Greetings Pojo fans,

For the past month or so, I have been reading EXTENSIVELY on the Pojo
site and message board regarding people's views about the Trading Card
Game, what they think of it, where it's heading and what is yet to
come.  MANY have expressed opinions that the game is "Broken" and the
environment is STALE.  Others say that the TCG has seen it's best days
and is heading for a massive fall.  They have seen a losing interest in
the game as a whole (less and less people at leagues and tournaments) as

well as a loss of self interest and are now selling their Pokemon
trading cards while they are still worth something!

Could these people be right?  Let me put in my two cents worth...

JUST THE FACTS

FACT:  The pokemon trading card game's target market is for children.
The game does however have the complexity for people of all ages.
INFACT, I believe that most of the games best players to be around the
ages of 14+ but there are kids younger that could take on the best.

FACT:  The Pokemon trading card game is meant to be based around luck!
I'm not sure what the average amount of coin flips there are per game
(that lasts about 20 turns) but it has to be something like 20+.

FACT:  The Pokemon TCG was origionally meant for fun.  A game to play at

home with your friends or at school during recess or lunch.

FACT:  The TCG then got twisted into something much MUCH more!  The
Pokemon League.  Cards only found at special events, movies, magazines
and mail-in offers.  We quickly learned that we could profit from
TOURNAMENTS and become famous winning at WOTC COAST TOURS.

FACT:  It was then that MASTERS (like Brian Brokaw) came up with a
method to greatly reduce the luck factor in the game.  They invented
decks that could win at a more consistant rate.  Decks we now call
archetypes such as Haymaker, Raindance and Stall.

FACT:  These decks were SO GOOD that for about the past year or so,
EVERYONE (or just about) who goes to a competitive tournament uses one
because they are winners, plain and simple.

FACT:  out of ALL the pokemon cards today, only a fraction are used.
These cards (in no particular order) are Scyther, Base Electabuzz,
Himonchan, Promo Mewtwo, Wigglytuff, Clefable, TR Zapdos, Ditto,
Sneasel, Chansey, Blastoise, Fossil Articuno, Fossil Magmar,  Mr. Mime
etc.  If you go to just about any Card or Comic store, you will no doubt
find that they
have just about ALL of the other pokemon cards in stock EXCEPT these
ones.  Heck, I can't  BUY a scyther where I live, not to mention some to

most of the afore mentioned list of Pokemon.

FACT:  Kids at this point learned two things.  These Pokemon cards could
be
sold for $$$ and that if playing... having these RARE and almost
impossible to get cards was ESSENTIAL!  As a result, some resorted to
STEALING cards from classmates at school.  THIS is the reason why most
schools in North America have BANNED them from their premises and NOT in

Japan.  You see, the Japanese hold HONOR as one of their highest and
most important values.  STEALING to them, is one of THEE worst
dishonorable things a person can do.  As a result, it hardly EVER
happens there.  We, in North America, hold WINNING as one of our most
important values.

I would further like to add that I personally have NEVER had cards
stolen off me (because I don't take them to school) but I have heard the

horror stories about people losing over $200 in cards in a single swipe
at
school.

FACT:  For over a year, the Environment HAS been EXTREMELY STALE!
Evorybody in my area played a haymaker variant with Wiggly or Clefable
popping into most.  Gone was Raindance and stall decks (because they
really couldn't compete to the speed of haymaker variants consistantly).

The turnouts to the League and Turnaments have dropped off
significantly.

And what did WOTC do about it?  Give us 15T-3C!

Now there have been NUMEROUS articles regarding this new format and
people's opinions on which they like better.  MANY people have expressed
dissatisfaction about how WOTC has handled (or lack there of) the
problems faced today.  Many call for bannings or restictions to certain
cards.  Before I make my own
conclusion, I would like to write about the advantages and disadvantages

of both formats (Standard and 15T-3C),  look at the luck factor for both

and finally how both format's are affected by the new sets emerging onto

the scene.

STANDARD FORMAT

Advantages:  This was the first and is still the primary format that is
played for the Pokemon TCG.  Since there is really no restrictions
whatsoever (except for the fact that you play a deck with exactly 60
cards and have no more than 4 of any card other than basic energy) one
has the total freedom to play with however much trainers, pokemon and
energy they desire.  This format also allows for evolving quicker since
you can have up to four of the same basic pokemon in your deck and have
the luxury of maximum 4 breeders!

