Hello again Pojo fans,
Well...now that we have been exposed to the Neo set for some time now,
many have talked or written about the advantages of playing Baby pokemon
in respective decks.
But...there really hasn't been anyone that has stepped to the plate and
discussed of ways to rid themselves of these PESKY and TROUBLESOME
Pokemon.
Are you sick to death that your precious Ditto is constantly being
threatened by a 30 HP insta-knockout by them?
Is your Dark Vileplume at risk of being shut down by Magby?
Is your lovable Mr. Mime taking too much heat from Pichu?
Is your opponent's Elekid having too much fun with that Playful Punch?
Is your opponent's Cleffa Eeeeeeeking more than a 5 year old girl
surrounded by spiders and snakes?
Have you used Gust of wind and plus powers on these babies only to flip
tails?
If so... then here's a possible solution.
NATURAL BORN BABY KILLERS
Most people know that when the Poke-Baby is active is when it can be at
it's worst (with the exception of Elekid). What you need to know is
that when the Baby Pokemon is on the bench, it's Baby Power isn't
working.
Nintendo Power Magazine Promo Mewtwo (#12 if I'm not mistaken)
Although it kind of sucks to actually replace some of the other Promo
Mewtwo's with this kind...THIS has got to be THEE best Baby killer out
there. First off, it's a Basic Pokemon. Telekenisis, for three
psychic
energy can hit ANY of your opponent's pokemon for exactly 30
damage...GUARANTEED! No flipping required for the attack. Although
this mewtwo has no worries about being knocked out by his own attack
from the likes of Ditto, BEWARE that Metronoming opponents might take
advantage of this attack IF you play with Poke-babies yourself. On the
plus side... it's other attack which yeilds a 50% chance of moving an
energy card from one of your opponent's pokemon to anohter can come in
handy from time to time... attach that DCE to Elekid!
Movie Promo Zapdos
Although I think there are other better suited... this version of Zapdos
can do the trick. Attacks for 30 damage to the defending Pokemon and
then flip a coin... heads and you can do 30 damage to a pokemon on your
opponent's bench...BUT if tails, zapdos takes the Thirty damage! OUCH!
Well the Gold Berries could help out somewhat here..but still...I
personally don't like the flip part. Overall though..this pokemon is
basic with decent HP! Electric Player's are used to the hurt yourself
bit too.
Hitmonlee
That stretch kick might be making a bit of a comeback. He a Basic
Pokemon and only requires two fighting energy to get this attack off...
it's guaranteed but the only problem here is it doesn't get the 30
damage to take out those babies when they are uninjured in the first
place! Plus powers only work when you attack the defending pokemon so
you either need to get that 10 damage on the baby from a previous attack
or have to risk taking the first attack and hope your opponent isn't
packing any Scoop-ups, potions or berries!
Gengar
How sweet is that Pokemon power? Well it works Great with Hitmonlee to
get rid of those Pesky Babies! However.. Gengar is a Stage 2 and will
take some time to get evolved. Secondly... you are taking up at LEAST
7-10 pokemon slots plus breeders to get this line into your deck.
Advantages are that two Gengars out in play with one as the active could
take out a baby by themselves. The greatest disadvantage is that you
are relying on your opponent having pokemon with damage counters on them
so you can curse. In essence..you cannot pull this off 100% of the time
EVEN IF you manage to get 2 Gengars in play.
Dark Machoke
This Pokemon has GOT to be the most sneaky of them all when it comes to
killing Babies! Although it's a stage 1, only 60HP, two retreat and has
considerable energy costs (two fighting, one colourless), it's Drag off
attack get's around Baby Powers! Since the attack starts when the Baby
is on the bench... you swap the baby in for the previous defending
pokemon and deliver 20 damage to it. the BIGGEST BONUS is that since
you are attacking the defending pokemon (the Baby at this point of the
attack)..you can use a plus power OR since Dark Machoke is infact
"DARK"
... you can use Darkness Energy without the damage penalty and get that
needed 30 damage! Nice combo with Sneasel! Dark Machoke can also be
used as a gust of wind and can drag off... retreat unfreindly pokemon
like Arcanine or Lickitung after the fact!
Dark Dugtrio
That Pokemon Power is nice! If your opponent has a fettish for
Eeeeeeeking, then when it's retreats..it is subject to Dark Dugtrio's
power. Dissadvantages are that you are relying for the Baby Pokemon to
be active with 10 damage on it AND the flip goes your way. If the Baby
pokemon can get away by just sitting on bench (like Elekid) then Dark
Dugtrio isn't nearly as effective. Also note that attaching Dark Energy
will NOT further the damage from Dugtrio's pokemon power. Only it's
attack would be affected.
Dark Golbat
Okay..this is a bit of a reach. Still though with a Zubat in play with
a grass energy attached...you then evolve into Dark Golbat and do 10
damage to that despicable baby on your opponent's bench (due to it's
Pokemon Power). THEN you attach energy, promote Dark Golbat to active
and attack the baby for a further 20 and Finishing it. Could work
better once that inproved De-evolution spray comes out OR in combo with
Promo Mew! Still though..you are stuck playing with a grass line that
doesn't have much other purpose and relying on a basic that is simply
put CANNON FODDER. At least Machop and Gastly are somewhat durable!
Now there are enough Pokemon that can damage the bench pokemon for
10..but I fear that by the time that damage get's up to thirty... your
opponent has had PLENTY of time to counter the damage somehow.
As for Me? well, I am playing in an environment that sees MANY baby
Pokemon...at least 1-2 in each deck. Since my luck isn't the best and
Elekid and Cleffa are driving me CRAZY! I think I will opt to go with
either Promo Mewtwo or Dark Machoke...they seem to get the job done the
best.
Send your thoughts and comments to:
dtaylor@nas.net
--
Don Taylor