My Concern with the Direction of the Game thus far...
- Thread starter Card Slinger J
- Start date
Jahikoi said:
What really baffles me is how Gust of Wind never got banned a decade ago when it was Modified legal at the time. Apparently WoTC and Nintendo thought it wasn't as bad due to Dark Vileplume being played. That and Rotation got rid of it once and for all at least until now, because it's apparently the answer for getting rid of problem cards though that wasn't the case with Neo Genesis with Sneasel and Slowking.
They're thinking well we're going to force everyone to hurt their deck consistency of using Trainer - Items by running Vileplume UD just to counter against Pokemon Catcher, cause that apparently solves everything. Wouldn't Gothitelle be better than Vileplume on that regard? It only shuts down their Trainer - Items while you get to play yours and can do 100+ damage to Machamp Prime, doesn't seem too bad.
catutie said:
By then it would already be too late, If you're running T-Tar it has one turn left to live before Donphan Prime gets rid of it with Earthquake. If you get a different Stage 2 like Blastoise UL out T2 it will already die to Zekrom If your opponent is going first granted they use Shaymin/Pachirisu to deal the Bolt Strike for 240 damage.
Magnezone Prime is another threat to Blastoise since it can Lost Burn for 100+ damage (50 damage times the number of energies you send to the Lost Zone remember?), Then again If Stage 1/Basic decks become more popular then it only really needs to worry about Zekrom and not MagneBoar.
The problem with Rare Candy's recent errata and Stage 2's in general is a race to prevent yourself from getting donked by your own weakness. Because of the nerfing of Rare Candy it didn't prevent donks from happening, it helped made it even better no thanks to x2 Weakness. Had every Pokemon's Weakness starting from HGSS through BW were like with DP and Platinum where it was +10, +20, +30 and only x2 with Legendaries the errata wouldn't have left a negative impact for Stage 2 decks in general. It's no surprise that Stage 2's reign as Competitive tier 1 decks is over, sure I may have made a premature prediction of the metagame but I strongly believe that Basic/Stage 1 decks will make Stage 2's not worth playing anymore other than techs.
thats weakness. your always going to most likely lose to your weakness. ever faced blastgatr against magneboar? its never won for me because of the weakness. its a bad example to say stage 2 decks will lose to there weakness...because duh yes they will because they are dealing 100-200+ damage regularly every turn for near no energy because they dont even need all the energy to deal the right amount of damage. just think zekrom, it only needs a DCE to do 40 to blastoise...it uses what ever and puts damage on it, it becomes a nightmare for blastgatr...you need to go off something that ISNT its weakness. ever faced magneboar against reshiboar? its almost always a very close match
Another one of these threads... > >
Okay, several things:
First, and foremost because it's probably the most important point I will be making today, if you are one who doesn't like the direction of where the game is going, annoyed that Pokemon Catcher is going to "break the format" or foolishly disgruntled that Stage 2 decks will no longer be viable I have a single message for you. Complaining is not going to change anything. Instead of spending time posting negative comments about the new format you can spend that time thinking of creative ways to work around what kind of tools the new format gives you. Be flexible, find a way to win games in the new format that doesn't rely on flipping a coin if that's your number one fear. Work that Stage 2 in your deck and prove to everyone else that Stage 2 decks can work in the next format, if you desire. Make Pokemon Catcher bad - create a situation where your opponent would NOT want to catcher one of your benched Pokemon. And if you find that this brainstorming isn't the direction YOU want to go then you can stop playing Pokemon.
You also must consider the mental perspective you have while casting judgement on the new format. Remember, the format is going to be a lot slower now due to the lack of decent pandemic-like use of draw engines such as Claydol and Uxie. Shuckle, Magnezone and Ninetales are quite exclusive to their types and would not be seem much in other decks dissimilar to the aforementioned Pokemon from previous formats. The exception goes to Professor Juniper and even then it's a Supporter, limiting what you can do on your turn. In other words, you don't need to worry about deck-thinning and being able to draw broken hands every turn... meaning your opponent probably isn't going to play back-to-back Pokemon Catchers each turn. Sure, they can get lucky but it's a card game - a lot of it depends on luck.
