The Merc here to talk about the team to end all teams. They ain't the
Four Horsemen of WCW, but they'll do.
(Before we start, I must say that the WCW Nitro TCG will fail if they do not
release Four Horsemen cards. Who cares about Goldberg or Kevin Nash?
For that matter, who cares about Stone Cold Steve Austin or The Rock?
Everyone knows that Ric Flair is the man. But Arn Anderson is the BEST!!!)
Enough ranting. On with the show. Team Rocket is one of the coolest
things to come out of Nintendo since the Super Mario Bros. Super Show (I am 16
and remember a lot of nostalgia, so if you don't know what I am saying, oh
well...), so you know it has to be good. I will not list cards that
haven't been released in the U.S. I will list cards that have the name
"Rocket" in it's title. I will not list Rocket's Secret Machine
cards. I will not list Rocket-related cards such as Imposter Oak's
Revenge. Let's start the card strageties!
Here Comes Team Rocket!
Trainer
Each player plays with his or her Prize cards face up for the rest of the game.
I played this card many times, and it has helped. How, you ask?
Simple. At one point, I had only one Blastoise in my Raindance deck.
I put in Here Comes Team Rocket to see if it were in my prize area. Half
the time it was, and this card fished it out each time. It never hurts to
look at both prize areas, so I give this card: 4.0/5.0
Rocket's Sneak Attack
Trainer
Look at your opponent's hand. If he or she has any Trainer cards, choose 1
of them. Your opponent shuffles that card into his or her deck.
Hand disruption! This is such an amazing card! No need to explain
here. But if you insist, Imposter Oak's Revenge the opponent, then remove
a possible Oak or Bill. My brother does this all the time, so I rate this
card: 5.0/5.0
Rocket's Hitmonchan
Basic Pokemon
Fighting
60HP
F: Crosscounter
If an attack does damage to Rocket's Hitmonchan during your opponent's next turn
(even if Rocket's Hitmonchan is Knocked Out), flip a coin. If heads,
Rocket's Hitmonchan attacks your opponent's Active Pokemon for double that
amount of damage. (If Rocket's Hitmonchan takes 20 damage, it does 40
damage to that Pokemon.)
FF1: Magnum Punch 50
Weakness: Psychic
Resistance: None
Retreat Cost: 1
10HP less than the original. But it's attacks are good. Crosscounter
wrecks many a Pokemon with the exception of Scyther. Or is it? Slash
for 60, flip to see if it works, and if so, we have 120. Subtract by 30.
90HP damage. Scyther takes a dive. But it is risky. But what's
a little risk? Magnum Punch is better than Special Punch by 10 damage.
Also note the one energy retreat cost. How does this card fair? I
rate this: 4.0/5.0
Rocket's Moltres
Basic Pokemon
Fire
60HP
Pokemon Power: "Rebirth"
When Rocket's Moltres is Knocked Out, you may return it to your hand after
discarding it. This power can't be used if Rocket's Moltres is Asleep, Confused,
or Paralyzed when it is Knocked Out.
RRR: Fire Wall 40
If an attack does damage to Rocket's Moltres during your opponent's next turn
(even if Rocket's Moltres is Knocked Out), Rocket's Moltres attacks your
opponent's Active Pokemon for 10 damage. (Apply Weakness and Resistance.)
Weakness: None
Resistance: Fighting
Retreat Cost: 2
I can't splash for it like Scyther and Hitmonchan. It uses three Fire
energy for it's attack. It lacks a turn one attack and needs two to
retreat. However, it does not suffer the weakness to Water. It is
able to return, and it's only attack is a good one. 40 damage and hurts
the opponent for attacking. Good, but it needs to be more splashable.
Good in a Fire deck. I rate this: 3.0/5.0
Rocket's Scyther
Basic Pokemon
Grass
60HP
G: Shadow Images
Whenever Rocket's Scyther is attacked, your opponent flips a coin. If
tails, that attack does no damage to Rocket's Scyther. (Any other effects
of the attack still happen.) This effect lasts until Rocket's Scyther
takes damage (or is Benched or is evolved).
