TCG Used Transform

Hey trainers!  The Top Cut, an amazing organization dedicated to the Pokémon TCG, just released some shocking information that the Pokémon Company released in Japan. The Text showed how the TCG will be changing drastically with the introduction of the X and Y sets! So today I’m going to go over them and say how I think it will affect the game as a whole, and the current Meta.

Turn One Changes:

            That’s right trainers; the rule of not being able to attack turn one is back! This will drastically change the game in a format where almost all top decks aside from Blastoise/Keldeo, take huge advantage attacking turn one. While before the game used to rely heavily on setting up different Pokémon to then make big moves later, we’ve drifted to a game where everyone utilizes big basic attackers to hit right away. Overall this rule while drastic has been taken very positively and seems to be supported.

Turn One Frost Spear GG!

Turn One Affects On The Meta:

            This change will not only affect how decks function but the use of single cards as well. I believe with this change, Tropical beach will now be more useful then ever. Before while only setup decks could make the most use of giving up your first turn attack, now that its mandatory Tropical Beach becomes your best option. I hate to even think about it but the card will probably again rise in price.

Worth the Price

            As far as individual decks go, Plasma is most affected. Whether its Frost Spearing and opponent turn one, or throwing a Raiden Knuckle to help accelerate your energy, turn one is extremely beneficial to Plasma. I fear any variant of the deck will now be to slow to keep up not being able to attack with anything significant till turn two or three provided whether they go first or second. Along with cards such as Drifblim DRX ,PLB, and Enhanced Hammer playing Plasma seems to be a bigger risk.   

 Pokémon Catcher:

            Since its debut in Emerging Powers fans have debated whether this card is too powerful for the game or not. Being able to promote any Pokémon on the field unlocks countless possibilities within the game and has been staple since its release. Whether you like the card or not to be competitive you pretty much have to run the card, until now perhaps. While I admit my knowledge of the game does not go far back enough to recall a change like this ever being made, so I am not positive how this will happen. However, according to The Top Cuts translation, Catcher will now require a successful coin flip to use.

I'll Catcher the Pokemon that Can't retreat and pass... 

Affects Catcher Will Have On The Meta:

Its too early to see whether in this format running such a high count of an inconsistent card will be popular, although when it was in rotation Pokémon reversal (A card with the same Use) was very popular. Before making that prediction though you have to consider that this Meta Game is very different then back when Reversal was legal. I feel decks like Darkrai/Garbodor, will not only be much better due to being able to play Catcher more often via Junk Hunt, but also because many decks will scrap catcher for more consistent cards and have trouble targeting Garbodor. Players will have to make a tough choice whether the space is worth it, or to give up on Catcher completely. 

Since we still do have some time left before these changes are made. I suggest having as much fun as possible during the upcoming Regional tournaments! Who knows whether you’ll ever be able to attack turn one or use a card like Catcher again, so have fun and make the most of it!

That’s it for today Trainers, To Be Continued!

Real Steel

            Hey trainers! The Pokémon Company has just released a new Pokémon evolution of Honedge named Doublade. Feel free to check it out for yourselves here. https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon Today, I’ll be giving my first impression of it.

            After talking with friends online and off, I can definitely say this reveal was very unexpected. Rumors had led me to believe the reveal today would consist of; Mega Raichu, Helioptile’s evolution, or the final forms of Chespin, Froakie, and Fennekin. However, to my liking we were instead shown Doublade, which just goes to show that Pokémon is very unpredictable and has plenty of surprises left for us!

          
 Doublade:

According to the image above, Doublade is a Steel/Ghost type, and has the ability “No Guard.” For those that don’t know, No Guard is an awesome ability that can be used in and out of battle. Currently, it allows all attacks used by a Pokémon with the ability to never miss including when attacking Foe’s using moves such as; Bounce, Dive, Dig, Fly, Shadow Force, and Sky Drop. While outside of battle the Ability also increases the encounter rate of wild Pokémon, only if the Pokémon is leading the Party.

                                             

The best defense is a good offense!

My first impression of this sharp looking Pokémon is pretty good, despite the fact that people have started to complain about the design. While its structure seems to be its pre-form Honedge, doubled and colored pink, this is not so. The changes are subtle, for example, the sheaths are a new design, as well as the Hilt’s now more jagged edge on one side.

Overall, I’m not too sure whether Doublade will have an evolution or not, it would be interesting if they had a stage two with either a shield, or a larger sword and two arms to represent a two handed weapon. Either way I think Doublade is a great installment to the generation, and fits the theme of France really well. With his typing and Ability, he’s a definite contender for my team, come October 12^th!

That’s it for today trainers, To Be Continued!

            

A Wild Blog Appeared!

               

 Hey everyone, my name is Spencer Trippi, and I’m a longtime fan of everything Pokémon. With all kinds of new reveals, from the new video games X and Y, set to release early October, and the upcoming Trading Card Game season, I can’t think of a better time to start a blog. My goal is to give my thoughts, and get insight from others on all Pokémon related news! So if this interests you, make sure to stock up on Poké Balls and Potions, and follow me!

X and Y Pokémon Revealed!

                In the latest Issue of CoroCoro, several new Pokémon have been revealed! While some people have shown some distaste with a few of them, personally I didn’t find any too upsetting, and am excited to see them in action. Below are the stage one forms of Froakie, Fennekin, and Chespin, which have been given the official U.S. names of; Braixen, Quilladen, Frogadier.

Starter Evolutions: 

               

         

The reveal of these images shocked many, as most were expecting to finally see the stage two forms of Froakie, Chespin, and Fennekin, and were surprised to see that they chose to instead release the stage one images. These actually do tell us a great deal of information however!

Braixen:

For starters, Fennekin’s evolved form Braixen, is now seen standing on two legs, instead of four. This most likely being Nintendo’s way to increase differences between it and Ninetailes, another Fire Fox. While it does a good job in doing so, it also raised questions as to what type the Pokémon would be, many feared the transition to two legs was to insist it would, like many other Fire type starters, gain a fighting type upon evolution. This luckily is not so, along with the new image, learnable moves were also released including; Psychic, Psybeam, and Psyshock, clearly indicating what fans have been hoping for, a secondary Psychic type! Also it has been noted that what seems to be a wooden stick emerging from his tail appears to be a broom. This would further suggest a witchlike persona, and further support the Psychic typing.

Frogadier:

 Next, the evolution of Froakie, Frogadier I believe is a solid concept. It would appear that the more slim body would suggest that its final form will have a more lengthy trim appearance, as opposed to the stout larger appearance many fans, myself included, were hoping for. Still, while its appearance doesn’t change too much, like most stage one’s in the past, it’s the best of the bunch if you ask me.

Quilladin:

Lastly Chespin’s stage one evolution Quilladin, has caused the most discussion, and is why I saved it for last. I personally have no problem with it; while I admit besides a new shape it only has minute changes. I will agree with those who dislike it, that it is my least favorite of the three, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have potential. I know that some of my favorite starters from the last two generations have had very unappealing stage one’s. Prinplup and Pignite both have very little going for them, but end up looking fantastic during their final form. So while it’s easy to judge right now, Pokémon hasn’t let us down yet so don’t be too worried!

                                       

That's it for today trainers, To Be Continued!

**Make sure to tune in next week for more posts!