Ranking the Johto Gym Leaders by their Pokémon TCG Cards (Neo Sets)

[@jaynajuly2140]

Worth noting that the only Metal and Darkness energy cards at the time were NOT basics (meaning you could only have 4 total in your deck), and had bonus effects: Metal energy helped the attached Pokemon take 10 less damage from every attack (and was stackable), but when attached to non-Metal types they actually had their attacks weakened by 10, additionally. Darkness energy increased attacks by 10 damage (also stackable), but non-Darkness or "Dark" types took 10 damage every turn. I think that explains why a lot of Metal/Darkness types have Colorless attacks or may seem a little weaker than average, considering you were *supposed* to play them with special energy cards to help either prevent 10-40 damage or increase attacks by 10-40 damage!

[@kephalai]

i loved metal chansey deck so much. the effect of metal energy was so so interesting. i still daydream of each energy type having their own effects..

[@marktaylor4962]

This feels like a pretty big oversight that Paraspectre really didn't know about but does change things up in a pretty big way.

[@Paraspectre]

I absolutely did not realize this! I do feel like that would affect Jasmine and Karen’s rankings too

[@jaynajuly2140]

@@Paraspectre It was an interesting era for the TCG! And yeah, Jasmine could have more time to stall and use Lock On strats, or Karen could go on an all-out offensive rampage!

[@ChristopherBays-gf2hy]

Add 4x Rainbow Energy for a total of 8 Darkness or Metal Energy

[@JudgeTyBurns]

Every time I hear “Neo Genesis,” I think, “ah yes. Evangelion.”

[@Girthquake.88]

Every effing time

[@JcBravo8]

I think of the Sega dreamcast.

[@RS-fz4ps]

😂

[@Cheerybelle]

Neo Genesis Evangelio

[@user-zs5ub1ic1v]

This has easily become my newest favourite Pokemon channel, I love learning about the old TCG I grew up alongside!

[@gydalf9490]

I didn't even grow up with it but this is the exact content I need right now

[@Paraspectre]

That’s awesome to hear, thank you. I like that my channel went from James Bond video games to somehow focusing on classic Pokémon cards ☺️

[@kagarisa1426]

"no one would make a deck with one Geodude and onix" Unless your paraspectre

[@Paraspectre]

Haha even that sounds too awful for me

[@HemlockHedge]

I really like this series, but I would love it if you also went and compared all of the "Koga's Pidgey" kind of gym leader cards. Keep up the good work :)

[@Paraspectre]

It’s a side video I may do when I cover those cards

[@Zersetzor]

Maybe it's just nostalgia speaking, but some of those wonky artworks are just so charming.

[@Paraspectre]

Yeah I really like a lot of them

[@HighPriestFuneral]

Quite an interesting look into the early Neo sets. I would love a look at Gym Heroes/Legends personally, but this was an interesting follow up to the Gym Leader "can recreate this in Pokemon TCG for Gameboy" video and allowed you to explore the game a bit past your own time as well.

[@Paraspectre]

Maybe I’ll do a Gym Heroes/Challenge video when I also cover those sets in my set analysis series

[@draguunreloader5468]

That non-foil Kingdra was a viable deck in the old Base to Neo format thanks to Genetic Memory. Since it only needed one energy for Genetic Memory, the player would attach a Recycle Energy (Which would return to your hand when discarded from your pokemon) and back their Kingdra up with healing cards like Pokemon Center.

[@Paraspectre]

It’s a pretty cool idea for a move I gotta say

[@MiamiMarkYT]

I’m really enjoying this series. Soon we’re gonna hit the point where I lost interest in TCG, but these classic sets are so cool to me and I can still remember going through many of these cards on the floor of my room with my brothers. Thanks man. It’s been really great ❤️

[@Paraspectre]

Thank you! Gen 2 and on are all new to me so I feel like I should keep moving through each generation anyway

[@darkshot4424]

I love this concept, and i would say i would love to see this fleshed out with the sets for every pokemon, even on the current sets.

[@Paraspectre]

Yeah I wanna keep going one per Gen now, but focusing on the intro sets for each Gen

[@TheDanishGuyReviews]

Neo Destiny Seel is one of my favourite artworks from the old days. This video is also making me realise I have more Neo Genesis and Neo Destiny than any other Johto card set, and the least cards of Neo Discovery.

[@Paraspectre]

I was surprised at how much I liked a lot of the artwork in the Neo sets. It was also nice to see artwork that’s different from the same cards I’ve been talking about for two years

[@TheDanishGuyReviews]

@@Paraspectre I like how bright and happy some of the artwork is. Neo Destiny Swinub and Light Jolteon both look like they're having such a good time.

