Okay, so I should review a Pokemon today... (I'll randomize a number, since
I don't really know where to start...)

So off I go... and it's...

Machop! (and its evolutions - I do sets of Pokemon, because the evolutions
usually have to have the basics to go along with it)

Yes, I know.  That card you got in the starter set.  Let's see it's stats:

(Thanks to Brian Brokaw for this)

 Name:           Machop
 Type:           Basic Pokemon
 Card #:         card 52 of 102
 Rarity:         Common
 Color:          Fighting
 HP:             50 HP
 Weakness:       P
 Resistance:     none
 Retreat:        1
 Species:        Superpower
 Level:          20
 Pokemon #:      66
 Attack:         [F]  Low Kick  (20) 
 
 Name:           Machoke
 Type:           Stage 1 -- from Machop
 Card #:         card 34 of 102
 Rarity:         Uncommon
 Color:          Fighting
 HP:             80 HP
 Weakness:       P
 Resistance:     none
 Retreat:        3
 Species:        Superpower
 Level:          40
 Pokemon #:      67
 Attack:         [1FF]  Karate Chop  (50-)
   Does 50 dam. minus 10 for each dam. counter on Machoke.
 Attack:         [2FF]  Submission  (60)
   Does 20 dam. to self.

 Name:           Machamp
 Type:           Stage 2 -- from Machoke
 Card #:         card 8 of 102
 Rarity:         Rare - Holo
 Color:          Fighting
 HP:             100 HP
 Weakness:       P 
 Resistance:     none
 Retreat:        3
 Species:        Superpower
 Level:          67
 Pokemon #:      68
 Power:          []  Strikes Back  ()
   Whenever opponent damages Machamp (even if it knocks out Machamp),
   this power does 10 dam. to attacker (no weakness or resistance.)
   This power cannot be used if Machamp is already Asleep,
   Confused, or Paralyzed when opp. attacks.
 Attack:         [1FFF]  Seismic Toss  (60)
 

History:

Machop and Machoke are found in both the Red and Blue versions of Pokemon.
In the cartoon, Machop appeared in the P1 Grand Prix, but that's pretty
much it.


Strategy:

Machop is now
a lot better in my eyes (but not as good as Hitmonchan :-) but still
doesn't cut the bill (sorry Brian :-) 20 damage is as good as you'll get
for 1 Energy (Leek Slap and Nidoran's Horn Attack excepted)  It's okay.
Let's move on to...

Machoke!  It's getting better... 80 HP isn't bad for fighting.  That 3
retreat cost is a bit iffy, though... Since Machop can take _some_ hits, by
the time you evolve it to a Machoke it's probably going to have a damage
counter or three on it.  What's good about it is also its weakness: The
Karate Chop is strong, but diminishes rapidly in power in fights.  Also,
Submission affects your ability to use Karate Chop.  I hate it when you
have 50 Damage stacked on Machoke and the only thing you can use is a
Submission.  But that retreat cost... never mind.  Moving on to...

Machamp!  It's our four-armed friend Machamp!  None of the dependence on
damage that plagues Machoke, and that 10 Damage might be the thing to kill
that 70 HP Jynx!  Of course, Jynx might Meditate you first and your Machamp
might be gone before you know it... (but hey, Psychics are naturally good
against fighting!)  Seriously, with a 60 Damage attack, 10 Damage might not
matter that much in the long run, unless you for some reason or another
can't use Seismic Toss (Hyper Beam or Amnesia, although it's hard to fight
with Amnesia.) it's okay.

Besides, it's guaranteed (one in every starter set!)


Strengths:
-Good Damage
-Lightning and Colorless critters
-Really common (each starter set)

Weaknesses:
-That stupid 3 retreat!
-Psychic critters... obviously.
-Also not good in a fighting/x deck where you have to have 2 Fighting with
Machoke and 3 Fighting with Machamp to do an attack.

Combos:
-Machoke + Potion or Super Potion - might help with the Karate Chop or that
Submission.
-Machoke + Defender (Thanks Alan!) - Don't take that Submission Damage!
-Machop + Pokemon Trader, Computer Search or Breeder - get Machamp out that
much more quickly.
-Machoke or Machamp + Gust of Wind - Bring out the Pokemon hiding behind
the Onix and kill it! (Combine with Pokemon Flute to bring out a weak
Pokemon for more fun!)
-Machoke or Machamp + opponent's Chansey - say bye bye to that little
fragile egg!


Rating:
Machop:
Jonathan Ng: 7.0
Elliot493@aol.com: 7.0
Average: 7.0

Machoke:
Jonathan Ng: 6.0
Elliot492@aol.com: 5.0
Average: 5.5

Machamp:
Jonathan Ng: 6.5
Elliot492@aol.com: 7.5
Average: 7.0


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