Next, I don't understand this distaste for Stage 1s. Sure, Stage 1s are generally inferior to Stage 2s but that's simply a given as the game will reward you for setting up a full evolution with more HP, stronger attacks and useful Abilities/Pokepowers/Pokebodies. But that doesn't mean Stage 1s are bad! When was the last time (with the exception of Donphan) that you used a Stage 1 as a main part of your deck? Probably very little! It was either basic (with SP) or Stage 2 (with Broken Time-Space and the pre-nerfed Rare Candy).
So yes, it's different. Yes, people are upset about it. People don't like different.
I will argue this: Complaining about the direction the game is going is NOT going to change anything. Instead you can live with it, play around with what the format gives you and whether things fulfill your prophecy or not you can make the decision to quit. Or you can prove that you are able to withstand anything ANY format throws at you.
It's your decision. What will you do?
Okay, several things:
First, and foremost because it's probably the most important point I will be making today, if you are one who doesn't like the direction of where the game is going, annoyed that Pokemon Catcher is going to "break the format" or foolishly disgruntled that Stage 2 decks will no longer be viable I have a single message for you. Complaining is not going to change anything. Instead of spending time posting negative comments about the new format you can spend that time thinking of creative ways to work around what kind of tools the new format gives you. Be flexible, find a way to win games in the new format that doesn't rely on flipping a coin if that's your number one fear. Work that Stage 2 in your deck and prove to everyone else that Stage 2 decks can work in the next format, if you desire. Make Pokemon Catcher bad - create a situation where your opponent would NOT want to catcher one of your benched Pokemon. And if you find that this brainstorming isn't the direction YOU want to go then you can stop playing Pokemon.
You also must consider the mental perspective you have while casting judgement on the new format. Remember, the format is going to be a lot slower now due to the lack of decent pandemic-like use of draw engines such as Claydol and Uxie. Shuckle, Magnezone and Ninetales are quite exclusive to their types and would not be seem much in other decks dissimilar to the aforementioned Pokemon from previous formats. The exception goes to Professor Juniper and even then it's a Supporter, limiting what you can do on your turn. In other words, you don't need to worry about deck-thinning and being able to draw broken hands every turn... meaning your opponent probably isn't going to play back-to-back Pokemon Catchers each turn. Sure, they can get lucky but it's a card game - a lot of it depends on luck.
Next, I don't understand this distaste for Stage 1s. Sure, Stage 1s are generally inferior to Stage 2s but that's simply a given as the game will reward you for setting up a full evolution with more HP, stronger attacks and useful Abilities/Pokepowers/Pokebodies. But that doesn't mean Stage 1s are bad! When was the last time (with the exception of Donphan) that you used a Stage 1 as a main part of your deck? Probably very little! It was either basic (with SP) or Stage 2 (with Broken Time-Space and the pre-nerfed Rare Candy).
So yes, it's different. Yes, people are upset about it. People don't like different.
I will argue this: Complaining about the direction the game is going is NOT going to change anything. Instead you can live with it, play around with what the format gives you and whether things fulfill your prophecy or not you can make the decision to quit. Or you can prove that you are able to withstand anything ANY format throws at you.
It's your decision. What will you do?
I think my best option right now is to wait things out and see what we get in our next expansion in the Black/White Block. I don't really care that much about losing the top cut at Battle Road's last weekend in which I made a play mistake of playing 2 Supporters in 1 turn and later ending the tournament with a 2-2 record.
I think what has me concerned the most as I mentioned before is Pokemon Catcher, Sure I can run Gothitelle to counter it however as a Main Attacker it really seems to be lacking in terms of attack power. It's too reliant on {P} to do enough damage unless you need to have {P}{C}{C} to do 50 a turn. Vileplume UD is too flippy and hurts me the most.
