Rocket’s Zapdos · Gym Challenge (G2) #15

8 comments

1. 

   Mantidactyle

   (14 years ago)

   This Pokémon was so good EVERY DECK played it when it came out.
   1 I do 20 I attach an Energy from my discard to Zapdos (w00t !)
   4 I OHKO every Pokémon played in this metagame.

   Combo with Computer Search / Item Finder / Misty’s Wrath / Prof Oak…
   Oh, and Super Energy Removal.
   And Metal Energy old wording, too.
   And Lass.
   And [too many cards]

   Reply
2. 

   Chuck Rancor

   (14 years ago)

   I wish I knew the pokemon meta back then to understand how broken this is

   Reply
   • 

     Matheus Aguiar Chuck Rancor

     (14 years ago)

     Although I missed the Gym series meta, but based in the base sets, where:
     – you could draw your entire Deck with Professor Oak, Bill, Computer Search and Item Finder;
     – you could remove energy as you with with (Super) Energy Removal;
     – Pokémon rarely broke the 100HP and 50 damage caps, including Stage 2s;
     – 70 being just enough to OHKO the haymaker basics, such as Magmar, Scyther, Hitmonchan and Electabuzz;
     – For one energy dealing 20 AND being “protected” from Energy Removal meant being better than Hitmonchan on early damage;

     This card should’ve been awesome. Hitmonchan must’ve gone home crying.

     Reply
     • 

       CaptainX24Matheus Aguiar

       (14 years ago)

       I’m pretty sure it was awesome, actually.

       Reply
3. 

   Richard Rich

   (4 years ago)

   This artwork is so freaky. I wonder why they’re bringing *this* card back to Celebrations. Maybe because of how much it was played back in the day?

   Reply
   • 

     NosRichard Rich

     (4 years ago)

     It seems like that’s the case. It’s why we’re seeing things like Luxray GL LV.X (RR) #109, Team Magma’s Groudon (MA) #9 (and not Aqua’s Kyogre lol), and Mew ex. There seem to be a few exceptions, like Base Set Charizard (cause you have to have Charizard )

     Reply
     • 

       CharmasterNos

       (1 year ago)

       We got all three Kanto starters. Cut Charizard some slack.
       And Charizard is actually good in Prop 15/3. In fact, arguably better than Blastoise and Venusaur ever were except in Japan’s Hall of Fame format. Charizard just isn’t iconic as a playable card, because Prop 15/3 players have only really discovered its true potential in the past year, over two decades after the format was played.
       https://retrotcgs.com/wotc-retro-pokemon/

       Speaking of which, I will gladly accept as many Charizard reprints as it takes to get me a playable reprint that costs less than a $45 heavily played Legendary Collection non-holo theme deck exclusive, because I’d need two Charizard to completely deproxy a Prop 15/3 Charizard deck.

       Reply
4. 

   Charmaster

   (5 months ago)

   Today marks the 25th anniversary of the East Coast Super Trainer Showdown! https://ptcgarchive.com/2000-super-trainer-showdown-new-jersey/ The East Coast Super Trainer Showdown was Wizards of the Coast’s second large Pokémon TCG tournament, held on November 18th 2025 at the Meadowlands in Secaucus, New Jersey, on November 18, 2000.

   The tournament used cards from Base Set through Gym Challenge, but with a twist; players could run no more than 15 trainer cards and no more than three cards with the same name (Instead of the usual four), a measure taken to neutralize Base-Gym’s popular hand-lock decks (https://jklaczpokemon.com/2000-base-to-gym/#wigglytuff-trapper) and to tone down the abuse of Energy Removal cards.

   Although the format wasn’t explored very much at the time, Jason revived interest in the format by celebrating its 20th anniversary with an in-person tournament (https://play.limitlesstcg.com/tournament/61718d94a36b860ab21e298d/details).

   With fewer trainers, decks run more Pokémon, with some utilizing cards like https://pkmncards.com/card/kangaskhan-jungle-ju-21/ , https://pkmncards.com/card/dark-dragonair-team-rocket-ro-33/ and https://pkmncards.com/card/dark-dragonite-team-rocket-ro-5/ to set up faster, others just padding themselves down with new attackers like Rocket’s Zapdos, https://pkmncards.com/card/brocks-mankey-gym-heroes-g1-68/, https://pkmncards.com/card/blaines-rapidash-gym-challenge-g2-33/ and https://pkmncards.com/card/sabrinas-abra-gym-heroes-g1-91/ , and a few stall lists supplementing high counts of removals with basics like https://pkmncards.com/card/slowpoke-fossil-fo-55/ and https://pkmncards.com/card/blaines-charmander-gym-heroes-g1-61/ .

   A variety of play styles are represented, and although you’re not usually going to draw all the perfect answers when you need them, sometimes that’s part of the format’s charm; figuring out how to play the hand you’re dealt. Most decks run at least one or two https://pkmncards.com/card/gust-of-wind-base-set-bs-93/ (https://pkmncards.com/card/gust-of-wind-base-set-bs-93/) and https://pkmncards.com/card/super-energy-removal-base-set-bs-79/ (https://pkmncards.com/card/super-energy-removal-base-set-bs-79/), so you still have to carefully manage your board at all times like in Base-Fossil, without experiencing quite the same level of disruption as in that format.

   I’ve played hundreds of games of Prop 15/3 alongside friends, and I still feel like I learn new things when I play it. The format might be a bit unpredictable for a competitive format, but it’s still surprisingly deep! Not to mention lists are still being actively refined. For regular updates on what is happening in the Prop 15/3 scene, visit my friend Whiskeyworship’s blog at https://retrotcgs.com/wotc-retro-pokemon/ (https://retrotcgs.com/wotc-retro-pokemon/), or check on my Prop 15/3 battles YouTube playlist (
   https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCXROPHvLClwYbJ8V24titEd_hvGqHFvh (https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCXROPHvLClwYbJ8V24titEd_hvGqHFvh)
   ) to watch existing content and look out for new videos.

   Reply