Hey Pojo!

    I'm new to the Pokemon TCG but I think I deserve to say something.  First 
of all, I think you should try to use different kinds of Pokemon instead of 
one type, so you can concentrate on weaknesses and advantages.  It will be 
harder to get the right types of energies but if you have enough of them 
you'll have enough to attack with.  If you even out your card percentages, I 
think they should come out to about this:

    Basic Pokemon                       10 cards
    1st & 2nd Stage Pokemon         7 cards
    Trainers                                13 cards  (I use a lot of 
Potions!)               Energies                            30 cards (about 5 
cards per diff. energy) 

This is just a projected amount of cards and many times I chose by hand.  One 
thing I learned is that you need a lot of energies.  The first time I battled 
I didn't use that many energies and ran out fast.  Now I am much more 
experienced and have a pretty good record.  
  

    Second of all I think the most overlooked Pokemon is Magmar.  This is one 
of the best basic fire Pokemon.  Just look at the stats:

Name: Magmar
Evolution: Basic Pokemon
Type: Fire
HP: 50 (Great for a basic Pokemon)

Attacks:
    
    Fire Punch          2 Fire Energy                                   30 HP
    Flamethrower        2 Fire , 1 Colorless (Discard 1 Energy)         50 HP


Weakness: Water
Resistance: None
Retreat Cost: 2 

I think that the attacks are good however the retreat cost is a little high.  
It has a so-so HP number but good for a Basic Pokemon.  Overall though I 
think that Magmar Is a very good Pokemon.


Another Pokemon that I think is often overlooked is Tangela, Lets look at the 
stats:

Name: Tangela
Evolution: Basic Pokemon
Type: Grass
HP: 50 (Great for a Basic Pokemon)

Attacks:

  Bind              1 Grass, 1 Colorless    20 HP       50% chance of 
Paralyzing
  Poisonpowder      3 Grass                 20 HP       50% chance of 
Poisoning


Weakness: Fire
Resistance: None
Retreat Cost: 2

Tangela has great attacks, on either you can poison or paralyze.  Both take 
away 20 which is pretty good.  The retreat cost, again, is high but worth it.

Lickitung is also a very overlooked Pokemon.  Here's it's stats:

Name: Lickitung
Evolution: Basic Pokemon
Type: Colorless (That's a plus)
HP: 90 (Extraordinary for a Basic Pokemon!)

Attacks:

    Tongue Wrap     1 Colorless     10 HP       50% chance of Paralyzing
    Supersonic          2 Colorless     0 HP        50% chance of Confusion

Weakness: Fighting
Resistance: 30- Psychic
Retreat Cost: 3 Colorless

Great HP, Okay Attacks, Psychic Resistance, and a Basic Pokemon. All great 
things. However, Lickitung does have obvious weaknesses, 3 to Retreat is an 
outrageous cost.  It's attacks also are not the best but it's great heath 
makes up for that.  Plus if you can get the opponents Pokemon Paralyzed and 
confused, that's really good.


    Staryu is often overlooked because of it's low health but it's not to bad 
if you look closely here are Staryu's stats:


Name: Staryu
Evolution: Basic Pokemon
Type: Water
HP: 40
Attacks:

    Slap                    1 Water                         20 HP


Weakness: Electric
Resistance: None
Retreat Cost: 1 


Great Attack for only one energy,  20 off for one slap.  It can easily wipe 
out most basic Pokemon so it is great to start with.  It has a reasonable 
retreat cost and an avg. HP for a Basic Pokemon which unfortunately, isn't 
that high.  It's evolved form (Starmie) is also a great Pokemon.

One time I was in a battle and Staryu took out 2 Pokemon before fainting in a 
3rd battle! One of the cards it took out was also a Stage 2 Pokemon!  At 
first my opponent though I was crazy but I did well in the end.


Those are 4 great Basic Pokemon that are mostly common and almost everybody 
can get there hands on.  If you can't get your hands on a the "great cards" 
like Charizard and Blastoise, these are some pretty good alternatives.  These 
are great starting Pokemon for people who want to start collecting. 

Love the site Pojo!  I'm a big fan!  Please, please, post this on your site 
:).

thanx,

    Joe S.

    If there are any questions please e-mail me at AtlBravz28@ aol.com.