I'm really liking Beartic next set as it's a MUCH better counter against Donphan Prime than Umbreon in my
Tyranitar Toolbox deck since regardless If they switch Donphan out it still can't use Earthquake due to Sheer Cold. The problem is getting the 2 energy attachments with {W}{C}{C} fast enough. Other than that it doesn't seem like the next set is too bad. Hopefully I can take advantage of running 4 Catcher and 4 Junk Arm If I can find the deck space.
I think what has me concerned the most as I mentioned before is Pokemon Catcher, Sure I can run Gothitelle to counter it however as a Main Attacker it really seems to be lacking in terms of attack power. It's too reliant on {P} to do enough damage unless you need to have {P}{C}{C} to do 50 a turn. Vileplume UD is too flippy and hurts me the most.
I'm really liking Beartic next set as it's a MUCH better counter against Donphan Prime than Umbreon in my
Tyranitar Toolbox deck since regardless If they switch Donphan out it still can't use Earthquake due to Sheer Cold. The problem is getting the 2 energy attachments with {W}{C}{C} fast enough. Other than that it doesn't seem like the next set is too bad. Hopefully I can take advantage of running 4 Catcher and 4 Junk Arm If I can find the deck space.
Sometimes I read this topics and I came to the conclusion, Pokémon Tcg for some of you are like: still a toy from a kid. I play since Ex series but I bought cards since Base Set and you guys are talking about "SP's are more strategyc" or " Archeops will have something" just stop! If you guys have to complain about everything you will never grow up, 4 Pokemon Catcher and 4 Junk Arm? Where you get consistence? 8 slots and 8 discarded cards? A little lol, luxchomp compared with Pokemon Catcher is broken, since you need draw, Pokemon Catcher can be good to stall, not to kill did you think that? No lol, HGSS deck's are so far diferent from SP's. Other thing, Candy errata, what is the point? Slowdown the game, yes for what? Stop donking, you guys that play SP's or donk decks want that? Yes, because you guys don't know what is Play Pokémon! SP's aren't strategic since I know how it is played, because playing Pokémon is discover what I'm facing up during the game and antecipate all moves, the Skill is based in decisions during the game, not how you play your silly decks.
Space out your rant and use proper punctuation a bit would ya? Let's look at it bit by bit...
Err... what? I don't see how people in the thread treat it as "a toy". It's a game. I admit people are overreacting with the whole situation but really... People are just making discussion out of it even if it's not the best way to do it. Saying that they are not "growing up" is just harsh.
No one is suggesting that everyone should/would run 4 Junk Arms and 4 Catchers. Obviously you would only fit it in if you have the space to do so. No one is going to need specifically 4 of each anyway. If someone played 3 or even 2 catchers, it's suffice to disrupt the opponent's strategy and set up. 2 Junk Arm is a build that would be run in many decks as it won't only be used for Catchers but for Communications, Pluspowers, Switch etc. as well. So you are not really sacrificing much just to put the Junk Arms in.
With Luxray GL X, you need to level it up to use it. That's 2 slots needed for it. It's Power sprayable and only can be used once if there were not SSU or Poketurns. Yes it can be searched but it also requires a bench spot.
They are both just as bad as the other one.
As for Catcher not being used to kill, you will be silly if you don't use it with that in mind as well. Luxray is played so much because it can bring something up that you can kill and get ahead. If you only use it to stall, how would you know that they can't break your stall?
Okay.. I don't even know how to make sense of that. People who play SP and donk decks don't know what Play Pokemon! is? If that's the case, why would they WANT the Candy errata to happen? You are just contradicting yourself there buddy.
And for the record, there is nothing wrong with playing SPs. Maybe playing donk decks can be a bit questionable since it's not really giving your opponent a game but that's how the deck is built and played. Everyone can use it so it's not unfair.
