First off:  Slops to Toys R Us of Brockton for
not getting 1st edition Packs of Gym Challenge.  If it
isn't their fault, then Slops to the Shipper who gave
them the packs.  Props to them, however for having
them on sale for $2.99/pack.  YAY!

     So, I went out and got 10 packs of Challenge.
Just cause I know you want to know, the rares were:
Surge's Jolteon, Misty's Wish, Koga (Non-Foil), Koga
(Foil), Blaine's Arcanine (Foil), Giovanni's Gyarados
(Foil), Misty's Gyarados (Foil), Giovanni's Last
Resort (Yuck!),  Giovanni's Pinsir, and Koga's Arbok.
I also got both Misty's and Sabrina's Psyduck!  YAY! 

     Has everyone noticed the number of cards that can
and will be abused with Base Kazam?  It's sickening
high.  Kazam will become highly playable, more so
after Prop 15T is passed.

     Oh, and about that.  I was talking to one of
tguys who works for Wizards at the STS in Braintree,
Ma.  Unofficially, it looks like they will pass 15T
for the showdown in New Jersey and all tourneys
afterward.  However, it will not stick.  Wizards is
trying to get permission to change some of the cards
that they consider broken.  The plan is to have new
version of old favorites come out with Base Set 3.
Hmmm...maybe Wiggly, Chan, and Buzz are about to get a
Make-Over.

       First Kazam Challenge Combo:  Sabrina's
Golduck. Remove a damage counter of your pokemon and
place them on the defender?  Sure.  Let me spread the
pain around on my side, and do 60 to you.

     Blaine's Doduo:  Rage combo.  Swap onto Doduo
before attacking for maximum damage.

     Giovanni's Machop:  I hate coin flips, but this
one needs it.  Fury Punch - Flip a coin. If heads,
this attack does 20 damage times the number of damage
counters on Giovanni's Machop.  For 2 fighting, you
could be doing 80 damage.  (He has 50 HP)  Put 2
counters on him, and if you get lucky, you could take
down Wiggly! or Buzz!

     My favorite?  Erika's Jigglypuff. 

     (C) Group Therapy  - You and your opponent remove
1 damage counter from each of your Pokemon with damage
counters on them.

     I have a friend who plays a Spiral Dive deck.
This would be fun.  Spiral Dive, group therapy, and I
stall for the win.

     Wondering what to do with Pulled Punch?  40 for 2
colorless is great.  BUT!  That attack drops down to
10 if the defender is damaged.  So..here are some
ideas:

    - Gust out a fresh pokemon.
    - Use Charity to do 0.
    - Use Gengar's Curse to swap damage. (Better get
all 4 out!)
    - Evolve it into Erika's Wiggly (Oh, silly me.  No
such card!)

     Later.

     Chris

     Tigger_218@yahoo.com