When building a deck, everyone has their own personal preferences and style. Some like full consistency, others like to play more ‘greater risk, greater reward’ cards, but in general we all find that you sometimes just need to add Pokémon cards to your deck that will get you other cards as well that you can’t directly search for. We primarily go to supporting lines such as Claydol GE
But there comes a point where your Claydol GE line is as big as your deck/bench space will allow, and you already maxed out Bebe’s Search and Roseanne’s Research. This is when deckbuilders must consider other options such as Cynthia’s Feelings, which is effective but very situational.
Next in line usually are Looker’s Investigation, Professor Oak’s Visit, Volkner’s Philosophy or even Buck’s Training. People will usually overlook Underground Expedition
Underground Expedition excels above the cards I mentioned above because it is not situational. Looker’s Investigation could be a dead card if you have a good hand already, or if your opponent is drawing dead. Professor Oak’s Visit and Volkner’s Philosophy have you get rid of a card, which you sometimes can’t afford, and finally you will be hard-pressed to use Buck’s Training if you need to save that extra 10 damage for later on. Underground Expedition let’s you pick 2 cards freely, without any drawbacks or conditions previous to or after playing it down as your Supporter card for the turn.
Underground Expedition also offers another great thing that the others don’t, and that is choice. Being able to choose between cards is amazing, as there are no restrictions on the cards you may choose from the 4 you get to see. You may argue: ‘but Prof. Oak’s Visit gets you one more card!’. Well that is true, but the net gain of both cards is +2, as Professor Oak’s Visit forces you to return a card to the bottom of your deck, but it might be the option to be able to choose from a 4th card that defines a game.
Finally, the bottom vs top argument is futile, as if your deck is sufficiently randomized and you have no previous knowledge on how it is currently stacked, then either the top or the bottom offer the same probabilities of the card or cards you need being there for you to take. And this also combos with Uxie LA, as you could potentially get it back and reuse it to fetch even more cards. I personally will be using this card a lot more in my decks.
So what do you think of Underground Expedition? Had you considered it before as an option in your decks? Is it a good combo card with Uxie LA?
The uxie idea is kind neat, but you’d burn an attack then wait to play this. I like Felicity’s over this personally, don’t get me wrong this is a decent card I’d just rather draw more.
Your article is well written and argument coherently stated– it really makes me want to test this card! I’ll have to at least try it before I mock it. However, I feel like if I’m going to run a deck that minimized on techs and maximized on consistency, I would play “Half Underground Expedition” first. What’s that? Pokedex! The benefit from pokedex is half that of underground (look at the top 2 choose 1), but I personally prefer it because it is a trainer card, and therefore can be played in the same turn you decided to play a separate key supporter. With battle roads coming up, I’m going to start fiddling around with this concept
Your article is well written and argument coherently stated– it really makes me want to test this card! I’ll have to at least try it before I mock it. However, I feel like if I’m going to run a deck that minimized on techs and maximized on consistency, I would play “Half Underground Expedition” first. What’s that? Pokedex! The benefit from pokedex is half that of underground (look at the top 2 choose 1), but I personally prefer it because it is a trainer card, and therefore can be played in the same turn you decided to play a separate key supporter. With battle roads coming up, I’m going to start fiddling around with this concept
Make sure you use this before you use Claydol, otherwise those bottom cards will probably look pretty familiar! Or you could just use it to get back something you didn’t really want to give up but knew you could get back via the expedition.
I remember all the Japanese players using this card in their Team Magma decks at Worlds 2004 (?) I believe, and none of the U.S. players even knew what it did…me included!
I don’t know how much I like it at the current time, but I do think decks that play a lot of straight draw can be successful. The thing is that we have Uxie and Claydol now, so there isn’t as much of an urgent need for a Pokemon card like this.
The Uxie combo is pretty cool though, that’s a good thought.
And yea good point nardd haha.
Pokedex used to be good in Kingdra last year, I remember liking it in really quick decks to grab Candies or w/e early on.
The uxie idea is kind neat, but you’d burn an attack then wait to play this. I like Felicity’s over this personally, don’t get me wrong this is a decent card I’d just rather draw more.
