops working while this Pokemon is Asleep, Confused or
    Paralyzed.
FF:   Push Over:   20+
  Effect:  Your opponent flips a coin.  If tails, this attack
    does 20 more damage.
-CC       Retreat
G         Weakness
L         Resistance (Damage -30)
No. 051 (Rare Hologram)
 
Yeah I know, his HP sucks, and his attack isn't that great.  But then again, he does resist Electabuzz.  Pit Trap also can be very useful in combination with Evil Muk's Pokemon Power (translation later).
 
Evil Alakazam
Type:  Stage 2 Psychic Pokemon (Evolves from Evil Kadabra)
LV.30     HP 60
PPC:   Teleport Blast:   30
  Effect: After damage is done, you may choose 1 of your Benched
    Pokemon and switch it with this Pokemon.
PPP:   Mindshock:   40
  Effect:  Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for this attack.
    (Any other effects that would happen after applying Weakness
    and Resistance still happen.)
-CCC      Retreat
P         Weakness
No. 065 (Rare Hologram)
 
I actually don't see any good use for this guy.   If I put a Stage 2 into my deck, it is usuall because of a great Pokemon Power or a super-powerful attack (sometimes both, ex. Base Set Blastoise & Venusaur).  His HP isn't anywhere near where I'd want it, and the attacks, while okay, don't convice me one bit.
 
Evil Machamp
Type:  Stage 2 Fighting Pokemon (Evolves from Evil Machoke)
LV.30     HP 70
FF:   Mega Punch:   30
FFFC:   Throw
  Effect:  Your opponent must have a Benched Pokemon in order for
    you to use this attack.  Shuffle the Defending Pokemon and
    all cards attached to it into its owner's deck.
-CCC      Retreat
P         Weakness
No. 068 (Rare Hologram)
 
As I said, I only put in Stage 2's for a powerful attack/Power.  Mega Punch would be great for a Basic, but evolving twice just for it? No.  True, Throw can win you the game sometimes, like Gusting up a Blastoise, but it's overpriced.
 
Evil Muk
Type:  Stage 1 Grass Pokemon (Evolves from Grimer)
LV.25     HP 60
[Pokemon Power]  Sticky Liquid
  Effect:  While this card is in play, when your opponent
    retreats his or her Active Pokemon, he or she must discard 2
    additional Energy to retreat.  This power stops working while
    this Pokemon is Asleep, Confused or Paralyzed.
GG:   Sludge Punch:   20
  Effect:  The Defending Pokemon is now Poisoned.
-CC       Retreat
P         Weakness
No. 089 (Uncommon)
 
Here's the Evil Muk I promised.  Sticky Liquid can pay huge dividends against a Hitmonchan, who know has to pay 4 Energy to Retreat.  Same with popular Promo Mewtwo.  Even Scyther has to pay 2!  Sludge Punch is good too.  Low cost and AUTOMATIC Poison.  I like Automatic Status effects, except for Sleep.
 
Evil Hypno
Type:  Stage 1 Psychic Pokemon (Evolves from Drowzee)
LV.26     HP 60
P:   Psy Punch:   20
PPC:   Bench Control:   20x
  Effect:  Your opponent flips a coin for each of his or
    her Benched Pokemon.  This attack does 20 damage times
    the number of tails.  (Don't apply Weakness and
    Resistance.)
-CC       Retreat
P         Weakness
No. 097 (Rare Hologram)
 
I think this guy has potential against Wiggly decks.  Psy Punch is good, and when the opponent fills his bench you can Bench Control.  Unfortunetaly, Bench Control is not reliable and Evil Hypno's HP is not high.
 
Evil Gyarados
Type:  Stage 1 Water Pokemon (Evolves from Magikarp)
LV.31     HP 70
[Pokemon Power]  Final Beam
  Effect:  This power is only used when this Pokemon is Knocked
    Out.  Flip a coin.  If heads, this Power does 20 damage times
    the number of W Energy attached to this Pokemon to the
    Pokemon that knocked it out.  This power stops working while
    this Pokemon is Asleep, Confused or Paralyzed.
WWW:   Freeze Beam:   30
  Effect:  Flip a coin.  If heads, the Defending Pokemon is now
    Paralyzed.
-CC       Retreat
G         Weakness
F         Resistance (Damage -30)
No. 130 (Rare Hologram)
 
I think Evil Gyarados is okay.  Freeze Beam is just like Articuno's Freeze Dry, and Final Beam would do 60 damage if you had been previously Freeze Beaming, although that is assuming that the flip was in your favor.
 
  • Reviews on Trainers
Night Waste Recovery
Type:  Trainer (Team Rocket's Secret Machine)
Effect:  Choose up to 3 Basic Pokemon or Evolution cards or Basic
  Energy cards in your discard pile, show them to your opponent,
  then shuffle them into your deck.
Picture:  A night scene that has a ball with long arms picking up
  garbage.
No number (Common)
 
Goodbye Energy Retrieval!  Right now I use Energy Retrieval in many of my decks, but Night Waste Recovery is taking it's place.  Energy Retrieval has a discard cost of 1 and only retrieves 2 Basic Energy, while Night Waste Recovery has no discard cost and retrieves up to 3 Basic Energy.  Plus, you can also use it to get Basics for your Wigglytuff deck as well.  And, for everything that it does, it's still a common.
 
