Corphish
Battle Styles (BST 038)

Initial Overview of Corphish (Battle Styles 38/163)

Corphish from the Battle Styles set is a Basic Water-type Pokémon card with 70 HP. Its main attack, Bubble Beam, costs three energies (one Water and two Colorless) and deals 30 damage, with a chance to Paralyze the opponent’s Active Pokémon. With a common rarity, this card is accessible for both new players and seasoned collectors.

Comprehensive Review of Corphish (Battle Styles)

1. Card Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses

Corphish stands out as an entry-level attacker in Water decks. Its 70 HP gives it modest survivability against basic attackers, and its Water typing means it can exploit the weaknesses of popular Fire-type Pokémon. The attack, Bubble Beam, is straightforward but effective; the potential to Paralyze an opponent on a coin flip introduces an element of disruption that can be decisive in early-to-mid game scenarios.

Strengths:

• Paralysis Effect: The ability to Paralyze can buy you a crucial turn, preventing your opponent’s Active Pokémon from attacking or retreating. In tightly contested matches, this can shift momentum significantly.
• Flexible Energy Cost: Bubble Beam requires only one Water energy, with the rest being Colorless. This makes it easy to fit into multi-type decks or decks that use Double Colorless Energy alternatives.
• Ease of Use: Being a Basic Pokémon, Corphish can be played directly onto the Bench without any evolutions, making it a reliable choice for filling your board or setting up for evolutions.

Weaknesses:

• Low Damage Output: 30 damage per attack is underwhelming, especially against higher-HP basics or evolved Pokémon.
• High Retreat Cost: With a retreat cost of two Colorless energies, switching Corphish out can be expensive if you need to reposition quickly.
• Lightning Weakness: As with most Water-types, Corphish is vulnerable to Lightning decks, taking double damage, which can lead to quick knockouts against popular Electric attackers.

2. Situational Advantages and Disadvantages

When is Corphish Advantageous?

• Early Game Disruption: In the opening turns, Corphish can slow down aggressive opponents by Paralyzing their main attacker, buying time to set up your bench or evolve other Pokémon.
• Against Fire Decks: Its Water typing gives it a natural edge over Fire-type Pokémon, making it a solid counter in certain matchups.
• Decks Needing Basic Fillers: If your deck needs more Basic Pokémon to prevent mulligans, Corphish serves as a functional option that can also contribute utility with its attack effect.

When is Corphish Less Effective?

• Late Game Scenarios: As the game progresses, Corphish’s low attack power and HP make it less impactful against fully-evolved or VMAX Pokémon.
• Facing Lightning Decks: With its ×2 weakness to Lightning, Corphish is easily knocked out by common Electric attackers, reducing its staying power in those matchups.
• Energy Acceleration Required: Requiring three energies to attack can be slow without dedicated acceleration, making it less appealing in fast-paced formats.

3. Reasons to Include Corphish in Your Deck

There are several compelling reasons to consider adding Corphish to your Water-based or mixed-type deck:

• Utility as a Disruptor: The chance to Paralyze can interrupt your opponent’s tempo, potentially stalling powerful threats while you prepare your main strategy.
• Bench Filler: It’s a practical Basic Pokémon to help fill your Bench, which is essential for activating certain draw or support effects.
• Evolution Line: If you’re running a deck based around its evolution line, Corphish is a natural inclusion as a stepping stone to more powerful forms.

4. Quality/Price Ratio and Collectibility

Being a common card from the Battle Styles set, Corphish is widely available and generally affordable. While its individual playability may not make it a chase card, its value lies in accessibility and utility for budget-conscious players or those who are just starting out. For collectors, its common status and lack of unique art or holo treatment mean it isn’t highly sought after as a standalone collectible. However, completionists looking to finish the Battle Styles set will appreciate its inclusion.

In terms of quality versus price, Corphish offers solid value for players wanting to round out their Water-type lineup without investing heavily. Its effectiveness in casual play and potential as an early-game disruptor make it a worthwhile consideration for many deckbuilders, particularly in local league or beginner environments.

5. Strategic Play: Advice and Adaptation

• When to Play: Deploy Corphish early to pressure your opponent’s setup or to serve as a buffer while you build your main attackers on the Bench. If you win the coin flip for Paralysis, you can stall your opponent’s progress, forcing them to find switching cards or lose valuable turns.
• How to Maximize Effectiveness: Pair Corphish with cards that can recycle or accelerate energy attachments, mitigating the slow buildup for Bubble Beam. Consider using support Pokémon that allow you to switch out Corphish for free, offsetting its high retreat cost.
• Adapting to Opponent’s Deck: Against Lightning decks, avoid exposing Corphish unless necessary, as it will likely be knocked out quickly. Versus slower or Fire-based decks, use Corphish more aggressively to take advantage of its type advantage and disruptive potential.

6. Synergies and Deck-Building Strategies

Corphish fits best in decks that benefit from spreading out Basic Pokémon early or that leverage Water-type synergies. Its Colorless energy requirements mean it can be splashed into non-Water decks that still want access to Paralysis effects. Additionally, decks that focus on status conditions can use Corphish as a cheap way to inflict Paralysis, disrupting the opponent’s setup and buying time for more significant plays.

For evolution-based strategies, Corphish provides a reliable base for evolving into more powerful forms. Decks that utilize abilities to reduce retreat cost or recover discarded energies can further enhance Corphish’s utility, allowing it to pivot in and out of the Active spot as needed.

7. Final Thoughts: Is Corphish Worth It?

Corphish from Battle Styles is a well-rounded Basic Pokémon that offers disruption and flexibility at a low cost. While it won’t win games on its own, its ability to Paralyze and fill out your Bench make it a smart inclusion in many Water-type or beginner decks. Its affordability and accessibility ensure that anyone can experiment with it, whether for play or collection purposes. If you’re building a deck that values early disruption, flexible energy requirements, or simply needs more Basics, Corphish is worth considering.

In summary, Corphish is a card that shines in specific scenarios and can be a valuable tool in the right hands. Its strengths lie in its disruptive potential and ease of use, while its drawbacks—low damage and vulnerability to Lightning—are important to keep in mind when constructing your deck. Whether you’re a player looking for a budget-friendly addition or a collector finishing your set, Corphish holds its place as a classic, reliable choice from Battle Styles.