Sceptile - Nothing changes my initial assessment, has some conceptually good stuff going for it, but the damage simply doesn't scale fast enough for a stage 2.
Shiftry - With both Judge and Copycat around, Shiftry looks to be a pretty decent stage 2. Will probably make use of filler items like order pads, acro bikes, ect for maximum flexibility with hand count. Do I think it will take the game by storm? No, but it will be playable.
Masquerain - Cute but I don't see much point with better, less conditional special energy hate around. Is one of those cards that could definitely find a niche somewhere down the line though.
Volbeat/Illuminise - This is actually better than people are giving it credit for, mixed with SM Lurantis you can do some pretty good damage for 1 energy on a 1 prize basic. Without Float Stone around retreating in general will be harder, so confusion will be more valuable.
Blaziken - Nothing changes my general outlook on this card. It's pretty decent in conjunction with Babyken but you need a lot of stage 2s in play to make it work, it will be hard to maintain your position on the board when both your attacker and accelerator are using the same basic, you'll suffer dearly from torchics being prized.
Torkoal - This is an interesting card in conjunction with Magcargo for getting a ton of fire energy on the field, I don't really know what you'd use it with though, I think Kiawe/Turt is the better engine for Ho-oh-GX but I see what they're doing here.
Swampert - The Mudkip makes Swampert slightly better than I thought it would be since it gives you the ability to potentially pull water energy out of your deck if you move second, in preparation for a t2 Crasher Wake, which is an excellent way to get a Swampert in play on t2.
Wailord - Extremely high HP for a stage 1 card, but I don't see much of a niche for it, you can't really play pure mill stall in standard by the time we get it, and in expanded there are generally better cards for the role.
Manectric - Would have been neat if it searched the deck for energy or if it was costed as C instead of L.
Plusle - Not likely to see competitive play, but the draw attack is pretty good for kitchen table play.
Oricorio L - Would have been better at C cost. Lightning is in a pretty poor place so long as Buzzwole is sitting at such high usage.
Grumpig - The condition is very easy to achieve, if this attack were on a basic it'd probably be the new psychic tech. Could still be a cute joke deck if we get something to boost psychic damage, 80 is just a little too low right now imo.
Deoxys - In conjunction with the promo, malamar and mysterious treasure, I see the makings of a pretty solid budget deck, depending on promo availability.
Medicham - designed for expanded, still probably not great there, there are better fighting options imo.
Claydol - Funny card, I guess they're trying to push a deck like they did with Lukechomp. It's actually pretty solid in expanded I think considering the number of ways fighting can boost damage.
Metagross - Decent, you 2HKO most things with a choice band and get really good search power through Steven, high HP for a non-GX, 1 turn damage feels a little too low though and you're vulnerable to things like being Guzma'd out of active and losing your buff, or Salamence'd.
Celesteela - Will be a one of in any metal deck. Being able to hit 190 with band and a metal energy is extremely good, even if you only get to do it once in a game.
Stakataka - Not particularly impressive, might see play as a one of in other beast decks to screw with people trying to hit numbers
Altaria - Kind of reminiscent of Regice AOR/Jolteon-EX/Glaceon-EX. Those decks all kind of had problems with being able to turn up the pressure, but Altaria has Fight Song and Devoured Field to boost damage, and with those can 2HKO most of the meta. I think this is one of the stars of the set honestly.
Salamence - I think that Lance Prism, Salamence-GX and Salamence will form a 3 card tech in some decks next season, this combo is extremely powerful if you can get it off since you get a free Lysandre every turn with the full combination. Of course, this is a little problematic if one of these cards is prized. Neither Salamence is good enough to be used as an attacker in its own right imo.
Latias Prism - Why did it have to be basic N pokemon? Why not evolutions? Why does PCL constantly do things like this when they say they want to promote evolutions in the meta?
Latios Prism - Very good card in Altaria and Dragonite, whether either of those decks are good remains to be seen.
Rayquaza - I think it's worse than Bulu overall but will definitely be playable.
Delcatty - I think people underestimate how useful this effect could be for certain decks in a meta where we're going to have pretty slim pickings for consistency supporters.
but yeah, overall content.
