Hi there. In this short Pokemon TCG post I cover the cards Slither Wing and Iron Moth from the upcoming Night Wanderer set from Japan.
These two cards are Paradox Pokemon versions of the Bug & Fire Pokemon Volcarona. Slither Wing is the Ancient version while Iron Moth is the Future version.
Pokebeach News Source with screenshots.
Slither Wing
This Slither Wing is a basic single prized Fighting Pokemon with 140 HP. As this is an Ancient Pokemon, this is compatible with the Supporter Professor Sada's Vitality.
The first attack of Iron Buster requires one Fighting energy and one colourless energy. It does 20 base damage plus another 120 damage if the opponent has a Future Pokemon in play. The opponent does not necessarily need to play a Future deck to have a Future Pokemon in play. Some non Future decks may play a copy of Iron Hands ex (Chien Pao deck) or include an Iron Bundle (Paradox Rift). This first attack is good if the conditions are met.
Slither Wing's second attack of Smashing Wings is not good in my opinion. The cost is too much to do 130 damage and discarding two energy from it is not good. This second attack is good if you need to attack with it for knockout or to hit a two prize Pokemon for weakness. The previous Slither Wing is a more cost efficient attacker (picture below).
Pros
- Ancient compatibility
- First attack does big damage if opponent has a Future Pokemon in Play
- Large 140 HP for single prize Basic Pokemon
Cons
- Dependent on opponent's deck for first attack. May not be Future in play.
- Second attack is costly and discards two energy.
- Three retreat cost.
Iron Moth
This Iron Moth is a Future Fire basic Pokemon with 120 HP and two retreat cost. The first attack costs two colourless energy and does 30 damage plus a heal effect depending on the amount of damage done to the opponent's Active Pokemon.
The second attack Wild Rejector takes two Fire energy and one colourless energy. Its damage output is 120 damage. The added effect of this attack is a defensive effect where it prevents all damage done to this Pokemon from opponent's Ancient Pokemon. This Wild Rejector attack is good due to its ability conditional that the opponent plays Ancient Pokemon. The problem is that Ancient Pokemon are not super popular at the time of writing and in Japan.
Pros
- Future cards compatibility
- Fire type compatible with Magma Basin
- Wild Rejector attack effect quite powerful against Ancient decks. Protect against Ancient Pokemon attacks the next turn.
Cons
- Dependent on opponent's deck. Not everyone plays Ancient Pokemon
- Weak damage output
- Future decks tend to not may play Fire energy, better Future Pokemon options than this.