Yeah... I find SPs require some strategy to be played. You need to know what you are getting out first and how you go about doing it. What do you do if you go up against Machamp? And what about trainer locks or mirror matches?
Heck, all decks require some form of strategy. Yes, even donk decks.
Your strategy is worked around your skill and ability to handle your deck well. They are interrelated. You can have the best strategies in the world but if you don't have the skill and knowledge to play your deck then it's not going to matter.
Using Machamp SF decks as an example, you need to know the best possible way to get your Machamp out ASAP regardless of how bad the start is. You need to know how your deck works, how the cards complement each other as well as what you said, thinking about possible moves your opponent can/will make.
On that note, skill is definitely dependent on how you play your deck as well. Well, maybe it's a mixture of that and looking at what your opponent is doing. Your last line is just contradictory. By making decisions in game, it would depend on how you play your deck and how adaptable you are with it. You can't just make decisions without knowing what your deck is capable of.
/rant
Nirvana said:
Err... what? I don't see how people in the thread treat it as "a toy". It's a game. I admit people are overreacting with the whole situation but really... People are just making discussion out of it even if it's not the best way to do it. Saying that they are not "growing up" is just harsh.
NIRVANA said:
No one is suggesting that everyone should/would run 4 Junk Arms and 4 Catchers. Obviously you would only fit it in if you have the space to do so. No one is going to need specifically 4 of each anyway. If someone played 3 or even 2 catchers, it's suffice to disrupt the opponent's strategy and set up. 2 Junk Arm is a build that would be run in many decks as it won't only be used for Catchers but for Communications, Pluspowers, Switch etc. as well. So you are not really sacrificing much just to put the Junk Arms in.
With Luxray GL X, you need to level it up to use it. That's 2 slots needed for it. It's Power sprayable and only can be used once if there were not SSU or Poketurns. Yes it can be searched but it also requires a bench spot.
They are both just as bad as the other one.
As for Catcher not being used to kill, you will be silly if you don't use it with that in mind as well. Luxray is played so much because it can bring something up that you can kill and get ahead. If you only use it to stall, how would you know that they can't break your stall?
NIRVANA said:
Okay.. I don't even know how to make sense of that. People who play SP and donk decks don't know what Play Pokemon! is? If that's the case, why would they WANT the Candy errata to happen? You are just contradicting yourself there buddy.
And for the record, there is nothing wrong with playing SPs. Maybe playing donk decks can be a bit questionable since it's not really giving your opponent a game but that's how the deck is built and played. Everyone can use it so it's not unfair.
NIRVANA said:
Yeah... I find SPs require some strategy to be played. You need to know what you are getting out first and how you go about doing it. What do you do if you go up against Machamp? And what about trainer locks or mirror matches?
Heck, all decks require some form of strategy. Yes, even donk decks.
Your strategy is worked around your skill and ability to handle your deck well. They are interrelated. You can have the best strategies in the world but if you don't have the skill and knowledge to play your deck then it's not going to matter.
Using Machamp SF decks as an example, you need to know the best possible way to get your Machamp out ASAP regardless of how bad the start is. You need to know how your deck works, how the cards complement each other as well as what you said, thinking about possible moves your opponent can/will make.
On that note, skill is definitely dependent on how you play your deck as well. Well, maybe it's a mixture of that and looking at what your opponent is doing. Your last line is just contradictory. By making decisions in game, it would depend on how you play your deck and how adaptable you are with it. You can't just make decisions without knowing what your deck is capable of.
/rant
banditkeith said:
-_- first all decks have that strategy you just said. they all have to consider there weaknesses. SP has less stratagy because they get set up before everything else anyway. thus why it wins. if you are set up T2 HECK maybe even T1 and are doing 80...im sure most basics arnt going to be able to withstand that AT ALL. sure it has some strategy im sure but not much, its an autopilot deck.
the slower format though will require much strategy, you will need to look for signs when to play things when. would you play a judge when your opponent has 6 cards or only 2. catcher will bring less strategy to it. you will just say i hope i get catcher so i can just nonsensically bring up a 30 HP cleffa and OHKO it for an easy prize. it makes thinking about your opponents next move none existent....at all
catutie said:
Well.. Look at it from the other side then. If you were the one going up against a Catcher you would definitely need some skill and strategy to plan your next move.