Disadvantages:  It doesn't take long for one to recognize that trainer
cards hold a GREAT deal of power and control.   Since there is no
restrictions in the standard format, most decks consist of around 25-40
trainers.  As for Pokemon, well your average tournament winning deck
will
see around 8-15 of them and around 12-20 energy.  Having so many
trainers
allows one to take care of just about any bump in the road that is in
your
way.  Status effects and pokemon powers can EASILY be played around.
i.e
you start the game with an electabuzz as active and a jigglypuff on the
bench while your opponent wasn't as lucky and starts with only a Fossil
Gastly.  Your opponent goes first (and curses that he doesn't have any
drawing trainers in his hand) attaches an energy, attacks with lick and
gets lucky with the flip.  Your turn, you are fortunate to have drawing
power so you Oak, bill, bill again then comp search for switch or scoop
up, promote Jigglypuff, attach DCE and 2 oaks , another comp search and
an
Item finder later you attach three plus powers and Pound for the win!
Erika's dratini or Mr. Mime a problem?  Not to worry, we've rammed in
Goop
gas!  You're opponent Evolved to Blastoise and raindanced 7 energies
onto
his pokemon?  Not to worry.. triple energy removal and two SER's later
were on top again!  Infact, we might as well call it Trainermon...
featuring the only deck out there Haymaker..co starring Wigglytuff and
Clefable!

The Luck Factor:   Well as you can see, the standard format really has
cut
the luck right out of the mid to late games.  However, in doing so...
most
of the luck is factored in the initial toss to see who goes first!  Many
of
the best player's would have to agree that a fair amount of their losses
can be
attributed to losing the toss.  i.e  you start the game with two pokemon
in
play, two energies and 3 trainers (Oak, Comp search and GOW) while your
opponent also starts with 2 pokemon in play.  Here's the toss and your
opponent wins it.  Your opponent begins by attaching an energy card
followed by Comp search for Rocket sneak attack(removing Oak from your
hand)
followed by Oak, Item finder for RSA again (by by comp search) and two
bills
later and thirty damage to your active it's your turn.  You KNOW that if
you
don't get some card drawing power soon..then this game is already over.
You
also know that if you don't stop swearing..you are going to get
disqualified
and booted from the tournament!  You draw a card... it's an energy card.

Your gust is useless because your opponent's benched pokemon is
Scyther...
three rounds later you lose because you couldn't get going while your
opponent crippled you before you drew your first card.  Sound Familiar?
So
while the luck has been abolished in the mid to late game...most of it
now
resides in the initial flip.  You would have no doubt done the same to
your opponent if you won the toss.

Affected by New Sets:  To be honest, I don't EVER see these new sets
slowing
down Haymaker's with Wiggly and Clefable in the Standard format.  Think
about it HARD!  The best cards I see coming from Neo are the Stadium
cards
Sprout Tower and EcoGym, the trainer card Gold Berry and Pokemon like
Sneasel, Gligar and Girafarig.

The stadium cards give a FALSE sense of security in the standard
format...and you don't have to be a brain surgeon to figure out that all
Haymaker players have to do is ram in some stadium trainers of their
own.  You play Sprout tower... and later when
they are ready to take you out with Wiggly, they play Rocket's mine
field
Gym (or whatever)..and do the wave with plus power for a prize.  The
other
cards I mentioned will actually be incorperated by Haymaker's to become
even
MORE stronger.  attach Gold Berry to TR Zapdos..then Electroburn and
discard
goldbery and the 40 damge on it!

15T-3C FORMAT

Advantages:  Because this format restricts your deck to only 15 trainers
and
only 3 of any type of card save basic energy, creating a new deck is a
must!  I'm not sure about you but I believe creating a deck is half the
fun.  This
format also pretty much does away with the one turn wonder wins!  It is
IMPOSSIBLE to have your deck cover for everything.  IF you use 3 Oaks, 3

Comp serch, 3 Item finder and 3 bills... that only leaves three more
slots!
What about GOW, switch, Scoop-up, Goldberry, Pluspower, Energy removal,
SER,
NGR, etc etc.

Disadvantages:  It slows the game right down!  Since most decks will
consist
of 20-25 pokemon, 20-25 energy and 15 trainers, you'll be starting most
of
the time with 2-3 pokemon, 2-3 energy and 1-2 trainers.   You would be
fortunate to get card drawing right away!  This format hurts Evolving.
With
only 3 max of each basic pokemon and max three breeders (which you
REALLY
don't have room for) Gone is the 2nd turn breeder!  Well it can
happen...but
much more rare.

Luck Factor:  15T-3C really diversifies the luck factor again.  In
return...
going second isn't NEARLY as bad.  Status effect cards also make a
return
and cards like Erika's Dratini and Mime have to be reckoned with again!
Some say that the game now revolves around too much luck with this
format.

Affected by New Sets:  One word - GREATLY!  With 15T-3C you already
don't
have enough room for stadium trainers...but then along comes sprout
tower..
and if not countered when needed to..can bring down Wiggly and Clefable
BIG
TIME!   15T-3C can't guarantee you will have access to that stadium
card.
i.e you drew your counter stadium card early in the game and you got rid
it way back when with comp search and you didn't have room for Item
Finder...what were you
thinking?  Sneasel will also be slowed down in that you can only have 3
darkness and 3 rainbow energy.

