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12/1 - COTD - Poliwrath (Neo Discovery)

Gokey Shuckle

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    [PokeCommunity.com] 12/1 - COTD - Poliwrath (Neo Discovery)


    Rate & Review.

    Thanks to Water Pokemon Master from www.pokebeach.com for the scan.

    Let blast from the past month begin!
     
    Ooh retro- this review is for Unlimited format.

    Poliwrath [F] 90HP
    The HP is a bit iffy for a stage 2 these days. By the time it evolves to this level it may be on around 70-80 and submission can easily knock it down further making it a slight target for an opponent to KO and discard 4ish energy cards.
    Gold Berry and Defender (not Buffer Piece as much) will help this card to no end due to its self destructive nature.
    And Sneasel shouldn't have much problem KOing this (or anything else).

    What is good about being a Poliwrath is that there are other and better Poliwrath cards out there (UF and FRLG) and its even more powerful brother Politoed (ex in particular). I cant see this card being run as a staple main attacker, so these guys will help. There are also some decent preevos but none of them use [F] as much as this one, making energy attachments a bit dodgy.

    [P] Weakness isn't something to be proud about, since there are still a lot of powerful types out in unlimited (despite Sneasels resistance) Gardy, MP Mewtwo (ex), Gengars and so on. [F] type is also disappointing considering that many cards have that resistance to it. Retreats pretty decent, but should be used sparingly.

    This card has no fun Powers... aww :(

    Corkscrew Punch is dull. Nothing much to say [F][C] for 30 is below average these days.
    Unfortunately Submission is this cards main attack. For 4 Energies 70 is very good, but it receives 20 back, so =50 damage for 4 is also a bit disappointing. 70 is a good amount in my opinion, making it able to smite most Basics and Stage 1s. The energy cost is fair but better payable with Double Colourless Energy. I would massively recommend [M] energy (from Neo-Exp) since it will do 60 damage, but cause no recoil as well as removing 10 from opponents attacks.

    Combos: Healing Cards, DCE, Metal, Other Poli..somethings

    Final Rating: Not something I would particularly play, more of a fun card, but still not great. 4/10:sleeping:
     
    Ooh, we're going into the cards I use!

    Seriously, this particular Poliwrath isn't that good...mainly due to its steep Energy costs. Two energy for 30 is subpar, but I've seen worse. And the 4 Energy was almost a staple on high-powered attacks back before the EX sets...

    But now, it wouldn't work.

    3/10

    (Let's see a trainer next!)
     
    WTQ? Where did this crap come from? 90HP stage 2's are just crap!

    2 for 30 is OK on basics not stage 2's... and 4 for 70 is already low, and with 20 recoil??? WTF were they thinking about when they came up with this?

    2/10 - too useless and energy inefficient...
     
    Going by standards at the time of print, it's an updated Base Machoke with 10 more damage on Submission and damage reduction omitted. The fact that it offers a complete type and Weakness change over from Poliwhirl is nice as well. Except for comparably less lenient Energy and more retributive costs, this card could have a place in modern TCG setup. Retro rating 7/10, updated rating 7/10.
     
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