Jason Klaczynski
"Ness"
Two-Time World Champion
Check out The Klaczynski Open. August 31, 2013 |
Raticate
Transfer Junk is a unique attack,
but a 40 HP basic evolving into a 70 HP Stage 1 is an
extremely fragile evolution line. Bite is simply
terrible, and the bottom line is Transfer Junk is not
worth running a Stage 1 Pokémon that will instantly be
KO'd.
In limited, it can recover an EX
Pokémon, which is useful.
Modified: 1/5
Limited: 4/5
|
|
virusyosh |
Happy midweek, Pojo readers! Today we're reviewing a
Pokemon from Generation I that likely won't see much
play outside of Limited. Today's Card of the Day is
Raticate from Plasma Freeze.
Raticate is a Stage 1 Colorless Team Plasma Pokemon.
Colorless Pokemon are valuable because they can fit
easily into any deck due to their relaxed Energy
requirements, making them excellent secondary attackers
and support Pokemon. As a Team Plasma Pokemon, Raticate
gets Team Plasma support like Team Plasma Ball and
Shadow Triad, as well as being blocked by Silver Mirror.
70 HP isn't very good for a Stage 1, and will severely
limit what Raticate will be able to do in Modified, and
in Limited to an extent as well. Fighting Weakness isn't
so bad, as there aren't many Fighting-types seeing play
right now; no Resistance is unfortunate; but no Retreat
Cost is excellent, and is easily one of the high points
of the card.
Raticate has two attacks. Transfer Junk allows you to
put a Team Plasma Pokemon, a Team Plasma Trainer, and a
Team Plasma Energy card all from your discard pile into
your hand for a Colorless Energy. This attack would be
totally awesome as a Supporter, but as it stands, since
you'll likely be trading a Prize for using this attack
due to Raticate's low HP, it's not worth it most of the
time, especially in Modified. That being said, this
attack's Limited effectiveness can't be understated, as
it provides an excellent way to recycle rare Trainers as
well as Plasma Energy, which is never a bad thing.
Raticate's second attack is Bite, dealing a vanilla 30
damage for two Colorless Energy. This attack is just
bad, and won't see use outside of Limited, especially
since you can do so much better in Modified.
Modified: 1.5/5 Transfer Junk would have potential if it
weren't on a 70 HP Stage 1, but as it stands, Raticate
just isn't quite good enough to see play as a support
Pokemon in Team Plasma decks. In order to get these
kinds of effects, look for Shadow Triad (a Supporter),
or even Thundurus-EX (can get Plasma Energy back).
Limited: 2.5/5 Raticate is decent, but not great, in
Limited. Transfer Junk is an excellent situational
support attack, since recursion is rare in Limited. Bite
is lackluster, but can be used as an offensive option if
you're trying to buy time setting something else up.
Overall, Raticate fits into Plasma Limited decks due to
its ability to bring back key cards from the discard
pile, but it's definitely not winning any offensive
awards for its attacking power.
|
