aroramage |
Hopefully today's card will end up
working more for Water decks than...well, Ash-Greninja-EX
did.
Aurorus-EX is a welcome tag-along
to fan favorite Fossil promo Tyrantrum-EX, and she's
arguably just as powerful...just not quite in the way
one's expecting. Her attack isn't as powerful as Dragon
Impact even though it costs the same 4 Energy. That
being said, Crystal Breath does only need 1 specific
Energy type rather than 2, and while it only does 160
damage, it doesn't require you to discard 3 Energy. Well
that's pretty good, all it does is keep Aurorus-EX from
attacking on your next tu-ohhhhhhh...
Yeah, Aurorus-EX will want at least
a little more damage to justify maining Crystal Breath,
and even then you're gonna want an alternate attacker to
use on your other turns. On the plus side, Aurorus-EX
can help out with that! In fact, her Ability Frozen
Charm helps out any Pokemon with Water Energy - similar
to Manaphy-EX or the Dark-Type Darkrai-EX. And what does
it do? Well it...keeps them from being Paralyzed.
Honestly that's a pretty good
Ability. I mean, aside from certain effects, this keeps
your Pokemon from being unable to attack because they
got inflicted with arguably the best Status Condition in
the game. So you at least don't have to worry about
that! That said though, what was the last deck you
remember that mained a Paralysis strategy? My first
thought is Vanilluxe...from Noble Victories.
It's not to say that Aurorus-EX is
a bad card, but given the timing of its arrival, she's
only so good. Maybe if Electric, Grass, or Water decks -
the Types most known for inflicting the Paralysis
condition - were more focused on it, then Aurorus-EX
could easily prove to be a valuable asset even in decks
like the Xerneas-maining Rainbow Road. And although her
attack has pretty good output in terms of damage, its
drawback makes Aurorus-EX very difficult to work with.
She's a Bench-Sitter at the moment, and at the moment
she's not a huge priority over other cards.
Feel free to keep her in mind in
case a Paralysis-Stun deck surfaces.
Rating
Standard: 2.5/5 (useful attack and
Ability are rendered useless in light of the metagame
and the drawback)
Expanded: 2.5/5 (once space opens
up or maybe once the format slows down a little, she
could see play as a tech card)
Limited: N/A (but until then, TO
THE BINDERS WITH YOU!!)
Arora Notealus: At least Aurorus-EX
has a neat concept behind her. Similar to Tyrantrum-EX
before her, only Tyrantrum-EX had the pleasure of a
curb-stomping offensive powerhouse while Aurorus-EX is
more of a defensive healer of sorts. Still, pretty cool
idea.
Next Time: Everyone's favorite
mascot gets the EX treatment!
|
Otaku |
Our second subject this week is Aurorus-EX (XY:
Black Star Promos XY102), which is the first “Aurorus”
card we’ve looked at. Granted, the only other such
card is Aurorus (XY: Furious Fists
26/111), which I hadn’t realized we skipped. Guess
I’ll use it as a reference point; even though
mechanically Aurorus and Aurorus-EX are
totally separate entities clearly they share a common
source of inspiration in Aurorus of the video games.
So to begin with, being a Pokémon-EX (but not a
Mega Evolution) means Aurorus-EX is a Basic
Pokémon even though the original Aurorus (and
presumably most future versions) is a Stage 1. It
is even more a bonus than usual as Aurorus isn’t
just a regular Stage 1 but the Evolution of a Restored
Pokémon. I have been pretty clear (at least once I
figured it out) that the Restored Pokémon mechanic is
just too cumbersome, so this is an even better bonus
than it usually is. Not guaranteed but often
applicable is that a Basic Pokémon-EX (especially sans
Mega Evolution) is going to be just a bit more gifted in
terms of either its stats, effects, or both. There
are some real duds out there, however, and there are
three guaranteed drawbacks; in order of diminishing
relevance a Pokémon-EX gives up an extra Prize when
KO’d, can be punished by certain Pokémon-EX specific
card effects, and are excluded from certain beneficial
effects.
Being a Water Type is good, though Aurorus are Rock/Ice
Types in the video games, so Fighting would have been an
option for both Aurorus-EX and Aurorus
(and if you’ve been reading long enough, you know how I
just love Strong Energy). The Water Type
has some nice support both in terms of the Pokémon
specific (like Dive Ball), Energy (Manaphy-EX),
and multiple useful Pokémon that work better with the
Type but aren’t married to it (like Keldeo-EX).
The noteworthy counter is Parallel City, shared
with two other types and mostly used for its other
non-Type based effect of shrinking the Bench. In
terms of exploiting Weakness, most Fire Types, a chunk
of the Fighting Type, and one Colorless Type are Water
Weak. The oddball Colorless Pokémon is Ho-Oh-EX
(XY: BREAKpoint 92/122, 121/122) because it’s a
Fire/Flying in the video games and sometimes the
designers blend the attributes of the two Types together
for a mono-Type TCG card. The Fire Type still has
some residual heat from XY: Steam Siege
expansion, so while I don’t know if stuff like
Volcanion-EX decks are going to be a major presence
competitively, odds are they’ll matter for a little
while longer before burning out (if they burn
out). That’s good for the Water Type. The
Fighting Type also contains some Water Weakness, but you
have to go back to Expanded for a noteworthy example,
and even there I can’t find many (basically Landorus-EX).
