Note From Adam: I’m so sorry for getting this out so late! One more article coming tonight and then we’ll be back on normal schedule next week.
Hey there again Underground! I hope you guys all did great at Regional Championships. In this article I’m going to be discussing what are the best cards from the new set, the best way to trade for them at Pre-release as well as how much of an impact the new B&W cards have on our current format with a few new deck lists thrown in for good measure. I hope you guys enjoy it!
Deciding last-minute to go to my Pre-release on Sunday, I had my eye on a number of cards from the set, even though this set was subject to a number of cuts (including Beartic, Gothitelle, Pokemon Catcher, Crush Hammer, and Max Potion).
The new “simplification” of merging Poke-Powers and Poke-Bodies together intrigues me. The reason I don’t like them is that it seems as if Pokémon are trying to dumb down the game. However, the good out of this is that all Power/Body disruption cards in the format in the moment have no effect on Abilities whatsoever.
So without further ado, here is the countdown of the top 10 cards that I think have the most potential from the new expansion:
10. Reuniclus
For use in: Tank decks such as Steelix Prime, Gyarados SF, Machamp, Tyranitar Prime, and many more
The first card from the set that shows promise is the multiplying Pokémon. His attack isn’t too hot, weighing in at a subpar 3 psychic for 30+ 10 for each energy attached to the defending Pokémon. In a format all about speed, this attack doesn’t really cut it, but it’s his ability that allows this card to shine.
Essentially a reprint of Alakazam from Base set, the Ability allows you to move damage from your own Pokémon around the field as often as you like each turn. This is useful for moving damage counters all onto one Pokémon, then playing a Super Scoop Up or Seeker to bring the damage off of the field.
A neat trick that I discovered was the use of Mismagius GL LV.X and Unown Q in the same deck. By moving 20 damage that’s on the field to the Unown Q, attaching it to one of your Pokémon, return it to your hand with Mismagius’s “Magical Return” and then rinse and repeat. Each turn this will rid your side of the field of Damage counters.
One huge failing I see with the card is the HP. A Stage 2 with 90 HP and a terrible attack? The basic only has 30 HP with weakness to psychic. An incredible risk to run given the current metagame conditions, even more so if Sabledonk becomes popular.
Although it is apparent this card had glaring weaknesses, it definitely could be played as a support card in a number of decks. It may see more play next season, but I’d definitely recommend grabbing one at Pre-release if you’re able.
9. Mandibuzz
For use in: Tyranitar, Sablock, Dark/spread decks in general
This card appears to be the Red Herring of my shortlist. Having the ability to snipe Pokémon for 50 if they have damage on them already is really strong, and fits into decks such as Sablock and Tyranitar easily. However, upon rotation where Crobat G will (probably) be rotated, it’s the only card on my list that actually loses strength come September.
This is due to the limited means of placing damage counters on your opponents’ Pokémon. The only card that springs to mind is Kingdra Prime, but being a stage 2, with no BTS in the format, and the awful ruling on Rare Candy, makes him an unrealistic choice.
He may become a nice play in Sablock; however I’m not sure he quite warrants cutting the Honchkrow SV. This is due to a couple of reasons:
- He cannot one-shot KO a Mewtwo LV.X., only swinging for 60
- He doesn’t help as much vs. Gyarados, only swinging for 60
Although he may not be the optimal choice in a Sablock deck, I can see him slotting into a Tyranitar build nicely. After a few “Darkness Howls” from the Prime, it sets up multiple Kos for Mandibuzz to swoop in and take with “Blindside”.
8. Zoroark
For use in: Tyranitar, as a tech in…….anything?
This guy is definitely one of the more interesting cards from the expansion. Having 100 HP as well as access to 2 decent attacks at for a relatively cheap energy cost isn’t too shabby at all.
First of all, “Nasty Plot” nets you any one card from your deck. We’ve seen this before in cards such as Weavile DP and Furret GE. However, the difference between those 2 and Zoroark is that the Illusion Fox actually had a decent second attack to back it up with.
“Foul Play” copies any of the defending Pokémon’s attacks without (as far as I know) needing to have the energy required to do that attack. This means that attacks such as Steelix Prime’s “Gaia Crush”, Gengar SF’s “Poltergeist” as well as Garchomp C LV.X’s “Dragon Rush” can be used for the cost of a DCE!
This card has amazing potential as a tech, as it can be splashed into just about any deck, as the darkness energy isn’t completely necessary to utilise Zoroark. I’m sure it will see some play, but not as a deck on its own, as it would get destroyed by decks such as Machamp and Gyarados.
7. Serperior
For use in: Serperior, Nidoqueen replacement
This card screams to be played in its own deck due to its ability, “Royal Heal”. Healing for 10-40 between each turn is at the forefront of healing tank decks at the moment. His attack isn’t too shabby either, swing for 60 with the ability to re-arrange any grass energy attached to your Pokémon.
Here’s my list that I have for Serperior at the moment:
