Base Set Basic: Best and Worst

For all of you who love evolutions, are they all really necessary? Try basic Pokemon to get a quick lead! Let's have a look at them!

The Best:

Hitmonchan

Received: In Base Set/Base Set 2 Boosters

Card Description
HP: 70
Retreat Cost: 2
Type: Fighting
Weakness: Psychic
Resistance: None

Attacks:

Jab: 20 damage
Cost: 1 Fighting

Special Punch: 40 damage
Cost: 2 Fighting, 1 Colorless

Adam's Analysis: This should be a no-brainer. Cheap costs, nice attack. This is why everyone loves him! One of the best in the game.

Electabuzz

Received: In Base Set/Base Set 2 Boosters

Card Description
HP: 70
Retreat Cost: 2
Type: Lightning
Weakness: Fighting
Resistance: None

Attacks:

Thundershock: 10 Damage Flip a coin. If heads, the defending Pokémon is Paralyzed.
Cost: 1 Lightning

Thunderpunch: 30+ damage. Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 30 damage plus 10 more damage. If tails , this attack does 30 damage and Electabuzz does 10 damage to itself.
Cost: 1 Lightning, 1 Colorless

Flash's Analysis (Translated): We all know a good electric when we see one, and this is the best. It's fast, like any good pokemon should be, and it can paralyze in one turn. Thundershock is good to keep your opponent from attacking. And when they get weak, a thunder punch can finish them off! Be careful though, you don't want to hurt yourself!

Rattata (Yeah, you heard me!)

Received: In Base Set/Base Set 2 Boosters

Card Description
HP: 30
Retreat Cost: 0
Type: Colorless
Weakness: Fighting
Resistance: Psychic

Attacks:

Bite: 20 damage
Cost: 1 Colorless

Adam's Analysis: Okay, you don't like Rattata? What's wrong with you? Its HP is low, I grant you that, but its retreat cost is non-existent. It has an attack that does twenty no matter what energy you attach. So what is so good about Rattata? Try this strategy. If your opponent is low on energy, put Rattata out. Attach an energy and pummel away with bite. When it looks like Rattata may get KOed, retreat for nothing and send out someone else. Or, for added fun, unleash his fury upon a psychic deck! And to top it off, the Raticate it evolves into can do up to 60 damage to an opponent with its attack, and it still has bite!

The Worst:

Received: In Base set/base set 2 boosters

Card Description
HP: 30
Retreat Cost: 1
Type: Water
Weakness: Lightning
Resistance: None

Attacks:

Tackle: 10 damage
Cost: 1 Colorless

Flail: Does 10 damage each damage counter on Magikarp.
Cost: 1 Water

Flash's Analysis (Translated): What a weakling! It has such a low HP, and still has a retreat cost! On top of that, the only way it can deal more than 10 damage is if it's 2/3 dead! It has a weakness, but no resistance to counter it! Most Pokémon will have no trouble killing it before it has a chance to counterattack! I say, when you need a Gyarados, use the Rocket Edition Magikarp so you can at least have Rapid Evolution.

Pikachu

Received: In Base set/base set 2 boosters

Card Description
HP: 40
Retreat Cost: 1
Type: Lightning
Weakness: Fighting
Resistance: None

Attacks:

Gnaw: 10 damage
Cost: 1 colorless

Thunder Jolt: 30 damage: Flip a coin. If tails, Pikachu does 10 damage to itself.
Cost: 1 Lightning, 1 Colorless

Adam's Analysis: Yeah...why do you want this? Its first attack is terrible, dealing ten damage, and you do NOT want to end up killing yourself. Pikachu is HIGHLY overrated in my opinion, and this card belongs in the dumpster with all those Ponyta and Diglett (who aren't as bad, just too common). If you want a Pikachu, use ANY of the other ones, just NOT the base set Pikachu!