To: Cardtips@pojo.com
Subject: Rules Variants 

Hello and welcome to Rules Variants. I'm your host, EvilRabbit. 
I'm going to discuss various rules variations here. 
Warning: If you work for Wizards of the Coast, keep in mind that these are ideas for individual tournaments, not the entire official format! 
Rules Variant 1: ALL Rares 

Here, if the little symbol in the lower right corner of the card is at least 1 star, it's legal. Promos are legal. Okay, so not ALL rares - Basic Energy are allowed. 

Advantages: Haymaker and other archetypes are weakened. Bill, Oak, NGR, and various other Hay staples are not rares. 
Scyther is rare. DCE is not. 
Those lucky few with a Promo Jigglypuff might have a ghost of a chance at Wigglytuff. 

Disadvantages: Half the rare cards evolve from uncommon or common cards. 

Rules Variant 2: All Basics Must Evolve 

No Mewtwo. No Electabuzz. The rule would be that if you had a Basic Pokémon in your deck, you'd have to have a card that evolved from it. 

Advantages: Sure we'd still see some of them, but to play them you'd need other cards and that takes up Trainer slots. 

Disadvantages: There are these silly cards called Elekid, Tyrogue, and Scizor. 

Rules Variant 3: Video Game Sim 

Basically, if a card couldn't be "taken" in Gold or Silver, it would be banned, once again excepting Energy. (All Pokémon can be taken into G/S.) 

Advantages: Think about it - no more Super Energy Removal. No Rocket's Sneak Attack. No Trap. No Challenge. None of the things that make the Pokémon TCG stale, but since Oak and Bill and Comp. Search are all in G/S the things that make the TCG what it is stay. 

Disadvantages: The vast, vast majority of Gym would be unplayable. 

Think about these. If you have any comments or Cool Porygons, send them to danru@ix.netcom.com 

Once again, this is EvilRabbit. 

Stupid Thought of the Day: 
Hm, what if there was a No Pokémon format?