[@gligarguy4010]

I've always especially liked the artwork of these Neo Genesis cards.

[@Paraspectre]

Yeah I really liked a lot of these

[@Dockula]

Wish it was possible for you to do a challenge run with each of these deck

[@Paraspectre]

Some of those would be awful

[@keithakerley5460]

Final fantasy and Pokémon.. nice mix!

[@Paraspectre]

Sounded good at the time ☺️

[@StarkMaximum]

16:44 Is there...any particular reason the Johto Elite Four have Lantern Corps rings associated with them in this picture? Especially _extremely random_ Lantern Corps rings?

[@Paraspectre]

🤷🏻‍♂️ I just searched for Johto Elite Four pictures. I liked the look of that one. No idea about what else is going on with it

[@franksony1992]

What about Vending Cards? 11:22 What about Light Piloswine? 20:30 What about Hitmontop Promo? Nice content, but it all depends on the support you get or disrupt you do from trainers or energies. 27:06 Ever heard of Pokemon Breeder?

[@Paraspectre]

I’ll give you Light Piloswine. I missed that. But I didn’t include the promos because there already is a Neo Hitmontop. Also, this wasn’t meant to be gospel or anything. I just wanted to compare the Pokémon in the Neo cards and sometimes I couldn’t do that.

[@franksony1992]

@Paraspectre You're referring to the Southern Islands Collection which is more of a Promo set as a whole, but a an individual Promo card released in that era is too much because there already is another one? Alright... some mention wouldn't be a bad thing...

[@Paraspectre]

Basically yeah. If there is a Neo card of a Pokémon, I didn’t look at other promos or sets. I tried to keep it as centered as possible.

[@franksony1992]

​@@Paraspectreok, but what about Champion Lance?

[@cristianmoreno9159]

I love your content man, keep up the great work!

[@Paraspectre]

Thank you!

[@emilianovera3643]

I'm the same, I had kind of stopped collecting by the end of the neo series, seeing some of those light and dark cards is really cool

[@Paraspectre]

I found that I really like a lot of these Neo cards

[@AkamexAris1023]

Was relistening to this and realized, the background music is from og Final Fantasy! Had such a nostalgia trip listening to it thank you!

[@dSCHUMI1004]

Very interesting video as always. Keep up the good work. :)

[@Paraspectre]

Why thanks!

[@AzureFlute]

The Neo sets was where I stopped being able to keep up with the card game, but Neo Genesis really takes me back. The Kingdra from that set really brought back some memories

[@HybridAngelZero]

Super excited to see you covering the Neo sets! I would love to see you do this for later games as well!

[@Paraspectre]

Yeah I kinda want to keep doing one per Gen for now

[@LiteDrift]

"I've been looking forward to this."

[@Paraspectre]

“I hope you enjoyed it.”

[@vistas5823]

Loved this video :D

[@Paraspectre]

Thank you!

[@lopendebank3613]

Was hoping you continue these series ❤

[@Paraspectre]

They’re quite fun to analyze

[@MrZrbrownie]

I like the FF Crystal prelude music in the background.

[@Paraspectre]

I was trying to think of what music to use and FF1 just stuck out to me.

[@dixel2047]

Great video

[@Paraspectre]

Thank you 😊

[@mdudegamer]

I'd dig videos on the Gym Heroes, Gym Challenge, and VS sets.

[@Paraspectre]

Maybe when I get to those in my set analysis series

[@GaryFromLiberty]

I enjoyed this vid even more than the first, I say keep going with gen 3

[@Paraspectre]

I feel like I should too. Start with one for each gen

[@fulgenzio89]

Neo Genesis Steelix is the first card with 110 HP

[@Pighway]

You're like the Rhystic Studies of Pokemon KZbinrs.

[@Paraspectre]

No idea what that means but I’ll take it. I think.

[@RogerVenn]

The Neo cards were my introduction to gen2, seeing them in magazines giving the translation from the Japanese cards. I’ve always liked more the Japanese layout with the swirls for the weakness and resistance on the left side, and the description box on the right. So I thought the occidental ones were a bit weird. Seeing this video makes me realize how wack the Johto teams are. The gym leaders definitely needed to use more regional Pokémon… Definitely looking forward to more videos. I’d want to hear your thoughts on weird trainer cards. The Gym sets had those odd stadium cards that always intrigued me.