Perhaps it is being phased out?
Aurorus-EX
has 180 HP, the higher of the two common values for
Basic Pokémon-EX. This is pretty good, and is 50
points higher than the regular Aurorus. It
by no means makes Aurorus-EX OHKO proof, but most
decks aren’t going to manage rapid, reliable, repeated
OHKOs. Most competitive decks will manage one of
those (or have a useful trick like Item lock), with
those that can do two of the three or even all three
being part of the competitive metagame. Metal
Types can exploit the Metal Weakness again found on
Aurorus-EX for the trifecta of qualifiers I just
listed. Something like M Scizor-EX or even
just regular Scizor-EX should power up almost
instantly thanks to Max Elixir and/or Mega
Turbo, and their damage output goes from 2HKO to
OHKO thanks to Weakness. In Expanded, various
Bronzong (XY: Phantom Forces 61/119; XY:
Black Star Promos XY21) decks are also a threat; the
mixed blessing is they may be used off Type, but even
those decks can likely afford a token Metal Type
attacker in a supporting role. Resistance is not a
strong mechanic but it would have been nice, especially
with the 180 HP; the total lack of it is the worst the
card can do but is also so common it isn’t a big deal (I
just hate glossing over it). The Retreat Cost of
three is a big deal, in the sense that it is important
(it is not a bargain). Might be useful if
the deck already has a reason for Heavy Ball or
Heavy Boots but mostly it just means dedicating
an extra slot or three over the usual for retreat aids
and/or alternatives. So you don’t have to look up
a scan for it, yes Aurorus has the same “bottom
stats” as its Pokémon-EX counterpart; no bonus for being
a “Pokémon-EX” here, but at least it didn’t get worse.
Aurorus-EX
has an Ability called “Frozen Charm” and an attack
called “Crystal Breath”. Frozen Charm protects
your Pokémon from being Paralyzed, but only if it has a
[W] Energy attached to it. Paralysis is a potent
Special Conditions, at least when it isn’t cost
adjusted; being immune to it is handy, though alone
isn’t enough to justify this card in a deck.
Crystal Breath requires [WWWC] to do 160 damage, and it
places an effect on whatever is using it (usually
Aurorus-EX) preventing that Pokémon from attacking
the next turn. 160 damage OHKOs a lot of Pokémon that
are not Pokémon-EX, BREAK Evolutions of a Stage 2, or
that enjoy certain defensive buffs. Judicious use
of Fighting Fury Belt, Hex Maniac, and/or
Pokémon Ranger will leave only the largest (and
somewhat exceptional) Basic Pokémon-EX, all Mega
Evolutions, and the largest BREAK Evolutions out of OHKO
range, though it is only fair to acknowledge that all
Basic Pokémon with 130+ HP are likely also
protected via Fighting Fury Belt and so should
survive as well. What about being unable to attack
next turn? Pokémon Ranger, Switch plus a
Pokémon with a free Retreat Cost, etc. can all deal with
that in a reasonable manner. Still, that
inconvenience plus the Energy required really should buy
more damage; you should really be enjoying at least 180,
and upwards of I’d say 240. Can’t change what the
card says, though, and as it still clears some key OHKO
(and easily key 2HKO) thresholds without much trouble,
it’s alright.
Since I keep doing it… what about regular Aurorus?
It also had an Ability and an attack: “Ice Shield”
reduced the damage your Water Type Pokémon took from the
attacks of your opponent’s Pokémon by 20, but once again
you needed at least a source of [W] Energy
attached to that Pokémon. Way better than Frozen
Charm, but Frozen Charm would be way too good on a Basic
because the wording is such that it stacks (multiple
instances of Ice Shield each reduce damage taken
by 20). The attack on Aurorus is “Icy Wind”
and for [WCCCC] it does 70 damage and leaves the
opponent’s Active Asleep; that’s really underpowered for
the Energy going into it, and unlike Crystal Breath this
is whiffing on key numbers unless you’re in Expanded
and… oh right, that is the only format where this is
legal. Still, it isn’t great having the Stage 1 of
a Restored Pokémon require a Muscle Band,
Silver Bangle, and/or the Hypnotoxic Laser/Virbank
City Gym combo to hit 2HKO level (and it takes one
Toll and the Item/Stadium combo to 2HKO larger targets
like Mega Evolutions). So Aurorus-EX is
probably in line with Aurorus in terms of overall
power… but with the foundation of being a typical,
solid, Basic Pokémon-EX.
So is Aurorus-EX worth using in Standard?
