Steelix · Neo Genesis (N1) #15

3 comments

1. 

   Crystal

   (3 years ago)

   This got a spiritual reprint as CES Steelix, originating from the JP set Champion Road, which stated its purpose as revisiting some of the best cards from the Neo, e-Card, and ADV blocks of the TCG …so why’d they pick this Steelix? Was a Metal type with high HP just a useful wall to have around?

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     CrystalCrystal

     (3 years ago)

     I’m getting better at using Japanese sources for older TCG info, so I’m back with an answer to my own question. (I’m kind of using this site’s commenting board as my personal scratchpad sometimes, hopefully it’s more interesting than annoying to the admin, lol)

     The answer is that yes, basically, Steelix was a Metal type with a bunch of HP who could abuse both to stretch a game out in the player’s favor, with Tail Crush a more than adequate attack that meant it wasn’t a waste to stick Energy onto it. This is all good enough so that a Steelix deck actually won at the 20th Anniversary Festa [ https://archive.ph/i4G2F ]. Yes, the 20th Anniversary Festa, as in 2016, and yes, I know the card came out in 2000. There was a special anniversary event for the 20th Anniversary of the TCG where they held a two day “old back” tournament (for those unfamiliar, think Base Set – Neo Destiny) [ https://archive.ph/XQMj4 ].

     The first link in this post lists what’s apparently the winning decklist in its entirety. Steelix was the primary attacker, with Neo Discovery Kabutops as a fallback if Steelix came up against its Fire weakness. It seems like Steelix was a good card in the Neo era when it was actually played – “impactful”, as Jason Klaczynski puts it [ https://jklaczpokemon.com/2002-base-to-neo/ ] – but it reads like it only finally left his mark on the game and “earned” its Gen 7 reprint by winning the 20th Anniversary Festa.

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       Jiří z PoděbradCrystal

       (3 years ago)

       I can’t speak for the mods haha, but we plebeians are really enjoying seeing your thoughts! Keep it up

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