Card of the Day: Base Set Beedrill

Beedrill #17 (Base Set)

HP:  80   Retreat Cost:  0   Weakness:  Fire   Resistance:  Fighting

80 HP is a little low for a Stage 2 Pokémon (considering it doesn't gain health through evolution), but a Resistance and no Retreat Cost are wonderful additions that help balance the creature.  (Apparently, the designers saw the wings and assumed Beedrill gets the standard Resistance that all Flying-types receive.  I'm not complaining.)

Twineedle (3C):  30x

This is Beedrill's standard attack.  Nothing special, outside of the Colorless cost, which means that Beedrill can assist in non-Grass decks.  And the chance of hitting 60 damage is nice, but I would stick with the more reliable Poison Sting.

Poison Sting (3G):  40

40 for 3 Energy is already a good deal, but the possibility for Poison makes this attack even better.  I once foun myself in possession of 4 Beedrills, and I realized that I could cause so much havoc just by Poison Stinging all of my opponents.  One Beedrill alone may not do the trick, but multiple working together can be a nightmare.

Strategies Against Beedrill

Take out the Weedles as soon as you can.  Kakuna will not fall down easily, and once Beedrill is in play, make sure you have some Full Heals on hand.  Fortunately, the weak HP means a Basic or Stage 1 Fire Pokémon like Charmeleon or Magmar can take it down.  But you have to make sure that you strike it down in own fell swoop, because it can retreat without penalty if it is in danger.  Unfortunately, not many non-Fire types can consistently deliver 80 damage points.

Kakuna Overview

HP:  80   Retreat Cost:  2   Weakness:  Fire   Resistance:  None

Kakuna's primary goal is to stall until Beedrill is available.  With a whopping (for a Stage 1 Pokémon) 80 HP and Stiffen, which can prevent damage, Kakuna can hold on for a long time.  Poisonpowder is just a weaker version of Beedrill's Poison Sting, but at least it can ensure that your opponent is taking damage while Stiffen is guarding Kakuna.  Kakuna is a well-oiled machine and staller for any Grass deck.  C+

Weedle Overview

HP:  40   Retreat Cost:  1   Weakness:  Fire   Resistance:  None

Weedle is the Beedrill's weak spot.  It can set up an early Poisoning with Poison Sting, but it won't last beyond 3 rounds.  Among the Basics it will be encountering early on, it is one of the weakest choices.  Better keep it on the bench until it is ready.  D-

Sample Beedrill Deck

You'll want many Beedrills attacking in full force.  In order to stall and protect the Weeles, I've enlisted some Seels and Staryus.  The Staryus can take out weak Fire Pokémon while the Seels are mini-walls.  And Dewgong is a powerhouse unto itself.  But with up to 4 Beedrills flying, they will experience little hassle.

4 - Beedrill

4 - Kakuna

4 - Weedle

2 - Starmie

3 - Staryu

2 - Dewgong

3 - Seel

4 - Bill

3 - Pokémon Trader

4 - Energy Removal

3 - Professor Oak

12 - Grass Energy

8 - Water Energy

4 - Double Colorless Energy

Final Grade: B+

As much as I enjoy Beedrill, I must admit that there are stronger Pokémon out there.  If you use the Poison well and time your Retreats perfectly, then Beedrill can be an annoying battler to come up against.  The weak Weedle is really the only thing holding this back from "A" territory for me, though.  Give Beedrill a try.  It's worth it.