Copperajah V – Rebel Clash Pokemon Review

Otaku

Copperajah V (SSH – Black Star Promos SWSH030; SSH – Rebel Clash 136/192, 187/192) is a Metal Pokémon, which is a pretty good deal.  While not handy for type-matching, they’ve got a good deal of proven support right now.  As a Pokémon V, Copperajah gives up an extra Prize when KO’d, has to deal with some anti-V effects, but enjoys far higher HP and (possibly) better effects or other stats.  Like its Stage; Copperajah V is a Basic Pokémon, even though regular Copperajah are Stage 1 Pokémon.  Copperajah V enjoys 220 HP, sturdy and only 10 shy of the max printed for Pokémon V.  Its [R] Weakness is dangerous, though Metal Frying Pan can help with that.  [G] Resistance doesn’t mean much right now, but it is still appreciated.  A Retreat cost of [CCCC] is too high to pay manually, at least, the vast majority of the time.  Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives to doing so and it even qualifies Copperajah V for a few pieces of support exclusive to Retreat Costs of this magnitude.

Copperajah V knows two attacks, “Adamantine Press” and “Wrack Down”, priced at [MMC] and [MMMC], respectively.  You’ll need at least two copies of Metal Saucer, plus your manual Energy attachment for the turn, if you want to take this Pokémon from “zero” to attacking in a single turn.  That, or some other form of acceleration.  The costs also make it unlikely Copperajah V would work well in an off-type deck… unless you’re including it for reasons other than attacking with it.  Adamantine Press doesn’t hit very hard, given the Energy it requires, but 90 still isn’t terrible and the attack’s effect soaks 30 damage (after Weakness and Resistance).  Wrack Down does a straightforward 180 damage, letting it 2HKO even the biggest targets and OHKO the vast majority of single-Prize Pokémon… at least, before other effects.  Together, you can either tank, dealing a little damage while soaking some hits, go for a not-so-large “big” hit, or alternate according to the situation.

The other thing you can do is evolve Copperajah V.  No surprise, we’re reviewing Copperajah VMAX (SSH – Rebel Clash 137/192, 199/192) tomorrow, which means I won’t go into detail here.  Whether Copperajah VMAX is awesome, awful, or something in between, it is nice that Copperajah V has more options.  In Expanded, it gains more competition and more combos.  I don’t know if it really gains any serious counters, however; it isn’t relying on Abilities and while losing access to Items would hurt, it might be able to carry on.  If there are still some strong [R] Type decks running around, though, then I probably called it wrong.  As for the Limited Format – as this promos was re-released in a set – go ahead and run it in a Mulligan deck or actual Metal/mostly-Metal build.  Just remember that the former could suffer against an opponent with a fast enough start and/or Fire type attackers.

Ratings

• Standard: 3/5
• Expanded: 2/5
• Limited: 4/5

I’m skewing generous today.  Copperajah V hasn’t shown up in any tournaments, at least, not high enough for me to find it in recent results over at Limitless.  I even remember scoffing at at a certain Youtuber who was very excited about it.  I can’t deny that Copperajah V looks functional in its own right, and with Copperajah VMAX as well, it just barely gets bumped up a point in the Constructed Formats.