Card of the Day: Sigilyph
Sigilyph (DRX # 52) {11/27/12}
- Thread starter Vulpix Yolk
- Start date
This is the card that forces others to play differently than they normally would, and as such this has to be one of the most influencial cards in the format at the moment (Besides the big-name attackers of a deck, obviously).
First, the stats. Sigilyph is a Mysterious-typed pokemon with a Mysterious-weakness...sounds like Mewtwo Bait at first glance, until we remember his ability.. The further we look, we see some decent stats arise: 90HP meaning it's just enough to be searched out by Level Ball while not being too low thanks to his ability preventing most large hitters from landing a blow, one retreat making Sigilyph either be a good promoter in a heavy-retreating deck (Or a Darkrai deck who's last Darkrai was KO'd) or free retreat in decks abusing Skyarrow Bridge. I've ignored for the most part the best feature of Sigilyph: his ability Safeguard, making Sigilyph immune to everything about an EX's attack; this is the only reason to ever consider using Sigilyph, as it means he can take on or tank EXs while you set up your real guns (Or if you're gutsy enough to go Aggro-Sigilyph, then more power to you). Sigilyph's attack isn't the best, costing (P)(C)(C) for 50+10 for each energy on the defending pokemon, but it does well in countering a Stacked Mewtwo (4+ energy for a OHKO, or 3 with a Pluspower) and setting up a 2KO for other attackers (Like the other popular EX-hate card in the format, Bouffalant DRX). Overall, I Say Sigilyph deserves a 7.5/10 purely for the fact it either forces your opponent to run a non-EX attacker or to draw into their catchers all too often.
Now for the art, the admittedly better portion of the card. It's a BW-on holo, so it's bound to be appealing to the eyes (At least that's how it's been for me, haven't found many BW-on holos i don't like). The background is set in N's Castle (Fitting, as not only was the set's art set at the pokemon league/N's Castle, but N owned a Sigilyph at one point). He's just wandering around the castle, patrolling much like it states he does in his Pokedex entry, so the nerd in me appeals to that. The purple particles really add to the affect of the card, and overall the colors while plentiful don't clash in many ways. I give the art a 9/10 overall, holding 10s for cards that just simply amaze me (Like Hydreigon DRX).
First, the stats. Sigilyph is a Mysterious-typed pokemon with a Mysterious-weakness...sounds like Mewtwo Bait at first glance, until we remember his ability.. The further we look, we see some decent stats arise: 90HP meaning it's just enough to be searched out by Level Ball while not being too low thanks to his ability preventing most large hitters from landing a blow, one retreat making Sigilyph either be a good promoter in a heavy-retreating deck (Or a Darkrai deck who's last Darkrai was KO'd) or free retreat in decks abusing Skyarrow Bridge. I've ignored for the most part the best feature of Sigilyph: his ability Safeguard, making Sigilyph immune to everything about an EX's attack; this is the only reason to ever consider using Sigilyph, as it means he can take on or tank EXs while you set up your real guns (Or if you're gutsy enough to go Aggro-Sigilyph, then more power to you). Sigilyph's attack isn't the best, costing (P)(C)(C) for 50+10 for each energy on the defending pokemon, but it does well in countering a Stacked Mewtwo (4+ energy for a OHKO, or 3 with a Pluspower) and setting up a 2KO for other attackers (Like the other popular EX-hate card in the format, Bouffalant DRX). Overall, I Say Sigilyph deserves a 7.5/10 purely for the fact it either forces your opponent to run a non-EX attacker or to draw into their catchers all too often.
Now for the art, the admittedly better portion of the card. It's a BW-on holo, so it's bound to be appealing to the eyes (At least that's how it's been for me, haven't found many BW-on holos i don't like). The background is set in N's Castle (Fitting, as not only was the set's art set at the pokemon league/N's Castle, but N owned a Sigilyph at one point). He's just wandering around the castle, patrolling much like it states he does in his Pokedex entry, so the nerd in me appeals to that. The purple particles really add to the affect of the card, and overall the colors while plentiful don't clash in many ways. I give the art a 9/10 overall, holding 10s for cards that just simply amaze me (Like Hydreigon DRX).
Deoxysmatter said:
Pretty sure its Psychic type not mysterious (I know it is) haha.
