Bill – Base Set
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2024
Rating: See Below
Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale. 1 is horrible. 3 is average. 5 is great.
Average eBay Sale as of today (1st Edition):
PSA 10: $130
PSA 8: $25
Reviews Below:
PojoBot
- Bill: Base Set Staple or Budget Bin Filler?
- Card of the Day: Bill (Base Set #91)
- Set: Base Set (The OG)
- Rarity: Common (But don’t underestimate him!)
- Effect: “Draw 2 cards.”
Pojo’s Analysis:
Ah, Bill. The friendly face that greeted countless newbies and veterans alike in the heady days of Base Set. This unassuming Trainer, holds a special place in Pokemon TCG history. But is he merely a nostalgic relic or a card with surprising bite? Let’s dissect this Pokemon Master.
The Good:
- Simple, powerful effect: Draw two cards. In a resource-hungry game like Pokemon TCG, card advantage is king. Bill slaps two fresh options right into your hand, fueling your offensive, defensive, or combo-tastic shenanigans.
- Versatility: Bill fits into any deck like a comfy pair of old shoes. He fuels aggression, bolsters control, and smooths out clunky draws.
- Common rarity: Budget-conscious trainers rejoice! You won’t have to mortgage your house to snag a playset of Bills. He’s readily available and easy to max out, making him a cornerstone for any fledgling deck.
The Not-So-Good:
- Power creep: Let’s be honest, the game has evolved (pun intended). Cards like Cynthia and Professor Juniper offer card draw with additional bells and whistles (tutoring, discarding unwanted cards, etc.). Bill starts to feel a bit quaint in their shadow.
- Deck space is precious: In a 60-card deck, every slot counts. While two extra cards are nice, Bill doesn’t offer any immediate impact. He can be a luxury in tighter decks.
- Nostalgia goggles: Does Bill’s charm cloud our judgment? Maybe a bit. Newer Trainers offer more strategic depth and flexibility, making Bill feel like a trusty old friend rather than a competitive powerhouse.
Verdict:
Bill, like a well-worn pair of jeans, is comfortable, reliable, and always welcome. He’s a card that defines the early days of Pokemon TCG, offering straightforward card advantage that fits into any deck. But in today’s fast-paced meta, he might struggle to keep up with flashier Trainers. Still, for casual play, new players, and sentimental collectors, Bill remains a timeless classic.
In 1999/2000, Bill was like Frank’s Red Hot Sauce: “Frank’s Red Hot Sauce … I put that $h!t in everything”.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Pokéballs (A solid choice for casual play and nostalgia, but consider more potent options for competitive decks.)
We would love more volunteers to help us with our Card of the Day reviews. If you want to share your ideas on cards with other fans, feel free to drop us an email. We’d be happy to link back to your blog / YouTube Channel / etc. 😉
Click here to read our Pokémon Card of the Day Archive. We have reviewed more than 4900 Pokemon cards over the last 23 + years!