I just recently swapped out my 2 Volkner’s for this card and I LOVE IT! It combos with Uxie X fantastically and has been vital in getting me an energy I need, that second Pokedrawer, etc. I also run 2 VS Seekers which help a lot. I am totally sold on this underrated gem.
Definately an under appreciated card. It pairs well with Pokedex for those times when you draw 2 cards you need, just slip it in the bottom and go on the expedition.
As mentioned the Uxie combo is perfect as well as Claydol. I often have cards I need in hand but still want to cosmic for maximum amounts. Slip two needed cards under and get them back same turn.
Minor nit pick…Volkner’s discard is optional. Volkner’s really wants to be laid down when your hand size is one…and that card is Volkner’s.
wow… I’ve been ignoring that “you may discard a card from your hand” part for a while now… that is GREAT news to me!
haha just another instance where closely reading your cards comes in handy! Thanks lordholly
Definately an under appreciated card. It pairs well with Pokedex for those times when you draw 2 cards you need, just slip it in the bottom and go on the expedition.
As mentioned the Uxie combo is perfect as well as Claydol. I often have cards I need in hand but still want to cosmic for maximum amounts. Slip two needed cards under and get them back same turn.
Minor nit pick…Volkner’s discard is optional. Volkner’s really wants to be laid down when your hand size is one…and that card is Volkner’s.
wow… I’ve been ignoring that “you may discard a card from your hand” part for a while now… that is GREAT news to me!
haha just another instance where closely reading your cards comes in handy! Thanks lordholly
Adam, Japanese players still keep using it now that it has been reprinted, so I figured it meritted a more thorough analysis.
Here’s a list for everyone, which I see this card fitting really well in, along with yesterday’s Card of the Day: Poke Ball.
– Scizor / Cherrim –
Pokemon: 20
4 Scyther MD
4 Scizor SF
4 Cherubi DP
4 Cherrim SF
1 Unown Q
1 Chatot
2 Unown G
Energy: 12
12 Grass
Supporters: 13
4 Bebe’s Search
4 Roseanne’s Research
3 Underground Expedition
2 Cynthia’s Feelings
Trainers: 15
4 Pokedex Handy 909
4 Poke Drawer +
4 Great Ball
3 Poke Ball
This is something I would like to try out at League tonight in the chat, so I hope people show up to play tonight!
Make sure you use this before you use Claydol, otherwise those bottom cards will probably look pretty familiar! Or you could just use it to get back something you didn’t really want to give up but knew you could get back via the expedition.
Make sure you use this before you use Claydol, otherwise those bottom cards will probably look pretty familiar! Or you could just use it to get back something you didn’t really want to give up but knew you could get back via the expedition.
Underground Expedition seems decent, it’s just that in most decks I don’t find the room for straight draw anymore. Also, it’s rare that I wouldn’t mind discarding or putting something away, in such cases as Oak’s and Volkner’s…but really, this is way better than Oak’s…Volkner’s is nice because it’s like Birch + 1 card.
Oh, and a bit off topic, the new Cherrim’s going to be pretty cool, too, giving +10 defense instead of offense. It’ll be interesting to have both those options available.
I remember all the Japanese players using this card in their Team Magma decks at Worlds 2004 (?) I believe, and none of the U.S. players even knew what it did…me included!
I don’t know how much I like it at the current time, but I do think decks that play a lot of straight draw can be successful. The thing is that we have Uxie and Claydol now, so there isn’t as much of an urgent need for a Pokemon card like this.
The Uxie combo is pretty cool though, that’s a good thought.
And yea good point nardd haha.
Pokedex used to be good in Kingdra last year, I remember liking it in really quick decks to grab Candies or w/e early on.
I remember all the Japanese players using this card in their Team Magma decks at Worlds 2004 (?) I believe, and none of the U.S. players even knew what it did…me included!
I don’t know how much I like it at the current time, but I do think decks that play a lot of straight draw can be successful. The thing is that we have Uxie and Claydol now, so there isn’t as much of an urgent need for a Pokemon card like this.
The Uxie combo is pretty cool though, that’s a good thought.
And yea good point nardd haha.
Pokedex used to be good in Kingdra last year, I remember liking it in really quick decks to grab Candies or w/e early on.
I really like this card for the ability to choose any type of card. Another thing that I don’t think has been mentioned is that, unlike many search cards, you don’t have to show the cards to your opponent – so you are not giving away valuable info to them on your upcoming actions.
