This article is one which should cause controversy -  but won't - due to the simple fact that it will be dismissed as nonsense by anyone who disagrees with it; as the opinion I hope to undermine is absolutely set, and I doubt that any well layed out, reasoning argument could change it.
    I'll lay down my creed now: "Wartortle is superior to Breeder in a Raindance deck if you have to choose one or the other - and should not be termed 'obselete'".  Of course, Wartortle could be used in conjunction with Breeder, but still would be the more useful.

    Right, people are now skipping the article down to my e-mail address to send me obscenities.  But, wait - and you'll find out why this is not just an obscure concept, but the truth.
    I'll start by stating my reasoning, and then look at an e-mail from 'GrayFox' whom I corresponded with over his article which tells everybody what they already know: the 'ideal' portrait of a Raindance deck.

    Raindance - as we all know -  is a speed deck. You need Blastoise out as soon as possible to start the torrent - so that your attackers can pummel an opponent's pokémon for large damage amounts early on. If not - then you'll lose your advantage, and the game could go either way.
    Many people overlook the absolute importance of the word 'speed'.  If your Raindance deck is not fast, it'll be slaughtered.  So, you NEED four Computer Search and four Pokémon Trader to help get out the pokémon you want; the entire point here being to increase probability of drawing or obtaining what you desire as soon as possible.
    But, speed being very much of the essence, you would instantly assume that Breeder should replace Wartortle.  THAT IS WRONG.  Incorrect.  The thing that is not.  This is the stumbling block of the typical Raindance deck you see on Pojo, as people overlook the simple fact that Breeder CAN get a Blastoise on turn two, but only if you draw the correct cards.  They always look at the ideal scenario - but never think of the probability (which is stacked against said scenario) that it might not occur.
    Put simply, countering probability WILL help speed up the deck more than inserting the, theoretically, faster alternative.

    If you look at the numbers - splitting trainers (four Search and Trader) evenly - it makes more sense.

Typical Idea:
       7 and 1/3 Squirtle
       5 and 1/3 'Wartortle'
       7 and 1/3 Blastoise

 My idea:
       6 and 2/3 Squirtle
       6 and 2/3 Wartortle (or 10 2/3 with four Breeder)
       6 and 2/3 Blastoise

    Wartortle balances things - as it can be traded AND searched for. Although the numerical difference between the evolutions in a Breeder deck seems insignificant in an environment with so many of the same cards - 2 - the balance is important, as it does mean that it is more probable that you'll get the combination you want.  The best possible version of the deck has four Breeder in case - leaving some 'wasted' cards (but helping its main purpose) for Search fodder.
    There is also the added bonus that you can't Lass a Wartortle, and if you prepare the chain for evolution on turn one, your opponent drawing a Trainer-upscuttling card doesn't look as scary.
    The final bit of reason I have, which doesn't state that Wartortle is superior, but is merely a comment, is that Raindance is very powerful once out, and that one turn (if you end up with Wartortle, not Breeder, in a Breeder and Wartortle, or Wartortle deck) - in the long run - probably won't make much difference.  A few turns lost fighting probability will.

    But, now let's look at what the typical response (with my comments) to this article would be, from 'GrayFox' - whose article I objected to:

"Heh, another letter for my "unedited" Raindance article. Why I say  "unedited"? I pretty much went through the whole thing in like 5 minutes.
Some of the words were not meant to be taken seriously (i.e. Wartortle is  obsolete). I've gotten several letters because of that mistake, all targeting  my main bash, Wartortle. There is also soemtimes Poliwrath. I'll point out my opinions on why these are bad.

"Wartortle
1. I wouldn't condemn his as horrible in a Raindance. He may work. But, if  you plan on going 4-4-3 evolution family, its going to be tough getting the Raindance out sooner.  No deck should cut back on its main component - so a 4-4-4 should be the only option considered!  Relying on the luck of the draw, as non-Wartortle decks do, is more likely to lead to you getting 'the Raindance' out later.

