I chose a Ninetails because it’s never really been that great of a Pokemon, TCG or otherwise. I thought it needed some love. Anyway, at first glance, it’s not a very extraordinary card. It has a decently damaging attack, but the energy cost is extremely high for 60. It has middling HP. It has a retreat cost, which is a major iconvenience in the typically fast paced fire decks. But the PokePower is where it really excels. In fact, some veteran players may recognize it…

Look out. They’re coming… again. In fact, this card has almost the exact same use as a Delcatty, sitting on the bench to pump up your hand and Infernape to massive proportions. I guess all we can do is thank our lucky stars that Infernape is about to cycle out this September… Or, run an Ampharos Pt with a Zapdos MD like my brother does. But that’s for a different installment. Anyhow, here’s how my overall rating of the card stacks up:

Art: 8.5. The art in the new HG/SS sets is great in general. However, if I have one qualm, it’s that they dropped the more “quirky” art that sometimes was found in old sets. The fire stone is a nice touch, though, rising this from 8 to 8.5.

Playability: 6. This card is more narrow than the old Delcatty, as it can only discard fire energy cards instead of any type. After Infernape leaves, you’ll be hard pressed to find a good deck for this guy. As a result, he gets a low playability score.

Usefulness: 10! Judging by the fact that this card has the power to single-handedly revive a long-dead broken powerhouse (and particular least favorite for my “Torterrable” deck), it deserves a ten coupled with an awesomeface. But since emoticons are unprofessional, I had to leave off the last part.

Overall: 8.5. This card is a great addition- I mean, foundation, for any Infernape deck out there. However, barring some tremendous necromancy on Nintendo’s part, I would doubt you’ll see it after September 1st, when old cards are cycled out and Infernape Lv. X with them. Until next week, thanks for reading about this card of the week!

The latest CoroCoro officially revealed the first generation 5 pokémon. Zoroark (left) and its pre-evolution Zoroa (right) are dark type. The 13th movie title, originally “The Ruler of Illusion: Z” has been updated to include the newly announced pokémon, to “The Ruler of Illusion: Zoroark.” More information is set to be unveiled in the next issue of CoroCoro, if not sooner on the Pokémon Sunday television program.

The Pokémon Company has announced that they will be revealing a new Pokemon RPG in the February 2010 edition of CoroCoro Comics (think Shonen Jump).

For now, we can only speculate as to whether this is the upcoming Fifth Generation or not, though there was some mention of “a rebirth” and “new Pokémon”. The only non-ambiguous details we have about this game is that it’s an RPG and that it will be released (in Japan) this year. Thank you, Google Translate.

Since the Mystery Dungeon series is also technically an RPG, there is the slight possibility that the announcement will be an expansion to that game-line. Then again, the developer on the main site is stated to be GameFreak, and they usually work exclusively on the main-line Pokémon games.

Let’s just hope that this announcement will lead to some interesting results

[Pokemon of Japan]

[Bulbapedia]

View the very first appearance of Gary using the new episode database!

Another cool new feature that was included in this huge upgrade is the introduction of the Pokémon Trainer Club, which is the equivalent to the Daisuki Club in Japan. My Pokémon accounts have now been replaced by Pokémon Trainer Club accounts, which can be used to participate in the Organized Play portion of the site along with a few other interactive aspects.

Speaking of which, Organized Play has now been split into two categories: TCG and Video Game. This club is also responsible for many events in the past years in which players could obtain exclusive Pokémon.  As one of its first events, the Pokémon Trainer Club has announced that they will be hosting the “Special Colored Pichu” event at GameStop from January 30th to February 14th.

The website has also been updated with all of the new Heart Gold/Soul Silver artwork, a complete TCG database of the trading cards, and loads of new mini-games to play. More additions to the site can be expected to arrive soon, but if you haven’t already checked it out, it’s definitely worth a visit!

The new layout.

New Ho-oh and Lugia Designs for Pokémon 151 Line

In commemoration of the release of HeartGold and SoulSilver in Japan, The Pokémon Company added two new designs to its Pokémon 151 clothing line. The designs feature Ho-oh and Lugia, the version mascots. Pokémon 151, which now ironically includes Pokémon outside of the original 151, is an adult-targeted clothing line. The website featuring these shirts closed late last year, but they continue to be sold in Pokémon Center stores in Japan. The price tag of the shirts also seems to reflect their marketing towards the older crowd. They weigh in at about $50 US.

