Thread: TCG Card of the Day. Day 1, Base Set Electabuzz

In an effort to bring more attention to the TCG section of bulbagarden forums, I will attempt to write a post about a different TCG card every day. Some will focus on past and present competetors, others on novelty cards. Feel free to post any questions, suggestions, or comments about this card in this thread.

Day1 Base Set #20, Electabuzz (Also reprinted as #24 Base Set 2, #1 Best of Game Promo, and #128 Platinum. http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Electabuzz_(Base_Set_20)

(picture courtesy of bulbagarden article linked to above, bigger picture can be seen there).

Electabuzz, along with Hitmonchan (Base Set #7, and Magmar (Fossil #39) are the main attackers of the earliest TCG powerhouse deck, the Haymaker. Electabuzz uses low cost attacks to damage their opponent quickly, before the opponent can get set up. Also, due to the fact that Electabuzz is a basic pokemon, it can be played as soon as it is drawn, and it's 70HP was unusually high for basic pokemon at the time.

Electabuzz's first attack, thundershock is useable with only one electric energy. It does 10 damage, plus a coin is flippped. If the coin is heads, the defending pokemon is paralyzed. This attack is useful because, with a bit of luck, it can prevent your opponent from attacking or retreating as early as your first turn, while doing some damage besides. This can be used in conjuction with Electabuzz's next attack, Thunderpunch (covered in next paragraph) to ensure quick knockouts before the opponent can even attack.

Electabuzz's second attack, thunderpunch requires one colorless energy and one electric energy (usually already attached from thundershock) to use. Again the attack requires you to flip a coin. If heads, the attack does 40 damage. If tails, the attack does 30 damage to the defending pokemon, and 10 to Electabuzz. Many of the original basic pokemon had 40HP, allowing Electabuzz the possibility to one-shot many pokemon after just two turns. When coupled with thunderpunch, it provides the ability to do 50 damage without giving the opponent a chance to counter. It does, however have the drawback of possibly doing 10 damage to Electabuzz, but this can easily be remedied with a potion, especially if the opponent has difficulty setting up to attack due to continual knockouts and paralysis.

If Electabuzz is paired with Aerodactyl (Fossil #1) and Dark Vileplume (Team Rocket #13) it is virually unstoppable, as no evolution or trainer cards can be played, and it can essentialy take out basic pokemon at will. The only true threats to this strategy would be fighting types due to electabuzz's weakness.

The Base Set Electabuzz has been released on four seperate occasions: 1) rare in base set (comes in shadowless 1st edition, shadowless, and unlimited), 2) rare in base set 2, 3) Reverse Holo in Best of Game promos (also comes in a 'winners' version), and 4) Holo in Platinum.

Electabuzz had been rotated years ago, but with its re-release in Platinum, it is again in the legal rotation. However, it does not see as much use as it did in the days of the Haymaker.

Information from bulbagarden pages used as reference: Haymaker, Electabuzz (Base Set 20)

Nice read mate.
good card too

This is a great idea to try bringing more folk into the TCG section of the forums! This article was good. If you would entertain a question, though, what would you set up with Electabuzz if you were allowed ONLY the base set?

(One thing; are you sure you can write articles of this length on a daily basis? I suspect this will become 'weekly' before long, but I would be very happy if you proved me wrong!)

Originally Posted by Nytik

This is a great idea to try bringing more folk into the TCG section of the forums! This article was good. If you would entertain a question, though, what would you set up with Electabuzz if you were allowed ONLY the base set?

(One thing; are you sure you can write articles of this length on a daily basis? I suspect this will become 'weekly' before long, but I would be very happy if you proved me wrong!)

For just base set, it would be paired with Hitmonchan. Other than that, im not really sure. Mewtwo might be a good card to pair it with.

I really hope to keep the articles going almost daily... i wrote yesterday's a day early because i knew i wouldnt have any time yesterday (which i actually wound up having time...)