G2: Blinding Scythe 40
Weakness: Fire
Resistance: Fighting
Retreat Cost: 1
I like this Scyther better. Sure, it has 10 less HP. It lacks the
free retreat cost. And you need Grass energy for it to work. But
it's worth it. It's Shadow Images attack makes it hard to hit. And
Blinding Scythe does 40 instead of 30. Add the fact that it is resistant
to Fighting, and you have a good Pokemon. It rates: 4.5/5.0
Rocket's Snorlax
Basic Pokemon
Colorless
90HP
Pokemon Power: "Restless Sleep"
If your opponent's attack does damage to Rocket's Snorlax and Rocket's Snorlax
is already Asleep (even if it's Knocked Out), this power does 20 damage to the
attacking Pokemon.
3: Collapse 20
Rocket's Snorlax is now Asleep (after doing damage).
Weakness: Fighting
Resistance: Psychic
Retreat Cost: 4
I like Snorlax, but the cards are horrible. Add this to the list. If
only it had less of a retreat cost. Rating: 1.5/5.0
The Rocket's Training Gym
Stadium Card
This card stays in play when you play it. Discard this card if another Stadium
card comes into play.
Each player pays 1 more to retreat his or her Active Pokemon.
This I like! Make Scyther pay to retreat. Electabuzz, Promo Mewtwo,
and Hitmonchan need three. Snorlax needs FIVE! Kangaskhan needs
FOUR! If only we could play multiple copies. What do we rate this
gem? Rating: 4.5/5.0
Minion of Team Rocket
Trainer
Flip 2 coins. If both of them are heads, choose 1 of your opponent's
Benched Pokemon and return it and all cards attached to it to his or her hand.
If 1 or both of them are tails, your turn ends immediately (you can't attack
this turn).
If only it said one coin. Or if only we didn't have to skip attacking.
This was a good idea. But it ended in tragety. I play it, though.
If I can't attack, or even if I could, but won't because I know my opponent
can't attack next turn, I play this. I won once with it, but only once.
So, this is a card where only one will do. I call it Computer Search
Fodder. Nonetheless, this gets the following rating: 1.0/5.0
The Rocket's Trap
Trainer
Flip a coin. If heads, choose up to 3 cards at random from your opponent's
hand (don't look at them). Your opponent shuffles those cards into his or
her deck.
We have a card like this in Magic. It's called Hymn to Tourach. It
was better cause we didn't need a coin flip and we made them discard it.
But the Trap is just as amazing. Pair it with Rocket's Sneak Attack and
Imposter Oak's Revenge, and you have a combo. There is a 50% chance it
will work, though. I heard some people compare it to Pokeball, saying it
was "just as horrible." NOT! Pokeball does what Oak can
already do and more. Trap can wrecks the opponent's hand. Nuff said.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Team Rocket's Meowth
Basic Pokemon
Colorless
40HP
1: Miraculous Comeback
Flip a number of coins equal to the total number of Pokemon in play. This
attack does 10 damage times the number of heads. Then, Team Rocket's
Meowth does 10 damage times the number of tails to itself.
Weakness: Fighting
Resistance: Psychic
Retreat Cost: 1
My favorite Pokemon! All hail Meowth. You can read all about him in
my article "TR Meowth." He isn't invincible, but who is?
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Well, this sure beats the usual Top 10 lists with the usual
"ELECTABUZZ!!!!" support. I have begun to recieve e-mail, hate
mail, etc. Send yours along and try to tell Team Rocket off.
Mercury Crusader (A.K.A. The self-proclaimed "Greatest Water Pokemon
Trainer" and Team Rocket supporter)
themerc@angelfire.com
"Styling and profiling only the way a Horseman could..."