I really like this card for the ability to choose any type of card. Another thing that I don’t think has been mentioned is that, unlike many search cards, you don’t have to show the cards to your opponent – so you are not giving away valuable info to them on your upcoming actions.
I just recently swapped out my 2 Volkner’s for this card and I LOVE IT! It combos with Uxie X fantastically and has been vital in getting me an energy I need, that second Pokedrawer, etc. I also run 2 VS Seekers which help a lot. I am totally sold on this underrated gem.
I’m not sure on how significant this is but when you use Underground Expedition, generally the two cards at the bottom are ones you don’t want. So the chance of drawing the cards you DO want is increased, I think. You are essentially thinning out your deck by 4 cards, which only Felicty can do.
Off Topic: Pablo, I like your inclusion og Unown Q Scizor/Cherrim. It alows you to use the superior un-evolved forms of Scizor/Cherrim. (The SV Cherubi can give you a 2-turn free retreat with an energy in hand.)
Hm…I’d say that PokeDex is a better card, just because it doesn’t take a supporter slot for the turn, but this definitely combos well with Uxie.
Good analysis!
Hm…I’d say that PokeDex is a better card, just because it doesn’t take a supporter slot for the turn, but this definitely combos well with Uxie.
Good analysis!
With all of the Pokemon based draw and very good situational draw supporters, Underground Expedition has lost a lot of it’s luster.
Back in the day when it was printed it was played in all sorts of decks, but with other alternatives, this card has becomes near useless
Adam, Japanese players still keep using it now that it has been reprinted, so I figured it meritted a more thorough analysis.
Here’s a list for everyone, which I see this card fitting really well in, along with yesterday’s Card of the Day: Poke Ball.
Pokemon: 20
4 Scyther MD
4 Scizor SF
4 Cherubi DP
4 Cherrim SF
1 Unown Q
1 Chatot
2 Unown G
Energy: 12
12 Grass
Supporters: 13
4 Bebe’s Search
4 Roseanne’s Research
3 Underground Expedition
2 Cynthia’s Feelings
Trainers: 15
4 Pokedex Handy 909
4 Poke Drawer +
4 Great Ball
3 Poke Ball
This is something I would like to try out at League tonight in the chat, so I hope people show up to play tonight!
Underground Expedition seems decent, it’s just that in most decks I don’t find the room for straight draw anymore. Also, it’s rare that I wouldn’t mind discarding or putting something away, in such cases as Oak’s and Volkner’s…but really, this is way better than Oak’s…Volkner’s is nice because it’s like Birch + 1 card.
Oh, and a bit off topic, the new Cherrim’s going to be pretty cool, too, giving +10 defense instead of offense. It’ll be interesting to have both those options available.
I’m not sure on how significant this is but when you use Underground Expedition, generally the two cards at the bottom are ones you don’t want. So the chance of drawing the cards you DO want is increased, I think. You are essentially thinning out your deck by 4 cards, which only Felicty can do.
Off Topic: Pablo, I like your inclusion og Unown Q Scizor/Cherrim. It alows you to use the superior un-evolved forms of Scizor/Cherrim. (The SV Cherubi can give you a 2-turn free retreat with an energy in hand.)
With all of the Pokemon based draw and very good situational draw supporters, Underground Expedition has lost a lot of it’s luster.
Back in the day when it was printed it was played in all sorts of decks, but with other alternatives, this card has becomes near useless
Well since there are a ton of good support pokemon, I still think it’s best to run at least 2 draw supporters. The reason why Lux x, gengar, and gardevoir were so good was because they take out your opponents draw source which is always a good way to win. This IMO isn’t a 2 of card it should be ran as a 3 or 4. Volkners and cynthia’s feelings are a great supporter hand refresh, while cards like Felicity’s and Oaks are good straight forward draw cards.
Well since there are a ton of good support pokemon, I still think it’s best to run at least 2 draw supporters. The reason why Lux x, gengar, and gardevoir were so good was because they take out your opponents draw source which is always a good way to win. This IMO isn’t a 2 of card it should be ran as a 3 or 4. Volkners and cynthia’s feelings are a great supporter hand refresh, while cards like Felicity’s and Oaks are good straight forward draw cards.
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