Rainbow Energy
Type:  Trainer
Effect:  This Energy card becomes a Basic Energy card of
  your choice.  When this card is attached to a Pokemon, it
  does 10 damage to that Pokemon. (Don't apply Weakness and
  Resistance).
Picture:  A rainbowish Energy ball.
No number (Rare Hologram)
 
This card can be very useful on some decks.  In a Potpourri, maybe, although that deck already runs smoothly without...  10 damage can be a big drawback; think of it as a PlusPower...  One thing bad for the deck mechanics: prepare to recieve TONS of new 5 color decks.
 
Smash!  Challenge Form
Type:  Trainer
Effect:  Issue a challenge to your opponent.  If your opponent
  declines, draw 2 cards.
  If your opponent accepts, each player may search his or her
  deck for as many Basic Pokemon as he or she wishes, and put
  them on his or her Bench.  (Until each player is finished,
  place them face-down).  Each player shuffles his or her deck
  afterward.
Picture:  A bunch of Pokemon, a Hitmonlee kicking toward you.
No number (Uncommon)
 
I have some ideas about this card.  If your opponent declines the challenge, Smash! Challenge Form is a Bill.  If not, it can work wonders for your Wiggly deck.  I think this card is good, but sorta stupid.  Although you could always challenge your opponent to climb Mt. Everest or something in order for them to decline, that'll only work against your 5-year-old brother and his friends.  When using this card against expert players, they'll see what of the two choices helps you less (or hurts you) and they'll choose that one.  The card doesn't say anything about having to do the challenge if you accept, and I don't think that would work in tourneys...  "I challenge you to give $1 million to me every day."  Hehe.
 
Team Rocket Appears!
Type:  Trainer
Effect:  Each player's Prizes are turned face-up for the
  remainder of the game.
Picture:  Jesse, James and Meowth
No number (Ultra Rare Hologram)
 
Hey look!  It's an Ultra Rare Hologram.  Collectors would love to have this...  If I every get one I'll trade it to ya, I don't think it really helps that much and if it does it helps you opponent to the same extent.
 
Team Rocket's Big Sister
Type:  Trainer
Effect:  Look at your opponent's hand.  Choose 1 Trainer card
  there, and your opponent shuffles that card into his or
  her deck.
Picture:  A red-haired lady with a red "R" on her shirt,
  holding a Pokeball.
No number (Rare Hologram)
 
Sort of a Mini-Lass without the drawback to yourself.  This card can be useful and can possibly serve as a Lass if you don't like discarding your own Trainers.
 
The Boss' Way
Type:  Trainer
Effect:  Search your deck for an Evil Pokemon Evolution card,
  show it your opponent, and put it into your hand.  Shuffle your
  deck afterward.
Picture:  A close-up of a person, smiling evilly, with shadows
  across his face.
No number (Uncommon)
 
A Computer Search used exclusively for Evil evolutions.  Okay if your deck is based around those, and if you use Team Rocket cards in your deck I guarantee you they're gonna be evolutions.  No use in a Haymaker or anything like that, though.
 
  • Team Rocket's Effect on Current Archetypes
  1. Haymaker - I told you already that Haymaker would not get any help whatsoever from Team Rocket.  As I said, there are no Big Bad Basics in the set, unless you consider Porygon as one (he sucks, for translation go to Edo's page).  Evil Vileplume doesn't allow Trainers, and that hurts Haymaker as well, especially those 32-34 Trainer Sponges (I have one...).
  2. Raindance - Raindance doesn't get much help either.  Evil Gyarados, while okay, does not fit the theme of Raindance because it's biggest attack is 30.  Also, Evil Vileplume will hurt Raindance as much or more than Haymaker, evidence is in the fact that Lass already crushes Raindance.  Also, Evil Blastoise has a hard hitting attack, but it's being a Stage 2 hurts it tremendously.  Raindance fans should stick with Articuno/Lapras.
  3. Damage Swap - Again, there's nothing really to help here.  Team Rocket does not posses fatties at all...
 
  • New Decks that will become popular due to Team Rocket Cards
This is only my opinion, and I don't really have the normal thinking mind =P.  So, think of this more as the "Team Rocket Combos" section.
  1. Status Effect - Not a new deck, but look at all the poison going around in Rocket!  Evil Arbok and Evil Muk both have AUTO Poison attacks.
  2. The Don't Retreat Deck - A combination of Evil Dugtrio and Evil Muk make a deck that makes Retreating a nightmare.
Sorry, that's all I can think of right now!
 
  • Conclusion
Overall, Team Rocket is not my favorite expansion.  I hate to say it, but both Jungle and Fossil were better in my opinion.  The highest HP was Evil Charizard (80) and that reflects the entire set.  Team Rocket is BY FAR the lowest HP set yet.  A Basic had about 40HP, a stage 1 had 50-60, and a Stage 2 had 60 (on average).  To use these card you may want to consider Defender or Pokemon Center (but please not Potions).
 
Reminder: For complete translations on Team Rocket/Gym 1/Gym 2/NEO/Promos, go to Edo's Pokemon page at <www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Alley/2247/poke.htm>
 
Thanks,
Neptune