Well, I'm here with my second article (The first was awhile ago, when
Rocket was released). Here's cards that can add to archetypes already
out there, or create original new decks from the New Gym Heroes set.

ARCHETYPES

Haymaker
The haymakers get some decent additions. Rocket Hitmonchan and Rocket
Scyther are both good, although you need some grass energy in your deck
for Blinding Scythe. Both Lt. Surge's Electabuzzes need large amounts of
Lightning Energy to work consistently, so they're out in my opinion. I
made an interesting deck with just both Hitmonchans and both Scythers.
It's worked pretty decently, but cost a lot to obtain those 8 Rocket
versions (trade wise and money wise). None of the other Pokemon are
really worthwhile for Haymakers.

Wiggly
Wigglytuff decks gained some decent cards to speed up their decks, but
some cards will slow them down horrendously (well, actually two). Rocket
Training Gym and Narrow Gym will hurt Tuff decks, with Rocket Gym making
it difficult for a hurt Wiggly to get out of danger (ie. Hitmonchan),
and Narrow Gym effectivley dropping Wiggly damage by 10. On the plus
side, Good Manners is good for filling up the bench when you don't want
to Oak for more basics, and Blaine's Quiz #1 is essentially another
Bill, as most players don't pay attention to lengths of Pokemon.
Sabrina's Gaze can fill your hand with 5 new cards as well. No Removal
Gym will help keep Wiggly powered up, and The Rocket's Trap can keep
energy removals out of opponents hands.

Raindance
Raindance got essentially just trainers in this set. Not many Pokemon
are worth the space, although if you're lucky, Misty's Seadra might help
with some big, no drawback damage. Energy Flow can get energy off doomed
Pokemon like Articuno and Lapras. Sabrina's Gaze and Misty's Wrath can
get some new cards in your hand. Overall, not that much affected.

Damage Swap/Stall
Not much here as well, except Erika's Clefable, and Erika's Dratini can
help you out of trouble (especially Clefable, not so much Dratini). Just
keep Chansey alive by using Fairy Power. It's good for stall, but can't
really fit into any other decks.

Other good cards include Lt. Surge's Electabuzz, both versions. The holo
one is good for quick attacks (but needs an all-electric, energy
intensive deck, or lots of Retrievals/NGR), and the second attack on the
non-holo one is good for powering up big hitters like Raichu, Zapdos,
etc. Surge's Rattata is a good common, with a turn 2 40 nothing to laugh
at. All the cards I mentioned for archetypes are good, as well as a
couple of the stadiums, if you're playing an Erika or Misty deck. Rocket
Training Gym is good for slowing down Scyther. There's lots of decent
cards, but then......

WHAT NOT TO USE

Ok, this won't be an archetype listing of what not to use, but some
cards that you shouldn't, listed by type.

COLORLESS
I have to say that Blaine's Kangaskhan is horrible. 3 retreat, 80 HP,
and Child Punch is worthless. One-Two Punch isn't great either. Keep
this out of decks if possible. Also, Surge's Raticate is just a toned
down version of the base one, but can't deliver the finishing punch.
Also a no-no. The rest are pretty decent, only Blaine's Tauros needs
defenders to not knock itself out.

FIRE
Take a pass on all of the fire cards, except Rocket's Moltres. They lack
evolution, and the ones that don't evolve (Magmar, Moltres) are
horrible. Fire once again got the short end of the stick. Only one good
fire card.

WATER
Misty's Psyduck isn't the best. But other than that, the other cards are
pretty playable, except for Misty's Goldeen, both of them (what was
Wizards smoking when they made those horrible 30HP basics rare?).
Seaking isn't good either, as is the Shellder line.

GRASS
The Bellsprout line is once again horrible. Keep them out of decks.
Also, the Brock's Zubat/Golbat line isn't great either. Although the
30HP Zubat and Dark Alakazam make for a fun deck....., just keep those
out regardless. And Tangela should get the boot as well. And as for
Venonat/Venomoth.....well, we won't go there.

FIGHTING
All of them are horrible, except for the Hitmonchan, and maybe Golem
(and that's a big maybe). Fighting once again was screwed royally.

ELECTRIC
Voltorb sucks, Magnemite and Magneton suck. The rest are decent.

PSYCHIC
Drowzee should stay out, as should Abra. They should get some decent
evolutions come Challenge, like the really cool Alakazam, but just keep
them in the binder until then. Jynx is also bad. Slowpoke and Slowbro
are OK, but too risky. Mr. Mime is pretty good for Raindance, but is
just an easy prize.

TRAINERS

Some really good trainers in here, but a couple bad ones. Minion of Team
Rocket is very, very bad, as it's unlikely you'll get 2 heads in a row
unless it's a Chansey coin. There are others, but I'm sure you'll
recognize them when you come across them.

Well, comments (all are welcome) should be sent to
ironchefchinese@home.com

TristanC