Nothing is one sided. It all comes with props and slops.
Just depends on how you view it.
I just really disagree with the fact that Catcher coming out is treated like a huge extreme. At the moment it's as though it will wreck the whole game. What if it did affect the game that much? It most probably will but what if it doesn't? What if people get used to it being played and find ways around it? We don't even know most of the cards in the next set yet. Who's to say there's not going to be something that can counter Catcher or whatever issues the next format will have?
People are just afraid of change and how comfortable they have been with setting up or just outright kill things with donks. Time to look at playing it a different way, maybe some balance can be achieved.
Your points are valid too so I'll give you that.
But why make every deck play like LuxChomp? That's just silly. Did TPCi/P!P think that when a deck is Tier 1 for like 3 seasons in the game they think it's alright for every deck to play just like it with a lack of originality? Speedrill was probably the same way when it was popular a couple years ago, even then this is crazy.
We know at least two cards that can counter Catcher and that's Gothitelle and Vileplume however they are very iffy at best and can hurt your deck consistency of playing out your Trainer - Items, moreso with the Plume. Gothitelle doesn't really seem all that great as a main attacker and forces you to go straight out {P} with not very much speed as well. Vileplume I loathe as an attacker cause it isn't as good as it's own Poke-Body.
I'm concerned that every deck is probably going to need either Gothitelle or Vileplume to stand a chance of competing when Catcher is released and that's bad in terms of deck originality cause it forces players to stick with one style of play to another and that can make the format even more unbalanced than it already is. I remember I was reading an article on http://google.com/.com and some guy on there said the same thing.
We know at least two cards that can counter Catcher and that's Gothitelle and Vileplume however they are very iffy at best and can hurt your deck consistency of playing out your Trainer - Items, moreso with the Plume. Gothitelle doesn't really seem all that great as a main attacker and forces you to go straight out {P} with not very much speed as well. Vileplume I loathe as an attacker cause it isn't as good as it's own Poke-Body.
I'm concerned that every deck is probably going to need either Gothitelle or Vileplume to stand a chance of competing when Catcher is released and that's bad in terms of deck originality cause it forces players to stick with one style of play to another and that can make the format even more unbalanced than it already is. I remember I was reading an article on http://google.com/.com and some guy on there said the same thing.
This is why TPCi should've went with RR-On instead of HGSS-On, at least we would've had 1 more season to play with Spiritomb AR and Expert Belt at least. I still can't believe that I thought I had 1 more season to play Charizard and TPCi goes out and breaks their promise to cut only 4 sets instead of 7 like what they're going to do in July.
I guess this means that the next rotation after HGSS-On won't be 4 set cuts now? Or is 7 the new standard cause If it is cards for decks that have only been legal for at least 1 Modified Season will never get a chance to be used for the next season and that hurts in terms of spending money in deck building plus ALOT of players would quit If that was the case.
Let's hope Call of Legends will be legal for the 2012-2013 Modified Season whatever it may be. I know that's far ahead from now but there's gotta be some kind optimism not to tear decks apart for a long period of time, cutting 7 sets to HGSS-On is harsh trust me. Normally TPCi wouldn't make such a drastic move but apparently they think it will kill Sableye when RR-On would've already done the trick.
I guess this means that the next rotation after HGSS-On won't be 4 set cuts now? Or is 7 the new standard cause If it is cards for decks that have only been legal for at least 1 Modified Season will never get a chance to be used for the next season and that hurts in terms of spending money in deck building plus ALOT of players would quit If that was the case.
