What's up fellow Pokemon TCG players, Sean here again with a what's on
top article. In case you couldn't guess from the title, this article is
about the best Gym heroes cards. This new set has me very excited, as it
is very large and contains so many good cards. I can't decide which
cards to try first, there are so many. Anyway, I will be doing this like
last time. Basics will be first, then Stage 1s, followed by Stage 2s,
and then trainers. Here we go...

BASIC POKEMON: TOP 5
5. Rocket's Moltres - This card, although it has rather low HP compared
to other unevolving basics, is what fire needed to back up Fossil Magmar
in the basic department. Fighting Resistance, a really cool Pokemon
Power (Ooooh, Zombie-like isn't it) and a sweet attack (Which
essentially deals 50 damage) are what make this card great. Almost
forgot, no water weakness)

4. Erika's Dratini - All right, I'll probably get flamed for this but,
this card deserves to be in this spot. It simply shuts down haymaker and
it's variants, and those are the most played decks out there. Erika's
Dragonair is good too, but why evolve anyway?

3. Rocket's Scyther - Another power-basic for grass has arrived. Once
again, it suffers from low HP (It is a Rocket pokemon, and you know all
about the low Rocket Hp) but Shadow images is a great way to beef up
those hitpoints. Blinding Scythe, for 2G, is great for its cost too. Not
as good as Jungle Scyther, but great in mono grass decks.

2. Lt. Surges Electabuzz Lv. 28 - Awsome, another absorbing Pokemon.
This card should fit right in with Sponge decks. A possible 120(?)
damage SECOND TURN is killer. Don't replace your base set Buzzes, add
this guy in next to em. And he doesn't suffer from low HP either.

1. Rocket's Hitmonchan - Boy, I've long awaited this card. Finally,
after a lack of good fighting Pokemon after base set, the " dead color"
might have a chance. Crosscounter is just wicked-good, and Magnum Punch
is a power attack. Add in his one retreat and he is a killer. 60 HP is
low, but what do you expect from a Rocket Pokemon.

STAGE 1 EVOLUTIONS: Top 5
5. Brock's Golbat - At first glance, this card is nothing special, but a
deeper look reveals this thing's power. 70 HP is nice, as is the 1
retreat cost. He has all colorless attacks, and the ability to deal good
damage early. Spiral Dive is nice too; it can do a net of 60 for 3
colorless energy. Not a bad pokemon at all.

4. Erika's Weepinbell Lv. 30 - 70 HP, nice. Auto Sleep AND auto Poison
for 1G, killer. 40 damage for 1GG, good. Having good basic and evolved
forms, Priceless.

3. Erika's Gloom Lv. 24 and Lv. 28 - Both levels of this Pokemon are
equally awsome when played correctly. Lv. 24 has the wonderful ability
to inflict any status effect and good damage for 3 Grass energy, and
healing pollen boosts its low HP nicely. Lv. 28 has good HP, and can
deal auto sleep and auto confusion. Couple with Celadon Gym and you have
one annoying card.

2. Misty's Seadra - Good HP combined with a 1 energy 20 Damage attack
and a good basic make this Seadra playable. 1 retreat is nice, and
Knockout needle can either be really really good, or below average.
Definately worth a shot.

1. Sabrina's Venomoth - What a great card! Healing Pollen is a really
nice way to heal all of your pokemon, and free retreat, fighting
resistance and a decent basic make this Pokemon playable. Sonic
Distortion, however, is what lands Venomoth this spot. 75% chance of
confusion for 1 energy is great. Just sit back and heal yourself after
confusing them, and watch them die slowly...MWAAAHAAAHAAAHAAA! Excuse my
little outburst there. 60 HP is the only Drawback, but healing pollen
makes up for it.

STAGE 2 EVOLUTIONS: Top 5
5. Misty's Poliwrath - Not really that good, but since there are only 5
Stage 2s in the set, I figure I'll list em all. 90 HP is pretty good,
but the retreat is high and the attack isn't the greatest. Still, in a
mono-water deck, Poliwrath can deal some nice damage to the bench. Also,
good basic and Stage 1.

4. Brock's Golem - 90 Hp, pretty good once again. Rock Slide deals nice
damage to the bench, and Fissure is average. The 4 Retreat cost is a
huge problem, but the unevolved forms are decent.

3. Sabrina's Gengar - Although the 80 HP is really low for a stage 2,
the attacks and 1 retreat cost make up for it. Pain amplifier is nice
when combined with bench-hitters, and with a couple of good flips, Call
of the Night can be great, but is average without them. Not the best
unevolved forms, but they have the hit points to get Gengar into play.

2. Erika's Victreebel - Stellar unevolved forms, a great, heavy damage
attack, moderate retreat cost and a gust of wind-like Pokemon power make
this card extremely playable. I never thought a Victreebel could be good
after seeing the jungle one.

1. Erika's Vileplume - Boy, Erika seems to be one of the better trainers
in this expansion, and her Vileplume shows it. The hp may be low, but it
can heal itself with a nice Mega Drain attack. The pokemon power takes
the cake though; confusing the opponent without attacking it is broken.
Great unevolved forms as well.

TRAINERS: Top 5
5. Pewter City Gym - Another card that gives fighting a chance. Dropping
resistance to Brock's Pokemon can make them playable. Maybe we'll see
his Sandslash or Onix get some use.

4. Celadon City Gym - Healing your Erika pokemon for the loss of an
energy is a good deal. Combine with her Lv. 28 Gloom for a REALLY
annoying combo.

3. The Rocket's Trap - The spark of the infamous Trapper combo has
finally arrived. This card is pure broken when used with Imp Oaks
Revenge and RSA. Wizards, please ban this card.

2. Secret Mission - Look at your opponent's hand for the heck of it,
then draw cards as you wish (Discarding of course). Card advantage based
on your opponent's advantage is Sweet.

1. No Removal Gym - What a great card. Make them discard 2 EXTRA cards
just to get rid of 1 of yours. The answer to fire Pokemon's and Energy
hog's problems. Yeah, removal me now Haymaker.



WORST CARDS: Bottom 6
6. Brock's Ryhorn Lv. 29./Brock's Rydon - Drill tackle is just too
risky, as is Lariat.

5. Lt. Surge's Magneton - Use energy charge to quickly power it up to...
kill itself. Nice idea. Use base electrode instead.

4. Trash Exchange - Shuffling your discard pile into your deck is nice,
but discarding that many cards afterward is horrible.

3. Charity - WHY, other than to kill Mr. Mime, would you use this card.
Beats me.

2. Narrow Gym - Oooooh, limit your opponent to 4 benched Pokemon instead
of 5. Let me tell ya, this card ain't gonna end Wiggly decks.

1. Misty's Goldeen - Yes, the rare one. Why Wizards, Why?


FUN CARDS TO USE
Blaine's Charmander - Kindle could be nice.

Lt. Surge's Rattata - I shall call him ... MINI SCYTHER

Rocket's Snorlax - You take damage while I sleep, okay? Okay.

Blaine's Quiz #1 - Drive your opponent insane.

Misty's Duel - Let's play Rock/paper/scissors.


Well, that wraps it up. Feel free to reply to this list, just remember
that these are opinions, not facts, so don't flame me saying that I'm a
big idiot. See ya later, and have some fun, that's what the game is
about.
      Thanks for readin'
    Sean Norris
EMAIL to snorris@snip.net