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Pojo's Pokémon Card of the Day

 

Haunter #35/102

Emerging Powers

Date Reviewed: Nov. 3, 2011

Ratings & Reviews Summary

Modified: 2.90
Limited: 2.50

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale.
1 being the worst. 
3 ... average.  
5 is the highest rating.

Back to the main COTD Page

Baby Mario
2010 UK National
Seniors
Champion

Haunter (Triumphant)

So, today we look at the only card of the week that is actually still legal for modified play. In fact, if you wanted to play Gengar, this is your only option for that Stage 1 slot.

As a Pokémon, Haunter isn’t quite as spooky as Gengar, though those purple teeth and (especially) those disembodied claw hands make it a pretty scary proposition. The artwork on this particular card seems to capture Haunter in a very frightening pose too.

As an evolving Stage 1, this isn’t a bad card at all. 70 HP isn’t anything to write home about, but the free Retreat and rarely-seen Weakness (for the moment anyway) are good to have. Sneaky Placement’s effect of putting two damage counters on one of your opponent’s Pokémon could be situationally useful and has nice synergy with the LV X and the Prime. Sleep Poison costs two Energy of any Colour and does exactly what it says on the tin, inflicting both Status Conditions. Nothing spectacular, but again, there are circumstances where it could come in handy.

Even back before the rotation when there was a choice of four Haunters to run, this one usually earned at least one spot, if only as a way of giving Gengar decks an out against Umbreon UD. It’s nothing special, but for what it is, Haunter TM has proved its worth.

Rating

Fear Factor as a Pokémon: 3.75

Fear Factor as a TCG card: 2

virusyosh

Hello hello, Pojo viewers! Today we're continuing Scary Pokemon Week by actually reviewing a card that is Modified-legal. Today's Card of the Day is Haunter from HS Triumphant.

Haunter is a Stage 1 Psychic Pokemon. Gothitelle and Mew Prime are the two most common Psychics in the Modified format right now, although Gengar Prime does see a bit of play in Lostgar, so Haunter has a natural place there. 70 HP is below average for a Stage 1, meaning that Haunter won't be able to stand up to many hits from most of the Modified metagame - Yanmega Prime, Reshiram, Zekrom, Tornadus, and many other attacks will easily OHKO. Darkness Weakness is nice, only really coming into play against the rare Tyranitar Prime or Weavile UD. Colorless Resistance is likewise fairly nice against Cinccino BW and Bouffalant. Finally, a free Retreat Cost is the best you can have, and gives Haunter nice flexibility if you need it out of the Active Position.

Haunter has two attacks, Sneaky Placement and Sleep Poison. Sneaky Placement puts two damage counters on one of your opponent's Pokemon in any way you like for a single Psychic Energy. This attack is fairly decent, essentially sniping 20 damage anywhere you want while also getting around damage-reducing and damage-triggering effects like Defender and Druddigon's Rough Skin. In Modified, however, this attack will only realistically work in the early game, as 20 damage isn't significant enough to have a great effect on heavy hitters later on. Sleep Poison costs two Colorless Energy (or a Double Colorless) and does exactly what you'd expect: the Defending Pokemon is Asleep and Poisoned. This type of attack is better in a slower format like Limited, as chances are your opponent can simply use a Switch or Super Scoop Up to get out of the conditions in Modified.

Modified: 2/5 This is the only legal Haunter in Modified, so if you're running Gengar Prime, this is what you get. Free retreat is fairly nice as is damage placement in the early game, but chances are if you're attacking with Haunter, you're in trouble.

Limited: 3/5 Haunter is a solid choice for Limited. Sneaky Placement allows you to easily pick off weakened and low HP opponents, where Sleep Poison can buy you some time while dealing Poison damage. It's not a top pick and isn't fast, but Haunter is fairly solid and will make a good addition to a Triumphant Limited deck running Psychic.


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