Dark Raichu
OK, this is a little different from what I usually write. This guy single-handedly took out AN ENTIRE BENCHFUL of Babies, winning his team the game. So, naturally, I want to vent about him with an article.
~March 1, 2003~
HP: 70 - It isn't much for a Stage 1, but 90 is very good. Make sure you play this guy with Rocket's Hideout stadium card. It can be a lifesaver.
Bottom Stats: Fighting weakness could be a problem. Machamp and Nidoking from Expedition and Aquapolis are both very good cards. You also have to worry about the newly re-released Hitmonchan and his younger brother Tyrogue. They take Raichu apart like he was a bad computer.
Attack #1: Surprise Thunder - The damage is OK for the energy that you put into it. However, you play this guy for the bench damage. 10 to EVERY SINGLE opponent bench Pokemon is unprecidented. 20 is even more amazing. Naturally, this guy does better in Team then in Unlimited, Modified, or Draft, because of the amount of Benched Pokemon you're going to face.
Combos:
Rocket's Hideout: Obviously, a good thing for any Dark Pokemon deck. 20 extra HP is a lifesaver.
The Boss's Way: Free searching ability is also a major plus.
Counters:
Hitmonchan/Tyrogue: Deadly. Takes out Raichu in as little as 2-3 hits. Not bad, no?
Machamp (expedition): It takes all that damage you've been dishing to the Bench and throws it right back into your face!! This is especially dangerous for Raichu, because he doesn't do all that much damage to the active Pokemon.
Ratings:
~ Unlimited: 3/10
Not all that bad here, but not exactly great. It doesn't do enough damage to survive, and an attack cost of 3 lightning, it's going to be SER'd more times than a Sneasel. Only good in fun games, which very few people are playing now that League is replaced by BZ.
~ Modified: 6/10
Better than in Unlimited, but still not great. It doesn't do enough damage here either. Also, most things that are popular, aside from Kingdra, aren't weak to Lightning. It could do well, but it will also need some major backup.
~ Draft: Rocket: 0/10. LC: 5/10.
Depending on which sets you're drafting, it might not do as well. If you're drafting Rocket only (who'd do that?), then it's unplayable. There is no Pikachu in the Rocket set!! If you're drafting Legendary, then it becomes more playable, but Legendary wasn't made for Drafting: it was made for Sealed. Meaning that you most likely won't get enough Pikachu for your Raichu. It could do well, but chances are it won't.
~ Team: 9/10
As I said above, this is this guy's prime format. Three successful heads flips, and you pretty much win the game. Many people tend to play at least 2 Babies out at any one time. When the attack goes through, it will take out those 4 babies that your opponents leave out there, netting you 4 out of the 5 prizes. Now, you just need to KO something else, which your partner should be able to do easily.
As I said above, this was not one of my usual articles. I am still willing to do any fan articles. Email me a topic called, "Fan COTW," and I will be glad to do the article for you!!
~Bullados
~~Bull23924@aol.com