[@Paraspectre]

I think they’re pretty cool sets really. But yeah, Gen 2 teams are a bit of a letdown

[@TanukiTracks]

I think with Dark Fortress it says Armor Up protects from an attack. I don't think it's own move counts as being attacked, right? And if it does, wouldn't that mean the opponent has their turn to knock it out?

[@Paraspectre]

I read it as it would work. It says “at the end of your next turn” and “an attack.”

[@TanukiTracks]

Oh, next turn, I see.

[@Y0G0FU]

You missunderstood how Dark Gengar works. Its far more devious. If you decide to swap with a benched Pokemon with Pull in the pokemon that was benched takes the 30 dmg. Not the pokemon that was defending before. The plan was to setup weakened basic and baby pokemon with Dark Haunter and then pick them off one by one with Dark Gengar

[@Paraspectre]

Correct, I did misread that. It’s my first time ever seeing these cards

[@legion3343]

Is that dark haunters call back an error? Place the card on my opponents bench but I cannot use it if my bench is full?

[@Paraspectre]

Ha I didn’t even notice that. That is exactly what it says too

[@zalkarkazakbaev6691]

What about champion lance? or post game kanto gym leaders? red deck? will you make video about them?

[@Paraspectre]

I tried to keep Lance out of it just to compare the elite four. I might do the post game Kanto ones though

[@zalkarkazakbaev6691]

@@Paraspectre previous video you not included rival champion deck because his team would change depending on starter of player, lance champion battle have only one team of Pokemon (mono fly). So why not make video abote champion of league on Johto time Lance?

[@Paraspectre]

To keep everything consistent

[@CardcaptorMaho]

Just a heads up, while not necessarily G/S debut sets, the first three e-reader sets (Expedition, Aquapolis, and Skyridge) were still technically gen 2 sets and did feature the gen 1 pokemon that didn't get a Neo set card.

[@Paraspectre]

This is true, but I wanted to stick to as much Neo as possible since it was the debut block. I figured it would play better to go backwards than forwards if there weren’t Neo versions

[@Marrer_osrs]

cosmo canyan as the starting tune. love it XD

[@CoolPorygon]

It's funny that you're reluctant to count Dark prefix pokemon for gym leaders that they wouldn't fit for, but do count Light Dewgong for Pryce - who in the manga is actually one evil dude that Dark would befit.

[@Paraspectre]

I really tried to stick to Neo cards only as best as I could and Light Dewgong is the only Dewgong there

[@nickcasillas1618]

I’d love to see you take on the Hoenn sets!

[@LiteDrift]

He prefers to only touch the stuff made in association with Wizards of the Coast. I don't believe there's any Gen 3 cards made by them.

[@Paraspectre]

I want to keep doing one per Gen for now. They’re fun to make

[@MegamanXV0]

Well, you have to do the rematch teams now. This is a good idea. Hope you can do this in the room hack as well eventually

[@Joker22593]

You should check out the "Pokemon Vs." set that was only released in Japan. It's like the Neo series's version of the gym sets.

[@StarkMaximum]

did you...just not see or hear 1:58 where he says word for word exactly this

[@Paraspectre]

Yep! A possibility for another video in the future

[@germinal220]

That Neo Genesis Murkrow was a menace in the PTCG back in the day

[@ThePseudoEphedrin]

Great Idea. Like your video. :-) Greetings from Germany!

[@Paraspectre]

Thank you!

[@regorllerref]

It would be a long video, but it would be cool to go thru an entire game, and see which npc would have the strongest deck in the tcg, I mean it would make sense for a gym leader to be on top, but it would be funny if just some random trainer was actually the best.

[@Paraspectre]

Haha it’s really some random bug catcher

[@Mage_Nichlas_]

I think it would've been a good idea to include the Kanto Gym Leaders here as well. It feels awkward showing Janine on the Japanese Gym Leader pack but not having her present.

[@Paraspectre]

I DID make a video with the Kanto leaders, but stuck to the original sets. It seemed like the best way to go about it

[@JcBravo8]

Did you ever do a video on the unreleased Johto Gym Heroes from Japan? The wiki has translations.

[@Paraspectre]

It might be one that I’ll re-explore for a secondary video to this

[@JcBravo8]

⁠@@ParaspectreWhoo! I maybe helped make content!

[@miguelmejia4656]

13:27 what guy?

[@RS-fz4ps]

Was the soundtrack of the first ff used the whole vid?

[@Paraspectre]

It sure was!

[@RS-fz4ps]

@@Paraspectre I love your content. Big fan. I can’t get enough of the TCG stuff, anything TCG. Keep up the great work!