Oak’s Letter to be Mailed to North American Platinum Version

A WiFi Mystery Gift event will be held from September 28th – October 8th to distribute Oak’s Letter. This Key Item makes it possible to meet Professor Oak on Route 224, who will open a path to catching Shaymin. The legendary Pokémon will be available at level 30 with the moves: Growth, Magical Leaf, Leech Seed and Synthesis.

No word yet on distribution events in other regions.

Pokémon World Championships 2010 Details Announced

The official organized play Pokémon website, go-pokemon.com, has release some information about the 2010 World Championships.  They will be held in Hawaii from August 13th-15th. The video game championship was confirmed to be using HeartGold and SoulSilver and will utilize previously banned Pokémon, such as Mewtwo and Deoxys.

Mysterious Severed Ear Appears on Pokémon.com

No, Vincent Van Gogh has not hacked Pokémon.com. A new ad appearing on the site gives a glimpse at a mysterious spiky yellow ear. If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you probably already know this is the “Notched Ear Pichu” that makes an appearance in movie 12 and the future generation 2 remakes. The ad’s url, however, may have revealed the Pichu’s english name: “Spiky Eared Pichu.” Perhaps this will be followed soon by a North American Movie 12 announcement.

As a result of the inclusion of the device, the price tag is supposed to be a bit higher; likely around $39.99.

In addition, our source at The Pokémon Company International stated that it is unclear at this point whether the US will get the Lugia, Ho-oh and Arceus figures as preorder bonuses. On the bright side, our contact also said the US localization team is adamant about making sure we get everything Japan gets.

The generation 2 remakes are set for release in just days, on September 12th in Japan and spring 2010 in the US. Check back with us for new details and videos within the coming days.

Alright, so we’ve done it. We’ve added a donation button to the main website.

We’ve been reluctant to do this for quite some time, especially since we really don’t want to directly ask our members for money. We’re not running The Pallet Tribune to make money. No. We’re here because we love Pokemon, and we love the community behind TPT.

In the end, running this site requires money. A lot of money. You have to remember that we pay for EVERYTHING from our own pockets. Since we are continually required to pay for running this site (site hosting, forum licensing, podcasting hardware/software, prize postage, etc.) maintaining the site is hard work.

Keep in mind. We’re NEVER going to charge you for anything. Any new features, new forums, new tournaments, and new additions to the site is absolutely free. You don’t have to pay anything to participate in the Forum to the fullest capacity. If you choose to refrain from donating, we’ll have nothing against you whatsoever. The Pallet Tribune is free, and is always going to be free.

Remember, no one is required to donate a penny, but we’d greatly appreciate it if you do! Every donation we get will definitely help us keep this forum running, even if it’s just one penny.

To be honest, we’d hate for you all to donate without receiving anything in return. It’d be the least we could do to provide you Donators a certain bonus for being so kind to us.

Here’s a list of bonuses you guys’ll get if you donate a minimum of $10:

- A Custom, Personalized User-Title

- A Special PokeDoll (to be released)

- Weekly Pallet Income increased to 100 per week

- Avatar Size limit increased to 120×120

- Profile Picture size limit increased to 150×150

- PM Box capacity increased to 100

- PM Multi-Sending ability increased to 15

- Number of startable Social Groups increased to 10

- Album Image capacity increased to 25

The $10 will be cumulative. If you donate $4 now, and $6 later, that counts as the $10 total.

So, we would greatly appreciate any amount you guys donate to us. Keep in mind, EVERY penny will go to additions/maintaining this site. Thank you so much for your time.

Pokemon.com Reveals HeartGold and SoulSilver

The front page of Pokémon.com has officially announced the Generation II remakes to the US. The reveal came with a rough release date of Spring 2010. The teaser page includes a CGI video of the legendary beasts and the version mascots, Lugia and Ho-oh.

Arceus Officially Revealed to USA

Pokémon.com has officially announced the existence of pokémon #493, Arceus. The Alpha Pokémon has been known to exist by many fans since the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl in Japan in September 2006. This announcement presumably marks the the coming of an Arceus distribution event and Movie 12 in the USA.

Movie 12 English Title Revealed?

A subtitled version of the twelfth Pokémon movie was played at a film festival in Switzerland. Durning the screening, a possible title for english audiences was revealed: “Arceus and the Jewel of Life.” While this is likely to be the final title, it was not an official announcement.