My top ten list are cards that are NOT rare!  You can actually afford these as singles and may even get some in those rip-off boosters!  So here goes:
 
10-TR Charmander: This little guy kicks butt!  Low HP is a downer, though.  20 damage and a good Power make this one of the best basics in the TR series!
 
9(Tie)- Machop: This guy is like a mini Hitmonchan.  With 50 HP and one enrgy attack that deals 20 damage, this as got to be one of my favorites.  After all, I do use him in every fighting deck I have!
 
9(Tie)- Persian:  Persian, the fancy feline she is, can escape any battle at any time with 0 retreat cost.  20 damage with a DCE and 30 damage and a 10 damage reducer attack for 3 C energy!  And she just so happens to be the perfect killer for that darned Promo Mewtwo!
 
9(Tie)- TR Mankey: Free reatreat and a possible 40 damage attack with 2 energy!  That "shuffle the deck" attack is stupud, though.  WotC also made 40 HP on the guy reason for me to protest!
 
8- Erica's Dratini:  All I have to sat is with that power and some potions, he can stay in the game for awhile!
 
7- Fossil Psyduck: This little duckling is just too good!  With only one energy attacks that can control your opponent or deal up due 30 damage ( and yes, I know there is always chance with coin flips, so just quit argueing about it!) he is a really, really good pokemon to start out the game with.  Golduck is another story...
 
6- Fossil Gastly: This is one of those "used-to-be-bad-but's-now-really-good" cards.  0 retreat, Fighting resistance, a 10 damage possible paralysis one energy attack, and a free energy retrieval!  My they should start calling this guy the ghost of Bill!  (Just kidding!)
 
5(Tie)- Dark Dragonair: Two words- POKEMON POWER!!!!!!!!!!  This dude's power has got to be the best in the game!  You can search your deck every turn for an evolutin card.  Yes, every turn!!!  He attack is ok, ok taken loosely, with a 50/50 chance of 40 damage for 3 CE.  Once again, low HP.
 
5(Tie)- Dark Golduck: Third Eye is an insanely good attack!  What the heck was WotC thinking!?  Super Psy is also great with 50 damage.  Low HP stinks though.
 
4- Dark Jolteon: (Yes, I know, another Team Rocket card!  And no, it's not the last one!) She has a great, if not the best, one energy attacks ever.  Thunder attack is great too with possible parlysis and 30 damge!  One reatreat ai'nt so bad either for a Stage 1 either!
 
3- Magmars: Yes, Magmars.  I can't decide which is better!  Both have incredible attacks and HP.  I guess I would have to take Fossil, though, since it has HP,  possible parlysis, and that darned Smokescreen attack!  The base is very good, though!
 
2- TR Mankey: You probablly won't agree with this, but I love this card!  Rage is good if you have alot of damga and his second attack is insane with a guranteed 30 for 2 and a possible 50.  Low HP is a downer, but 1 reatreat aint so bad for a Stage 1!
 
1- TR Kadabra: His pokemon power is ausome!  Trading a old card for a new card is a great idea!  Mind Shock also takes no resistance or weakness, so Chansey and those others are no prob!
 
Other Notes:
 
-Sorry for all the ties.  Some problems are just so tough though!
-Sorry for all the spelling mistakes.  I,m a darrible spealir!
-I havn't got to see all the Gym cards, so that's why there is only one on the list!
-Send all compliments or complaints to wrightkwik@ioa.com
 
                                                                                                                    -Adam Wright