Friday, March 30, 2012

Raichu -- Next Destinies Pokemon Card Review

Raichu Next Destinies Set Pokemon CardPokemon Card Overview:
Today's Pokemon Card Review is of Raichu from the Next Destinies set. This is a stage 1, electric type Pokemon card with an hp of 90. Raichu has a x2 weakness to fighting type Pokemon, no resistance type, and a one colorless energy card retreat cost. Raichu doesn't have an Ability but it does have two moves, the first move is called Thundershock which takes one electric energy card and does 20 damage plus paralyzes the defending Pokemon if you get heads when you flip a coin. Raichu's second move is called Slam which takes three energy cards, two colorless and one electric, and does 80 damage times the number of heads you get when you flip two coins.

Pokemon Card Strategy:
So as far as strategy goes, if you want to use this card to do a lot of damage you'll need to load up three energy cards on this card and hope for some luck. If you use Slam every turn you may knock out a Pokemon every turn or you may never knock out a Pokemon, it really depends on the flip of a coin with this move. I would stay away from Thundershock unless you can knock out the defending Pokemon with 20 damage, in my opinion Thundershock isn't a great move because it doesn't do enough damage for a stage 1 Pokemon card. I would only use Pikachu and Raichu in an electric type deck if I was looking for 3 more cards to use because I wouldn't ever use more than a 2-1 line of Pikachu and Raichu in any deck.

Pokemon Card Rating:
I would give this card a 2 out of 5 rating. This card is average overall, with an average hp and average retreat cost, however the reason I am downgrading this card to a 2 out of 5 is because of its moves, Thundershock should do at least 30 damage to be worthwhile and I just don't like the amount of luck you need with Slam to actually knock a Pokemon out.

Tomorrow's Pokemon Card:
So thanks for reading today's Pokemon card review of Raichu from the Next Destinies set, stay tuned for tomorrow's card review of the first of two Luxio cards from the same set.

4 comments:

Krimzen said...

Hey man,

I love your reviews usually, but I have the disagree here. This card is amazing. While it's true that it's first move does low damage, it also only costs 1, which is fair But more importantly, it has a 50/50 chance of causing the nastiest status effect in the game.

However, it's second move is devastating. You have to figure; You're guaranteed 80 damage, which is nothing to scoff at for 3 energy. But on top of that, you get two flips to DOUBLE that damage for each heads. So you are looking at a potential 240 damage attack. Is this rare? Yes. However, chances are in your favor that at least one of those flips will be heads, which gives you 160 damage....and that is still enough to knock anything out.

It's HP is a bit low, but it's a level 1. It's retreat cost is also very nice in my opinion. I'd play this even if it were a level 2 and had a retreat cost 2 energy higher.

Deserves at least a 4/5.

Unknown said...

actually, its x not +, so max is 160 (still great). however, u have a 1/4 chance. thundershock is pretty good with 1 energy. combine this with fliptini and a bit of luck (victini will help) and you a have a potent attacker. 3.5/5

Unknown said...

I'm torn with this card. I like the 90HP and of course every Raichu should be able to paralyze the opponant. But I don't like Slam. Two Tails and you've wasted a turn. I could understand that from a stage 2 pokemon to keep it from being a game breaker, but not something with Raichu's power.

AliciaBirch said...

My son has this card but it has a lot of misprints/spelling errors and he was wondering why. I know nothing about it and thought maybe someone could help. thanks:)