Raichu -- Evolutions Pokemon Card Review

Pokemon Card Overview:
Today's Pokemon Card Review is of Raichu from the XY Evolutions Pokemon Card Set.  Raichu is a Stage 1, lightning type Pokemon card, with a HP of 100. It has a x2 weakness to fighting type Pokemon, a -20 resistance to metal type Pokemon, and a one colorless energy card retreat cost.  Raichu does not have an Ability but it does have two moves.  The first move that this card has is called Energize, for one lightning energy card this move allows a lightning type energy card to be moved from the discard pile and attached to Raichu.  Raichu's second move is called Spark Bolt and for three energy cards, two lighting and one colorless, this move does 70 damage, plus, if you decide to discard all energy attached to Raichu, this move does 70 damage more for 140 total damage.

Pokemon Card Strategy:
So as far as strategy goes, since Raichu is a Stage 1 Pokemon card, you'll first have to get Pikachu into play (I reviewed Pikachu from this set yesterday) and then evolve Pikachu into Raichu.  If you read yesterday's review of Pikachu, I thought it was a very solid card overall, one that could even be used on its own as a starter type Pokemon, since it could attack for one energy card doing 10 damage or even be used later in the game and do 30 damage a turn.  So knowing this about Pikachu and looking at this Raichu card, this is probably a card you'll want to set up on the bench because it takes three energy cards for its only attacking move, and even then, it only does a little above average damage.  The only time you would want to do 140 damage with that move is if you can retreat Raichu for free the next turn, you plan on having it defeated next turn, or if you knock out the defending Pokemon you'll win the game.  So overall, if building a lightning type deck, I could definitely see using a Pikachu more than this entire line combined, but you can always include a Raichu for some more power.

Pokemon Card Rating:
I would give this card a 3 out of 5 rating.  In my opinion, this is an average Stage 1 Pokemon card from the XY Evolutions set.  Although I don't necessarily recommend using it in a deck, this card has a slightly above average HP, low retreat cost, and two moves that work well together if Raichu isn't set up for doing damage when attacking.  Combined with Pikachu from this set, I would give this line a 3 out of 5 rating, but again, there are definitely better cards out there to use, these just aren't that bad overall.

Tomorrow's Pokemon Card:
So thanks for reading today's Pokemon card review of Raichu from the XY Evolutions set, stay tuned for tomorrow's card review of Magnemite, which is from this same set.  Make sure to check below for the Free Pokemon TCG Online Codes!

Free Pokemon TCG Online Code Cards:
Today's Quiz for a Pokemon TCG Online Code Card --
How does Pikachu evolve into Raichu?
Please respond with the correct answer and a link to your YouTube channel. 24 hours from now I will be randomly selecting a correct response to my question and sending a private message to this person with a free code on YouTube.