"2. Yeah he cant be lassed, but usually i'd Gust all the mews out and destroy it with either Articuno or Blastoise. I don't understand what this comment is getting at.  Lassing a Breeder leaves you incapable of evolving Blastoise for quite a while.  It's nothing to do with Mew - but I see the point that Mew is very powerful against a Bred-Blastoise.

"3. 2nd turn, Withdraw, on the 2nd turn i'd rather have a 60 damage attack. Wouldn't we all?!  But then again, if you don't draw what you need, you won't be as likely to get that as I would with a 60 on turn three.

"Poliwrath  - This relates to me stating my preference for 'Da Raff' rather than 'Da Dozz'.
1. His family takes up too much space. I mean, if you plan on having 2 Stage 2 families without Breeders (i'm using your point of opinion), you're going to have a tough time attacking. Who says I don't use Breeders?  Originally I didn't - due to inability to get enough - but I stated that Wartortle BY ITSELF is superior, and even better in conjunction with Breeders.  You merely get him out the same way you get Blastoise out - I don't see the problem with attacking here.

"2. Whirlpool can be nice, Water gun hits for 50, but he can't exactly get over Mr. Mime, and Scyther just tears through him. Another reason why 'Da Raff' family is great!  A double-energied Poliwag can smash a Mime to pieces.  Lapras is the main one for this - but Poliwag has the use of being evolved, as well as taking out a Mime; making him even better than 'Da Prass'.

"3. Mr. Mime will kill Poliwag before the Wag can actually do something effective, then its back to square one with your Blastoises and Poliwraths on
the bench. Lapras is effective here as it takes Mime 4 turn sto kill it, while lapras can deal with it in 2-3 hits. ???!  Even if a Mime attacked the double-energied Poliwag first, it could still kill it!

"Reasons why Breeder is effective
1. YOUR opinion of raindance will get slauthered by today's current metagame of fast hitting haymakers. Hail Electabuzz!  What will tomorrow bring, eh?  If such a thing does occur, you could combat it by retreating for a Poliwag, to attack and stall.

"2. Hitting effectively on the bench at to the opposing foe with Articuno on the second turn can work wonders if the basic is knocked out without doing
any real consistent damage. The opponent will be left energy-less for easy pickings.  I think you mean here that Articuno can attack on turn two, not three; with great power.  True - and it's a strategy I like to employ if I get an Articuno and the potential of the Blastoise line - but that one turn doesn't make much difference.

"3. Just as simple, who wouldnt want a 50 or 60 damage attack on the 2nd turn? This is like saying Wigglytuff is bad. The point being that you only get that if you're lucky enough...

"4. Using the Poliwrath family, why work Poliwhirl? He's as good as a Diglett under the slashing of Scyther. And Scyther's as good as Exeggcute under the flames of a Base Magmar.  Hey!  This thing can rotate for a week, as Base Magmar is as good as Vulpix under the Slapping of Staryu! Who is... Do you get my point about stupid comparisons?

"Here's my raindance deck:

"Pokemon: 17
4x Squirtle
4x Blastoise
4x Articuno
3x Lapras
2x Chansey

"Trainers: 19
4x Bill
3x Oak
3x Computer Search (BTW, you CAN Search for a Breeder; it's still a card.)
3x Gust of Wind
2x Goop Gas Attack (Get rid of Mime when there isn't a Lapras in sight. First
dance, then goop.)
4x Pokemon Breeder

"Energy:
24x Water

"Sure this deck doesn't have any N.G.R's or Energy Retrievals, but I feel fine without them.

"GrayFox"  I have very little to say about this deck, as besides the Breeders (not Wartortles), and the lack of Traders, I agree with it.  All I have to say about that is in the article above.

I hope that you've found my article to be enlightening.  It is mostly new material, but some comments I lifted from articles on my site (address at the bottom).  If you have comments, which are not obscence, please send them to me.

All the best for the future, etcetera, etcetera,

Chris Fenwick

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caecilius@mac.com
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