I never thought much of team rocket; after glancing at the spoiler I
dismissed it as all the cards having too low HP for use.  Recently, though, I
was glancing through the spoiler again and noticed a card with some pretty
good potential- Evil Vileplume.  Here's his vital stats for those slowpokes
like me who aren't already familiar with fossil.

60 HP (yuck)
Weak- Fire
Resistance- None
Retreat- 2

Power- Allergy Pollen: While this Pokémon is in play, neither player may play
trainer cards.  This power stops working while this Pokémon is asleep,
confused, or paralyzed.

(GGG) Flower Whirlpool (30x)  Flip 3 coins.  The effect does 30 damage times
the number of heads.  If you flip 2 or more heads in this way, the Pokémon is
confused.

    The power will seriosly change the gameplay.  Haymaker, with its major
reliance on trainers, will finally take a major hit.  I see a few major
weaknesses of this card, 1 being HP.  The answer to that is fairly simple,
though- Bench.  Just don't attack with it.  When this card is in play,
there's no such thing as Gust of Wind.  The next problem is evolution. 
Vileplume can't be gusted, but oddish or gloom could.  Muk will also hurt
him, making him gustable and opening usage of any other trainers.  Muk is
really the only way to get around the power, though.  But there are some good
combos which could make him even better.
    Vileplume + Muk- It may seem like a contradiction, but It's the only way
if you need to play a trainer.  Evolve muk when you need to play a trainer,
play it, and scoop muk up.  Or Mr. Fuji.
    Vileplume + Aerodactyl- Complete shutdown.  No evolution or trainers. 
Protection from Muk if you're fast enough.  Evolve Plume first and then
aerodactyl and your opponent will be pretty much helpless. 
    To further the disruption, you could add agility or smokescreen Pokémon,
like rapidash and magmar.  Poison, confusion.  There are lots of
possibilities.  I don't know about the rest of you, but this sounds like a
possible new archetype.  Haymaker's speed relies on trainers.  Stall rely on
centers or scoop ups.  Raindance on com. search and Prof. Oak.  No more ER. 
    Of course, you limit yourself too.  But, if you lessen your own reliance
on trainers and throw in a few muks and scoop ups for safety, you can get
around that.  I don't know about the rest of you, but I see some good
potential and some vileplume decks in the future.  I'll definitely play
around with it.  Hay's new rival.

                                            Souper
                                        souper451@aol.com