Sigilyph is a great card that balances out the format. Though it has a weak attack, it stops Darkrai decks in their tracks and makes them think of backup plans through Sableye or other non EX attackers. Its HP is Bleh, but I guess nice for a nonlegendary, While not very splashable, its nice to have in rogues, Darkrai/Hydreigon, and Quad Sigilyph haha. Blend GRPD benefits it and DCE allows for T2 KOs on Sableyes, Emolgas, Squirtles, Tynamos, etc with the aid of Pluspower. Bouff DRE stops it dead, as well as Terrakion, Blastoise, Hydreigon, Rayquaza DRE, Garchomp, and Zekrom.
8/10 for art, pretty cool actually
7/10 for playability
This is Sigylyph's face to any Mewtwo EX.
Sygilyph is great, I play four in every deck. You can't attack it except for with things like other Sygilyphs, Garchomp, Garbodor, and Altara.
Its a really good card.
10/10 for playabality
10/10 for artistic ness
G3rm said:
I'm not. This is a good card as a tech. It can't be its own deck because its low hp (relatively) and meager damage output makes it unable to keep up against any non-EX, and a single Sigilyph would kill an entirely EX deck just as easily as quad Sigilyph.
RogueChomp said:
Sorry, I am probably wrong. I just remember reading in an old rulebook (P) being referred to as a mysterious type (I was upset it said that because I called it the psychic type until i came across that). If I could locate where I found that, I'd most definitely post it. Until then, I'll just call it Psychic. Sorry.
Doesn't change Sigilyph's troll level, so it's all good.
Dark Void said:
I disagree. You're right a single Sigilyph can kill an entire EX deck but there aren't any players dumb enough to go pure EX. I made top 8 in San Antonio city Championship using a Quad Sigi/Sableye deck. With the right trainers like Eviolite and Gold potion I was able to take out 2 Terakions and 2 Bouffalant from an undefeated player in the final round with only 2 Sigilyphs. Unfortunately, I lost 1st round top cut against a good player who had a single Zekrom in his Ray/Eels deck with 2 Super rods.
With the right cards Sigilyph can keep up against any non-EX(even Empoleon) except for Zekrom =(. But by using plus power you can OHKO Zekrom after he uses Bolt Strike.
Pros
-90 HP is perfect w level ball.
-1 retreat helps against catcher and works with skyarrow bridge.
-Safeguard is amazing in an EX dominated format.
Cons
-The attack is meh.
-Terrakion.
Another good card. It's the perfect answer to all the EXs that have dominated the metagame. Mewtwo, keldeo, and rayquaza EX can't do a thing to it. Landorus, darkrai, and raikou can't snipe it while on the bench. Even though hydreigon can take it out, it atleast forces them to promote it. The only problem is terrkion, which a lot of people seem to be running, has no problem killing this thing And while the attack isn't bad, it's not going to be scoring you many KOs (unless you're hitting for weakness).
Overall: 8/10
Artwork: 10/10 I like the temple. Looks like the same one from the houndoom card.
-90 HP is perfect w level ball.
-1 retreat helps against catcher and works with skyarrow bridge.
-Safeguard is amazing in an EX dominated format.
Cons
-The attack is meh.
-Terrakion.
Another good card. It's the perfect answer to all the EXs that have dominated the metagame. Mewtwo, keldeo, and rayquaza EX can't do a thing to it. Landorus, darkrai, and raikou can't snipe it while on the bench. Even though hydreigon can take it out, it atleast forces them to promote it. The only problem is terrkion, which a lot of people seem to be running, has no problem killing this thing And while the attack isn't bad, it's not going to be scoring you many KOs (unless you're hitting for weakness).
Overall: 8/10
Artwork: 10/10 I like the temple. Looks like the same one from the houndoom card.
This card is BOSS,its great to just set it up and wall your opponents EX while you prepare to take it down.
Overall:8/10
Art:I dont really care about art,so il just give it a 10/10 for being a hyrogliph bird thing fudge
Overall:8/10
Art:I dont really care about art,so il just give it a 10/10 for being a hyrogliph bird thing fudge
Hate to rain on your parade, but placing top 8 at a cities isn't the best indicator of the viability of a deck. Don't get me wrong, I congratulate you on top cutting, but top 8 really isn't enough to know whether or not a deck is all that great.sup3rm8nz said:
Also, just because a deck runs a non-EX attacker doesn't mean they will always get it, and they usually run only 1-2. A tech Sigilyph makes it so they are forced to load their non-EX attacker with energy, which takes away resources from their big guns, then you come in with Mewtwo or another attacker to screw them over after they ko Sigilyph, then continue attacking as normal. A single Sigilyph is especially helpful against Blastoise as they need to power up Blastoise, wasting their Blastoise and 4 energy in order to KO a Sigilyph for a single prize.