What say we open up with some discussion of the new Emerging Powers Beartic? Or if you want to post a deck list or discuss another card or trend, just start it off.
The hype this thing was receiving when it's scan was released led people to believe it was the new game-breaker. But metas evolve and adapt to deal with threats, and handled properly, Beartic isn't the destructive powerhouse many believed he would be. That being said, even when you're prepared for this scruffy ursa, he can still come back to bite you forcing a costly retreat or even a prize for fear of being revenge killed.
What makes Beartic good?
2X Weak to steel - With steel being virtually absent from the current metagame (RESHIRAM), Beartic can switch in to almost any pokemon with impunity, as only a pluspower or 110 dmg'd Reshi/Zek outrage is going to 1HKO him (outside of legend cards). And a pluspower kill is going to be difficult considering many decks utilize trainer lock now to keep Pokemon catcher in check.
The magical 130 HP - 130 HP means Beartic survives what he needs to survive. What's more... HE'S A STAGE 1! This means no rare candy setup to bring out this powerhouse, which as I've mentioned numerous times now, Vileplume won't be letting you do. This makes him a great tech for slower decks to buy some setup time, and annoy kill with the best of em.
Sheer Cold - 50 Damage is sub-par for a 3 energy attack, but the effect is worth it's weight in gold. The defending pokemon can't attack, period, during your opponents next turn. This leaves Beartic in a good position to buy you some time to set up your bench, and lock in an opponents main attacker, or force a switch/retreat. These sorts of things are costly without major energy acceleration. 80 damage on icicle crash isn't exceptional, but the combo of the two yields that magic 130 total damage for a quick two-turn kill when necessary. It also gives Beartic an option to 1HKO both Donphan and Reshiram, giving Beartic options. Given the right deck, it's not even a bad thing to toss on the extra energy (Feraligatr+Fisherman making a great partner).
Faults?
Retreat cost - The only thing weighing down this pokemon from being too ridiculous is it's high retreat cost. Even with a tech of Dodrio retreat aid, that's still throwing away an energy to retreat. And with many decks running rainbow or multicoloured energy, tossing that away can be the nail in the coffin. It's either that, or parting with your beloved DCE. And if you aren't running dodrio, trainer lock will prevent switches, leaving you with a hefty burden of a retreat.
Overall, I would say Beartic is a fantastic card, and he was the reason I went undefeated in swiss and took 2nd in a local TCG tourney yesterday. Give him the right support, play to his advantages and don't give up his faults, and he'll serve you well.
The hype this thing was receiving when it's scan was released led people to believe it was the new game-breaker. But metas evolve and adapt to deal with threats, and handled properly, Beartic isn't the destructive powerhouse many believed he would be. That being said, even when you're prepared for this scruffy ursa, he can still come back to bite you forcing a costly retreat or even a prize for fear of being revenge killed.
What makes Beartic good?
2X Weak to steel - With steel being virtually absent from the current metagame (RESHIRAM), Beartic can switch in to almost any pokemon with impunity, as only a pluspower or 110 dmg'd Reshi/Zek outrage is going to 1HKO him (outside of legend cards). And a pluspower kill is going to be difficult considering many decks utilize trainer lock now to keep Pokemon catcher in check.
The magical 130 HP - 130 HP means Beartic survives what he needs to survive. What's more... HE'S A STAGE 1! This means no rare candy setup to bring out this powerhouse, which as I've mentioned numerous times now, Vileplume won't be letting you do. This makes him a great tech for slower decks to buy some setup time, and annoy kill with the best of em.
Sheer Cold - 50 Damage is sub-par for a 3 energy attack, but the effect is worth it's weight in gold. The defending pokemon can't attack, period, during your opponents next turn. This leaves Beartic in a good position to buy you some time to set up your bench, and lock in an opponents main attacker, or force a switch/retreat. These sorts of things are costly without major energy acceleration. 80 damage on icicle crash isn't exceptional, but the combo of the two yields that magic 130 total damage for a quick two-turn kill when necessary. It also gives Beartic an option to 1HKO both Donphan and Reshiram, giving Beartic options. Given the right deck, it's not even a bad thing to toss on the extra energy (Feraligatr+Fisherman making a great partner).
Faults?
Overall, I would say Beartic is a fantastic card, and he was the reason I went undefeated in swiss and took 2nd in a local TCG tourney yesterday. Give him the right support, play to his advantages and don't give up his faults, and he'll serve you well.
