Skip straight to the scores and summary for a concise overview.
Please note that while I denote δ Delta Species Pokémon
by adding a δ to the end of their name, but that said symbol is
not actually part of their name for gaming purposes to my
understanding. For example, a “Pokémon δ” can Evolve from or
into a non-Pokémon δ, so long as no other rules are being
broken. That is, I can Evolve Dratini δ into a Dark
Dragonair, plain Dragonair, of the “Dragonair δ”.
I cannot, however, Evolve a Dark Dragonair into a
Dragonite δ or a Dragonair δ into a Dark
Dragonite.
Name:
Electabuzz δ
Set:
EX Dragon Frontiers
Card#:
29/101
Type:
Fighting
Stage:
Basic
HP:
60
Weakness:
Fighting
Resistance:
None
Retreat:
C
Poké-Power:
Power of Evolution
Once
during your turn (before your attack), if Electabuzz is an
Evolved Pokémon, you may draw a card from the bottom of your
deck. This power can’t be used if Electabuzz is affected by a
Special Condition.
Attack:
(FC) Swift [30]
This attack’s damage isn’t affected by Weakness, Resistance,
Poké-Powers, and Poké-Bodies, or any other effects on the
Defending Pokémon.
Name:
Elekid δ
Set:
EX Dragon Frontiers
Card#:
48/101
Type:
Fighting
Stage:
Basic
HP:
40
Weakness:
Fighting
Resistance:
None
Retreat:
C
Poké-Power:
Baby Evolution
Once
during your turn (before your attack), you may put Electabuzz
from your hand onto Elekid (this counts as Evolving Elekid) and
remove all damage counters from Elekid.
Attack:
(C)
Thunder Spear
Choose 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon. This attack does 10
damage to that Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and resistance
for Benched Pokémon.)
Attributes:
Electabuzz is a Pokémon δ, and that’s finally getting
interesting. There are obvious benefits to being a Pokémon δ,
like an extra draw from Holon’s Adventurer, Fearow δ
being able to fetch you from the deck, etc. but now we are
finally seeing some real drawbacks, like Pokémon that hit
Pokémon δ hard and fast (Arbok δ) or can shrug off quite
a bit of their damage (Dewgong δ), and some cards are now
managing to be both support and a counter (Holon Legacy).
Electabuzz
is a Basic Pokémon, but it can optionally Evolve from Elekid.
The most recent Elekid is a Pokémon δ (also a Fighting
Type) with only 40 HP but an occasionally useful attack (Thunder
Spear for only 10 damage). Still, sometimes it is good to hit
the bench even for just 10. Peaking ahead, we see that
Electabuzz has an Evolution activated Poké-Power, and it
looks like the main reason you’d run it, so you’ll need this
Electabuzz or the other.
Being a
Fighting-Type is fairly unimportant: peaking ahead again, we see
that Electabuzz has only one attack, and it doesn’t apply
Weakness. So let’s look at the HP: 60. That’s solid for a
Basic with no Evolutions available, but bad if we are using it
as a Stage 1 (and that is how it’s apt to be used). Fighting
Weakness is a concern if anyone is still using the Raichu δ/Exeggutor
δ deck, but other than that, it might not be too bad. No
Resistance is lame as always, but I might as well move onto a
reasonable, single Energy retreat that shouldn’t be too hard to
pay.
Abilities:
Electabuzz has a Poké-Power called Power of Evolution: as
long as it is Evolved, you can draw a card from the bottom of
the deck. This is a simple but potent ability over the long
term of the game. Since Electabuzz can break the rules
and be Evolved into right away from Elekid with its Baby
Power, you can use Holon’s Mentor to fetch an
Electabuzz, Elekid, and then one of whatever and draw
a card off of it as well. Two
Holon’s
Mentor
and you can get something major set up plus two Electabuzz
on the bench, giving you essentially a free Bill a turn.
Swift,
the cards only attack, can occasionally be handy, since it
ignores basically any effect on the Defending Pokémon. Still,
for the most part its filler and one will rarely need to use it.
Uses
and
Combinations:
Simply put, it’s possible that Electabuzz could become
the new Bench sitting “Stage 1” line for some decks. It is very
low on HP, but an almost totally flat out source of extra draw
power, even moderate, is pretty significant. In addition to
Holon’s Mentor, there are reliable normal Trainers to get
you Basics, like Great Ball, and fairly reliable ones
like Dual Ball. Yes, you might occasionally get stuck
with an Electabuzz acting as a Basic and your starter,
but some something so simple and useful that might be a
worthwhile risk. After all, in a well made deck it really is
draw power you need most: everything you draw can get you
something else. If the draw is not Supporter based, all the
better: then you can use a Supporter for what you need after the
draw. A single benched Electabuzz, if you can keep it
alive, essentially halves your deck size. Unlike, say,
Porygon 2 with Back-Up, there are no messy requirements to
get the draw (at least after you Evolve Electabuzz).
Ratings
Unlimited:
1/5 – Electabuzz is far too weak for Modified. For draw
power, we have the best Trainers in the game. We also have
older, easier to access forms of Pokémon draw power if one
desires it. Plus, we have Pichu from Neo Genesis
occasionally popping up and having a Zzzap fest.
Modified:
3.5/5 – I don’t know how popular this will be, but it can be
pretty nice. Its low HP is the clear draw back to it: a
Cursed Stone can quickly KO any benched Electabuzz.
In the end I think it will be worth it in certain decks. I’ve
tried Porygon2 with Back-Up and its good… in certain
decks that flow quickly. For everything else, this might be the
next best choice for a Bench sitter (keeping in mind Magcargo
with Smooth Over is probably as good as or better than
Porygon2 for decks in general).
Limited:
4/5 – Elekid δ is an okay pull and a common, which in
turn means its actually not that unlikely to get it with
Electabuzz and work them into a deck, where they are
incredibly useful in a format like this. I saw quite a few at
the Pre-Release I attended.
Summary
I think
Electabuzz is a great Pokémon but it might be
overshadowed by some older, more questionable Bench-sitting
candidates. Its small size is essential to keeping it from
being overly powerful, as seen with so many past cards in past
formats. Need I remind people of Neo Genesis Cleffa or
Energy Draw Delcatty?
