Name: Jirachi

Set: Hidden Legends

Card#: 8/101

Type: Metal/Psychic

Stage: Basic

HP: 70

Weakness: Fire

Resistance: None

Retreat: C

Attack#1: (C) Make a Wish

Search your deck for a card that evolves from 1 of your Pokémon and put it on that Pokémon.  (This counts as evolving that Pokémon.)  If you do, put 1 damage counter on Jirachi.  Shuffle your deck afterward.

 

Attributes: This is the third Basic Pokémon of the week.  As I said, Basics are the best-as long as you have room, you can just drop them into play.  This one is another dual-type: Metal and Psychic this time.  Metal is great-Metal Resistance is showing up more and more on Electric Pokémon, but since it rarely comes into play, it’s easy to miss.  Wait, why’d I say it was great?  A lot of new Water Pokémon that are battling it out with Firestarter decks are Weak to Metal, and Metal Energy can be utilized to block some damage.  Being Psychic means we score double damage on nasty Wobbuffets and Gardevoir.  Wow, the type combination that frustrates the three top decks.  We see 70 HP-great for a Basic, even if it’s not one that can evolve.  Between the HP and Metal Energy, you have a decent shot of lasting a few turns.  Sadly, we do have a Weakness to Fire Pokémon… but in the end, this is better than the next most likely candidate-Psychic Pokémon.  This gives Jirachi another edge when battling it out with other Psychic-types-Wobbuffet, for example, can’t OHKO you.  No Resistance is stupid.  I am sorry, but so few cards that lack Resistance, at least in Modified, would be “broken” by adding it, though all would be helped out.  Finally, we see a retreat of just one.  This is good.  It is easy pay, even when having to worry about Energy types.  Just don’t chuck the special ones. ;)

 

Abilities: Jirachi has two attacks, and both live up to their names.  Make a wish is great for a lot of decks that want to Evolve fast but can’t or don’t want to use Rare Candy (well, use it all the time).  Just grab your Stage 1, and then on your next turn, Evolve normally to a Stage 2.  Just a two turn delay to not worry so much about Ancient Technical Machine [Rock].  Now, if it does require you have one Energy of any type attached, and it does place a damage counter on itself.  Still, with some planning, you can probably get at least two things evolved before getting KO’d, and probably three or four.  The second attack, Mind Bend, is offensive with a defensive twist.  For just (PM) you hit for 30.  You also get to flip for Confusion.  Unlike Dark Celebi’s second attack, I know you are at least breaking even.  If you can get something Confused and hopefully stuck, you can Evolve a lot more Pokémon.

 

Uses/Combinations: This is not a card that will work in every deck.  However, most decks should try it to see if it will work for them.  I think Metagross decks will really want to try this, since you could Metal up Jirachi to keep it alive longer, then transfer the Metal to Metagross when everything is ready.

 

Ratings

 

Unlimited: 1.5/5-Okay attacks, but the only thing I can think of using it for is TecH in a Slowking deck.

 

Modified: 3.75/5-It requires some common sense to use, but it can be a real boon when used right.

 

Limited: 3/5-Use it to get your Evos out post haste!  However, most people can’t get a lot of Evos in a Limited event, so while very potent, its only going to result in one or two Evolutions for 25% of your prizes.  If it’s a Starter event and you have the Jirachi Starter from Hidden Legends, jack it up to a 3.5/5-Metaling it up means a mean, metal attacker.

 

Summary

Another good card, and hey, it’s readily available.