WHAT I SEE

When looking at both Formats I don't have any particular favorite.  I
have
played both and have succumbed to both of their dark sides.  For
Standard...
being knocked out too often by round 2 to (what I believe) inferior
opponents.  For 15T-3C..getting Paralyzed 6+ times in A ROW by a Gastly
or
Lickitung with no trainers to help.

However.. when I look at THE MOST IMPORTANT aspect of all... and that is
for
the growth of the game, you seriously have to look at 15T-3C again.

After all, with the standard format, one has the ability to keep control
of
a game with the win of the toss.  How fun is that?  Honestly... would
people
keep playing chess if you could regularly win by turn 3?  (you can
actually
do it by turn 4..but your opponent would have to be a block head to fall
for
it more than once!)   You can make your deck be prepared for most things
in
the game of pokemon playing standard format SAVE for the initial coin
flip
to see who goes first.  It is my belief that since the release of Team
Rocket... (RSA, IPOR and TRAP)  Standard format decks have become so
quick...that it's over before you draw!  Hence, the fun got sapped right

out!

When it isn't fun anymore...Kids lose interest.  When there's no kids
looking to play, WOTC loses it's TARGET MARKET... then eventually the
game
WILL wither and die!

I read an article recently where this person was saying that Pokemon is
only
a stepping stone to Magic.  He goes to tournaments to crush unsuspecting

kids.. take their money so he can buy Magic packs and singles.  THAT is
the
sort of people that will put this game out of circulation.  Must be nice
for
him to USE up all his resorces to achieve his own end.  What pokemon the
TCG
needs is people who are willing to help keep the growth of the game
going.

Where I'm from, our League was 50+ members strong about a year ago.
There
were two different sessions with about 20-25 kids per session.
Tournaments
were held every week where anywhere from 15-30 people showed up.  Since
then
up to a few months ago... our League was suffering... only EIGHT people
showed up out of the two sessions COMBINED and tournaments are held 3
times
a month where only 4-8 people show up.  Two months ago I did the
unthinkable!  I actually convinced the organizers of the League to go
SOLELY
15T-3C.  IT isn't enforced by WOTC but MAY be used at the discretion of
whoever is in charge.  In NO WAY does wizards force these rules on
anyone
save for participants at their Showdown-Coast tours!

Since the change in format and the introduction to Neo, there have been
a
number of changes.  The decks became DEFINETELY more varied.  I actually
see
Arcanine, Venomoth, Dodrio, Rapidash-ponyta, Charmeleon etc etc.  Wiggly

isn't ruling like he used to.  Infact there is only one person who still
uses
Wiggly.  Our last Pokemon leage had 25+ people there... People were
actually
having fun again.  GRANTED that the games overall rely on more
luck...but
then again, the ones with the most skill pull it out more than not.
Lastly...if WOTC
ever comes to our city and holds a showdown event with 15T-3C...we'll be

ready!

IN CONCLUSION

Although some will argue that Neo and other sets will change the deck
structures of standard format decks, I believe that this will not be the
case.  It is too easy to counter Sprout Tower with other stadium cards
if you can play with 40+ trainers.  You can BET that hardcore Wiggly
players will have 2+ Stadium trainers and 3-4 Item Finders in their deck
to counter!

The 15T-3C environment gets REAL interesting as one really doesn't have
a lot of room for stadium trainers.  THIS is the HEART of the matter!
Reducing Wigglytuff and Clefable's power and Sprout Tower does that!
Even IF one makes a 15T-3C deck with a couple of alternate stadium
trainers, they won't have the drawing capability to counter
successfully, consistantly!  HENCE... We will see MUCH less of Wiggly
and Clefable in the future!

If you are a member of a League which is doing just fine using the
standard
format and you are happy...by all means keep what you are doing.

BUT

For the people who have lost interest, who hardly go to the League
anymore
because the atmosphere is lame.  To the hard core players that have seen

their tournament and league number dwindle... try convincing your league
to
host a 15T-3C tournament..or alternate from week to week.  I will BET
you
that you will see renewed interest...but give it a few months.

Ther are a NUMBER of pokemon that have powers or attacks that simulate
Trainer cards.  Granted that their effectiveness in most cases is not
the same as trainers (like your turn ends) but still, they can get the
job done.

Switch?  Try Fossil Dragonite!
Goop Gas?  Magby
Gust of Wind?  Base Ninetales (and others)
Energy Removal?  Dragonair (and MANY others)
RSA?  Noctowl
Potion?  Sabrina's Venomoth (and others)
The list goes on...

Finally I would like to say that I believe that 15T-3C is NOT the final
solution to creating a better environment for the game.  But considering
the
options available this moment... I for one prefer it.


Send your thoughts or comments to:

dtaylor@nas.net

 --
 Don Taylor