RE: Does Pokémon Need to go Back to Basics?
When creating a new mechanic, you make the game more complicated. This isn't always bad, but you really have to weigh the benefits of the new mechanic against the level of complexity it adds to the game. I feel like you're just making new mechanics because you can.
The bench attack thing, while cool, could just be a Poke-Power that ends your turn for the same effect. The difference between the two is so minimal it makes no sense to add a new mechanic for it. You also risk bridging the gap between the bench and the active, since the only really difference right now is that cards on the bench can't attack.
Stage 3 and Bred Pokémon are a lot like previous game mechanics - LEGENDs and LV. Xs. It seems as though it would make more sense to simply re-introduce these mechanics with slight twists than to create completely new mechanics.
Also, many of your attacks and abilities are pretty bland. The cards seem like they're mostly just attackers built to do big damage in certain situations. There are a couple pretty cool ideas though; especially Energy Sap. Make more stuff like that and you're golden.
Update: I'm done drafting the first 100 cards. So that's a set. I did make a solid 20-25 reprints or spiritual reprints. I'll try to avoid this in the future, but I felt it was important to start the format somewhere to avoid making mistakes like the real Base Set had. I think it's important to release two sets at once to start the game off in order to give players more options, though. I'll be sending PMs out to the people who volunteered for beta testing shortly, though. I see no reason they can't start testing the first set right now.
The Yoshi said:
It would help if you guys could start looking into the future with this. Creating sets is fun and all, but I'm almost positive none of you have any idea what you want to do after the sets are completed. Maybe I'm wrong; or do you guys just think you can create a TCG simulator site with a wave of your magic wand?
That's a goal for very far in the future. I want the game to take off in real-life situations first. I want people to start playing with the cards at leagues and between rounds at tournaments. This makes a statement to the card creators about the current state of the real game and allows people to have fun at the same time. I'm hoping it will take off with a combination of front page support from PB, official PB sponsorship in other ways, and by getting people to signature advertise it on other Pokémon TCG sites. I'm basically taking a slow but steady approach. Even if the game only gains a small following, I feel I'll have done my job.
After all that's done, I'd look into creating a TCG simulator. Those who want to play online with the cards before then can use Redshark proxies, Skype, or play on PlayTCG with a more complicated proxy system (Hydregion NV = Hydregion from my set, etc).