Dear Pojo,

First of all, the most important choice when decided to use or not to use an
evolution, is to look at the pokemon it evolves from.

Now many may argue about this examplifing with: "what about gyrados and
Magikarp?" but there are always a few exceptions to the rule.

The reason behind looking to its previous form is because of how vulnerable
a pokemon is before it gets evolved.  Its a terrible risk to have a pokemon
out on the table that can't defend itself properly.  I have always wanted to
make an effective dugtrio deck, but with such a weakling for a basic, it
becomes almost impossible.

What makes a basic pokemon good enough to evolve?  All you have to do is ask
yourself if you would ever consider playing that pokemon w/out the
evolution.  A great example of this is the whole line of Charizard. There
has been so much bashing against this guy, but if you think about it, every
pokemon building up to charizard is an excellent pokemon. Now, you can't say
this for every evolving pokemon, but its a good example.

Sure this whole idea limits the amount of evolved pokemon that can be used
to a small number, but thats how pokemon works.  Not every card in the game
is worth playing, and in fact, there is probably less than half the cards
that are good enough to successfully compete at the tourny level.

Evolutions are actualy a risky gambit in decks. The decks without them will
always have the advantage of speed and card potential (cards in hand at any
point in time). Why use Them at all?  well, simply put, a pumped evolution
is usually a far better pokemon than ANY basic in the game.  Its worth it,
but tricky. This comes to my second way to choose an evolution.

It may be assumed, but not by all: Use evolutions that ARE better than other
Basic pokemon.  Use Clefable, not Evil Machoke.  One is better than the
basics that your opponent has, and the other finds itself coming up short.

What makes an Evolution better than a Basic?  First and formost, think about
the damage/effect for the energy.  Usually, Evolutions have more efficient
attacks for the energy. Look for this. An inefficient pokemon is your worst
enemy.

Pokemon power can be one of the BIGGEST and most fun way to pick the
Evolution. With team rocket, a few basic pokmon come with PP, but the
evolved pokemon have some extremel fun ones to play with.  A pokemon power
can make or break an opponents deck.  Who hasn't worried about seeing an
Aerodactyle or Muk show up when playing Damage swap?   The PPs are just
great!  But there are some sour pokemon powers as well.  A good example of
this is Venomoth's ability.  this can be a good PP occasionally, but surely
not a sole reason to choose him for a deck.  changing Venomoths color pretty
much only allows him to do an extra 10 damage when there is a weakness
involved.  Why dont they just simply make venomoth do 20 with the effect? 
it costs 2 energy as it is anyways for an EVOLUTION.

Using Evolutions is a tricky science.  When POkemon started, it was thought
that every deck HAD to use evolutions, which was really good for the
game..(otherwise everyone would use Haymakers) but in the beginning, no one
knew how to correctly choose the pokemon to use.  Now, there are some real
smart choices that even allow for 3 to 4 different evolved pokemon in one
deck to work effectivly.

TYLER Grund
Tyler@pojo.com




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