This report is about comparing the Rocket Basics to Non-Rocket Basics. This
is a very useful article for new deck builders. It's a long article, but
enjoy it.

-Adam.

Abra: I recommend Rocket, but it's a question of whether you prefer 10 more
HP and a nice second attack , or a free retreat cost.

Charmander: This one's difficult. Rocket has 10 less HP but what most would
consider a better attack and a handy Pokemon Power, but Base has 10 more HP
and a higher damage attack. After long consideration, I would go for Rocket.

Diglett: Rocket is definately better. The only things that are better about
Base is that it can do 30 on turn 2, and can apply weakness for its first
attack.

Dratini: Again, Rocket is better, because of the paralysis chance. Usually
you will want to put a DCE on Dratini anyway. It doesn't make a lot of
difference which one you use.

Drowzee: Definately better than Base, because of the great Pokemon Power!
Nightmare is about as good as Confuse Ray.

Eevee: Jungle is better here. 10 more HP, and definately better attacks.

Ekans: The attacks are about the same, but Rocket has 10 more HP, so it
wins!

Grimer: Fossil has 10 more HP, colourless attacks. Sticky hands is very good
but only if you flip heads. Fossil is slightly better.

Koffing: I prefer the Base one because of the 10 more HP and chance of
posion/confusion. But Rocket can do 30 by turn 2, and Base can only do 10.

Machop: Base Machop is great!!! It has always been my favourite Basic
Pokemon. Usually you will want to use Base unless you are 'splashing' it.

Magikarp: The Rocket one is far better, especially in Raindance, because you
can get a Gyarados quickly.

Magnemite: Base is better because Thunder Wave can Paralyse and Selfdestruct
does a lot of damage. The other one is terrible.

Mankey: Rocket is better because of the 10 more HP and second attack. Jungle
Mankey's Pokemon Power is not enough to make up for it

Meowth: The Jungle one is much better. A coin flip for a chance of doing 20
for 2 energy? Bad value. The Jungle one has higher HP and a good
card-drawing attack.

Oddish: I actually prefer Rocket as it has two guaranteed effects, unlike
the Jungle one.

Ponyta: The Base Ponyta is better as it has no discard and similar attacks.
(By the way, I am glad Base Ponyta is out of print. I have 9 of them and
they are breaking the binder slot!!!)

Porygon: It's actually quite a tough decision as Conversion 2 can be a great
stalling tactic, but Rocket wins as it is better in every other way.

Psyduck: These are almost equal... But I have to go with Fossil as Headache
can disrupt trainer-heavy decks. Fury Swipes is better value than Water Gun.

Rattata: The Base one is better as it does 20 damage guaranteed for one
energy, but it's very close.

Slowpoke: The Fossil one is best. Even though it can't do damage Scavenging
is great in some decks.

Squirtle: Very close. Rocket Squirtle wins by just a bit. It has more HP and
does 20 damage with a DCE.

Voltorb: Rocket is much better as it does 20 damage for one energy.

Zubat: Fossil is better as it has effects like healing and Confusing.

Well, to finish things off I want to give a list what is best.

Rocket:12
Non Rocket:11

So good cards are in both sets. However now you will know which one to put
in your decks if you are a deck builder!

E-mail:
hoodadam@hotmail.com


by Adam

PS. The Pokemon cartoon, Game Boy games, other merchandise, and so on ARE
ALL tripe. Why, you ask? Because they have too much merchandise, that they
make everyone think 'This is just a money-making scam' and hate Pokemon.
These things are not very good anyway.