Dr. Dem here, out and about doing my research on todays subject, the Psyduck/Golduck line. To better prepare to give you all my results I've gone into the wilds of the coasts near the Seafoam Islands in order to better study these elusive pokemon. Hiding myself and using advanced technology I was able to get the scoop on the various sub-specious of the duck pokemon. (In other words...I'm going to review all the psyduck and golduck cards and make my comments on how each of them is useful)

Let's start with the basic pokemon of the family. Inside of this species is five different sub-types. The first of these is the Fossil Psyduck, a rather nice sample of the species. It exhibits a strong sense of it's own water type, but it also gives aid to those of hte psychic variety.

(Gameterms: My personal choice for using Psyduck, it's ability to stop the oponent from playing trainers can shut them down cold in the early goings. It's water based attack can also provide some offense.)

The next subvariety is found usually by itself. Not a very friendly sort, it's said that the Rocket's have gotten their hands on it to use it for their own ends. As such we'll refer to this one as Rocket Psyduck. Similar to it's Fossil cousin it almost seems to be the same type with just a little tampering from the Rockets.

(Gameterms: Another good card that can definetly be used in place of the Fosil variety. With it's card drawing power it will help speed along your game nicely. A good begining to going on to Dark Golduck. It's Water Gun attack is decent as well. The choice is to personal opinion)

An interesting feature we find on our next subjects are that there are two cousins in what has been called the Misty line of psyducks. One seems to be more physical in nature than any of it's other cousins, it still seems to prefer not to do much of anything and to get others to come in and do it's work for it. The other one seems much more ready to get into a scrap. Oddly enough it doesn't seem to have any consistency, but it relies heavily on it's psychic abilities to get the job done when it does go into action other than sitting around and looking vacant.

(Gameterms: Misty's Psyducks aren't the best that there is out there. The Psyduck from G:H is all right, though it's more for a set up than for an offensive attack. It only scratches for ten, and calls other Misty's pokemon...not useful in anything but a Misty deck. The other from G:C is splashable in a psychic deck very easily. With 60 HP it has the most of any Psyduck and can do anything from netting you another card to doing some massive damage to the oponent. On the same token, it might just do nothing, but that's a good risk in my opinion)

The last of the psyduck variants we've found is one that seems to hang around the Saffron City area, specifically around the gym there. Oddly enough the influence of the gym leader there it seems to want to emulate the powers of the other psychic pokemon in the area. Though, it doesn't seem as if he knows how to do it very well. He holds a little bit of of offensive power, both physical and psychic, but still not quite as ready for battle as other psyducks.

(Gameterms: Usable as a set up for Sabrina's Golduck. While it can do some damage, it's almost best to not use it's psychic attack and just stick with Scratch. At least until you can get up the next stage.)

Now moving on to the next stage we find the Golduck, much more elusive and much more powerful in most regards. Unlike the psyducks we only have four varieties in which to study here. The first being the Fossil Golduck. A decently rare breed it seems to carry a good amount of both psychic and water based powers along with it, giving it a fair chance for survival.

(Gameterms: The original Golduck is a decent card in all aspects. With 70 hp and two decent attacks, it can keep itself alive and even go on the offense. This is the best card to add to a water heavy water/psychic deck, able to use both and even do energy removal with it's water attack makes this a good card to use.

The next specimen had to be studied with the utmost of secrecy as Rocket territory had to be infiltrated in order to get a good look at it. Seeming to eschew it's water nature completely, it appeared to concentrate solely on it's psychic abilities, which were quite impressive and substantial. Unfortunately I couldn't get more information than this as I had to leave.

(Gameterms: One of my favorite cards, Dark Golduck is a pure offensive powerhouse that can easily fit into any psychic deck. With it's powerful attack it can easily get past the anoyance of colourless pokemon's resistance as well as take down nigh any fire pokemon. Highly recommended. Mix with either Fossil or Rocket Psyduck to make a good one two combo)

The next Golduck is found mostly around Cerulean City, and seems to have a very odd pattern with it's attacks. While effective it seems to tire easily after some attacks, as well as doing little with it's psychic powers against the oponent. While an excellent sample of the specimen, it doesn't seem to be used much for battle.

(Gameterms: Well...it's a Golduck. While it can put the hurt on in a hurry, and while it can be effective in energy removal decks, it's still not all that great for use. It's attack can leave you high and dry as well as the energy removal doesn't do any damage, leaving it best for the binder)

Our last specimen also seems to be around Saffron City the influence of such is quite noticable. With a seemingly powerful attack to let it recover quicker from attacks, it doesn't seem to have forgotten it's water aspect, being able to defend itself that way seemingly. This pokemon seems to be ready to put up a fight.

(Gameterms: This is soon to become one of my favorite cards. It's damage swapping ability will be able to do up to 60 damage in many cases, and with it's secondary Water Shot being able to do up to fourty damage for only an extra water energy, it can be an excellent offensive pokemon.)

I hope you enjoyed my oration on the various types of Psyduck/Golducks out there as well as my offered opinion on which are best as well as which are best used in what form. If you have anything to add, or if you wish to make a comment, send them to Dr. Dem

This is Dr Dem signing off until my next article on the Grimer/Muk families.