Nope; easier ways to deal with Paralysis, and there are
better attackers. This seems to be a nerfed form
of the “Verdant Wind” Ability found on Virizion-EX
and “Sweet Veil” Ability found on Slurpuff (XY
95/146). They require your Pokémon have a [G] or
[Y] Energy attached, respectively, so the same as Frozen
Charm but adjusted for Type. Verdant Wind and even
Sweet Veil protect from all Special Conditions.
Protecting against just Paralysis is not bad, but
it obviously isn’t as good, plus Virizion-EX
isn’t the near staple it once was either even before
becoming an “Expanded only” option. If the Special
Condition isn’t Poison that finishes you off between
turns (I am unaware of any cards that inflict Burn in
Standard), then you have the option of using the many
switching effects (especially paired with a pivot
Pokémon) instead. In fact if you wanted to use
Aurorus-EX for its attack, you’d want such a combo
in your deck anyway to reset the effect of Crystal
Breath. What about in Expanded play? Nope,
same deal only with more options like Keldeo-EX
with Float Stone or the aforementioned
Virizion-EX and cards like Rainbow Energy or
Prism Energy. Keldeo-EX also outclasses
it as an attacker here as well. Should ever be
reprinted into a set, unless specific circumstances
(like nothing inflicting Paralysis) prove relevant,
Aurorus-EX ought to be a must run. For now
though, it is simply not applicable.
Ratings
Standard:
2.25/5
Expanded:
1.75/5
Limited:
N/A
Summary: Not
unlike
yesterday’s
CotD, Aurorus-EX isn’t truly bad, but is simply
not good enough. It protects against a single
Special Condition, one that won’t matter until your own
turn, in a card pool with many alternate solutions and a
metagame where OHKO's or 2HKO's that do not
involve Paralysis are all too common (Standard) or one
where locks and 2HKO's involving Paralysis are a “thing”
but where there are better answers (Expanded).
|
Zach Carmichael |
For the past few days, you might
have noticed my posts refer to the popular “Water Box”
deck – and with good reason! The deck is extremely
versatile with multiple attackers to counter other decks
and is able to incorporate mechanics like healing via
Rough Seas, free retreat via the “Aqua Tube” Ability
of Manaphy-EX, etc. That said, today’s Card of
the Day is yet another Pokemon that can fit nicely into
the Water archetype, and that is Aurorus-EX. With
an interesting Ability and attack that can take out most
Pokemon-EX in a single blow with the help of Fighting
Fury Belt, it goes to say that Aurorus-EX is
an interesting yet niche option for some decks.
In both Standard and Expanded,
Aurorus-EX has its uses. Firstly, its “Frozen Charm”
Ability prevents and removes paralysis from any of your
Pokemon that has a Water Energy attached to it. This
would be immensely better if it was any Status
Condition, as it would make the card more versatile and
splashable – excuse the pun – in other decks like “Vileplume
Toolbox” variants and anything that can take advantage
of Rainbow Energy. However, paralysis just isn’t
common in the competitive meta-game right now. The only
instance you will really see it at work is in
Greninja BREAK decks by use of Froakie’s
Bubble attack to hopefully stall via a coin flip. At
this past U.S. Nationals, many top competitors did, in
fact, tech in a single copy of Aurorus-EX not
just for this reason, but also for the math. With a
Fighting Fury Belt, the Pokemon’s Crystal Breath
attack can hit the “magic” number of 170 damage,
enabling it to KO most Pokemon-EX in the format. This is
just enough damage to also KO Greninja BREAK,
which was hyped going into the competition and saw
moderate play. While it was a clever play that took
others by surprise, I don’t think the card is all that
great looking ahead.
The biggest issue with Aurorus-EX
now is that it no longer really have a place
anywhere. I suppose in Expanded it could be decent for
the reasons stated above, letting it quickly KO a lot of
popular attackers, however, the attack cost is simply
too much now. Committing a whopping 4 Energy – a good
third of the Energy in many popular decks – is
unfeasible when attackers like Volcanion-EX and
M Mewtwo-EX (Y) can one-shot the Water Pokemon.
Greninja decks are also seeing less and less play
as Garbodor becomes a dominant force in Standard,
so one of the key points of playing the card just isn’t
there anymore. Lastly, note that with “Crystal Breath”
Aurorus-EX can not attack the following turn.
This can be circumvented by retreating or playing
Pokemon Ranger, but given the already high Energy
cost, this becomes a pretty big drawback for the card,
making even obscure cards like Ash-Greninja-EX
seem like a better option.
Ratings
Standard: 1.5/5
Expanded: 2/5
Limited: N/A
Summary: Aurorus-EX saw
its fifteen minutes of fame at U.S. Nationals by Water
Box players, and it paid off. These Water decks were
able to shine at the event and greatly kept Greninja
variants in check. Fast forward into the new format,
however, and things have shifted greatly. New decks have
emerged – namely Garbodor variants – that
outclass Aurorus-EX both in terms of speed and
raw damage output with new attackers. I can see it
becoming a hot tech again if paralysis decks become a
thing, but until then I think it will stay in players’
binders.
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