Let's hope Call of Legends will be legal for the 2012-2013 Modified Season whatever it may be. I know that's far ahead from now but there's gotta be some kind optimism not to tear decks apart for a long period of time, cutting 7 sets to HGSS-On is harsh trust me. Normally TPCi wouldn't make such a drastic move but apparently they think it will kill Sableye when RR-On would've already done the trick.
You don't get it, most of the cards that SP's use in decks was from Platinum: Base Set with the Cyrus Engine, without the Cyrus Engine SP's wouldn't be as good as they are recently. You're also forgetting that Crobat G was also from Platinum: Base Set. Without Platinum: Base Set, SP's can't function as good and LuxChomp wouldn't be good enough to be Tier 1 again. So many other Non-SP Pokemon had alot of potential especially Nidoqueen RR and Flygon RR but now that they're phased out we're forced to move on.
Call of Legends isn't necessarily a HGSS set and you can tell by most of the reprints in the set that it will be Modified legal for another season at least, it makes perfect sense. Also as for Charizard it wouldn't be too powerful however had we of had RR-On Charizard G Lv. X would've gotten some play time with Emboar (Ability). Plus I would've wanted another shot at Regular Garchomp SV with Excadrill from our upcoming set. However everybody wanted HGSS-On like they were preaching the gospel without thinking about what If the format was RR-On instead.
If Call of Legends isn't Modified legal for the 2012-2013 Modified format, it'd probably kill the game. Do you think I wanna go through another 7 set rotation like what TPCi is going to do on July 1st? HECK NO!!! They usually don't rotate out that many sets anyway but apparently it was an exception this time because of Sableye SF and the power creep of the Diamond/Pearl and Platinum sets.
Call of Legends isn't necessarily a HGSS set and you can tell by most of the reprints in the set that it will be Modified legal for another season at least, it makes perfect sense. Also as for Charizard it wouldn't be too powerful however had we of had RR-On Charizard G Lv. X would've gotten some play time with Emboar (Ability). Plus I would've wanted another shot at Regular Garchomp SV with Excadrill from our upcoming set. However everybody wanted HGSS-On like they were preaching the gospel without thinking about what If the format was RR-On instead.
If Call of Legends isn't Modified legal for the 2012-2013 Modified format, it'd probably kill the game. Do you think I wanna go through another 7 set rotation like what TPCi is going to do on July 1st? HECK NO!!! They usually don't rotate out that many sets anyway but apparently it was an exception this time because of Sableye SF and the power creep of the Diamond/Pearl and Platinum sets.
Dude, please, live with the fact that it is HGSS on. RR on is terrible because stuff like Charizard, Arceus and Spiritomb be dominant. I've also always been told that RR-on is very dumb and so do most people here.
Japan has their modified format as HGSS on because that is probably the most balanced way to use the BW rules without some of the pre-HGSS on cards. Expert Belt would be wtf on some of the old cards and can be abused with the new ones as well. (Expert Belt Beartic anyone?)
Some SP decks could still be usable and Arceus would be a pain in the butt because SF will be rotated.
Trust me that TPCi has done the right move here and I support HGSS+ on and I believe the game will be more playable as compared to RR-on
Japan has their modified format as HGSS on because that is probably the most balanced way to use the BW rules without some of the pre-HGSS on cards. Expert Belt would be wtf on some of the old cards and can be abused with the new ones as well. (Expert Belt Beartic anyone?)
Some SP decks could still be usable and Arceus would be a pain in the butt because SF will be rotated.
Trust me that TPCi has done the right move here and I support HGSS+ on and I believe the game will be more playable as compared to RR-on
I have to ask, Card Slinger J, what the entire point of your post is- that is, why are you concerned?
Sure, we're returning to Base Set to an extent. But that's not bad, to be honest. Gust of Wind wasn't "banworthy," and Catcher won't be either- keep in mind if you use Catcher to get a OHKO, your opponent will still have his main attacker set up. And Catcher to bring up a high-retreat Pokémon has its counter in good old Switch. Sure, we have to run Switch now, but that's much better than a 2-2-2 Vileplume line that negates your own Trainers.
If we see a repeat Aerodactyl Fossil, then we can talk about it, but I seriously doubt there will be one.
Stage 2 decks are still extremely viable. Yeah, there's stuff like Reshiboar out there, but there's also BlastGatr, Magne(Boar/Gatr), even Tyranitar. The format's slowing down, SPs are gone, there's no Uxie/Azelf/Mesprit that's a staple in every deck, it's all fine. And speaking of Reshiboar, that's one of the main decks Catcher will hurt- Emboar can be taken active every turn with a good amount of Catcher+Junk Arm, which hurts it more than decks that don't rely on speed and intense energy recovery to win.
HGSS-on is a move I hadn't anticipated, but accept. AR-on would have left Arceus in the format, which I believe would have been BDIF just because of its speed, ability to OHKO, and attacking variability. Spiritomb would have been nice, but we can't just keep relying on it. There are other starters to use, after all (Stantler, Cleffa, Smeargle, etc). While none of them may be as good for certain decks, they still get one set up nice and fast.
Sure, we're returning to Base Set to an extent. But that's not bad, to be honest. Gust of Wind wasn't "banworthy," and Catcher won't be either- keep in mind if you use Catcher to get a OHKO, your opponent will still have his main attacker set up. And Catcher to bring up a high-retreat Pokémon has its counter in good old Switch. Sure, we have to run Switch now, but that's much better than a 2-2-2 Vileplume line that negates your own Trainers.
If we see a repeat Aerodactyl Fossil, then we can talk about it, but I seriously doubt there will be one.
Stage 2 decks are still extremely viable. Yeah, there's stuff like Reshiboar out there, but there's also BlastGatr, Magne(Boar/Gatr), even Tyranitar. The format's slowing down, SPs are gone, there's no Uxie/Azelf/Mesprit that's a staple in every deck, it's all fine. And speaking of Reshiboar, that's one of the main decks Catcher will hurt- Emboar can be taken active every turn with a good amount of Catcher+Junk Arm, which hurts it more than decks that don't rely on speed and intense energy recovery to win.
HGSS-on is a move I hadn't anticipated, but accept. AR-on would have left Arceus in the format, which I believe would have been BDIF just because of its speed, ability to OHKO, and attacking variability. Spiritomb would have been nice, but we can't just keep relying on it. There are other starters to use, after all (Stantler, Cleffa, Smeargle, etc). While none of them may be as good for certain decks, they still get one set up nice and fast.
Yeah, ever since Sandstorm came out, Rare Candy has been good for the game. I've always wished they would come up with some other way to encourage people to play stage 2 pokemon. I don't like the idea of there being *staple* cards like in Yugioh, and obviously a ban list isn't going to make this stage 2 situation any better.
Staple cards are common in almost every TCG/CCG not just Yu-Gi-Oh!, but it really depends on the format you're playing that determines what staple cards you're running. Staples are just a term for overused cards being ran for a specific format since not every format is the same. Take for example Magic: The Gathering, the father of TCG/CCG's If you will with it's vast number of formats for play even in the Casual ranks.
I still don't think that errating Rare Candy to play exactly like Pokemon Breeder is a good way to encourage players to play Stage 2 decks when all it does is cause a major tempo downgrade to where Basic/Stage 1 decks will have a faster time setting up than Stage 2's. Without being able to Candy Turn 1 you are losing tempo advantage that means the difference between winning and losing.
I still don't think that errating Rare Candy to play exactly like Pokemon Breeder is a good way to encourage players to play Stage 2 decks when all it does is cause a major tempo downgrade to where Basic/Stage 1 decks will have a faster time setting up than Stage 2's. Without being able to Candy Turn 1 you are losing tempo advantage that means the difference between winning and losing.