[@decarabiaumbra560]

It would be cool to see either the Kanto gym leaders, Lance, and Red with their gen 2 card teams or see this continued in the gym heroes+challenge sets or VS for the johto leaders. I'm just not sure how you'd to the rematch teams of HGSS. Would you use cards from HGSS - Call of Legends and use Diamond and Pearl base - Arceus for any missing 'mons on teams?

[@Paraspectre]

There are a lot of secondary options I may do, yeah

[@kryzallazurite1585]

I would honestly watch videos on the Gym Leader pokemon via the cards, meaning, for example, all of "Brock's" pokemon like Vulpix & what not. Any thoughts on the feasible hows & whys they have them would be fun too~

[@MazterP28]

Are used to make gym leader Decks to play against people instead of playing the meta-decks and they would pick up gym leader to go against and I would use the gym leader Pokémon

[@Paraspectre]

It’s a pretty fun idea. I like doing this in the main games too

[@dragonmaster613]

Those Scythers boost the viability of the Haymaker deck

[@ChronicUnderachiever420]

Gen 2 kanto leaders + Red ranking!

[@Paraspectre]

Oh the Kanto post game teams? I didn’t even think about that. Maybe for another video!

[@ChronicUnderachiever420]

@@Paraspectre please that would be awesome! Thank you for your content! Love all your stuff.

[@mojavefry2617]

My main issue with Karen’s deck is that you’d have to stock it with four different types of energy card, thus complicating your choices of active Pokemon. Further, I feel that Koga and Bruno have far greater consistency with their decks, plus Bruno can get most of his mons in play immediately. Of course, the downside is that anyone with a strong Psychic focus would make short work of both of them.

[@MangaDungeon]

Not disagreeing but just comments for the engagement Id make the argument that Karen is kinda middle of the pack. Her single cards are by a long shot really really good but she has to play 4 colors (or whatever the term is in pokemon) and two of those pokemon require triple of the off color. So even with Eevee and other normal types to round out the pack, her hands are going to be bricking all the time

[@Paraspectre]

Very fair point. I feel like the Elite Four are all pretty close to me. Not a huge difference between Will and Karen

[@denis2381]

I love this format but only maximum to gen3

[@Paraspectre]

I feel like I’ll keep going beyond 3

[@denis2381]

@@Paraspectre sure why not bro. U shouldnt be influenced by my preference :) I mean gen 3 euby sapphire pokemon 😊

[@TheWonkster]

Every time someone runs down the Gen 2 gym leader team comps, I become irrationally angry. Why don't they use gen 2 Pokémon? Whose idea was it to give them Kanto teams? It doesn't make any sense.

[@hatsudopia5085]

Neo art is peak

[@Paraspectre]

There’s some great stuff here

[@KeegandeBruyn]

Nice

[@TheHiroRen]

Good video, but the background sound was too loud, it gets hard to listen to your voice and that 8-bit high pitch sound pounding the ears

[@Paraspectre]

Sometimes it’s hard for me to tell, but I will note that. I still struggle with perfecting the audio.

[@drascia]

But where does Matthew rank 👀

[@ultimatedrift8549]

YAAAAAAAASSSSSSSS

[@Paraspectre]

😎

[@robertcrist6059]

For me I don't know anything about the property beyond gen 1, so who are these gym leaders and all that doesn't matter to me, but I still watched it because Pokemon; so I would wager you are in for going through all the generations and doing this for each gym leader group and elite four becuase those fans are out there; as a gen 1 stan yes please for Hero/Challenge; Heart Gold/Soul Silver and Fire Red and Leaf Green stuff why not; Thank you.

[@tylerkelsey471]

I like I like

[@Paraspectre]

Thanks!

[@nodsoldier5802]

shroom boys

[@Paraspectre]

🍄 🍄

[@Laxbry]

Based

[@DJOHRENSCHMERZ]

Lance is the best 🙏

[@jmcbango]

First? This has never happened to me before lol

[@Paraspectre]

You absolutely did it

[@arcturus64]

I always thought that Bugsy was a girl as a kid.

[@Paraspectre]

Who?

[@arcturus64]

@@Paraspectre Bugsy ha ha my bad, Hector is his french name.

[@tysmith211]

For the algorithm 🎉

[@christopherballero866]

Gen 2 gym leaders yet with 8 gym leaders there are only 4 Johto Pokemon 2 of which were evolutions to Kanto Pokemon

[@Paraspectre]

Yeah they’re a bit of a letdown

[@johnzale7748]

19th comment swag

[@Paraspectre]

19 beats 20 always. In every game.