Ahh, Meowth and Persian.  Really overlooked in the game.  Let's figure.

Meowth can do 10 damage with a chance to draw.  Sorta lame on its own, but by
the time you Pay Day, you're almost ready for...

Persian.  Personally, I'll take this dude over Scyther.  Consider:

* Both have 70 HP.  Sweet.
* Both retreat for free.  Sweeter.
* Persian's UNCOMMON!  Scyther's Rare. Add in nobody trades it, everyone uses
it!
* Persian has a CC attack, Scyther uses another turn (DCE notwithstanding)
* Persian's 30 damage move reduces attacks by 10 next turn.  (Well, if it's
the same Pokémon, but that happens all too often)

I use him in my Fire/Fighting deck.  One time it almost came in for the
Charmeleon line.  Then I thought otherwise.  The trick to Persian in the
early game is to only open Meowth if you have a DCE in your hand.  Otherwise,
get someone who can retreat fast.  As in 1 or none.  Then evolve turn 2, and
start Pouncing.  At turn 2 most Pokémon are either ready for their worst, or
it'll show that your opponent's hanging it out to dry.  But if you see that
Hitmonchan's gonna be making Hay next turn, get Defender.

Good news:
*Scyther:  Get that damage to 20!
*Mime and Mew.  Even if Mew uses Devo. Beam, you can still pounce, uh, bounce
back next turn.

Bad news:
*Hitmonchan.  Even pouncing won't do it.  It'd be 10 off after weakness,
making 70.  Bummer.
*Diglett and Pluspower:  If you don't knock out Diglett, he'll stay just long
enough to take out Persian.  Then Pluspower can finish the job.

That's it for me,
Bill
BillTheDeckFixer@aol.com